Deciding which MkIII to buy 5 1/2" bull or Hunter model

[Tbag]

Trying to decide on a new Ruger and I just can't sell myself on which one to buy. Come guys please give me some of your suggestions, money is not a factor.

[Bullseye]

There's a lot of latitude in this request. What do you want to do with this pistol? Do you currently have any Mark III's? What type of finish do you prefer? Are you partial to the 22/45 style grip or the traditional grip?

Besides the fluted barrel these two models mainly differ by the factory sights offered with the pistol. The Hunter has the fiber optic tubes, and not everybody is fond of these types of sights for target shooting.

I'm more of a traditionalist and have the 5.5" blued MKIII512.

Hope this helps.

R,
Bullseye

[toyfj40]

Come guys please give me some of your suggestions,
MONEY is NOT a factor.

D'oh... a No-Brainer... just do what (most) all of us have already done.
don't decide WHICH-ONE to get... decide WHICH ONE is FIRST...
(second, third...)

also, keep your eye-out at the shops and online-auctions...
for a MK2. You'll want an assortment:
MK2 -vs- MK3
Stainless -vs- Blue
Long -vs- short barrel
Bull -vs- taper barrel
Ruger -vs- 22/45 grip
this will allow you to have OpenSights, RedDot, 2xScope...
add some VQ-sears, add-on triggers, grips...
and an assortment of CCI, Fed, Aguila, Wolf, Eley ammo
in SubSonic, StdVelocity, Hi-Velocity, Solid-vs-CopperWash-vs-HPt

so, budget oh... uh... 2500-3000 and come back and we'll
sign you up for the "Ruger MKx Anomymous" .22-step
group-sessions...

welcome. good luck.

... get the 5.5" first.. shoot it a couple weeks,
clean it and learn to Field-Strip it...
then get the Hunter Model...

[Tbag]

You know just why didn't I just think of that, ToyfJ thanks, I think I'll just run over to Bass Pro and pick'em both up. It's nice to have a CCW permit in a state where you have to wait. Thanks Bullseye I think I'll get the blued 51/5.

[greener]

Toy, do you have to wait until you get them all before you start on the .22 step program? Or is the program getting them all before you can join "Ruger MKx Unanimous"?

Tbag, the decision is "which one feels best." Then you can do as I did, buy the Hunter because it felt best and the 22/45 grip didn't feel good, THEN buy the 22/45 and really like it. There are loads of variations on that theme.

[Tbag]

Greener your right the Hunter, traditional grip did feel slightly than the Mk5.5. I never quite liked the 22/45, the texture just isn't right, anyways I bought it, the Hunter that is. Oh by the way isn't my first Ruger, time to order some VQ parts, and ect... I also picked up a Beretta xtreme 2 shotgun on sale, out the door less than 900.00. That was a good deal

[greener]

I think you'll enjoy the Hunter. I did VQ trigger/hammer/sear upgrade on the Hunter and trigger/sear on the 22/45. There is not much difference between the two that I can tell. Both do a fine job of sweetening up the trigger. The Hunter upgrade must be better because I spent more.

[Tbag]

Bullseye, the Marvel or VQ trigger, what's the difference bwtn the two. I have no problems taking guns apart, I like to tinker. You have the Marvel don't you? Which would you buy now. I would like to thank you guy's in advance for the help.

[Bullseye]

I like the feel of the Marvel, but the new style VQ is much easier to install and adjust with its externally adjustable pretravel screw.



Hope this helps.

R,
Bullseye

[toyfj40]

Toy, do you have to wait until you get them all before you start on the .22 step program?
Or is the program getting them all before you can join "Ruger MKx Unanimous"?

