Ruger Mark III

[bullmoose]

I have owned a Ruger Mark III .22 with a 6 7/8 inch tapered barrel also target model. I really enjoy shooting this pistol very accurate. Although it is a little more difficult to breakdown and reassemble than most autos just have remember what to do if not you tube is a great help. I love the looks and the feel of this pistol. I even took a squirrel with it that my dogs treed. I do eat what I kill so nothing goes to waste. Just want to here everyone's opinion good or bad.

[kg4ghn]

They are good little guns, and like you said very accurate.

[Mako72]

Excellent guns I have the KMK II with the 5.5 bull barrel. After a little trigger tuning it consistantly outshoots my Dad'ys Hi Standard, much to his dismay.

Ja

[stobes21]

Ruger has a well deserved reputation as the top maker of rimfire pistols and rifles. The combination of accuracy, reliability, durability, and affordable price make them ideal for both beginners and experienced shooters. And their popularity has resulted in an enormous selection of aftermarket parts and accessories. Plus, the .22 is a ton of fun to shoot because of its low price and low recoil.

[Gravy]

Rugers are built to last. I can't remember who said it on another forum but when describing Ruger's they mentioned:

"When the world ends and all thats left are cockroaches, they will be shooting each other w/ Ruger firearms." :biggrin1:

[BrianL]

I would not even want to begin to count how many shots I put through one growing up. Just point and shoot, easy to keep clean. Now I want one again.:biggrin1:

[Deltaboy]

I have a MKII I got in the early 1980s with a 6 7/8 barrel and I feed it over 10,000 rounds and no issues. They are great and built like tanks. I tore my down 5-8 times over the years. I usually just clean the barrel , lock it back and blast it with Gun Scubber then CLP. I have also removed the grips and soaked it over night in a bath of Ed's Red Homemade gun cleaner. Just google Ed's Red and you will find the receipe.

[mtsgsd]

They are great guns. I learned how to shoot bullseye with a Ruger 22/45. IMHO they are the easiest guns to strip and clean, but some people are tripped up by the lock in the back of the grip. There's a tool sold to pry that out and save your fingernails, but screwdriver or a key works just as well.

These are always a great choice.

[mtsgsd]

They are great guns. I learned how to shoot bullseye with a Ruger 22/45. IMHO they are the easiest guns to strip and clean, but some people are tripped up by the lock in the back of the grip. There's a tool sold to pry that out and save your fingernails, but screwdriver or a key works just as well.

These are always a great choice.

[aceinyerface]

Have had a MkII and a MK III, they are great.

[Wid]

I have a Mark 3 Target with a bull. It's a wonderful pistol to shoot. Although it's been a while since I've had it out. Cleaning at first was a pain but once you get used to it, it no harder than any other rim fire.

[Osborn Cox]

I have the target model as well and I have been very happy with it. The first time I field stripped it I had a hard time figuring out the correct way to get it back together, but as was mentioned, you tube was a great resource. IMO it is a great value for the price point.

[dreadpirate]

I have a Ruger Mk I target that I purchased in 1979-ish. I have shot a lot or rounds through it. They really last, and they are accurate!! Highly recommended. :thumbup:

[RHVette]

I'm a MkII devotee myself, but I sure wouldn't turn down a MkIII. Excellent guns, I just find the MkII easier to live with.

[KenS]

I have a MK I I purchased in 76 which has been a great little pistol. I really missed the boat though. Recently I decided I'd like a bull barrel model, but the MK III isn't to my liking, and I haven't been able to locate a MK II.

Ken

[Pbalkan]

Excellent guns I have the KMK II with the 5.5 bull barrel. After a little trigger tuning it consistently outshoots my Dad'ys Hi Standard, much to his dismay.

Ja

What did you use to tune the trigger? I have several Mark II's and III"s (and even a Mark I) and I've had good luck with the Volquartsen trigger parts. If you don't want to go "whole-hog," just replacing the sear will do wonders. They are a little tricky to do but not too bad.



They are great guns. I learned how to shoot bullseye with a Ruger 22/45. IMHO they are the easiest guns to strip and clean, but some people are tripped up by the lock in the back of the grip. There's a tool sold to pry that out and save your fingernails, but screwdriver or a key works just as well.

These are always a great choice.

