The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: Big Frank on November 07, 2025, 06:29:28 AM
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To celebrate Ruger day this year, 10/22/25, I ordered some parts for my 10/22 rifle, and Mark II and 22/45 pistols. I already bought a pair of TANDEMKROSS Plus 1 Magazine Bumpers for the Mark II mags, which have since been discontinued. And I had more than enough TANDEMKROSS Green Springs, 2 3-packs. So I removed the magazine block retaining plungers from all 4 mags, chucked them in a cordless drill and spun them in 220 grit sandpaper to polish them up. One from a Mark II mag is a much different shape (pic 1). I also sanded the molding flash off the top, front, and back of all 4 mag followers and cleaned them off.
I think that was the mag that the bottom of the tube was squeezed in on, and I forced a very large screwdriver into it to spread it out farther. That was probably the one with a much shorter spring in it (pic 2). The Green Springs are longer than the longest of the 4 springs. One of the Mark II base pads was solid black like the ones for the 22/45, and the other one had a silver color piece stuck on, and looks kind of like a hollow rivet on the inside. The logo is upside down compared to the one molded in on the black mag (pic 3).
I replaced the Mark II base pads with the TANDEMKROSS Plus 1 Magazine Bumpers (pic 4). There were 3 different mag follower buttons on these, one was grooved and 2 others were the same size but smooth, and one was smooth but smaller than the other 3 (pic 5). I replaced all 4 with Volquartsen Magazine Follower Buttons I already had. I was working on a Gadsden Flag TekMat (pic 6) to keep everything clean, and make the parts easy to see.
https://tandemkross.com/green-springs-magazine-springs-for-ruger-mark-series-3-pack/
https://volquartsen.com/products/1236-magazine-follower-button-for-ruger-pistols
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Then I ordered 2 2-Packs of TANDEMKROSS Maximus Plus1 Follower for Ruger Mark Series Pistols, and replaced all 4 followers. You can see the Volquartsen Magazine Follower Buttons in the picture, and the magazine followers. All 4 mags now hold 11 rounds, even the 2 with +1 base pads. They won't hold 12 rounds, but will hold 11 with either the Plus 1 Magazine Bumpers, the Maximus Plus1 Follower, or both. The new mag bumpers do make them easier to get hold of, but changing mags is still a bit of a hassle. I still want to get an extended mag release for the Mark II, but I may be done modifying the 22/45. Unless I get the bull barrel turned down and threaded for a suppressor. Then I'll probably get an optics mount installed too.
P.S. A spare M16 firing pin is a most excellent tool for depressing the mag base latch pins. And most pins on a Ruger 10/22, Remington 1100, or most other firearms. I think Uncle Sam gave me one when I was in the army. ;) I remember in basic training the drill sergeants would always have one tucked in their pistols belt for adjust rifle sights when we went to the range.
https://tandemkross.com/plus1roundinfactorymagazines-rugermkseries
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBxnwulVigk
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No end to what you can do with TandemKross parts. I don’t need the extra capacity as Steel Challenge only NEEDS 5 rounds then maybe 1 or 2 makeups. I spent my money on magazines. I bought a variety from MK III to MK IV, and standard To 22/45. Simply changing the base pad made them all work in my 22/45 MK IVs. That and I ground a notch in the back of my 22/45s so they’ll accept either MK III or IV magazines.
Hate to admit it but I have 40 which means I can shoot a whole 8 stage Steel match without recharging a mag. And of course with 3-5 round left in each mag after each string I have plenty of spare ammo in case of reshoots. What some find odd is that after each stage I empty the used mags. That way there’s never a doubt about which mags to use next. They’re either completely empty or completely full.
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Having your mags completely empty or completely full is a good way to avoid "whoopsies" with a half full mag. I didn't need to spend 30 bucks on the new +1 mag followers, but they feel smoother than the factory mag followers, even after I sanded the mold parting lines off them. And I think they're less likely to cause malfunctions. I'll probably only load 10 rounds most of the time, but I like having the extra room to move the button up and down to settle the rounds.
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More goodies from TANDEMKROSS ordered. MarkPRO Extended Magazine Bumper for Ruger Mark IV 22/45 (2-Pack), not the Tomahawk Hooked Bumper for Ruger Mark IV 22/45™ (2-Pack). Both kind also work on Mark II and Mark III 22/45s. Sometimes you have to look for Mark IV parts to find stuff for the Mark II and III like I did. And I ordered a black Titan Extended Magazine Release for Ruger Mark IV 22/45, that also works with all Mark II and II 22/45s.
While I was at it I ordered a Guardian Bolt Release Plate for Ruger 10/22, to replace the silver Volquartsen Automatic Bolt Release I have in it. Besides being the right color, it's 2 bucks cheaper than the Volquartsen. And I'm getting a black Victory Trigger for Ruger 10/22. Flat-faced, skeletonized design for better control and feel. Textured trigger face offers a no-slip grip in any condition. 100% adjustable for post-travel. Can drop trigger pull weight up to ½ a pound. That's it, 4 parts altogether, 5 counting the 2nd basepad in the 2-pack. And I still managed to spend over $130 including tax and shipping.
https://tandemkross.com/titan-extended-magazine-release-for-ruger-mark-iv-22-45/
https://tandemkross.com/victory_trigger_ruger_1022
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Nice grip. I still haven't gotten around to getting a 22/45...maybe next year.
