Ruger MK III Experiences?

[Mike0251]

Been an excellent shooter since day 1 with no complaints (MKII). You can't go wrong with any of them although I believe the IV has some sort of a recall.

 

[Florida Guy]

Not to hijack this thread but any opinions on the MK1? Would the 3 or 4 be a better option? Thanks for any info on this.

For those wanting to mount a rail and scope, many of the early MK I and MK II aren't drilled/tapped for it. I do know the MK II
Competition Targets are both drilled/tapped, and I think the Gov't. model is also. Maybe some others, but keep it in mind because many of us guys with old eyes are using some type of scope.
As I mentioned earlier, the MK III has a loaded chamber indicator, which not only causes problems, but detracts from the looks. So, if you're asking III or IV, my vote is for the IV. As mentioned above, there is a recall on all MK IV's for the safety fix. Not a big deal, and the ones built after June 1 already have the new safety.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Not to hijack this thread but any opinions on the MK1? Would the 3 or 4 be a better option? Thanks for any info on this.

The MK1 would likely be a good shooter "as is". However it does lack the changes made in the MK II (and some would agre the MK III as well.)
-Mags- The MK1 uses a different mag. They can be harder to find and more costly when you do.
- Sights-The MK 1 does not come drilled and tapped. The sights are what they are.
-Grips- They use a different grip than the latter models. Option can be limited.
-Action- The MK 1 does not have the last round hold open feature.

 

[DWalt]

"-Mags- The MK1 uses a different mag. They can be harder to find and more costly when you do"

Nope. They are easily found. The SM, MK I, and MK II can all use the same magazine with the slot on both sides. And I think Mk III mags will work fine in any of the earlier Rugers. You just need to swap the follower stud side, about a 30 second job. The Mec-Gar mags work fine, about $15. I have an original SM mag, a MK II mag (Mec-Gar), and a MK III mag. They are all OK in my SM.

 

[misswired]

I've been shooting Ruger 22 autos since 1964 when I bought a used Ruger Standard made sometime in the 1950s. The gun is still my varmint gun and has never been disassembled. Get a Boresnake and a tooth brush and clean what you can reach. Disassembly is highly over-rated and a pain.

I have three mk3 pistols two of which were hammer' guns.
The barrel bedding rings are distorted from the welding process requiring a hammer for takedown/reassembly.
After some hand fitting they work like they should have from the factory...smooth as butter!
Takedown: less than a minute
Reassembly: less than two minutes
Don't need cleaning... That's pure BS!
Even with the magazine disconnect installed, the hammer positioned at haif-cock will allow reassembly without doing the mk3 dance.

And I need to grow a pair? REALLY??

 

[yellowtr]

You might want to look at the S&W SW22. Was released about 2 years ago. It was my first pistol and I wanted something that I could clean with ease.
The only ammo that I found problematic was Remington 22 Thunderbolt.
But that ammo was sometimes problematic with my bolt action rifle!
I currently am using Federal Automatch without any problems.
It is a very accurate pistol and heaver than my M&P Pro but my groups at 50' are much better with the SW22. I still have a lot to learn with both pistols.

 

[stykshooter]

I have several Ruger Mark II’s and Mark III’s, my favorite semi auto rimfire is my Mark II Govt. Model. I have never really thought of the take down and reassembly as an issue. It is funny though, over the years as the range master for our regional police academy I have had a dozen or so brought to me in a plastic zip lock baggie. Guys would take them apart and not be able to get them back together again. Several of those were where the owners decided to start knocking out pins though.

When I first heard of the Mark IV I was excited and planned to pick one up when they first came out. I haven’t done so yet as I really don’t like the looks of the extras on the gun. I think the pinnacle of the Ruger line is the Mark III. Just the upgrade from the heel clip magazine release to the magazine release button makes a world of difference.

We used an old Mark I target model as a training gun on the range for 15 years and replaced it with a 22/45 Mark III about ten years or so ago. That gun has had probably 50 thousand plus rounds through it over the years and has been completely taken down and cleaned only 3 or 4 times.

Regardless of the version of Ruger .22 semi auto you use, install a red dot sight on top of it and face off against a bank of steel plates, spinner targets or plain tin cans. Its impossible to pull the trigger more than a dozen times without a big smile on your face.

 

[Old Corp]

I grew up with an old used MK I 6", and shot the daylights out of it.
Bear in mind this was LONG before the internet and no access to any info on disassembly/reassembly.
Will always recall that first time - wow. Yes, I eventually learned the drill, but until then, grips off, and an overnight soak in kerosene with the bolt held open worked great. Tiny bit of lube here and there and she was ready for another year.

Currently have a MK II SS frame with a Tactical Solutions upper that plays well with a GemTech suppressor.

 

[gnystrom]

Not to hijack this thread but any opinions on the MK1? Would the 3 or 4 be a better option? Thanks for any info on this.

I like the MKII's because they have no Mag disconnect which is something I immediately remove on my MKIII's.

In an ideal world, regardless of model, you will have a better shooting gun if you install a Volquartsen trigger kit in your gun. It is not mandatory, but your enjoyment of that firearm will improve exponentially.

 

[DWalt]

" I think the pinnacle of the Ruger line is the Mark III. Just the upgrade from the heel clip magazine release to the magazine release button makes a world of difference."

One worthwhile addition to the earlier Ruger .22s is a replacement magazine release catch on the butt. The standard catch is small and is difficult to manipulate. There is one available which is larger and much more easily released, and it's fairly inexpensive.

Speaking of older Rugers with the butt magazine catch, another recommendation is to file a small bevel on the back surface of the magazine body just above the floorplate. Remove the floorplate and spring first. It makes it far easier to withdraw as the magazine catch will not hang up on it. It takes maybe a minute to do.

 

[misswired]

I like having a .22 semi pistol in the stable because, not only is it fun, I think it's a great training tool to help identify and eliminate flinching.

I have a Browning Buckmark and, although it pains me to say it because I have a deep love and loyalty to Browning (and S&W ) - I really dislike the Buckmark. Mine is incredibly picky with ammo.

With the Ruger MK IV being released MK IIIs can be had *really* inexpensively. A LGS has one for something like $240 right now.

Can anyone comment on the MK III takedown issue? People talk about it being a real pain. And what is peoples' experiences with how the MK IIIs do with different ammo?

Thx.

OR

Just to relay a small factoid.... Bought an old, had not recently been fired buckmark micro... It ate all ammo expediently..... Noticed It had no buffer installed.. …promptly installed the buffer and guess what...Stoppages!

 

[arjay]

Not to hijack this thread but any opinions on the MK1? Would the 3 or 4 be a better option? Thanks for any info on this.

I bought a couple of mark Is after my Mark III and ended up selling it.My standard is totally stock and the trigger was easy to get used to.The target has large grips and a trigger job and is a great shooter too.The only negative is the bolt not locking open after the last round,but I prefer them over the modern versions.

 

[Faulkner]

I have three MKII's, a MKIII, and a new MKIV. I got my first MKII over 30 years ago and have never found any of them overly difficult to field strip, although I admit the MKIV is a piece of cake.

Although I didn't find the MKIII difficult to field strip, I did add a Majestic Speed Strip kit to it which made it downright simple. I would not hesitate to recommend a MKIII if you don't have one.