MKIII Hunter magazine release problem !!

[recumbent]

I have a new MKIII hunter.

The magazines are very difficult to remove from the grip frame.

After the slide locks back, I have to depress and hold the mag release button and then wiggle and hold the mag toward the muzzle to finally get it out. After 500 rounds my thumb is real sore form holding the mag release button in.

I have 4 mags 2 that came with the new pistol and 2 used ones i bought at a gun show. I have removed the mag release and checked for burrs but it is ok.

All 4 mags do the same thing.

Any suggestions.

Thanks,

Bob

[jjfunk]

Are you using aftermarket grips? I had one time that this happened and the grip screws were rubbing against the magazines. If you remove the grips completely does the problem still persist?

[Bullseye]

Another thing that I've found is every now and then a little piece of lead shaving or grit finds its way behind the magazine latch. When this happens the button seems like you just cannot press if far enough to release a magazine. You might want to remove the release button and give it a good cleaning behind it and on the back side of the latch assembly. Just take off the left side grip and remove the hold down screw. The whole assembly will slide out to the left.

Also check the little spring loaded button on the back of the assembly and ensure it can depress all the way into the release assembly body.

Hope this helps.

R,
Bullseye

[recumbent]

Factory Grips.
Ruger Magazines.
Stock factory MKIII hunter no modifications.

This pistol has done this from the day I bought it 2 weeks ago.

I removed the hammer and mag safety to check and it still does it. I have put them back in and will check the spring/plunger on the mag release.

I wonder if the mag release is defective, out of tolerance or something?

[Bullseye]

It's possible that the release button body is out of tolerance or needs a little more fitting to clear the magazine bump.

R,
Bullseye

[recumbent]

I removed the mag release again and checked for dirt like you said bullseye.

Nothing found. So I examined the hole on the right side of the frame where the mag release pin fits in.

On the inside of the mag well on this hole was a huge burr. This was preventing the mag release from depressing fully.

I dressed down this burr and the mag release works just fine.

Thanks bullseye and everyone.

Another 500 rounds tomorrow will be a lot more pleasant than today.

Bob

[jaeger45]

500 rounds!

A li'l big boy is gonna have lotsa fun!!!

[Bullseye]

Great deal! It sounded like that release button couldn't depress fully from your description, I'm glad you closely looked at the frame behind it. That should cure those sore fingers.

R,
Bullseye

[recumbent]

Had a great afternoon, no more sore fingers!!

This MKIII Hunter is more sensitive to dirt than my three MKIIs.

After 400 rounds it would jam once in every mag. I'm sure that after a few thousand rounds it should improve.

I changed the rear sight blade to the standard square blade from my competition target and that combination with the hi vis front sight made a big difference for me. Easier to get a more precise sight picture with the square notch instead of the V blade that came with it.

Don't need it on the competition target since i use it exclusively with a red dot.

[Glenn]

Awesome! Glad you got it sorted out.