Ruger MK I from WalMart

[bigjoda]

I saw this the other day at $64.97 and figured how bad could it be?  I bought it, took it home and fired about 50 rounds through it.  Packaged it back up and got a refund the next day.  Let me qualify this by saying I'm new to this forum and really haven't fired an airgun since I gave up my pumpmaster 760 30 years ago.  I don't have a Chrono machine and I'm just a recreational plinker in my backyard.

Weight and Feel:

The gun is heavy and while it is a pistol, easiest handling was holding it more like a submachine gun.  The weight made the gun unwieldy in any traditional pistol type grip.  For this much weight, you're better off with a rifle.

It has a cheaply made feel: the fiber optic sights had the look of poorly cut, brightly-colored monofilament fishing line.  In addition, the terminus of one of these lines into the rear elevation sight was protruding, giving the appearance that one side was significantly larger: a definite distraction when shooting.

The most glaring piece of shoddy craftsmanship, though, was the breech end of the barrel: it looked as though it had been cut with hacksaws from several different angles until the cutter was finally able to break through the metal.  I can't imagine a machine made such a cut.  Regardless, it was uneven and surrounded by a small rubber o-ring.  I have read where others had problems with this ring breaking into pieces.  I had no such problems but could easily see how it might happen if the ring ever got dry enough.

Cocking is rated at 25 lbs which felt about right though my 11 year old had trouble (he's a bit of a book worm and not terribly strong).

Accuracy:

I shot at 15 feet and 45 feet using a home made target taped to a small phone book.  At 45 feet, the pellets couldn't hit anywhere on the 8.5x11 inch piece of paper.  The rear sight is fully adjustable and after some tinkering, I was able to zero in just a bit - but only a bit.  At 15 feet, grouping got a little better but still wildly inconsistent.  The trigger is published at 4.5 lbs but was stiff - about what you would expect for the price.  I used a small phone book that was about 1 inch thick.  The pellets penetrated about 1/2 through.

I have included some photos.  Unfortunately, I had to use my phone camera and the close-up detail is not what I had hoped it would be.  I suspect these were manufactured specifically to be sold at discount stores like WalMart where the FPS would be the main selling point.  However, you get what you pay for.  It doesn't make sense to buy a back yard plinker if you can't consistently hit a can.

[Smaug]

You should consider having this moved to the Airgun Reviews Gate, I think. There are those who may benefit from being warned away from this one.

I saw this in Walmart a few weeks ago and was tempted, but I'm glad I didn't break.

Bill Ruger is turning over in his grave. This kind of thing never happened when he was alive and it was actually his NAME too, and not just a brand.

[QVTom]

Bill Ruger is turning over in his grave. This kind of thing never happened when he was alive and it was actually his NAME too, and not just a brand.

I really don't understand why firearm manufactures like Ruger, Savage, Reminton, etc (this list goes on forever) put their name on such low quality products. 

I understand there is a market for these guns and that is fine. My point is a new airgun buyers may think he/she is getting something that resembles the quality level of the firearm manufacture and is not.  They are just buying a label.  Also, i believe, these inexpensive guns damage the brands they represent. Why would would you want to cast a shadow on your primary products?  Firearm manufacturers should stay out of the AG market - They just fuzz things up!

Sorry about the hijack but this firearm branding thing just pushes my button.

[kcatx]

I too bought one recently, even though I'd read some not too positive reviews.  The pistol is quite a brute and has a very long trigger pull.  While shooting crappy Crosman destroyers I was lucky to hit within a few inches of my target at 30ish feet.  After switching to Premiers though things improved significantly.  I eventually put a red dot on it.  No matter how much I tightened the red dot it would always move back.  After finally backing up against the rear site I was able to sight it in and get some dime to quarter sized groups, often with some pellets either in the same hole or touching-- which are pretty good for a 5 MOA red dot.  If I was to put a scope on it I suspect I could do quite a bit better.  I took it out to my buddies place and a friend was able to fairly consistently shoot wasps landing on his pond.  It's nowhere near as accurate as the P17, but is reasonable-- if you get can get past the trigger pull.  If there was a stock on this beast it would probably improve things significantly.   Would I buy it again?   Probably-- but mostly because I'm a sucker for any and all airguns.  I haven't chronied it yet.   If you want an accurate pistol get a P17, P3, 1377 or 2240 first, only after getting most or all of them should you pick up a MK 1.

[MustangMike]

For the same price actually a little bit cheaper I can vouch for the walther p99q co2 pistol for backyard plinking. If you are looking for a pistol for plinking in the backyard

It feels very good in the hand, shoots very smoothly and is just a blast to shoot. It is also a authentic replica of the 9mm/45 walther pistol that is standard issue in the uk police force.....

https://www.pyramydair.com/product/walther-ppq-p99-q-co2-pistol?m=2447

[Smaug]

I'm with you, QVTom. Some Marketing guy decided that the Ruger name would lend credibility to that particular line of airguns among powderburner guys who are looking to get an airgun.

I'm a powderburner guy, and I was immediately attracted to the Rugers. But after a little research and looking at them in the store, I see that they're not real Rugers. (real Ruger PBs are US-made, and it is a real point of pride)

When I saw they're just Umarex guns re-branded, I just shook my head and marveled that there is nothing they won't stoop to. Not that they're necessarily BAD for it, but they sure have that capability!

[robert w]

WOW!!! Im glad everybody posted about the ruger. I was looking in wally world today and kinda kept looking in my billfold but thought...and thought... think i will wait and get home ,then get on here and see what verybody has to say.    Im thinking about just plunking down some hard earned cash and get either a browning 800 epress or a rws/diana  LP8 might cost more but cheep usually meand cheep quality also. thanks for all of those posts, sure helped make up my mind

[joe k]

bigjoda
get your self a crosman 2240 then go crazy modifing it.
joe

[Millipede]

i was in walmart the other day and it seems they've taken all the 1377 off the shelf and put this in its place...  there wasnt even any empty slot where the 1377 should have been. i might buy one but i think i'll ask for a browning 800 instead for christmas...

[redone1992]

Thank,s every one for the info on this.

[robert w]

i cant belive it, but my wife watched me looking at the ruger markI . yesterday she came home and gave me a heavy loaded wally world plastic bag. inside was a ruger markI i thought at least she was thinking ,so i proceded to get the cleaning rod out n clean all the junk out of the barrel , then went outside and fired it was hitting low and to the left coupla adjustments and its close today hope to see how close it can get. but if it dont do as expected, i will return it to wally world and use the money to get a diana or browningthe trigger got an adjustment and wasnt that bad of pull who knows they might have worked some of the bugs out of it . the trigger assembly doesnt appeal to me ,when looking inside its got too much plastic in it so i dont expect a long life but on the other hand it might fool me . but for $65. and taxes what do we expect ? a $$$ dont buy much   anymore if i have any problems with it will post them. ps it dont cock bad with the barrel extender

[Dick Tracey]

There is 2 Wal-mart superstores in my area.  One has removed all traces of 1377 model and sells PB rifles and ammunition.  The other one still has 1377 pistols on the shelf sells black powder rifles only and aminution.