Where do you shoot Bullseye? When I lived in Phoenix, I shot with the Phoenix Rod and Gun Club. Shot Conventional, all the International events except Free Pistol (never had the patience) and also Hi-Power rifle. I was never a champion but I had a lot of fun and learned how to shoot. I think a Ruger Mark III with a bit of trigger work can take a shooter pretty much through mid-Expert before he really needs anything better.

[Mako72]

What did you use to tune the trigger? I have several Mark II's and III"s (and even a Mark I) and I've had good luck with the Volquartsen trigger parts. If you don't want to go "whole-hog," just replacing the sear will do wonders. They are a little tricky to do but not too bad.

I had mine done by a friend who is a gunsmith probably 8-9 years ago. IIRC he used a mix of Volquartsen and Clark Custom parts. He also mated all the engagement surfaces so that it sits at about a 3.5lbs pull. I only had it done because I used to belong to a small club that shot .22 matches. I probably should have gotten the 6 7/8 Olympic model to do it to but I still like the compactness of the 5.5.

Jay

[mtsgsd]

Where do you shoot Bullseye? When I lived in Phoenix, I shot with the Phoenix Rod and Gun Club. Shot Conventional, all the International events except Free Pistol (never had the patience) and also Hi-Power rifle. I was never a champion but I had a lot of fun and learned how to shoot. I think a Ruger Mark III with a bit of trigger work can take a shooter pretty much through mid-Expert before he really needs anything better.

I haven't shot much of anything the last 5 years because of employment deficts, but I live in Wisconsin, and shot with the Southport gun club. Used to be in a large club when I lived in IL. and we had a multi-club league tourney every year. lots of fun. I'm rated Expert in Bullseye Pistol, and used to be B class in Action Pistol and C in Sporting Clays. Always wanted to do 3 position high-power rifle, but I have a curve in my back that makes prone difficult.

Rugers are very accurate guns, and are great to start with in bullseye. The triggers do have a reputation for being rough, but a sear kit, or careful work with a stone on the existing sear will take care of it. If you don't know what you're doing, you could end up with a hair trigger.

[Pbalkan]

I have quite a few target guns, including Rugers. One is a full-blown Jimmy Clark conversion that cost more than I want to admit...

One time, I needed a "project" and bought a used Mark II, with fixed sights and 4" barrel (tapered). It shot way left and the trigger was awful. I decided to see how accurate I could make it at 25 yards. I filed the front sight (to raise the shot) and centered the windage with a very big brass-punch. Then I did a full Volquartsen trigger-job on it. Rubber grips WITH a rubber back-strap over the slippery take-down lever too.

The trigger is superb, almost as good as the best gunsmith triggers. Friends are startled and amazed when I take it out and shoot it, one-handed and get near-competition accuracy out of it.

The Volquartsen kits cost over $100 for parts and the Mark III kit is even more. I found that, to economize, a Volquartsen sear will lighten and smooth the trigger considerably for under $30.00. For some reason, it does seem to increase the take-up but that's more manageable than a rough or hard trigger.

No matter which model Mark II or III that you buy and how much you spend, you are going to get a fairly heavy trigger. Thank the lawyers for that.

I won't say a Volquartsen trigger-job is "easy" but just about anyone with patience and some aptitude can do it. Just stay calm and go slow. Here's a link (http://www.realguns.com/archives/171.htm) to a site I used that will walk you through. Brownell's also has a similar site. Volquartsen is also pretty helpful, particularly a guy named "Nic" in Customer Service.

The results are really surprisingly good for a "drop-in" fix.

[ChefJohnBoy-ardee]

I have a 5.5 22/45. I've had to replace the extractor on it but that was all it needed. i did put a trigger with a pre travel/over travel adjustment but that was it. Between that and my CZ 513, the squirrels run scared!

[aceinyerface]

I have quite a few target guns, including Rugers. One is a full-blown Jimmy Clark conversion that cost more than I want to admit...

One time, I needed a "project" and bought a used Mark II, with fixed sights and 4" barrel (tapered). It shot way left and the trigger was awful. I decided to see how accurate I could make it at 25 yards. I filed the front sight (to raise the shot) and centered the windage with a very big brass-punch. Then I did a full Volquartsen trigger-job on it. Rubber grips WITH a rubber back-strap over the slippery take-down lever too.

The trigger is superb, almost as good as the best gunsmith triggers. Friends are startled and amazed when I take it out and shoot it, one-handed and get near-competition accuracy out of it.

