Springs in the Ruger Mark 3

[Action_Can_Do]

Hello everyone. I recently put money down on a Ruger Mark 3 Hunter and I was wondering how often if at all folks who own them change the recoil springs. I have a friend who owns a Mark 3 but after a lot of rounds fired, he isn't the least bit concerned about changing the springs. Is this a common thing for 22 semi-autos or do you folks change your springs?

 

[Action_Can_Do]

So nobody maintains their Ruger Mark 3?

 

[LaserSpot]

I broke the firing pin spring (from dry firing) on my Mark II once, but never the recoil spring. I also broke the firing pin and the cross pin that holds it in. The recoil spring in a .22 probably doesn't get worked hard enough to ever wear out, but it wouldn't hurt to have a spare. The spring could weaken or take a set over time, but I don't know how you could tell.

If you want to devise your own test, maybe you could measure how much force starts to open the action (with the hammer cocked) when it's new. Of course, friction would throw off your measurement a bit.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Go to midway or Brownells
Or wolf

I am sure that they have some
The only reason I've heard of people messing with springs is that they wanted to smooth the trigger pull. I take it from your question that you don't have a .22 pistol, messing with the recoil spring on a blowback gun is a good way to make problems for yourself. The only time you would get a new one is if the the original broke or you are have FTE/FTL problems, and on a .22 that would be a very old gun. The MK3 is know reliable, but understand that not all .22 is the same power and most people change ammo before they change springs.

 

[Confederate]

Don't worry about it.

Back in the 70s, when the U.S. had sanctions against South Africa and Rhodesia, whites who had been able to get guns chose Ruger Standard Autos and Mark Is. The reason? Parts weren't available. No springs, no magazines...nothing. Yet the Rugers were often shot daily and a lot in any given day. These things lasted almost forever with no parts replacements. And when South Africa subsequently confiscated peoples' private arms, they turned the Rugers into manhole covers with the original springs still in place.

See NRA Video on South Africa and Gun Control

 

[Jim K]

I definitely would change the recoil spring every 100 years or 500,000 rounds, whichever comes first. In other words, don't worry about it.

Jim

 

[jakk55]

I can't say how many 1000s of rounds I've put through my Mark III, but it has never needed new springs. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[wilkersk]

My Mk-I shoots 100% reliable. Its my beater, my daily go-to-gun for quick warm ups at the range, or when getting frustrated with a competition gun.

Cleaning is when ever I think about it, which means almost never. Ammo is what ever is cheapest. And I've never changed the springs.

 

[Action_Can_Do]

Thanks for the info, folks.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Go put 20k or 30k rounds through it---then if you're really worried about it-get a replacement from Ruger for a few bucks.