.22 Ruger Mark III Concern - The Firearms Forum

dlee58 · 12-01-2008, 08:53 PM

Have not shot one, admired only. Have been really looking forward to owning one, probably a target model. Have heard very good things about how they shoot. Have also heard horror stories on how hard they are to get back together after a cleaning. I believe in good cleanings after each use, tearing down M-16's and 9mm's in the military sold me on that. Am I being over concerned with the cleaning or is it mostly smething that is hard but a person like me can learn it.

Thanks

artabr · 12-01-2008, 10:08 PM

Once you understand what you need to do, it's a piece of cake. There is a thread in this forum that has a description on reassembly. It takes maybe 30 seconds. It's all in how you hold the gun (this is key).
When you buy your gun ask the sales person how its done. If they don't know find one that does.
They are great guns.
I'll post a link to the thread that I was talking about.

http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=48183

In post #9 and 14 you will find some info that will help.

Welcome to the forum by the way. You'll like it here we have a great group.

Art

LDBennett · 12-02-2008, 08:08 AM

If you follow the direction in the manual to the letter they are easy to take apart and put back together. Getting the gun back together and working correctly is the problem but the manual tells you how. You have to use a rubber mallet to knock the barrel off and back on the gun's frame but it does no harm. The problem is the hammer strut wants to not fall into the correct place and the gun goes together but will not function (can't even pull the slide to the rear).

Someone makes a device that allows the bolt to be removed without taking the barrel off the frame. That allow good access to the the gun's internals for thorough cleanings without the hassles of re-assembly.

I have had my Ruger and an earlier one for over 15 years and I still have to get the instruction out every time I clean it (about once or twice a year as I have many pistols and the gun only get shot that often). Even then I sometimes have trouble. I am about to buy the device that makes it easy.

In general I like the S&W 22A/S series guns and the Buckmark series guns as they are very easy to get apart and back together. The easiest of all has to be my High Standard Victor, Trophy, and Field King. You just push a button and the barrel is in your hand and the bolt slip off the frame with no hassels. But you could have two Rugers for the price of one of these vintage Hi Std guns.

LDBennett

PPK 32 · 12-02-2008, 09:41 AM

I have a MKII which is the same taking apart as a MKIII. Pawn sent me a link to YouTube, on how to take apart and put back together. After viewing the link I took notes. I clean it everytime I go shooting, and cuss at it everytime I go to put it back together. It cracks me up cause it causes me greif everytime I think I have it. Just to pull my notes to find out I missed a step. Its a great gun, one day I will be able to put it back together without my oil soaked notes, but that day hasn't come yet. Having known all this I still would have bought the exact same gun, thats how much I like it.

artabr · 12-02-2008, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDBennett

Someone makes a device that allows the bolt to be removed without taking the barrel off the frame. That allow good access to the the gun's internals for thorough cleanings without the hassles of re-assembly.

LDBennett

The bolt comes out before the barrel is removed from the frame anyway. You do not have to remove the barrel from the frame to clean the gun.

Art

pawn · 12-02-2008, 11:21 AM

Love my MKII and MKIII, however, it does take some practice to reassemble without a hiccup

My MKIII is a bit more challenging in that the upper and lower fit together very tightly; must be separated and joined with that aid of a rubber mallet. The holes between receiver and grip frame must match up exactly on this pistol... still takes a bit of trial and error sometimes.

MKII disassembles/assembles much easier

After shooting one you'll see why the bit of hassel in learning is well worth the effort.

-pawn

PPK 32 · 12-02-2008, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawn

MKII disassembles/assembles much easier

-pawn

Wish you were right, but Nooooo. At least not mine, got nailed on receiver and barrel position.

glocknut · 12-02-2008, 02:42 PM

All this makes me think it would be better to buy a Walther P22 instead?

mike
gn

armedandsafe · 12-02-2008, 10:18 PM

Quote:

All this makes me think it would be better to buy a Walther P22 instead?

If your interest in the pistol is only in taking it apart and putting it back together, then I'd say you are right, Mike.

The pistol is not as straight forward to take apart and reassemble as is the 1911, but then, it wasn't designed for military use. It takes some reading of the instructions and a little understanding of how that mechanism works. Millions have been sold and they aren't often found on the used market. that tells me something.

It is a GREAT shooter. and that is what I want a pistol to be.

Pops

armedandsafe · 12-02-2008, 10:29 PM

Incidently,I just checked amazon and they have the book on the Standard, Mark I and Mark II on sale for $10.88 plus shipping. This does not cover the Mark III or the 22/45.

