New Ruger MKIII (60th Anniversary)

[Norseman]

I just picked up a brand new MKIII 60th Anniversary addition (5 1/2" Blued ).  Price was right and it IS exquisite!  I want to get into shooting the .22 more vice 9mm and .45 acp, a camp gun and maybe some small game.  After getting it though... I decide to surf the net and read of jamming issues due to the magazine and maybe other issues.  I haven't shot this "beauty" .  I do have an assortment of ammo to try out in it.  I just hope that this doesn't turn into a nightmare.  Ruger MKIII owners; what is your input on this?  Is the new beauty a Jamo-Matic?  Please ease my mind!   

[Brett]

Jam-O-Matic?!   A Ruger Mk?  Not likely.   The MkII series of .22 pistols are about the most reliable pistols ever made and the MKIII's are essentially identical to the MKII with the addition of a loaded chamber indicator, mag. safety and relocated mag. release.   

[cwlongshot]

I bought one of these about two months ago. I added a Ruger scope mount and a 2X Leupold scope.

First and foremost, I gotta say... THIS THING SHOOTS!!! Off a bench it will hit as dime every time at 25 yards!!

I have fired CCI STD VEL, REM STD VEL, and FEDERAL STD VEL. No FTF's or feeding problems. I also shot some HV... Rem Golden's, CCI mini mags, Rem Cyclones and Stingers.

I'm sure yours will shoot great!!

CW

[possume]

i wish i could keep mine shooting ive tryied all ammo cci stingers mini maggs federal remmington winchester had a gunsmith look at it wont do anything but jam and fail to eject and load i thought the more i shot it would get better wrong its worse it just sits in the gun cabinet know .but my freind has one and it is a great gun so i cant say they are all junk but i no mine is it is accurate when it shoots

[Norseman]

Glad to hear some good replies!  I have a variety of ammo to try out this Saturday.  Cleaned it up. I was a little concerned after I bought it surfing the internet that there were many comment at different sights about a problem with the magazinewith feeding and jamming.  After the SR-9 fiasco with jamming with FMJ I got a little worried.  After all, the MKIII has been out for some time!  How could Ruger knowingly let this supposed magazine problem go on IF it is true?   I had a MKII for a long time but was worn out and sold it to get the new MKIII.  Anyway...if anyone has any more tive information on the reliability of the new MKIII or advise prior to going to the range?  I will post my results after tomorrow.    

[Brett]

How in the world did you manage to wear out a MKII.   I've heard of guys who shoot bullseye matches with them putting untold thousands of rounds threw them and not wearing them out.   The only thing they ever had to replace was the recoil spring which you are going to have with any gun at some point.   What exactly wore out on your MKII?

[Norseman]

The MKII was one of the 1st MKII's produced in the 80's with the tapered 6 7/8" barrel (target model).  It was carried and shot mostly in the woods while camping and hunting.  Major bluing wear, dents and scratches, front sight was nicked and loose, generally very worn but functional.  It was not "shot out" per se.  It was sold for what I originally bought it for.  It was cheaper than refinishing and getting it in new condition as a rehab. After handling the 5 1/2 bull target model, I that barrel length felt muc better than the old long tapered one.  I used the money to get the MKIII for $359.  The Altamont grips and the gold engraving on the bolt topped off the sale.  Not to mention the trigger on my new MKIII is much better than the old one.  Had to do it! I just hope it shoots as well as the old one LOL!

[Brett]

Okay Norseman, that makes sense now.   I can see how you could get one looking butt ugly from hard use and abuse on the trail or in the woods.    The 6-7/8" heavy tapered target model is a great gun.  Mine is a 1983 but is a "range gun" and does not get carried into the woods a lot so it still looks nearly new.     

