[jazzsax8]

I have three of the red background silver Eagle and one of the black background silver Eagle magazines still in packaging. Please give some information as to why some of these sell for $60+ on auction. Both have the SR on the Eagle and have read about some having just the R. There is a smaller button on the silver one that I already have two of with my Mark II Comp Target. I think they allow the follower to come up a little higher on the last round and I am not sure if that is a positive as they have been made larger for decades. What years were these offered?

 

[FlaGun]

I remember those mag differences. In the late 80's I bought 2 extra mags for my two MK2's. They were the red label with the smaller button. I honestly can't say if they are collectors items now. I used them just like the originals. I did replace all the mag springs about 10 years ago.

 

[jazzsax8]

I did replace all the mag springs about 10 years ago.

That is a good idea! I am a user not a collector and hate to open these up if I can trade or sell them and get 2-3 shooters for one of these. A pair of new ones go for around $40 on the bay.

 

[Iowegan]

I got 2 of the red eagle magazines when I bought my MK III slab side and they do have larger loading buttons. I have a couple more MK III magazines with the black eagle and smaller loading buttons, but they work equally well. I had no idea the red eagle magazines were worth so much.

 

[FlaGun]

As shown my red Eagle mags have the small button. ???

 

[jazzsax8]

As shown my red Eagle mags have the small button. ???

Yes they seem to have small. In my 3 packages with Red they are also the smooth style but are larger. If you put them in the pistol and pull the bolt back to lock, look at the position of the follower. Then try the one with larger buttons and they should be lower under the same circumstance.

 

[Weez556]

I'd say the mag on the left is late 80's to early mid 90's. The one on the right is even earlier 80's. Yeah many collectors would love to have those unopened.

Now if you just want more mags for shooting a MK2 I'd get the MecGar mags. They are the OEM mags for many gun companies. Will have a MecGar logo on the floor plate instead of a Ruger logo.

Mec-gar Mag Ruger Mkii .22 LR 10rd Bl

MEC-GAR magazines meet or exceeded the tolerance guidelines

gunmags.com

Ruger Mark II (Mark I see below) 10 RD .22 LR blued Mec-Gar MGMK22LRB [MGMK22LRB] - $16.95 : Greg Cote LLC

Greg Cote LLC Ruger Mark II (Mark I see below) 10 RD .22 LR blued Mec-Gar MGMK22LRB [MGMK22LRB] - Mark II .22 Long Rifle - 10 round Mec-Gar magazine with a blued finish MGMK22LRB. The magazines don't work in the Ruger Mark II 22/45. May not feed reliably with a Pac-Lite barrel. These magazines...

gregcotellc.com

Mec-Gar Ruger Mark II .22 LR 10-Round Magazine

The Mec-Gar® Ruger® Mark II .22 LR 10-Round Magazine is an affordable aftermarket pistol design, engineered to deliver unwavering reliability in any target-rich environment. Constructed from heat-treated carbon steel for superior strength, thes

gunmagwarehouse.com

 

[FlaGun]

My silver eagle mags also have the large button.

 

[jazzsax8]

Just read some older posts here on the forum searching collectable magazines. The Red background Silver Eagle were issued with the 50th anniversary models in 1999-2000. The Black background Silver Eagle with the smaller buttons (.250 vs. .327 diameter) came with the earliest versions of the "new" Mark II pistols. Not sure how long both styles were available but for a collector wanting to match magazine to pistol vintage explains why they bring somewhat of a premium price. I suppose someone might have a display board where they keep some with the different original packaging on display as well. I plan to post them for sale after I get a better idea of value.

 

[HIghstandardguy]

Buttons and bases are easily interchangeable. It's impossible to determine if a magazine is in its' original configuration unless you bought it new, it's still in its' original packaging or it matches the configuration of a known original.

 

[HIghstandardguy]

My silver eagle mags also have the large button.
View attachment 187185

I believe these have been changed. The "red" base magazine seems to have a small button which never came on magazines that late. The two black/silver base magazines have a large spiral button which didn't come out until later. Of course the buttons may be correct and the bases have been changed.

 

[jazzsax8]

Of course the buttons may be correct and the bases have been changed.

Good catch! You are correct the small buttons go with the black background silver eagles and larger go with the black background red eagles. Might have happened accidentally if the mags were taken apart for a detailed cleaning. Hope to do mine soon as they have been problematic lately in the colder weather. Will use some flitz to polish the feed lips and side rail.

 

[FlaGun]

Guilty as charged.
I replaced all the mag springs about 10 years ago and most likely got the buttons mixed up.
At least I know which mags to move the small ones to. Or do I? I'll do a year check on the serial numbers and put the small buttons to the older.
I bought both my MK2's new in 1988 just a few months apart. I assume one came with the small silver buttons and the other came with the larger buttons and of course the red mags purchased later came with larger buttons.
I can't remember where I got the mag springs from but Tandemkross has a 3 pack on sale for $9.49.
@jazzsax8 I hope you can profit off those new in box mags.

 

[FlaGun]

I ordered 6 MK magazine springs from TANDEMKROSS at the time I posted my reply. They really screwed up my order and left out the mag springs while adding springs for a 10/22 I didn’t order. I’m sorry for promoting TK and hope anyone else doesn’t have a similar problem. They indicated no response to my order until after 2/16. Good luck!

 

[FlaGun]

In all fairness after my complaint Email TK has sent the MK mag springs and a return ship label for the 10/22 mag release springs I didn't order. Should be here by next week.

 

[rugerguy]

the "red background" medallions started when they came out with the 50th Anniversry Semi Auto 22 in 1999 and have been the red background ( the eagle is NOT red) these ensueing years,,the Mark II with the smaller buttons can be used in the "turn around/switch) for use in the Mark I and the Standard autos with the A-54 frames...the larger button could hang up ( drag/catch) on the A-54 frames,,,never know till you try......

 

[jazzsax8]

Ruger 22/45 Mark ll Magazine, Factory New, No Reserve, $1 736676900459 | eBay

What was so collectable about this magazine other than it was new with opened package?

 

[jazzsax8]

Might have just learned something researching the early Mark 22/45 magazines. They do not have the open slot closer to the top. They do have the same outer bump down a little lower like the Mark III 22/45 magazines have. Not sure if this currently holds true but the Mark (II) 22/45 magazines are drop free where the later models disengage, and you have to pull it from the lower. The older Mark 22/45 magazines do seem to sell for a premium around $40-50 on eBay vs a pair of Mark III's for $50. The Mark IV's get even much cheaper. I am getting closer to listing some of these magazines for sale once I understand what they are.

 

[ikar]

I would like to find a couple spares for my Standard from 1952. Any ideas?

 

[HIghstandardguy]

Watch eBay until you find one or die, which ever comes first.