Pops

artabr · 12-03-2008, 12:57 PM

I just posted a "How to" on reassembly in Swanshots thread.
Read post #15.

http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/show...d=1#post369925

Art

pawn · 02-08-2009, 11:12 AM

http://ruger.com/Firearms/N-RugerTV-...eassembly.html

artabr · 02-08-2009, 12:41 PM

Great video Pawn.
Once you learn the "tricks", it is harder to discribe than it is to do.

Art.

SARG · 02-08-2009, 01:03 PM

For cleaning I started using brake cleaning spray. Less than $2. per can and it works well. Just avoid using on autos with the cheap plastic parts i.e. grendel and some others I've long since gotten rid of.

pawn · 02-08-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artabr

Great video Pawn.
Once you learn the "tricks", it is harder to discribe than it is to do.

Art.

thanks Art, stumbled upon this earlier today and thought I would share with others

cranky cj · 02-08-2009, 02:54 PM

Well, I just finished field stripping mine and it took me quite a while to get it back together. I was frustrated but I fianlly figured it out, well, I put it back togehter several times and finally got it back together where the slide would pull all the way back.

As far as shooting, great little gun. Perfect for everybody to learn on. My 9 yr old shoots it regularly as does the 11 yr old.

jlbpa · 02-08-2009, 09:59 PM

What's happening to this country? What's so difficult about assembling a ruger mark pistol? It's a simple technique.....not some magical mystical voodoo.

Don't miss out on one of the most practical .22 cal semiauto pistol ever produced.

TOOHSOTKIL · 02-09-2009, 11:07 AM

+1 on the above post. One of the biggest problems is doing exactly what the manual says, many try to cheat or read more into it than is needed or not.
The other is once done, many wait until it is so dirty it won`t shoot or guilt takes over........then months later without reading the manual; it is tried again with frustration.......then reading more into the directions than is needed........under stress. I know, I have been there.

It really is a very simple design and it has stood the test of time. Almost like pulling the trigger pack from a MI Garand/M14.

Sometimes simple seems hard

pawn · 02-09-2009, 12:10 PM

It isn't hard once you've done it a few times but there is a learning curve and folks have varying levels of mechanical inclination... For some, video instruction provides the simple clarity even the best written directions cannot.

greener · 02-11-2009, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawn

It isn't hard once you've done it a few times but there is a learning curve and folks have varying levels of mechanical inclination... For some, video instruction provides the simple clarity even the best written directions cannot.

The first time I field stripped a Ruger, I had visions of a box of Ruger parts looking for a gunsmith and the language was so bad the dog left the room.

I did 3 more reps actually following the manual and it wasn't so bad. Then I found this link, which much more clearly explains the process http://www.guntalk-online.com/fsprocedures.htm

I've never let perceived concerns over difficulty of field stripping influence my firearms purchases. I figure that they were meant to be field stripped and the manufacturers wouldn't make that process totally impossible.

My 22A is the simplest to field strip and it is an excellent shooting pistol. Now that I've delved the mysteries of the Ruger, I'd rate it second. My P22 is relatively easy but I end up having to delve through my parts box for the plastic guide or improvise. The one I like least is the Buck Mark. Not hard, but having to find an allen wrench and having keep track of washers and screws puts it down on my list of ease.

PPK 32 · 02-11-2009, 07:45 AM

I know I am gonna catch hell, but to be honest I still have not got the hang of field stripping my Ruger. Thanks to Pawn for the video, as it took a lot of the mystery out of what I actually did right one night--made the mistake of taking it apart, no instructions, nothing. Lots of swearing!! I can rebuild carbs, engines, printing presses etc. I consider myself to be mechanically able to field strip a gun. The 22A was a challenge at first but its not bad once ya get the hang of the plastic tab assy. Now, I just laugh at my inability to get the final lockup to work, I know its me, but can't seem to get the trick. I now own three of them I just picked up my MK III last night, great guns, but a trip to field strip!!

greener · 02-11-2009, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PPK 32

I know I am gonna catch hell, but to be honest I still have not got the hang of field stripping my Ruger. Thanks to Pawn for the video, as it took a lot of the mystery out of what I actually did right one night--made the mistake of taking it apart, no instructions, nothing. Lots of swearing!! I can rebuild carbs, engines, printing presses etc. I consider myself to be mechanically able to field strip a gun. The 22A was a challenge at first but its not bad once ya get the hang of the plastic tab assy. Now, I just laugh at my inability to get the final lockup to work, I know its me, but can't seem to get the trick. I now own three of them I just picked up my MK III last night, great guns, but a trip to field strip!!

