Ruger Mark III

[VegasAR15]

I have yet to purchase a .22 handgun. I need a .22 to get a bit of cheaper practice in, plus they are fun. I ran across someone on backpage selling a Ruger Mark III, he is asking $300, which seems a bit high for a used one. Are these decent plinking guns, and what would be a fair price to offer him?
Thanks

 

[Shadow 7D]

not bad considering that some cost upwards of 600 new
the MK series is only the most popular .22 pistol, so lots of aftermarket parts

just realize, you have to read the instructions to disassemble it, and by that I mean, google is your friend


speaking of which, might want to check out gunbroker, if you actually posted which model it it is, then the value would be easier.

 

[VegasAR15]

He wasn't sure on the model, said he was going to find out and get back to me. Based on the picture he sent me that I posted, I think it's just the basic model, but I could be wrong. I found one on budsgunshop new that looked just like it, shipped for $280. Checked gunbroker and found some priced similarly, but some of those guys are ridiculous with their buy it now prices, so it's kind of hard to tell.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Like I said, depends on the model, what is the barrel length, give that, with profile and look up on ruger. Now if you have a custom Vorquistine??? 12" upper made out of diamond dust, guaranteed to split an atom,

yeah people get crazy with these gun, basic model ain't bad either.

 

[springfield30-06]

Yep, it looks like a 'Standard' model MkIII with 6" barrel. It seems that you could do a bit better on price for a used one though unless they installed a Volquartsen sear and hammer bushing, that trigger looks stock. But those parts aren't too expensive... Keep shopping around and you'll probably find a better deal.

 

[Tacoma]

Ruger mK II/ III's are better than plinking grade guns. You see allot of them in local bullseye leagues. They are QUITE capable once you drop in a new sear to clean up the trigger. I still own and shoot two (MKII's) despite owning .22 pistols costing 5x the cost.
FWIW, The 5.5" bull , 6.8" slab and 6.8" bull barrels seem to be most popular and draw the best prices (in that order.) The gun pictured seems to be std model a 6" tapered version (which I didn't even think Ruger made after the MK II series. Although the pic is fuzzy, I believe the gun pictured to be a 6" std MK II as I can see the mag release on the base of the grip vs mid grip (a la 1911) where it was moved to with the MK III. The MK II is a good gun, and preffered by some but it lacks the factory drill&tap feature as well. Just know what your buying. While a nice gun, the tapered barrel lacks the ballance of the heavier barrels, and also has fixed sights. I feel $300 overpriced for a used standard MK II. $225/$250 would be more realistic. That said ,a new MK III is just a few $ more and commonly sold on gunbroker.
hth

 

[KMO]

Are these decent plinking guns?

They are several notches above decent plinkers. I picked up a Mark III Hunter a few months ago and it shoots so accurately that I don't intend to tinker with it at all. There are plenty of aftermarket upgrades available for the Mark series pistols if one needs them, but I've been impressed enough with the performance of my Mark III that I'm choosing to leave well enough alone. I did add a quick-detach red dot sight to it, which is loads of fun...shoots nearly as well as a rifle at 50 yards...

 

[TexMexSu]

The Ruger MK's are great guns!
Do not be discouraged by those that complain about taking them apart.
If can be done and it gets easier with time.
You will be rewarded with a reliable gun that shoots were you point it.
I read lots of posts on them before I bought ours, then a couple weeks ago I bought a second one, used.

There are great videos on YouTube for more information on taking them down.

Buy lots of various .22LR ammo. We have one gun that does not like Federal bulk stuff.

 

[Airman193SOS]

As has been said already, the Mark IIIs are a cast-iron pain in the ass to take down the first time you try, even more so than the Mark IIs, due to the necessity of removing and reinserting the magazine numerous times during the process. This is easily fixed in numerous ways if it bothers you. It is something you'll get the hang of quickly, however, so don't sweat that.

My Mark III 22/45 4" bull barrel cost $300 NIB, so I wouldn't be too keen on paying that for a used one when it only takes a bit of searching to find a new one. That said, it's not a bad price so it's really up to you. If you want it, get it.

 

[wleoff]

Accuracy is very good. Here's a MK III that I set up for my son for Bullseye. Added an Ultradot and had the trigger reworked for a 2lb pull.

 

[Tacoma]

"The Ruger MK's are great guns!
Do not be discouraged by those that complain about taking them apart.
If can be done and it gets easier with time."
x2! There are some great tutorials/vids on the net. It's easy once you know the sequence. That said, you don't need to tear down a MK II/III but every 6000 +rounds or so. A blast of gun scrubber and some lube will keep these guns running indefinatly.

Here is a (poor) pic of a minty MK II SS target model that I picked up two years back for $250 ( complete with poly-choke rib) Love these guns.

 

[bigfatdave]

I'm pretty sure you're seeing the shape of the mkIII frame, which can look sort of like a heel mag latch in lousy photography.
I think the dimple behind the trigger guard is the rear of the magazine release button, but I don't have a mkII to check on.
Tacoma's picture appears to be missing that hole behind the trigger
wleoff's picture has it and is a mkIII, see the similar profile at the bottom of the grip/frame ... it almost looks like a heel latch, but it isn't.

