- Joined
- Oct 4, 2005
- Messages
- 4,905
- Reaction score
- 477
Since I posted about finally getting an MK-95 in .54 caliber, I have received several pm's asking various questions about the ignitions for this rifle. Compared to the Plunger and disc series rifles this model is not as well known so I thought I might take some time this afternoon and get some more pictures and post a bit about the rifle for those that are not familiar with it. I can say that I am not an expert on the history of the rifle but can tell you what little do know or believe to be correct.
This model was out in 1995 (I believe) and was discontinued in 1997 (This I do know). I first heard about the MK-95 from one of the guys at Knight rifles in December 1997. I had called about the "Brand new to the Market" DISC rifle (Original with Orange Disc). I got to see one of the first rifles on a company trip to Dallas TX and they had one at the Bass Pro in Grapevine. I had a problem with the Stock not fitting me on this new Disc rifle and was trying to see if they had any options to get one to fit me (LOP), but they did not. After a little more conversation he asked me if I had ever seen the MK-95, actually I thought he had meant the MK-85 and I told him I was more interested in the way the action sealed up with the Discs verses the plunger action and that is when he explained to me what the "MK-95 Magnum Elite" was. I told him I had not heard about it or seen any pictures of it but it sounded like a Great alternative for what I wanted. This is when he did tell me that it was just discontinued but there were some "out there". He told me to check around (they did not have one in stock) but that he would send me the brochure and if I could not find one to call him back (I really wish I could remember his name) and let him know and he would locate one for me. :shock: 8) I received the brochure via FedEx the very next day!! :shock: :shock: 8) I was completely caught off guard by this type of service. I think that is when I became a Die-Hard Knight lover. Now this all took place at the end of 1997 and I was not online but had a couple mail order places, such as Natchez, that I dealt with. No one had one and most never heard of it. I took the brochure to one of my local gun shops and after several phone calls he located one at one of the jobbers he used. The next weekend a new MK-95 .50 cal was in my hands. I started all of this because I was going Bear hunting in Maine for my 2nd time and wanted to use a Muzzleloader, good excuse for a new rifle right? :wink: So I have been shooting my first MK-95 for 16 years now and I would never part with it. Since then I have acquired one more .50 cal and now the .54cal. I even have my eye on another .54 I have since located.
Hi My name is Shawn and I am addicted to the Knight MK-95! :lol: :lol:
The rifle is the predecessor to the Disc based rifles. I think in the pictures you will see it really is a modified MK-85. The real neat feature to this rifle is that you can use the standard #11 plunger ignition or with the swap of a few parts you can use the Large Rifle primer ignition known as the Posi-Fire. The #11 plunger ignition is the same type ignition as found in the MK-85. The Posi-Fire ignition Kit contains a Bolt, shortened plunger, different breech plug, and bolt detent. The Posi-Fire ignition uses a Speer .38spl Plastic Target case in place of the Disc. The Speer plastic Target cases use a Large Rifle primer (no powder) to propel a plastic bullet for practicing indoors, but in this rifle it also seals the action just like the Disc does. I liked the idea of the sealed action and the little hotter ignition. I have never actually used the #11 ignition on the MK-95 but I do use it in the MK-85.
Here is the first rifle I got with the Posi-Fire ignition Kit installed.
This is the parts for the Posi-Fire Kit.
The next 2 shows the Breech plug up and down, Speer case side first.
Powder side of the BP.
This is pic shows both sides of the bolt with the firing pin installed.
In this picture the pencil is pointing to the small spring loaded ball detent for holding the bolt in the closed position, you can see the small divot drilled in the bolt just between the detent and the bolt handle at the bottom of the bolt handle slot.
This picture shows the parts of the #11 ignition.
This is the rifle with the #11 ignition installed, notice the detent is not installed for this ignition. If you ignore the cutout it looks like an MK-85.
All 3 of mine have Timney triggers too. I have no idea if they used any of the other triggers in these or just the Timney. Last time I spoke to Gordy, he told me that at that time the only available part from them was the Breech plug for the #11 ignition. This is unfortunate, but I have managed to pick up a spare Posi-fire kit and a couple Breech plugs plus the second .50 cal was bought for a Parts rifle even though it shoots great too. I should be ok on parts. So far the breech plug in these rifles seems to last a very long time. Not sure why that is but I have never really had problems with accuracy due to worn flash holes. Maybe I don't shoot them enough to wear them out but I do have several rounds on the original one and I know it is more than some have shot in other rifles and had to replace the plugs. I really can't say why that is, but I am not complaining.