Couple of tips:
If the barrel/receiver is tight, use the bolt stop pin as a guide to align the holes by putting in in from the top and tapping on the appropriate end of the barrel receiver until the pin goes all the way through. That aligns the bolt stop pin holes and makes putting the mainspring assembly in easier.

After you have the bolt in, pull and hold the trigger back to uncock the hammer (MKIII's insert mag then pull). Use something to push the hammer fully forward (MKIII remove mag). Hold the pistol so the muzzle is point down at about 30° below horizontal and insert the bolt stop pin and begin closing the mainspring. Just before the mainspring is fully closed (1/2" out) tilt the muzzle up and close the mainspring. You should have a little springiness in the mainspring. If you have none, open it, and repeat this part.

The tricky part is the hammer strut. If you hold the muzzle horizontal, or higher, it will make a dive for the cross pin in the back of the grip frame. Tilting the muzzle up causes the hammer strut to fall into its groove in the mainspring assembly. This is much better explained in the guntalk-online link I gave.

Just takes a bit of practice.

The 22A is a piece of cake, except when you neglect to cover the slide and the recoil spring and rod launch themselves into a 3-wall bankshot and bury themselves under the workbench and reappear in 9 months.

PPK 32 · 02-12-2009, 08:07 AM

Thanks I will give this a run!!! My problem is in the final lockup. Hammer falls too far forward and the strut does not fall in the groove causing the bolt to lock or I have not gotten the hammer to fall forward enough to lock it up. I can't seem to get a happy medium, it either one or the other. The MK I cracks me up, as soon as I pull the trigger, and the lock up drops right in I can count on the bolt being locked. When I am able to drop the hammer, raise the muzzle and have the lockup assy hang out about a quarter of an inch and need to be pushed in for final, I am good.

winshooter · 02-18-2009, 01:21 AM

I had a hard time also until I found this procedure. I can't remember where I found it but it's probably a compilation of everything others have mentioned in this thread. Here it is:

Quote:

Mark III Disassembly and Re-assembly

1. Dry Fire/Keep safe off.
2. Remove mag
3. Open takedown lever & remove pin
4. Mag in
5. Point up and pull trigger
6. Remove mag
7. Remove bolt

1. Hammer must be back & slide stop down
2. Insert bolt
3. Insert mag
4. Point down & pull trigger/push hammer all the way forward
5. Remove mag
6. Insert takedown lever until pin stocks out the top
7. Point up & close takedown lever & lock. (Make sure hammer strut is
centered before closing takedown lever.
8. Bolt should function normally; if it does not most likely the hammer
strut was not centered.

Mike

johnlives4christ · 02-18-2009, 07:34 PM

i have owned... and after trading away and trying to "re-own" a ruger 22/45 which is pretty much the same thing as the mark II and i personally think the ruger mark II and 22/45's are some darn great shooting guns. i did have a hard time reassembling the pistol the very first time because the instructions weren't like.... DUH to me but after i did it once i didnt have any other problems. i personally shot over 3000 rounds through the one i had before i traded it to my buddy... and if i get it back i'll shoot just as many more probably the first season. i used to pack it every time i went out and could hit with ease a coke can at 25 paces. it rarely ever malfunctioned as well... even with cheap ammo

~john

12-01-2008, 10:08 PM	#2
artabr Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Iberia, Louisiana Contributor Posts: 7,859	Re: .22 Ruger Mark III Concern Once you understand what you need to do, it's a piece of cake. There is a thread in this forum that has a description on reassembly. It takes maybe 30 seconds. It's all in how you hold the gun (this is key). When you buy your gun ask the sales person how its done. If they don't know find one that does. They are great guns. I'll post a link to the thread that I was talking about. http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=48183 In post #9 and 14 you will find some info that will help. Welcome to the forum by the way. You'll like it here we have a great group. Art __________________ God and the soldier we like adore, In times of trouble, not before. When troubles ended and all things righted, God is forgotten and the soldier is slighted. Francis Quarles 1592 - 1644 __________________ When asked for my race, I answer CauCajun. Hope is not a plan, and not all change is good. The resistance is here; the resistance is now. RESIST! These hands are neither cold nor are they dead!! Last edited by artabr; 12-01-2008 at 10:16 PM..

