Posted: 12/11/2007 1:56:01 PM EDT
| I have heard that there are some ruger pistols that are a pain to take down and clean, which ones are they? They have a good deal on the bull barrel mkIII right now at sportsmans warehouse and I was just curious before I picked one up. Thanks |
| I don't have any experience with the MkIII but I own a few MkIIs and they are tough to take apart and re-assemble until you have done it a few times. When I first field stripped mine it was a religious experience to get it back together, but after a few times you get the hang of it and its really no problem. |
MK III's assemble/reassemble basically the same as MKII'2. It is like any other weapon something you have to learn. Be patient, dont force anything and you will be fine. The worse thing that can happen is that you dont get the little metal tang trigger thinggy (proper term) orientated correctly and it will seam as though the pistol is hopelessly locked up, it isnt, call Ruger and they will be happy to walk you through the ever so delicate method to fix what you did. Dont worry, get the pistol it is well worth the learning curve. Think of it like sex, you were a little nervous the first time right? I know you did it anyway.
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Lots of folks claim that the entire line of Ruger (MKI, MKII, MKIII) auto pistols are a pain to re-assemble. I think this is exaggerated - it can be challenging the first few times, but follow the instructions, be patient, and you be fine. It certainly shouldn't be a factor in keeping you from getting one of these guns if you want one. |
| Theyre a pain to dissassemble but its not impossible, plus you don't HAVE to do it that often. I just run a boresnake through it after shooting. And don't clean it completely until it stops functioning properly. I usually go several thousand rounds between complete cleanings and it still functions fine, just magazines stop dropping free is the only problem I have when mine gets dirty. |
If you think about how all the parts fit together, they're not difficult at all. The badly written instructions in the manual do more harm than good. It's better to just forget all that "tilt up, insert mag, pull trigger, tilt down" stuff and think "ok, the hammer has to be back for the bolt to go in, and then forward to put in the other thing"  The MkIII is slightly more complicated due to the magazine safety, but if you understand that the mag needs to be inserted to move the hammer, no big deal. And if it is, you can remove the mag safety mechanism anyway. |
Exactly, once you get it done right, do it again right away and after that you should have it licked. 
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Ruger needs a kick in the taco for screwing with the MKII and creating the MKIII abomination. Personally, I'm always on the lookout for a MKII to add to the collection, you couldn't even give me a MKIII... YMMV... |
Please explain. |
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The explanation is pretty easy… Ruger made real improvements with the MKII over the original model… last shot bolt hold open, 10 round magazines instead of 9, ability to work the bolt with the safety on, etc. Real improvements. The ‘improvements’ with the MKIII are nothing but lawyer inspired silliness… a loaded chamber indicator, a key operated lock, and a magazine disconnect. Pointless changes that do nothing for a fine weapon except make Ruger’s lawyers happy. I’m not the only one who thinks Ruger screwed the pooch. Do a Google search for all the threads on firearm forums such as RugerForum and Rimfire Central regarding reliability problems with the MKIII’s ‘transparent upgrades’or threads asking how to modify the MKIII back to MKII specs. Here’s a current one here on ARFcom: http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=5&f=50&t=51394 Witness the prices of MKII’s on the used market. Much like pre-lock Smith & Wesson revolvers, the MKII prices are rising rapidly and even with the prices as high and higher as NIB MKIII’s they sell quickly. IMHO they screwed up badly pandering to the lawyers, they’ve even started building the Single Six with a lawyer lock/ILS… take the results from Ruger transitioning from the MKII to MKIII and how the market responded. Find a Single Six that hasn’t been lawyered up and get it before the prices jump there as well… |
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I dont think the changes are that big of a deal, as a matter of fact I like the loaded chamber indicator, I have used it in training my step daughter to use a pistol. That being said I agree, Ruger's lawyers have had great influence on the new MK III I do not like the magazine disconnect, but as you stated it is nothing that cannot be undone. As far as the ability to "lock" the pistol I dont care, sure, it adds to the total # of parts and to the complexity of the pistol thus raising production costs that in the end are passed on to the end user. I have to ask though, if you put some thought into it can you really blame Ruger? In Americas sue if the wind blows wrong mind set I think they, or any other firearms MFG must take reasonable steps to save them from litigation. I love my MKIII Precision Target!! I also love the 50th Aniversary MKII I have, shoot them both regularly. They are the only Rugers I own. |