Pac-Lite Receivers/Barrels for Rugers

[TMan]

Somewhere, at some time, I read an favorable article about the Pac-Lite Receivers for the Ruger .22LRs. So, I've been thinking, with Ruger now pumping out Mark III's, it might be a good time to get an inexpensive Mark II and throw away the barrel, replace the guts with the Volquartsen Accurizer kit, and the barrel with the Pac-Lite. Of course I'd need new grips too.

So, I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with the Pac-Lite product or has heard any good/bad comments.

Also, if this sounds like a hair-brain idea, please tell me there is no way you could offend me.

www.tacticalsol.com/products/PAC-LITEs.htm
www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=13864&title=RUGER+MK+II+DROP-IN+ACCURIZER+KIT

I don't have any thoughts/links about the grips.

[5ontarget]

I've been waiting for the price to drop some on the MKII's and I haven't seen it yet.
Here's my though your project. Sounds fun....but... there's always a but
1. I'm curious to know how a chrome-molly lined aluminum barrel would hold up over time.
2. The recoil (what little there is) would be a little more with the lighter bbl. (again not really a factor with the .22)
3. The Rugers have a nice balance to me, by lightening the barrel, that would probably mess it up.
4. price, your looking at approx 200 for the bbl, 100 for the Volquartsen Accurizer kit, and 30-50 for the grips. Plus the price of the used MKII. For that price I'd lean toward buying a new target model. Now if you're just looking for a fun project/experiment...like I said sounds kinda fun.

[TMan]

Thanks 5ontarget! I looked at a Mark II yesterday that was a display model. It was the stainless model, but it had a rather deep gouge on the back where apparently someone had removed the mainspring assembly and tried to force it back in without having the hammer spur in the right place. No telling what kind of damage could have been done inside without taking it apart. It was the only one they had left.

They had reduced the price to $250. Add to that the $225 for the 8.5" barrel I wanted, and $95 for the kit, plus another $50 for grips plus tax/shipping and we are over $650, which is more than my most recent .22LR, the Sig Trailside Competition. I think I could spend the money better elsewhere.

I was very impressed with the Volquartsen kit after putting it into one of my other Rugers (the 10" barrel one). To be honest, holding up that 10" barrel for awhile gets tiring. The Pac-Lite barrel would be 1.5" shorter, but wouldn't have the weight. I know, I know, I could replace the 10" barrel with the 8.5" Pac-Lite barrel, but the 10" guy is kind of cool to whip out at the range and get stares. (Probably makes a statement about my personality).

Anyhow, it is nice to have you filling in for my wife - she is the one that usually throws cold water on my projects. ;D

Modified to add: okay, I'm putting this on the back burner. I felt it was necessary to move on it if I was going to get a new Mark II to use as a donor. However, I contacted Volquartsen, and I received on the same day the following reply from them, so at some point in time I decide I really want to do it, I can get another Mark III.

We will have a new kit available that will work in the MKIII. The magazine disconnect is different as well as the trigger in the new MKIII. Hopefully this kit will be available within the next 30 days.

Scott