Opinions on Customizing Ruger MKIII Competition

Grips are very subjective. You have to decide based solely on how they fit you. Every person on this board could tell you which grip he or she would prefer and you still wouldn't have any better basis for a decision than you do now. You need to go some place that has both (or just order both) and see which on suits you.

Altamont Grips

As far as the other issues, a good trigger job couldn't hurt. How do the optics you have now work for you? If you aren't having misses that you can attribute to optics then why spend more money on that, spend it on something really important like more guns. If you do need different optics, then it comes down to what you prefer and what you can afford. I can't help you much with suggestions there because I am not a big fan of glass sights so hopefully sombody who does know something about them can chime in.

The bottom picture looks like the Hogue grips I have on my MKII. I have no complaints, they fit my hand well and are very comfortable. I have had them for about 5 years or so and they show no appreciable wear.

A proper trigger job is essential on the MKII/III's, in my opinion. Once all the creep and over-travel (especially the latter) is removed, and you get the pull down to around two or three pounds, you'll be shocked at how much better you can shoot it.

My project Ruger MKII:




Typical target on any given day (5 rounds at 25 yards off a bag/rest):




And don't be fooled by the fact it's got a Voquartsen "upper" on it in that pic. I'm 99% sure that target was shot with the stock receiver in place. In my experience with the MK's, it's ALL about a decent trigger and a good red-dot if you want to be punching ragged holes at long range. From there it's convenience items like better grips and extended bits and pieces. Although the extended mag release is almost must-have if you're planning on using over-size target grips that extend past the bottom of the grip-frame.

I have a Mark II Target (essentially the same as the Mark III Competition).

It wears a 2X Leupold pistol scope on Ruger rings and mount, but I just got an Ultradot and with the Ruger mount I figure on being able to choose which optic I want, or the sights.

Internally, I had a gunsmith de-burr all the holes, and replace pretty much all the little parts including the trigger with Volquartsen replacements, and "work" the Volquartsen trigger and sear.

For grips, I got Herretts that look a lot like Baphomet's above.

The "upper" is bone stock and I have yet to see any reason to change it out. It shoots exactly where the crosshairs are at 25 yards, and rested, it can shoot one-ragged-hole groups no sweat with Mini-Mags or Federal Gold Medal Target (not the expensive "Match" stuff, just decent 40 grain LRN HV ammo).

I've had the thing that way for less than a year, and it's beaten a lot of 41s and High Standards in local competition. IMHO the Ruger is well worth fixing up.

WRT the grip, my score jumped up when I got the Herretts. Having a hand-filling grip with a heel and a big fat thumbrest makes it a lot easier to hold the gun steady, especially after an hour of shooting for score. I got the grip last.

If I had it to do over again, I'd get the grip first. Also, the stock trigger can be 'smithed to feel really good, for cheap, by a knowledgable 'smith, or yourself if you know what you're doing.

Volquartsen sear, Volquartsen trigger with pre and post travel adjustments, and Clark bushing. That should cost about $60, and the parts drop in.

That should cost about $60, and the parts drop in.

Click to expand...

Yeah, but they work a lot better if you don't just do that.

I removed the worthless magazine safety, did a trigger job, removed the loaded chamber indicator, reduce the hammer spring strength for the trigger job. The front sight on mine has come loose several times and needs to be secured with red loctite if I want to depend on it. I put a large pad on the trigger to spread out the trigger finger contact area. It's very accurate!

My google fu
http://http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?tabid=9&categoryid=17482&categorystring=10636***10560***9142***

Between them and Brownells, just about anything you could want or want to do.

BUT please remember, on a MK series of pistol the upper is the "reciever" so changing to a custom barrel/upper requires a FFL

Forgot to add, I shoot mine last, esp after a taxing time at the range shooting my little tiger (look like mouse, speak like bear) I finish off the session with a little bullseye practice to get focused on sights with worn out hands, still suprises me that I can keep my shots inside the 3 ring at 15m, I know that I could do MUCH better with a little work, but that is an out of box MK3 shooting winchester wildcat .22

Here's the pistol described above. Again, I think the gun is WELL worth upgrading.