12-02-2008, 08:08 AM	#3
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,718	Re: .22 Ruger Mark III Concern If you follow the direction in the manual to the letter they are easy to take apart and put back together. Getting the gun back together and working correctly is the problem but the manual tells you how. You have to use a rubber mallet to knock the barrel off and back on the gun's frame but it does no harm. The problem is the hammer strut wants to not fall into the correct place and the gun goes together but will not function (can't even pull the slide to the rear). Someone makes a device that allows the bolt to be removed without taking the barrel off the frame. That allow good access to the the gun's internals for thorough cleanings without the hassles of re-assembly. I have had my Ruger and an earlier one for over 15 years and I still have to get the instruction out every time I clean it (about once or twice a year as I have many pistols and the gun only get shot that often). Even then I sometimes have trouble. I am about to buy the device that makes it easy. In general I like the S&W 22A/S series guns and the Buckmark series guns as they are very easy to get apart and back together. The easiest of all has to be my High Standard Victor, Trophy, and Field King. You just push a button and the barrel is in your hand and the bolt slip off the frame with no hassels. But you could have two Rugers for the price of one of these vintage Hi Std guns. LDBennett

12-02-2008, 09:41 AM	#4
PPK 32 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Frickin, Illinois Posts: 1,170	Re: .22 Ruger Mark III Concern I have a MKII which is the same taking apart as a MKIII. Pawn sent me a link to YouTube, on how to take apart and put back together. After viewing the link I took notes. I clean it everytime I go shooting, and cuss at it everytime I go to put it back together. It cracks me up cause it causes me greif everytime I think I have it. Just to pull my notes to find out I missed a step. Its a great gun, one day I will be able to put it back together without my oil soaked notes, but that day hasn't come yet. Having known all this I still would have bought the exact same gun, thats how much I like it.

12-02-2008, 11:21 AM	#6
pawn Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Crossville, TN Posts: 1,469	Re: .22 Ruger Mark III Concern Love my MKII and MKIII, however, it does take some practice to reassemble without a hiccup My MKIII is a bit more challenging in that the upper and lower fit together very tightly; must be separated and joined with that aid of a rubber mallet. The holes between receiver and grip frame must match up exactly on this pistol... still takes a bit of trial and error sometimes. MKII disassembles/assembles much easier After shooting one you'll see why the bit of hassel in learning is well worth the effort. -pawn __________________ Take care when you get information. The truth is generally seen, rarely heard. -Balthasar Gracian

12-02-2008, 02:42 PM	#8
glocknut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: THE FORUM MASCOTT... Posts: 12,482	Re: .22 Ruger Mark III Concern All this makes me think it would be better to buy a Walther P22 instead? mike gn __________________ Where O where are you tonight? Why have you gone and left me alone? I searched to world over and a thought i found true love... You met another and PTThhh you were gone....

12-01-2008, 08:53 PM	#1
dlee58 Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 11	.22 Ruger Mark III Concern Have not shot one, admired only. Have been really looking forward to owning one, probably a target model. Have heard very good things about how they shoot. Have also heard horror stories on how hard they are to get back together after a cleaning. I believe in good cleanings after each use, tearing down M-16's and 9mm's in the military sold me on that. Am I being over concerned with the cleaning or is it mostly smething that is hard but a person like me can learn it. Thanks -->

12-02-2008, 10:29 PM	#10
armedandsafe Former Guest Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Moses Lake, WA Posts: 10,344	Re: .22 Ruger Mark III Concern Incidently,I just checked amazon and they have the book on the Standard, Mark I and Mark II on sale for $10.88 plus shipping. This does not cover the Mark III or the 22/45. Pops

12-03-2008, 12:57 PM	#11
artabr Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Iberia, Louisiana Contributor Posts: 7,859	Re: .22 Ruger Mark III Concern I just posted a "How to" on reassembly in Swanshots thread. Read post #15. http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/show...d=1#post369925 Art __________________ God and the soldier we like adore, In times of trouble, not before. When troubles ended and all things righted, God is forgotten and the soldier is slighted. Francis Quarles 1592 - 1644 __________________ When asked for my race, I answer CauCajun. Hope is not a plan, and not all change is good. The resistance is here; the resistance is now. RESIST! These hands are neither cold nor are they dead!!

02-08-2009, 11:12 AM	#12
pawn Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Crossville, TN Posts: 1,469	Re: .22 Ruger Mark III Concern http://ruger.com/Firearms/N-RugerTV-...eassembly.html __________________ Take care when you get information. The truth is generally seen, rarely heard. -Balthasar Gracian

02-08-2009, 12:41 PM	#13
artabr Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Iberia, Louisiana Contributor Posts: 7,859	Re: .22 Ruger Mark III Concern Great video Pawn. Once you learn the "tricks", it is harder to discribe than it is to do. Art. __________________ God and the soldier we like adore, In times of trouble, not before. When troubles ended and all things righted, God is forgotten and the soldier is slighted. Francis Quarles 1592 - 1644 __________________ When asked for my race, I answer CauCajun. Hope is not a plan, and not all change is good. The resistance is here; the resistance is now. RESIST! These hands are neither cold nor are they dead!!