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The TK hiveGrip is available for Ruger Mark III and IV 22/45s, Smith & Wesson SW22 Victory, and AR-15s too. I'd like to have something like that, but I'm stuck with the factory grip on my Mark II 22/45, but put a Hogue HandALL Grip Sleeve over it. The plastic grip was too slippery without it, and I'm not paying anyone to mill the grip frame to take 1911 grip panels like some people have done.
https://tandemkross.com/search-results-page?q=hiveGrip&page=1&rb_categories=Grips
https://www.hogueinc.com/handall-tactical-grip-sleeve-small-black
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I put the TANDEMKROSS MarkPRO Extended Magazine Bumpers for Mark IV 22/45s on both of my Mark II 22/45 mags. They're a hollow 2-piece design with a small screw holding the 2 halves together. They never need to be separated, do I put red thread locker on the screws and cranked them right down. I also put the Titan Extended Magazine Release for Mark IV 22/45s on it. The round button seems like it's a hair too big for the way I grip my pistol, and the button is THICK. The hexagonal button isn't a whole lot smaller, but it's VERY thin. I ended up putting it on with the spacer to raise it up a bit higher, but it feels like it's still not quite as thick as the round button without the spacer. It may be as thick as the round button now, but doesn't feel like it to me. I used a 5/16" nut driver and blue Loctite to secure it. I always had to shift my hand clockwise around the grip to hit the mag release. Now I don't. And I really like the extended mag bumpers. It makes it easier to seat the mags, and I don't have my big fat ham hands wrapped around the bottom of the magwell interfering with the mags dropping. Thanks to the TK Green Springs, they eject forcefully. I'm happy with both parts, and the springs.
I chamfered the end of the Majestic Arms Speed Strip bolt stop pin, which I previously ground the end off of to shorten it a bit. It was so tall it lined up too close to the sights for me before. It started out round when I got it, but after I ground it down it was flat. Since it was flat with a sharp edge, it was hard to insert, before I reground an ~45 degree angle on it tonight. It was an easy job to chuck it in a cordless drill and grind it on the fine wheel of my bench grinder, then file and sand it using the drill. I think it's been 7 years since Dino passed away. He was a ice guy and had some good products. E Arthur Brown has a few Majestic Arms parts left, like Extended Bolt Releases, but no Speed Strip Kits. I really need it on my 22/45 since I have the Hogue grip sleeve on my gun. It's too big of a pain the @$$ to take it off to clean the gun and put it back on, but the grip is too slippery without it. Hopefully it's on to stay after I replaced the mag release.
https://tandemkross.com/markpro-extended-magazine-bumper-for-ruger-mark-iv-22-45-2-pack/
https://tandemkross.com/titan-extended-magazine-release-for-ruger-mark-iv-22-45/
https://eabco.com/brands/majestic-arms/?sort=priceasc&limit=20&mode=4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDcwDg2aTs8
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So, I put a Ranch Products extended mag release on my Mark II a week or so ago, then tossed the field stripped gun in the Dunk-Kit bucket to soak. When I took the pistol out to clean it, I had to disassemble it almost completely. It had crud I couldn't get to to scrub it, like on top of the trigger, and all the nooks and crannies of the frame. Somehow the aluminum base of the adjustable rear sight got smashed like it was used to pound nails. I filed it down and will re-blacken it.
I didn't plan on taking the bolt apart at the same time as the frame, because it's too easy to get the springs and things mixed up. Then I discovered the extractor was broken off. There was just enough left under the plunger to make taking it apart nearly impossible. I think it took a half hour instead of half a minute, but I got the spring and plunger out. I heard a tiny piece of the extractor fall out but still haven't found it. I also found out the firing pin retaining pin was curved like a banana. WTF? It's a solid steel pin and I don't know if I ever took it out, but I sure as heck didn't bend it in the middle putting it back in. It should just push in and out with a punch and not need any force. So, now I need to buy a new extractor, and a pin I didn't see at Shop Ruger, and I'm thinking about replacing everything on the bolt.
https://uniquetek.com/shop/ols/products/mk-ii-extended-magazine-release/v/T1401-S
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<snip>...Then I discovered the extractor was broken off. There was just enough left under the plunger to make taking it apart nearly impossible. I think it took a half hour instead of half a minute, but I got the spring and plunger out. I heard a tiny piece of the extractor fall out but still haven't found it. I also found out the firing pin retaining pin was curved like a banana. WTF? It's a solid steel pin and I don't know if I ever took it out, but I sure as heck didn't bend it in the middle putting it back in. ...<snip>
Really, what the heck? That's a lot of hate to find. An unnoticed squib could be a cause?