The Volquartsen kits cost over $100 for parts and the Mark III kit is even more. I found that, to economize, a Volquartsen sear will lighten and smooth the trigger considerably for under $30.00. For some reason, it does seem to increase the take-up but that's more manageable than a rough or hard trigger.

No matter which model Mark II or III that you buy and how much you spend, you are going to get a fairly heavy trigger. Thank the lawyers for that.

I won't say a Volquartsen trigger-job is "easy" but just about anyone with patience and some aptitude can do it. Just stay calm and go slow. Here's a link (http://www.realguns.com/archives/171.htm) to a site I used that will walk you through. Brownell's also has a similar site. Volquartsen is also pretty helpful, particularly a guy named "Nic" in Customer Service.

The results are really surprisingly good for a "drop-in" fix.

I like that link. I'm still working on a 10/22 project. But I think my MKIII is next up for a trigger kit.

[Doghouse]

Great guns. A little work with a hone on the trigger group works wonders.

[MrMurphy]

Never owned one yet, though i've shot dozens. They're not really made to strip every time you shoot, most guys'll put a few thousand through it and then clean.

There's a speed-strip kit out there that does simplify the process though.

[LittleLebowski]

I have a MkIII magazine I would trade for DE blades or whatnot. Samples of soaps, creams, colognes, aftershaves, older DE razors, etc.

[LittleLebowski]

Never owned one yet, though i've shot dozens. They're not really made to strip every time you shoot, most guys'll put a few thousand through it and then clean.

There's a speed-strip kit out there that does simplify the process though.

Spray out with a can of non chlorinated brake cleaner and relube.

[dreadpirate]

I have a Mk I target I bought in 1979. Loads of fun to shoot, and now my sons shoot it. Does not have a slide lock after the last round is fired. I ought to have it modified.

[Goober]

I have the Ruger standard model. 4" bbl. Got it in 1977 and it still looks and shoots great. Taught all three kids how to shoot with it. Have shot a lot of armadillos, snakes, cans, etc. Sorry, haven't eaten any of that stuff. :)

[eightysixCJ]

They are great guns. A few optons available to make them strip easier and improve the trigger but great a great foundation. I shoot a Smith Mod. 41 for bullseye with Mod. II and III on the line and they all shoot with excellent groups. IMO the 41's are easier and simpler and have a better trigger but a bit more $. Enjoy!

Tom

[knlgskr]

Have owned the short barrel fixed sight model since '68; my first handgun and when I returned it to Sturm Ruger because the bolt assembly was rubbing against the ejection port and creating a groove; they repaired it, checked the sights, smoothed the trigger, and paid the return postage without charging me anything. Many years and rounds later it is still the best handgun I have owned and that would include many others including Rugers. I would rank Bill Ruger with any firearms inventor/designer who ever lived.

[Hayden]

I have a mark II 22/45 its a great gun shoots awesome. I do think its prolly the most PIA gun I have to clean, if I dont shoot it every couple months. I just think ruger way over engineered it for no reason.

[BZiel]

Either a mkII or mkIII would be in my top three choices for a SHTF firearm. You can't beat their accuracy, reliability, or access to ammo. The only other .22cal I'd even consider would be a Ruger 10/22.

[ryninger]

Great gun, I've been looking for a MKII or a MKIII Stainless bull barrel to buy for my son... Who is 2.5 months :-)

[jkingrph]

They are great guns. I learned how to shoot bullseye with a Ruger 22/45. IMHO they are the easiest guns to strip and clean, but some people are tripped up by the lock in the back of the grip. There's a tool sold to pry that out and save your fingernails, but screwdriver or a key works just as well.

These are always a great choice.

I never tried the Ruger but went with a S&W model 41. If it's any easier to strip than the Smith, then it's unreal. On my Smith to strip, you remove magazine, lock slide to the rear, pull down the trigger guard, lift the barrel( with extension for rear sight) off, release slide and slide forward and lift off and you are done, reassembly is the opposite. No tools needed, none. I can change barrels in about 15 seconds, max, and have two, a short field barrel that gives it the balance of a 1911, and a longer 7.5" that with longer sight radius is most accurate, although the short one is very good. You can also have barrel units set up with optics or red dots just as easily.

[swcarter]

They are good little guns, and like you said very accurate.

+1, not to mention fun to shoot and cheap. Great way to keep your shooting practice in for you self protection models. For that, I'm pretty wedded to .40 cal Glocks.