[Norseman]

  Well, I took the new Ruger MK III to the range today and all I have to say is WOW! One click up and one click right and it was dead on at 21 feet. It fed Federal, Remington, CCI Stingers, all grouped into a dime with occasional flyer. It did not feed Aguila High Velocity rounds at all. They tended to jam, cram up in the magazine. I took it to 50 feet down range and the group was about the size of a apple. This due to loosing the sights because it too dark, the backstop wasn't well lit. All total was 300 plus rounds...no problems except with the Aguila above.
  The trigger was pretty crisp and over all, I haven't had so much fun at the range in a long time! I am hooked on this Rim Fire thing. Bang! A hole in the target. Who cares that it wasn't my .45 1911's or 9mm's? Bang and a hole. And a dime size hole! So, over all I am very impressed with the Ruger MK III Target.
  Dis-assembly is not a problem at all, just real tight. I can open the jack- knife mainspring lever with my fingernail. The barrel comes off with a rubber mallet. It wasn't that filthy in the grip assembly anyway, so I will clean that portion of the pistol with many more rounds than the 300 I shot off. I like the new magazine release position.  The Loaded Chamber Indicator (LCI) worked as advertised.  Not an issue with jams or feeding.  I am "Old School" and it does not bother me being there.  Any addition for safety is OK with me.  Just a quick look or feel and you know there is a round chamber or not.  No big deal.  The trigger is pretty crisp very good in fact.  All in all I am very impressed with the Ruger MK II 60th Anniversary Addition, 5 1/2" bull barrel (Blued).  The grips are even impressive.  The gold engraved medalion and the bolt was a nice touch.  I give too thumbs up for the Ruger MK III and highly recommend it.  I am hooked on Rimfires!     

[Brett]

Come on Norse, let's see some pictures.   I own several .22s and love shooting them.  I own a few centerfires as well for CC and home defense but as far as I'm concerned I get the most bangs for my $ from the .22s.   They are a lot of fun to shoot, an afternoon of shooting won't break the bank and they don't beak up my old arthritic hands.

[cwlongshot]

GOOD NEWS!!!

I had faith it would shoot for ya!

CW

[Savage]

You have bought one of the most durable and trouble free .22 auto loaders on the market. Congratulations!
BUT!
I'm still stuck on the Mklll trigger being described as crisp. "Crisp" is a word I'd never use describing the trigger pull of a new Mklll.  Brownells has the parts to improve the Mklll triggers 300%. The cost is about $50 and as a bonus, the magazine disconnect is removed as well.
Savage

[cwlongshot]

Heehaws, Thats good advice, Mine got a Volquartsen trigger kit installed before I ever fired it!

Here is the first mag thru the gun. Open sites @ 50'



CW

[Norseman]

My MK III has a "pretty good trigger"-stock.  Light,  but slightly mushy. A trigger that breaks like glass would be benificial though.  So, how difficult is it to install a Volquartsen trigger kit?  Are we talking a night mare or a gunsmith? Can an average Joe put one in, and how much of an increase in accuracy at 50' vice stock trigger?

PS:  I have good mechanical ability.  For example with all the fuss about disassembly of the MK III,
I didn't think it was hard at all, just tight.

[Savage]

If you don't have a stock Mkll handy to compare with the Mklll, then you might perceive the trigger on the Mklll to be "ok". Side by side it's easy for even a novice to tell the difference. Especially when shooting from the bench.  Installing the aftermarket parts is pretty straight forward. My neighbor, with zero mechanical skills was able to do the job with the help of a video. There are all sorts of videos on youtube that will take you through the process. You might want to look those up and see if it's a job you want to tackle, and to identify which parts you need. Wish I still had the part numbers from Brownells to send you. After watching the videos you'll know what to order depending on how far you want to go. The three basic parts (Volquartsen) are around $50. The complete Volquartsen trigger kit is about twice that, if memory serves. You'll see a remarkable difference in shoot ability.  It's much easier to shoot well with a good trigger. You'll notice a huge difference!
Savage

[cwlongshot]

Agreed, I have usedthe Clark kit a couple times. Just stock parts cmoothed up and now the volquarsen Product. All worked well but the drop INS are less work. There is another company offering or that offered inthe pas a nice kit too. But I cannot remember the manufacturer.

Assembly is not hard as long as you follow instructions. Cocked not cocked and tip upside-down.

I was with out one for a couple years but feel it's one pistol that always worth owning. It's great!

CW

[Slowhanddd]

One of the best things on the MK lll is putting a MK ll hammer bushing in and do away with the mag disconnect.Makes the mags drop free and it will even help the trigger.I've done three or four that way for buddies.The drop in trigger and sear kits are just that.Drop in.Dead easy to do and will make that gun shoot like a complete different gun.Congrats and have fun with it.Slow