![]() In the mid 1960s, Crosman were looking to expand their range of successful and reliable CO2 powered replica air pistols. 22 automatic pistols ever made with over two million examples produced. The Mark 1, with its simple design proved to be reliable, rugged and inexpensive to produce and went on to become one of the most prolific and well-loved. 22 pistol based on the Nambu became the company’s first product, initially as the “ Standard” though it later became more generally known as the Ruger Mark 1. was formed in 1949 and went on to become one of the most iconic US firearms manufacturers. ![]() Fortunately he made contact with Alex Sturm who had the money to act as financial backer and the vision to realize that Ruger’s new pistol could be something very special. ![]() ![]() However, he didn’t have enough money to start production of the new pistol. After some experimentation, by 1949 he had produced a prototype which incorporated the cylindrical bolt and overall look of the Nambu. 22” handgun for target shooting and plinking. Using the Nambu as a model, Ruger set out to produce a simple, reliable and inexpensive. In the late 1940s, engineer, inventor and entrepreneur Bill Ruger bought a war souvenir Japanese Nambu pistol from a US Marine who had served in the Pacific theatre. These may not have the technical “ Wow!” factor of the Model 600 or the emotive appeal of the SA-6, but if you want a beautifully balanced, well made and supremely accurate replica air pistol, they don’t get much better than this. Like the Ruger Mark 1 on which it is based, there is something that just feels “ right’ about the Mark I (and the Mark II) when you pick one up. I have to admit right at the start that this isn’t an entirely unbiased review – the Mark I is probably my favourite of all the Crosman “ Golden Era” replica air pistols. ![]() Which led to the development of the Mark I and the Mark II, CO2 powered replicas of the Ruger Mark 1. What the company didn’t have was a modern, high quality replica air pistol capable of tight groupings at ranges of 50ft or more. However, all these pistols were multi shot plinkers – ideal for sending large numbers of pellets or BBs accurately out to 10m or so, but less accurate beyond that range. By 1965 the Wild West revolvers, the 38 series revolvers and the Model 600 had all proved to be reliable and popular. The company were producing a range of innovative, carefully designed and well engineered air pistols which appealed to both collectors and shooters. In the mid-1960s, Crosman reached what in retrospect was some kind of high point in terms of CO2 powered air pistols. ![]()
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