New-to-me MkIII Standard 6" SS: "hard to strip&qu

wagon · Post by **wagon** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 2:58 am

My new-to-me arrived today, LNIB condition is as advertised, BOD is March 2010. This is my FIRST rimfire pistol and also my FIRST Ruger Mk series, I like it so far: it feels very natural and has good balance in my hand. The factory grips will eventually go as I prefer thumb rest and a little thicker (but I like it in black as it is).

Heard nuff stories that the field stripping process is quite challenging, so I watched a few clips on YouTube before field stripping it -- I am NOT a mechanical or engineering person, and to my surprise it is not that "challenging" at all. I was smooth sailing to complete the field strip; I have no problem to assemble UNTIL the very last step: the latching of the main spring housing.. but this video bail me out --I like it the best, good tips, no gimmick and practical: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYHJm2P4kP0

To me, I think to watch/read the instruction a few times before actually doing it helps me BIG time. In fact I practice the process a few times tonight and I can now complete the whole end to end process in just a few minutes without ANY drama.. if this noob can do it with ease, I think those have difficulties might just be related issue with the gun itself.

I was having so much fun that I did not bother to clean it up (it is quite dirty from previous use), cleaning can wait until the day prior to range time.

And thanks to all the valuable information and instructions I am able to gathered from members and Admin of this board, I have already removed the LCI, next up will be the hammer bushing (to rid the mag safety) which is already in transit.

Meantime, here are some pix ... as-is, no cleaning

ruger22 · Post by **ruger22** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 11:11 am

Welcome aboard! You'll find all fine people here, with lots of useful information and good stories to tell.

Any of the Ruger Mark pistol models look great in stainless. Once the mag safety is gone, you won't need the mag at all to field strip or reassemble. The mags drop free easy when released, too.

I started out using washers in my Mark III stainless bull barrel, then did the Volquartsen Mark II hammer bushing. Brought my trigger down to just under three pounds. The LCI was replaced with a filler piece made from a stainless washer. Otherwise I'm all factory parts.

There are many posts, including mine, about all the mods and anything else about these fine pistols.

Post by **Bullseye** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 1:20 pm

You may want to look into the Hogue soft rubber monogrip for your Ruger. They come in black and have a thumbrest with some finger grooves which feel good in the hand.

R,
Bullseye

wagon · Post by **wagon** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 10:10 pm

Bulleseye: thanks for the suggestion, Hogue is on my list... I also like wood grips too.. Hogue surely looks "tactical" while wood grips look classic... I will surely have a hard time to decide when I'm ready to replace the grips.

Ruger22: I did come across several of your write ups.. they are very helpful indeed. I stayed away from DIY with washers coz I have little confidence on myself on metal works.. (have sold my Rigid drill press too)... I went with the $10 super-deal from Sam.. he has a new "tight fit" version nowadays so I jump on it.

I'm tempted to get a Volquartsen target trigger "the off spec" special for <$30.. but it has to wait too, just too little toy money and too many temptations

such as Rimfire Technology has a SUPER COOL trigger guard for my CZs.. I am sooooo tempted but they will have to wait.. right now.. my priority is rail and scope for the MKIII, otherwise I can't shoot it 15yd and beyond...

Baldy · Post by **Baldy** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:08 pm

Good looking pistol there Wagon. I see you done the same as me. I removed the LCI out of my .22/45 a few weeks back.

wagon · Post by **wagon** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 12:38 am

Thanks for the kind words, Baldy.

I may clean it up this weekend and shoot some

The $10 hammer bushing should arrive some time next week, eager to find out how much improvement to the trigger pull ti may bring -- along with the other "primary purpose"

SKnight · Post by **SKnight** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 5:18 pm

It's amazing how easy it is once you see it done once or twice. The big problem comes with flopping the arm for the hammer spring around. It's like the hokey pokey.

greener · Post by **greener** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 9:43 pm

Good work so far. Sam's old bushings worked pretty well, I'd figure the new one is better.

I've got the Hogue grips on two of my Rugers. They really improved the way the pistols feel. Hogues would be a good, inexpensive tweak.

Yleefox · Post by **Yleefox** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 7:14 am

Nice looking piece. I'm sure you will enjoy it the more u shoot it. Once a person understands the correct position for the hammer and strut to be in, when assembling, those Rugers go together without problem.

Yleefox

wagon · Post by **wagon** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 9:18 pm

Thanks, Yleefox.

Greener: indeed my search for an used Hogue (with TB) has begun.. just nothing yet out there.. but I'm in no hurry

I've ordered a Weigand (in transit)... still uncertain if I'm to use it / keep it due to the taller profile... oh well, time will tell.

Still undecided on sight.. lean towards Ultradot (again, nothing shows up in the used market, yet), but meantime, I handled a FastFireII in a LGS, REALLY nice and small, but I wish it had brightness adjustment (not just auto sensing), and the based could be std weaver -- should help maintain zero in case of mount/dismount.

Post by **Bullseye** » Wed Sep 01, 2010 9:28 pm

No Ultradots on the used market - ding! - that should tell you something. People don't typically resell what works.

R,
Bullseye

Cabnetman · Post by **Cabnetman** » Mon Sep 06, 2010 1:31 am

ruger22 wrote:Welcome aboard! You'll find all fine people here, with lots of useful information and good stories to tell.

Any of the Ruger Mark pistol models look great in stainless. Once the mag safety is gone, you won't need the mag at all to field strip or reassemble. The mags drop free easy when released, too.

I started out using washers in my Mark III stainless bull barrel, then did the Volquartsen Mark II hammer bushing. Brought my trigger down to just under three pounds. The LCI was replaced with a filler piece made from a stainless washer. Otherwise I'm all factory parts.

There are many posts, including mine, about all the mods and anything else about these fine pistols.

I have a new MKIII hunter with fluted barrell. Great gun but at first somewhat difficult to take down and put back together. Gets a lot easier after a few times. How did you get rid of the mag safety? If that was gone, it would be a lot easier to reasemble.

Post by **Bullseye** » Mon Sep 06, 2010 1:47 am

Welcome to Guntalk-online!

You can either pick up a Mark II style hammer bushing or use washers for removing the Mark III mag safety. There's a mod procedure in the workshop forum http://www.guntalk-online.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=387

R,
Bullseye