Ruger Mk III target

[smle-man]

Picked this up today.

I have a MkII with the tapered 6 7/8" heavy barrel but wanted something a bit shorter to wear on the hip while clearing my woods of underbrush. There are lots of venomous snakes about.

The shop has new MkIIIs in stock for $329 plus tax and lots of MkIVs. While looking at the HB MkIII with the adjustable rear sight the helpful counter guy pulled out a used MkIII just like the new one.

The difference between the two was significant. The used trigger feels like it has had work done. It breaks clean at about a 3lb pull. There is no play at all between the frame and the receiver. In comparison the new MkIII had a muddy and heavy trigger and a bit of play when the barrel was twisted side to side.

So, I bought the used MkIII. It came with everything that the new pistol had and I got it for $300 out the door. Not a major savings (about $45) but it sure feels sweet. I'm tempted to buy the new MkIII also just because they are so inexpensive.



This was another short transaction, about 8 minutes from "I'll take it" to "Here's your receipt and your pistol". I love it!

[MyOdessa]

Congrats. It is a good price.

I switched to S&W 63 with 3" barrel for snakes, this way I don't have to worry about snake shot cycling the bolt.

[Tango_Down]

You must be outside of California. Those fell off the roster a years ago. In my opinion those are the best .22 pistols made.

[crufflers]

I had my MKII 678G out the other day and the trigger is not as nice as I remember and certainly not as nice as I hear other people raving about. I haven't shot it in a while. I have Volquartsen parts in it and it still breaks pretty harsh IMHO. Funny, I think I prefer the GSG 929CA trigger to that MKII. It is not that great a trigger. Better than a stock MKII and better than a stock Buckmark, but a 10/22 trigger with Volquartsen parts is much better. It still needs work, but it is close enough to leave it be.

[Dan_Eastvale]

Picked this up today.

I have a MkII with the tapered 6 7/8" heavy barrel but wanted something a bit shorter to wear on the hip while clearing my woods of underbrush. There are lots of venomous snakes about.

The shop has new MkIIIs in stock for $329 plus tax and lots of MkIVs. While looking at the HB MkIII with the adjustable rear sight the helpful counter guy pulled out a used MkIII just like the new one.

The difference between the two was significant. The used trigger feels like it has had work done. It breaks clean at about a 3lb pull. There is no play at all between the frame and the receiver. In comparison the new MkIII had a muddy and heavy trigger and a bit of play when the barrel was twisted side to side.

So, I bought the used MkIII. It came with everything that the new pistol had and I got it for $300 out the door. Not a major savings (about $45) but it sure feels sweet. I'm tempted to buy the new MkIII also just because they are so inexpensive.



This was another short transaction, about 8 minutes from "I'll take it" to "Here's your receipt and your pistol". I love it!

Did you consider the Mark iv? The one button takedown.. I was considering one until the safety recall. New manufacture ones are fine though. (According to the Ruger bulletin).

[smle-man]

The MkIV is about a hundred more. Not worth it to me compared to the MkIII. I've never had much trouble with the reassembly of the Marks I and II and the III looks the same. Sometimes you have to hold your mouth just so and say a few cuss words sotto voce to get it back together.

Yes, I'm now out of state in NC.

[Half Cocked]

The MkIV is about a hundred more. Not worth it to me compared to the MkIII. I've never had much trouble with the reassembly of the Marks I and II and the III looks the same. Sometimes you have to hold your mouth just so and say a few cuss words sotto voce to get it back together.

Yes, I'm now out of state in NC.

I've never had difficulty disassembling and reassembling my MarkIII. It is even easier if you remove the magazine disconnect and replace the hammer bushing with a Tandemkross bushing. That way you won't have to screw around with inserting an empty magazine during disassembly and reassembly.

[Dan_Eastvale]

The MkIV is about a hundred more. Not worth it to me compared to the MkIII. I've never had much trouble with the reassembly of the Marks I and II and the III looks the same. Sometimes you have to hold your mouth just so and say a few cuss words sotto voce to get it back together.

Yes, I'm now out of state in NC.

Hee hee.. I see you got some of our Utah type snow there... A snow blower was literaly my first purchase after California.

[crufflers]

MKII reassembly is like a simple puzzle you have to remember... does the do-hicky hang upside down forward towards the upturned barrel or back before I push in the retainer? After a while it is burned into your memory at least enough to where you will always get it sooner or later give or take a few tries. No big deal at all for the MKII. I have no idea about the others. my uncle installed some kit that makes his "easier" to assemble and I always thought it was a waste. Seems to shoot the same as my identical 678G. They are tack drivers.

[Ron-Solo]

I have the same MKIII pistol. Great gun and very accurate. I love the bull barrel on it.

[beerman]

You did great on the MKIII...I personally like the MII the best, but I would not have passed that MKIII..That HB 5" is the most well balanced , point & shoot gun in the Ruger like up (IMHO) and will last thru your kids lifetimes.

[586L-Frame]

Congratulations...
Enjoy!!!
I have the stainless version.
Fun plinker.

[madmike88]

The MkIV is about a hundred more. Not worth it to me compared to the MkIII. I've never had much trouble with the reassembly of the Marks I and II and the III looks the same. Sometimes you have to hold your mouth just so and say a few cuss words sotto voce to get it back together.

Yes, I'm now out of state in NC.

I inherited my dad's standard. I'm pretty sure he got it in the 60s. I have to clear the kids out of the house when I'm re-assembling it. Love the gun and don't mind cleaning it but I HATE putting it back together.

[loademup]

I'll have to admit, I was never much a fan of Ruger 22 pistols, but I am glad to see a thread on the forum about them.

Its been years since I shot a Ruger pistol. I haven't kept up with the changes. What are the differences between the Mark II and Mark III models? I've got a nearly unused Mark II Government Target Model with 10" bull barrel that I bought in the early 1990's. I've kept it because it is kind of the King Kong of Ruger Mk II pistols:



In the picture I put it up next to a Beretta 950 tip-up 22 short, kind of a David and Goliath 22 pistol size comparison. It certainly is unwieldy to serve as a field pistol like OP's Mk III. But it is steady on the target range.

I wonder if the Mark II Government has any collector appeal among Ruger pistol fans.

[Sheldon]

MKII pistols are topson my book.....the MKIII series have te loaded chamber indicator, magazine disconnect, but do have a more traditional mag release (no more heal release). The 10" model you have is not common and holds a premium as does the Government model.