Well sorry it was long and pic heavy but hope this provides some useful information on the MK-95 Magnum Elite and it's ignitions.
This model was out in 1995 (I believe) and was discontinued in 1997 (This I do know). I first heard about the MK-95 from one of the guys at Knight rifles in December 1997. I had called about the "Brand new to the Market" DISC rifle (Original with Orange Disc). I got to see one of the first rifles on a company trip to Dallas TX and they had one at the Bass Pro in Grapevine. I had a problem with the Stock not fitting me on this new Disc rifle and was trying to see if they had any options to get one to fit me (LOP), but they did not. After a little more conversation he asked me if I had ever seen the MK-95, actually I thought he had meant the MK-85 and I told him I was more interested in the way the action sealed up with the Discs verses the plunger action and that is when he explained to me what the "MK-95 Magnum Elite" was. I told him I had not heard about it or seen any pictures of it but it sounded like a Great alternative for what I wanted. This is when he did tell me that it was just discontinued but there were some "out there". He told me to check around (they did not have one in stock) but that he would send me the brochure and if I could not find one to call him back (I really wish I could remember his name) and let him know and he would locate one for me. :shock: 8) I received the brochure via FedEx the very next day!! :shock: :shock: 8) I was completely caught off guard by this type of service. I think that is when I became a Die-Hard Knight lover. Now this all took place at the end of 1997 and I was not online but had a couple mail order places, such as Natchez, that I dealt with. No one had one and most never heard of it. I took the brochure to one of my local gun shops and after several phone calls he located one at one of the jobbers he used. The next weekend a new MK-95 .50 cal was in my hands. I started all of this because I was going Bear hunting in Maine for my 2nd time and wanted to use a Muzzleloader, good excuse for a new rifle right? :wink: So I have been shooting my first MK-95 for 16 years now and I would never part with it. Since then I have acquired one more .50 cal and now the .54cal. I even have my eye on another .54 I have since located.
Hi My name is Shawn and I am addicted to the Knight MK-95! :lol: :lol:
The rifle is the predecessor to the Disc based rifles. I think in the pictures you will see it really is a modified MK-85. The real neat feature to this rifle is that you can use the standard #11 plunger ignition or with the swap of a few parts you can use the Large Rifle primer ignition known as the Posi-Fire. The #11 plunger ignition is the same type ignition as found in the MK-85. The Posi-Fire ignition Kit contains a Bolt, shortened plunger, different breech plug, and bolt detent. The Posi-Fire ignition uses a Speer .38spl Plastic Target case in place of the Disc. The Speer plastic Target cases use a Large Rifle primer (no powder) to propel a plastic bullet for practicing indoors, but in this rifle it also seals the action just like the Disc does. I liked the idea of the sealed action and the little hotter ignition. I have never actually used the #11 ignition on the MK-95 but I do use it in the MK-85.
Here is the first rifle I got with the Posi-Fire ignition Kit installed.
This is the parts for the Posi-Fire Kit.
The next 2 shows the Breech plug up and down, Speer case side first.
Powder side of the BP.
This is pic shows both sides of the bolt with the firing pin installed.
In this picture the pencil is pointing to the small spring loaded ball detent for holding the bolt in the closed position, you can see the small divot drilled in the bolt just between the detent and the bolt handle at the bottom of the bolt handle slot.
This picture shows the parts of the #11 ignition.
This is the rifle with the #11 ignition installed, notice the detent is not installed for this ignition. If you ignore the cutout it looks like an MK-85.
All 3 of mine have Timney triggers too. I have no idea if they used any of the other triggers in these or just the Timney. Last time I spoke to Gordy, he told me that at that time the only available part from them was the Breech plug for the #11 ignition. This is unfortunate, but I have managed to pick up a spare Posi-fire kit and a couple Breech plugs plus the second .50 cal was bought for a Parts rifle even though it shoots great too. I should be ok on parts. So far the breech plug in these rifles seems to last a very long time. Not sure why that is but I have never really had problems with accuracy due to worn flash holes. Maybe I don't shoot them enough to wear them out but I do have several rounds on the original one and I know it is more than some have shot in other rifles and had to replace the plugs. I really can't say why that is, but I am not complaining.
Well sorry it was long and pic heavy but hope this provides some useful information on the MK-95 Magnum Elite and it's ignitions.