Ruger Mk II: get my barrel threaded or add a Pac-Lite upper?

BTR · November 1, 2020, 01:54 PM

I want to get threads added to my Ruger Mk II. It has a six inch tapered barrel and fixed sights.

It looks very similar to this one (the pic is not my firearm):
https://p1.gunbroker.com/pics/875493...x454871380.jpg

I am trying to decide the best way to do this.

Should I have a gunsmith move the front sight back and thread the barrel, or put a Pac-Lite barrel on it?

jpx2rk · November 1, 2020, 03:47 PM

Personally, I would not mess with threading that particular barrel set up. Just go buy a MKIV with a threaded barrel setup and keep the MKII as it is.

FrankenMauser · November 2, 2020, 01:35 PM

Just buy a pistol with the barrel configuration that you want.
The receiver tube is the serialized part. So, you are, essentially, buying another firearm when you buy a Paclite upper.

I don't think it is worthwhile to modify the Mk II.

Keep the Mk II for fun.
Use the new beater for whatever requires threading.

T. O'Heir · November 2, 2020, 02:00 PM

Like Frank says, just buy a pistol. Or re-barrel altogether.
Having a tapered barrel threaded, if it can be, will cost a ton of money. The taper needs to be removed then threaded. There may not be enough steel after removing the taper to thread it.
In any case, machining costs over $100 per hour plus set up time.
Question is why do you want threads?

BTR · November 7, 2020, 09:23 PM

I am adding a suppressor, that is why I want it threaded.

FrankenMauser · November 7, 2020, 10:30 PM

Have you measured the barrel, in order to see just how far back it has to be cut to thread it with an adequate shoulder?

lunger · November 8, 2020, 06:42 AM

I would go with the Pack-lite barrel. At $200-$250 your probably not much more than having yours cut and threaded.

That way you retain your original barrel. You could always sell it to recoup some of the cost. Me I would keep both and have the option of switching back.

gnystrom · November 8, 2020, 11:57 AM

Buy a different gun with a threaded barrel.

November 1, 2020, 01:54 PM	#1
BTR Senior Member Join Date: July 13, 1999 Posts: 569	Ruger Mk II: get my barrel threaded or add a Pac-Lite upper? I want to get threads added to my Ruger Mk II. It has a six inch tapered barrel and fixed sights. It looks very similar to this one (the pic is not my firearm): https://p1.gunbroker.com/pics/875493...x454871380.jpg I am trying to decide the best way to do this. Should I have a gunsmith move the front sight back and thread the barrel, or put a Pac-Lite barrel on it?

November 2, 2020, 01:35 PM	#3
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 12,655	Just buy a pistol with the barrel configuration that you want. The receiver tube is the serialized part. So, you are, essentially, buying another firearm when you buy a Paclite upper. I don't think it is worthwhile to modify the Mk II. Keep the Mk II for fun. Use the new beater for whatever requires threading. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

November 2, 2020, 02:00 PM	#4
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,458	Like Frank says, just buy a pistol. Or re-barrel altogether. Having a tapered barrel threaded, if it can be, will cost a ton of money. The taper needs to be removed then threaded. There may not be enough steel after removing the taper to thread it. In any case, machining costs over $100 per hour plus set up time. Question is why do you want threads? __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

November 7, 2020, 10:30 PM	#6
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 12,655	Have you measured the barrel, in order to see just how far back it has to be cut to thread it with an adequate shoulder? __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

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November 1, 2020, 03:47 PM	#2
jpx2rk Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2015 Posts: 322	Personally, I would not mess with threading that particular barrel set up. Just go buy a MKIV with a threaded barrel setup and keep the MKII as it is.

November 7, 2020, 09:23 PM	#5
BTR Senior Member Join Date: July 13, 1999 Posts: 569	I am adding a suppressor, that is why I want it threaded.

November 8, 2020, 06:42 AM	#7
lunger Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2007 Posts: 402	I would go with the Pack-lite barrel. At $200-$250 your probably not much more than having yours cut and threaded. That way you retain your original barrel. You could always sell it to recoup some of the cost. Me I would keep both and have the option of switching back.

November 8, 2020, 11:57 AM	#8
gnystrom Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2006 Posts: 304	Buy a different gun with a threaded barrel.