VegasAR15, Rugers are great, ignore the whiners who can't figure out what the internals actually do and how they work together and pick one up.
If this one is what it looks like to me (standard taper barrel with fixed sights) then $300 would be a bit high unless it comes with upgraded parts AND the original parts or some really spiffy extra goodies.
You can either lowball this guy (maybe $250?), look for a used one in a local gun shop, or buy new
I'd go for a target model (whatever fits your hand balance-wise) myself, my personal favorite is a 5.5" bull barrel model I've been tinkering with since last winter, MrsBFD likes "her" 6.875" taper barrel model I've made the same upgrades to (that was my first gun, actually ... but I've moved on up, the 5.5" feels better in my hand and 100 yard hits on a 12"x12" target seem to agree)

 

[Tacoma]

I may stand corrected. Since I don't own a MK III ( and have always owned MK II's) I didn't notice the pin at the base of the trigger guard. Given this IS the location of the mag release on a MK III, I may just be "seeing" a mag catch in the OP pic.

 

[Kingofthehill]

Locally Ruger MKII's and MKIII's (including the 22/45's) are selling new from $245-290. Then you get into some stainless ones, flutted barrels, slab slides.. then they are going up to 4-500.

I wouldn't spend more than $200-225 on a used ruger when you can get a new bull barrel target model for $275

JOe

 

[03Shadowbob]

Offering the guy $250 would be very fair in my opinion. New is less than $300 in some places and that tapered barrel may be the least desired version.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

That model is around $300 new. But $250, $275 tops, seems a fair offer.

 

[doc2rn]

I paid $250 for a brand new MKII 2 months ago, its a MK III and the least desirable one at that. Offering $225 would be fair.

 

[Confederate]

Getting a Mark II/III for less than $300 is great if you can get one. Getting any quality gun, in fact, for just north of $200 is quite a feat, too.

The prices of guns are going up at a frightful pace, and even if you find a gun on an auction site, you still have to pay for shipping and for transfer. Something else to consider is that Rugers keep their value well because they almost never need parts replacements. So getting one for $250 would be a great deal. (I have a stainless Mark II with a 7-inch barrel that I'm very fond of. I also have an AMT Lightning that's also very nice.)

The Standard Auto is a great gun for the nightstand, and they have a good balance. The adjustable sight versions are good hunting and target pieces.

Good luck with whatever you end up with.

 

[wnycollector]

I paid $315 after tax, two weeks ago for a brand new 6" standard model MKIII. I have had it out to the range twice thus far and I'm astounded at the accuracy. Yesterday I obliterated a 3" orange dot target at 15 yards with a 50 round box of cheapo federal lightning ammo.

 

[Acal]

I've had my MKIII .22/45 for about three months now. Absolutely love it. It is my first (and so far my only) gun. Have run about 300 rounds through it with zero failures. Mine is the all black .22lr with polymer/plastic 45 style Grip, and either 5.5" or 6" barrel but I can't recall now that I'm trying to. Lol. Anyway, it also came with Adjustable Sights.

$325 NEW out the door with case, 2 mags, Ruger branded lock and booklet. Included background check fee. That was from a dealer at my local gun show in Knoxville TN.

Did a lot of research for my first gun. Wanted something affordable, good reputation, easy to practice with. Was down between used Baretta Neos .22 and the new MKIII. Very happy with my choice as the accuracy out of the box is amazing! So I felt it met my purchasing criteria.

 

[Acal]

Photo of my MKIII



Forgot to mention this gun turned my wife, who is 5'1 and 98 pds, into a regular Annie Oakley! Lol. She's gone from no interest in guns to badgering me about our next range shoot. Going so far as to scout locations where we could shoot for free. I credit her remarkable transformation to the accuracy and ease of use of the MKIII.



See the little targets in the upper corners? Well her shots are on the left!

 

[Rokman]

I have the Slabside MKII and it is a fantastic pistol. Ruger .22s are great pistols, though they have gone up a lot since I got mine.

 

[Kingofthehill]

Getting a Mark II/III for less than $300 is great if you can get one. Getting any quality gun, in fact, for just north of $200 is quite a feat, too.

The prices of guns are going up at a frightful pace, and even if you find a gun on an auction site, you still have to pay for shipping and for transfer. Something else to consider is that Rugers keep their value well because they almost never need parts replacements. So getting one for $250 would be a great deal. (I have a stainless Mark II with a 7-inch barrel that I'm very fond of. I also have an AMT Lightning that's also very nice.)

The Standard Auto is a great gun for the nightstand, and they have a good balance. The adjustable sight versions are good hunting and target pieces.

I saw at least 10 Ruger MKII, MKIII and Brownings being sold new at gun show a couple days ago under 300... as cheap as $225 new for a bull barrel with target sights.

I could not believe how cheap they were selling for especially since i bought the same thing a year ago for $350!