There are the Platinum, Gold, Silver & Bronze programs:
Bronze: just starting out, we will guide you through the variety of
Ruger-MKx pistols and help you to acquire your collection.
You will receive patient instruction on the Field-Strip-Process.
Silver: you have a Ruger-MKx, a BuckMark and a S&W-41 and
just haven't gone-over-the-edge to realize the satisfaction you can get
from tinkering with a Ruger to make it your own. It is a pre-requisite
that you know how to post digital-images to the forum for this level.
Gold: You have an assortment of Ruger-MKx pistols and a BuckMark
somewhere in the closet (or sold at a garage sale), you've lost-count of
the misc-boxes of .22LR ammo that you've shot and set-aside.
You have a Ruger 10/22 rifle and a couple Marlin-60s in the closet, too.
To obtain this level, you must have completed at least two
VQ-sear and/or trigger replacements, without posting a HELP question
on the forum...
Platinum: You must have Blue, Stainless, Bull, Taper, Ruger& 22/45 grip
pistols in some combination.
You compete in various competition shooting with your Ruger MK's.
To complete this level, your divorce-papers must include a complaint
about the money, time and attention paid to your Rugers, and not family.

enjoy.

[greener]

I like the feel of the Marvel, but the new style VQ is much easier to install and adjust with its externally adjustable pretravel screw.
Hope this helps.

R,
Bullseye

No experience with the Marvel, but the VQ trigger goes in easily and adjusts quickly, even with a fumble-fingered klutz like me doing it. The 22/45 sear replacement is a bit more difficult than the standard frame sear replacement. In my case, it required more time and judicious use of technical language to line up the sear, spring and pin than I recall in my Hunter.

[greener]

Toy, do you have to wait until you get them all before you start on the .22 step program?
Or is the program getting them all before you can join "Ruger MKx Unanimous"?

There are the Platinum, Gold, Silver & Bronze programs:
Bronze: just starting out, we will guide you through the variety of
Ruger-MKx pistols and help you to acquire your collection.
You will receive patient instruction on the Field-Strip-Process.
Silver: you have a Ruger-MKx, a BuckMark and a S&W-41 and
just haven't gone-over-the-edge to realize the satisfaction you can get
from tinkering with a Ruger to make it your own. It is a pre-requisite
that you know how to post digital-images to the forum for this level.
Gold: You have an assortment of Ruger-MKx pistols and a BuckMark
somewhere in the closet (or sold at a garage sale), you've lost-count of
the misc-boxes of .22LR ammo that you've shot and set-aside.
You have a Ruger 10/22 rifle and a couple Marlin-60s in the closet, too.
To obtain this level, you must have completed at least two
VQ-sear and/or trigger replacements, without posting a HELP question
on the forum...
Platinum: You must have Blue, Stainless, Bull, Taper, Ruger& 22/45 grip
pistols in some combination.
You compete in various competition shooting with your Ruger MK's.
To complete this level, your divorce-papers must include a complaint
about the money, time and attention paid to your Rugers, and not family.

enjoy.

Hmm

Two trigger/sear replacements without posting HELP.
Posted pics.
Stainless Hunter, Blued 22/45.
Marlin 60, redid action without instructions.
If I can get partial credit for 22A (two barrels),a Win M69, thinking about a Buckmark and "she-who-must-be-obeyed" dry firing a Ruger while muttering about ammo in the dry sink and a definite glint in the eye, I believe I could qualify for at least Gold-in-Training.

[Tbag]

Ah, the .22 step program qualifications, let's see I can't tell where I would be.

Have Hunter, never will I have a 22/45 atleast until they make it with the grip panels comming off
got a 10/22
and a marlin/glenfield #25 (first gun at 10 yr old)
T/C classic bull
High Std Duramatic
Had a BuckMark, when I couldn't get grips I wanted I sold it to a friend who couldn't care
I will be taking the Hunter apart soon, let's see if I post HELP...
have piles of ammo some probably .22 yr old
Toy what about getting your wife's finger stuck and pinched by the bolt ears on a MK 1 or 2 or 3, I got that accomplished last night, on the first night of ownership

[Bullseye]

Pull the bolt fully rearward and let it go - like a slingshot. If you hang on and follow the bolt closed, it will bite. I've been bitten a few times myself.

R,
Bullseye

[Tbag]

Oh, who hasn't been bitten, but her follow through was exceptable, the look on her face priceless