Ruger 50th Anniversary Mark II Project part 2

When we left off, we had assembled and test fired the gun, everything was copacetic, so we will continue with the refinishing of this pistol.

I started with the frame, it only had some minor pitting/dents on the back of the grip frame, typical of these pistols, the frames are made from stamped mild sheet steel and often get dented or deformed from drops.

Once the back was done, I cleaned up the front of the pistol, often the bluing is worn off from gripping the gun. I polished both sides to 400 grit. In case you didn't know, you can blue over existing bluing, the bluing will only get so thick, and existing bluing does not affect the bare steel areas.

Then I returned to working the barrel/receiver assembly. I tried to stay away from the engraving/roll marks until I got to the 320 grit level, I wanted the pits removed, but I want to preserve the engraving more.

Once everything was sanded to 600 grit, I went over it with a crocus cloth, just to removed any left-over sanding marks

The small parts are in good shape (the bolt is new, trigger is aluminum, and the rear sight was in good shape). The only thing left to do is clean and prep for bluing.

I use acetone to remove any grease, oil or debris

After 30 minutes in the bluing tank, I covered the parts in WD-40

Ruger 50th Anniversary Mark II Project part 1

In 1999 Ruger celebrated their 50th Anniversary, and as a person would expect, they created a special edition firearm to celebrate the milestone.
They chose the Ruger Mark II pistol, because the standard and Mark I were no longer in production. They made it appear as close to the original Ruger standard pistol as possible

Here is the original Ruger standard pistol

and the 50th Anniversary model

 While they appear very similar, they are different. The 50th Anniversary was built on the Mark II pistol with the A-100 frame. This means that the location of the grip screws are in different places, this is due to the relocation of the loading button on the magazine to the opposite side, the loading button also engages bolt stop, which holds the slide open on the last shot. Ruger did not put the taper cuts on the back of the receiver, which every other Mark II has. They also put the short front and fixed rear sight (which is an updated version of the original). Ruger also brought back the red eagle, but they put it on both grip panels, where the originals were on the left side only. 

If you didn't know the red eagle was changed to black to mourn Alexander Sturm's death in 1951. This was not the first time it was brought back, in 1979 Ruger produced it's 1 millionth pistol and it was given red eagle medallions.



The original Ruger pistols also had a bare metal bolt it was not blued)

 photo courtesy of Gun Blast

The 50th Anniversary models were given a stainless-steel bolt with the classic SR logo designed by Alexander Sturm

 The top of the receiver was given a special 50th Anniversary engraving

I am always on the lookout for unwanted, neglected or broken guns in need of love. 

A guy on our local forum advertised his 50th Mark II for a pretty low price, due to the corrosion.

Someone beat me to it and bought the lower grip frame and stainless 50th Anniversary bolt.

The seller came to me and asked if I wanted to buy the barreled receiver.

I of course said yes and bought the unit for $35

I had a start of a pistol, but I would need to source the rest of the gun. On these pistols the upper receiver is the serialized part, so I could get the rest of the parts online. I figured the best way to go would be to find a parts gun or one missing the upper receiver.


I was lucky enough to find this lower receiver/grip frame at the Phoenix gun show. This receiver is for a Mark II, but an early Mark II with no bolt stop/slide release.

 I found a set of 50th Anniversary grip panels on ebay for only $12.39.

The pistol did not come with any magazines, I did buy a new one, but I had one in my collection that has the red eagle, so that one will be used on this project.

I also bought this Mark II/III bolt, as new on ebay $26.40.

The 1st step is to assemble the parts and make sure the gun functions as intended.

You may notice that I already started sanding on the barreled receiver, I am sure I have pictures of that work somewhere.

I had some difficulty getting it together, but that is not unexpected when assembling gun parts that left the factory years apart.

I test fired the gun by putting two 36 grain Remington Golden Bullet cartridges in the magazine, the first one fed, fired, ejected and the second round chambered as expected. The gun functions now let's get it refinished.

Best of Theme Guns: Movies

 

Interesting Firearm Photos #93

 

I get Addias jogging pants, my neighbor get Addidas jogging pants, I get AK-47, my neighbor gets AK-47, I get vacuum cleaner, he cannot afford vacuum cleaner, Great Success!