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For those who never knew, the button on the follower is reversible. I did one just to test, but since I use a hold-down collar to reload I don't really care which side the button is on.
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Really, what the heck? That's a lot of hate to find. An unnoticed squib could be a cause?
I honestly have no idea what happened. The bore is clear, so if there was a squib it was blasted free. I'm waiting to hear from TANDEMKROSS whether or not their Essential Maintenance Kit for Ruger Mark Series pistols fits the Mark II or not. It says, Supported models: Ruger Mark III & 22/45, Ruger Mark IV & 22/45. Works with variants including LITE, Target, Hunter, Competition, and Tactical. But if you look for Mark II parts, there it is. I like the new extractor plunger and tools that come with the kit. This is so much better than factory stock parts. The video shows their KrossFire Bolt for Ruger Mark IV & 22/45, that they say works with Ruger Mark II, Mark II 22/45, Mark IV, and Mark IV 22/45. The kit has everything I want except the firing pin retaining pin. I still can't figure out how it got bent so bad.
https://tandemkross.com/essential-maintenance-kit-for-ruger-mark-series/
Skip ahead to 4:50 or so.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL1ywQCW8vA&t=290s
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For those who never knew, the button on the follower is reversible. I did one just to test, but since I use a hold-down collar to reload I don't really care which side the button is on.
I could tell by the slots that you could swap it, but didn't know if the mag would still fit in the gun. I just got a Thumb Saver mag loader from UniqueTek last Monday.
Thumb Saver Fits The Following .22 Magazines:
✓ Ruger Mark I/II/III/IV
✓ Ruger 22/45
✓ Browning Buck Mark & Challenger III
✓ Colt Woodsman & Huntsman
✓ High Standard Sport King, Supermatic & Target Models
✓ AMT Lightning
✓ S&W 22A, 22S and 22 Victory
✓ Beretta U22 Neos
https://uniquetek.com/shop/ols/products/thumb-saver
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Volquartsen has a Competition Bolt for Ruger MKII, MKIII, or MK IV, and they have Spare Parts for Competition Bolt for Ruger MKII, MKIII, or MK IV that also fit standard Ruger bolts. Since I needed a Firing Pin Stop Pin and an Extractor anyway, I decided to completely rebuild the bolt. I just ordered a Firing Pin, Firing Pin Spring, and Firing Pin Clip, Firing Pin Stop Pin, Exact Edge Extractor for MKII, MKIII, MK IV, and 10/22, Recoil Rod for MKII, MKIII, MK IV, and 22/45, Standard Recoil Spring for MKII, MKIII, MK IV, and 22/45, and Extractor Spring and Plunger.
You can get a Recoil Rod and Spring Kit with 3 weights of springs for $22.50, but it only costs $16 to buy a recoil rod and 1 spring, and all I need is the standard spring, not the heavy weight or reduced-power spring. They machine a chamfer or beveled edge onto the bottom edge of the exact edge extractor, improving feeding and reliability. It will eliminate any issues with the bottom edge of the extractor catching on the next round as it feeds up from the magazine. At first glance, it may look like a defect as it looks completely different than anything found on the factory part.
https://volquartsen.com/departments/mkii_mkiii_parts/products/1136-competition-bolt-for-ruger-mkii-mkiii-or-mk-iv
https://volquartsen.com/spare_parts/5730
https://volquartsen.com/spare_parts/5778
https://volquartsen.com/inventory_configurations/811
https://volquartsen.com/inventory_configurations/6175
https://volquartsen.com/inventory_configurations/4452
https://volquartsen.com/spare_parts/5783
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UPS has been "Preparing for Delivery" since 07:20 AM Christmas Eve, a couple hours after my package from Volquartsen got to Flint. They said they were going to deliver it that day. Since then, they've said On the Way, Processing at UPS Facility, Flint, MI, United States every day. I just looked at Google Maps to see how far it is to the UPS Customer Center, a 5 mile drive, and it says Permanently Closed. Apparently they closed in October. I have no idea where my deliveries come from now, since The UPS Store and the 7 other places to drop off or pick up packages aren't run by UPS employees.
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UPS still says On the Way Processing at UPS Facility Flint, MI, United States, ever since the morning of Christmas Eve. I emailed Volquartsen and told them UPS is no longer the reliable shipping service they once were, they're just like the post office. They looked into, said they'll refund my $8 shipping which I think UPS should reimburse them for, and my package was in Lexington Wednesday morning. If they're talking about Lexington, Kentucky that's hundreds of miles south of me. And if they meant the small village of Lexington, Michigan, that's still about 80 miles past me, and 20 miles NNW of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. It only took 1 day to get to Flint from Des Moines, IA, before... going on vacation for winter break? Whatever it is packages do when they disappear for days or weeks at a time.
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And this is why I don't do mail order (UPS, USPS, FedEx, Amazon...) prescriptions.
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What Alf said. My wife found out the hard way when FedEx delayed her heart medicine.