Differences in Ruger Mark 1 and Mark II/III magazines??

sgt.rock

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I know the story of when Ruger's die machines finally wore out after decades of pumping out Standards and Mark 1's, they took the time to make some changes to the pistol, such as switching around the mag releases or some such before they retooled for the next generation of pistols. Can anyone tell me exactly the differences between what were the stock features of the mark 1 and what exactly changed for the Mark II.
I noticed just how inconvenient these changes were when I started shopping for items for my Mark I (such as the ultimate clip loader that only works with mark II/III's, and mags don't interchange like they can with the second and third generations. )
Is there a way to make a Mark I mag be able to fit the Ultimate clip loader, I was told that Mark II and Mark III clips can be used in a Mark I if something is switched out or changed.
Any "laymen" terminology used would be appreciated as I don't have a sound knowledge of things such as pistol parts. Someone tried to explain how to use mark 2 or 3 mags in my mark I but I got lost as soon as they mentioned parts I don't recognise. Thanks for any help. .........I want one of those clip loaders SOOO bad.
 
Hey guys to make MRK II/III mags work with a standard MRKI you need to take the mag apart like your going to clean it (clean it now :) ) and change the mag follower button to the other side. It's the little button on the side of the mag. HK makes a great loader for Rugers it's cheap like $5-6 and can go in your range bag no problem. It just slides over the mag and pulls the follwer down so you can just basically drop rounds in.
 
ruger_mk2_magazine-1.jpg
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That's the button you need to put it on the other side to use in a MRK I. To take your mag apart look at the base plate, there's a little hole there push something into it to release the base plate then slide it off. Voila you now have taken your mag apart as it should all just slide out the bottom or up to the bigger hole in the bottom on the side where you can slide out the button. If there's any thing else just ask :D
 
I'm not the expert either, but I have Mark 1 2 and 3's and Ultimate cliploaders.

Mark 1 mags hold 9 instead of 10 like Mark 2 and 3's, and look different with a shiny bottom peice, instead of a black plastic one.

As far as Mark i's go, I have two with different mags. The round thing on the side (that is like a button) can be on either side. I have an old target one with the button on the right side of the mag, and a normal looking taper barelled Mark I with the button on the left (Looking from the top down, gun pointed away).

The ultimate cliploaders have an adjuster screw that is made for the mags with the button on the left side.

What side of the mag is you button on?

I haven't tried the righ button mag in my loader, but i will if that's what you have.

Cheers!
 
On my guns, the button has to fit into a slot in the grip, and I can't switch them around. Maybe I'm wrong?

The pic above is the left button mag like on one of my Mark I's and my Mark II's and III's.
 
This is gettin interesting. So, theoretically, if I take the Mark I mags apart, switch the button to the other side, put them back together, they should be able to fit the Ultimate cliploader????? If so, please tell me, and I'm getting my Credit Card out to order immediately.
BUT LET ME GUESS I'm sure there is a catch, such as, by switching the button to the other side,therefore allowing the MK I mags to use the Ultimate cliploader, now the magazine will not fit back into the Ruger Mark I due to a button raceway missing on the opposite side.
 
From what I see on my guns, if you switch the button to the other side, it'll fit in the mag loader, but won't fit in the gun.

I'm asuming your button is on the right side?
 
OK

Sorry to waste everyones time.

I just tried my mags in the ultimate cliploader and the 10 round mags work, and the 9 round mags don't work (no matter what side the button is on). The 9 rounders can't be pushed in far enough to release the spring loaded ball holding the ammo in the cliploader.

Soryy to dissapoint you, but I wanted to make sure, and not guess what the diff was.

Guess you need a Mark 11 or III now!
 
Hey though of an idea.

What about try swtiching the button on a 10 round mag and see if it fits in your gun.

That would work in the loader!
 
I have the mark 1 9 round mags and the ultimage cliploader works great with them. All I did was take a dremel and make that little notch that holds the mag button (on the bottom of the clip loader) a tad deeper so the mag lips will reach the detent ball that releases the rounds. Not sure if this would negatively affect the 10 round mags as I don't have any (maybe have to hold the 10 round mag back a hair instead of inserting fully?)
 
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