Got a Ruger MKIII

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CleanHarry

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Guess who kicked my butt for several hours during the disassemble/assembly. Yeah, I separated the barrel and grip frame. I won't do that again. I do have the satisfaction of having accomplished it on my own... With the help of several forums. I bookmarked those suckers!
 
I always found the instructions in the owners manual to be quite sufficient. That and a bent large paper clip.
 
After you do it a few times, AND follow the instructions it is actually pretty easy to do. It surprises me how many people complain about it. Removing the mag disconnect makes it a lot easier.
 
Tandemkross and Volquartsen make really good aftermarket parts for the rugers. I have a several MK series pistols, with my latest being a 22/45. I think i have replaced almost every part on that thing to get it to run like my older MK11's and III's.

The biggest improvement was eliminating the mag lock followed by removing the load indicator flag. When dirty, the load flag would cause jams, very annoying....
 
The MkII was the best of the bunch. The MKIII comes along, stupid loaded chamber indicator that causes stovepiping, and the dis assembly procedure is illogical. At some point you have to have the magazine in, so you can lower the hammer, but you have to remember to take the magazine out, to separate the upper and lower. Reassembly is just as confusing, but backwards.
 
I did have one completely lock up once. Wound up hitting it with a hammer and fixed it. Take down is pretty easy once you know how.
 
SlamFire1 said:
The MkII was the best of the bunch. The MKIII comes along, stupid loaded chamber indicator that causes stovepiping, and the dis assembly procedure is illogical. At some point you have to have the magazine in, so you can lower the hammer, but you have to remember to take the magazine out, to separate the upper and lower. Reassembly is just as confusing, but backwards.
Click to expand...
I have three MII's, and a MK II era 22/45. I agree that they are the best of the breed, and Ruger should have kept producing them along side the MK III if the needed to sell them in states that require the lawyer mods.

Thankfully, it is not too difficult to mod the MK III's.
 
True, it's not that hard

I think the force that is required was unsettling. I have strong hands and big forearms. I am often afraid of applying force to things for the chance I'm gonna break them. I kept asking myself, "can it really be this hard?" And then backing away. A little polishing of the tight parts have made it much better!
 
For those (like me) who have to use a plastic mallet on the Ruger; just remember that's a sign of how tightly fitted they are and rejoice. I don't mind using the mallet, but I kinda wish there were 'registration marks' on exactly where they need to line up when re-assembling, more than once I've gone too far the first time.
 
Learned how to do it as a kid. Took a couple tries the first night. Mastered by day 2.
Use gravity.
The MK 3 is annoying due to mag disco.
The 22/45 sometimes lock up. Then it's wiggle time........could be 5 seconds or 5 mins.
Have unstuck many for customers, and assembled a ton of MK1 and 2 for customers as well.
Some folks know, but just lack the physical knack.
One target shooter called me from my main job, met him at the shop........he was laughing, staff laughing, all good sports about it.
I walked up and in a minute had it done............the good humor drained from his face, replaced by one of shock/horror.
So I smiled, popped it apart and repeated.
Think I was loudly called some colorful names (in good fun).
 
They are usually very tight when new, but break in after you do it a few times, and it gets easier.
 
Did it again, just for grins

Took it apart and back together without a hitch. Minutes, not hours. I love this chunk of metal. Solid. I can only hope to be as great as the guy who only needed the manual... Found it sufficient, I believe it was.:rolleyes:
 
I always found the instructions in the owners manual to be quite sufficient. That and a bent large paper clip.
Click to expand...

Same here. Field stripping a Mark III is not difficult at all if you have the manual and a paperclip.

It becomes even easier once you ditch the stupid mag disconnect.
 
Lol its not that hard at all. It's totally worth putting a volquartzen trigger/bolt tune up kit in there. I did that with a burris fast fire and I can hit anything with it!
 
I lucked up at a gun show, and bought a gorgeous Mk III from an elderly gent. Had original grips and a set of rosewood checkered grips, three mags, in the box. Also had been upgraded to the Majestic system, so full take-down is not in my near future. I highly recommend the Majestic.

One exceptional pistol, in my opinion.
 
Ditched my 6 7/8" target and went back to a High Standard Sharpshooter.
My 10.5" lightning was tight on the MS, for years.
The 8.5" upper wasn't as bad.
My beater 5.5" MK2 shot great, bone stock.
Shoulda kept my Davidson's Great Eight (and swapped to newer grip panel frame).

On the hip, I kinda like a more trim rig. Colt Woodsman.
 
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