02-08-2009, 01:03 PM	#14
SARG V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Northeast Posts: 306	Re: .22 Ruger Mark III Concern For cleaning I started using brake cleaning spray. Less than $2. per can and it works well. Just avoid using on autos with the cheap plastic parts i.e. grendel and some others I've long since gotten rid of.

02-08-2009, 02:54 PM	#16
cranky cj V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 59	Re: .22 Ruger Mark III Concern Well, I just finished field stripping mine and it took me quite a while to get it back together. I was frustrated but I fianlly figured it out, well, I put it back togehter several times and finally got it back together where the slide would pull all the way back. As far as shooting, great little gun. Perfect for everybody to learn on. My 9 yr old shoots it regularly as does the 11 yr old.

02-08-2009, 09:59 PM	#17
jlbpa Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 7	Re: .22 Ruger Mark III Concern What's happening to this country? What's so difficult about assembling a ruger mark pistol? It's a simple technique.....not some magical mystical voodoo. Don't miss out on one of the most practical .22 cal semiauto pistol ever produced.

02-09-2009, 11:07 AM	#18
TOOHSOTKIL V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Curracus Posts: 318	Re: .22 Ruger Mark III Concern +1 on the above post. One of the biggest problems is doing exactly what the manual says, many try to cheat or read more into it than is needed or not. The other is once done, many wait until it is so dirty it won`t shoot or guilt takes over........then months later without reading the manual; it is tried again with frustration.......then reading more into the directions than is needed........under stress. I know, I have been there. It really is a very simple design and it has stood the test of time. Almost like pulling the trigger pack from a MI Garand/M14. Sometimes simple seems hard

02-09-2009, 12:10 PM	#19
pawn Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Crossville, TN Posts: 1,469	Re: .22 Ruger Mark III Concern It isn't hard once you've done it a few times but there is a learning curve and folks have varying levels of mechanical inclination... For some, video instruction provides the simple clarity even the best written directions cannot. __________________ Take care when you get information. The truth is generally seen, rarely heard. -Balthasar Gracian

02-11-2009, 07:45 AM	#21
PPK 32 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Frickin, Illinois Posts: 1,170	Re: .22 Ruger Mark III Concern I know I am gonna catch hell, but to be honest I still have not got the hang of field stripping my Ruger. Thanks to Pawn for the video, as it took a lot of the mystery out of what I actually did right one night--made the mistake of taking it apart, no instructions, nothing. Lots of swearing!! I can rebuild carbs, engines, printing presses etc. I consider myself to be mechanically able to field strip a gun. The 22A was a challenge at first but its not bad once ya get the hang of the plastic tab assy. Now, I just laugh at my inability to get the final lockup to work, I know its me, but can't seem to get the trick. I now own three of them I just picked up my MK III last night, great guns, but a trip to field strip!! __________________ -Every road leads to a town, every town has a tavern, therefore you are never really lost. -If you are gonna be stupid, you'd better be tough. Jim Parrish

02-12-2009, 08:07 AM	#23
PPK 32 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Frickin, Illinois Posts: 1,170	Re: .22 Ruger Mark III Concern Thanks I will give this a run!!! My problem is in the final lockup. Hammer falls too far forward and the strut does not fall in the groove causing the bolt to lock or I have not gotten the hammer to fall forward enough to lock it up. I can't seem to get a happy medium, it either one or the other. The MK I cracks me up, as soon as I pull the trigger, and the lock up drops right in I can count on the bolt being locked. When I am able to drop the hammer, raise the muzzle and have the lockup assy hang out about a quarter of an inch and need to be pushed in for final, I am good. __________________ -Every road leads to a town, every town has a tavern, therefore you are never really lost. -If you are gonna be stupid, you'd better be tough. Jim Parrish

02-18-2009, 07:34 PM	#25
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: .22 Ruger Mark III Concern i have owned... and after trading away and trying to "re-own" a ruger 22/45 which is pretty much the same thing as the mark II and i personally think the ruger mark II and 22/45's are some darn great shooting guns. i did have a hard time reassembling the pistol the very first time because the instructions weren't like.... DUH to me but after i did it once i didnt have any other problems. i personally shot over 3000 rounds through the one i had before i traded it to my buddy... and if i get it back i'll shoot just as many more probably the first season. i used to pack it every time i went out and could hit with ease a coke can at 25 paces. it rarely ever malfunctioned as well... even with cheap ammo ~john