ruger mark IIII , model differences...

[judoguy]

hey just wanted to ask anyone who owns and experienced the differences.



Might buy a mark 3 hunter very soon, but was looking around forums and people enjoy the target model as well.


barrel is shorter on the target but I am guessing the accuracy is the still quite good, of course it depends on the shooter.


but anyone have any experiences with the different model mark 3s?
how accurate and so and so?

other than the barrel its the same pistol so..

[GunNutz]

I have not shot all three but I own the target with the bull barrel. I have held the target with the fluted barrel and the fiber optic sights, and also the hunter. Of the 3, I liked the target model with the bull barrel the best. The fluted model had another inch on the barrel but it was far too light for my liking (I like a heavy gun.) They are all good.

As far as accuracy, I can rapid fire and always stay on the black at 45'. When taking my time, I can get connectors on the bulls (dime sized) at 45' consistently, with groups the size of nickels. I have taught new shooters (never shot a pistol at all) to shoot with it, and inside of an hour had them hitting bulls' regularly. It's a fun, easy gun to shoot, and it looks nice too.

Also, the heavier bull barrel helps with stability.

Another thing to consider is the 22/45, where the back of the frame is more square than the traditional mark 3.

The gun shoots well, but occasionally stove pipes, and it was very picky at first. After about 500 rounds it was okay.

The mark 3 has a stupid chamber loaded indicator which can also cause jams, and many people remove it.

Front sight required loc-tite because it would come loose every hundred rounds or so.

Field strip requires a mallet.

[zman]

For a while, I thought there was a new Ruger Mark 4 here

[MAD SVT]

I have the Mark II Gov. Target Model (6 7/8 BULL), and the Mark III hunter (6 7/8 fluted). love them both, i shoot irons on the II and have a red dot on the III. Shot for shot they are just as accurate IMO

[retired]

I also have the MK III Hunter with the 6 7/8" fluted barrel and FO front sight. One, I like SS and two my vision isn't 20/5 anymore.

I really like the gun, tho GunNutz said, I had to use locktite on the front sight (no more problems tho). I like that it is light, that is why I didn't buy the bull barrel (everyone has different likes)

That said, if I could do it over again, I would buy one of the blued shorter barrel pistols and saved a couple of hundred and put a red dot on it. The FO is really small and tho I can see it with my 59yr. old eyes, it is really small.

When I bought mine, the smaller SS gun hadn't come out and if it had, I would have bought that and put a red dot as it is still cheaper than what I bought.

Whichever one you buy, also buy the Ultimate Cliploader as it makes loading
so much easier. McFadden Manufacturing is the maker. Just google it.

[MAD SVT]

You are more than welcome to shoot my II and III if you like, i notice your in OC, so if you want to meet me out at "The Firing Line" in HB, you can shoot an Irons II and a Optic III, the III has the VQ trigger kit, VQ Lam Target grips and red dot.

Just let me know! I'll bring my Buckmark too!!!

[judoguy]

great!!!

thanks for the information folks,

and svt you got it, i shall let you know once the holiday season is over, i'll pm you to see when you are free, yeah I am located in buena park and been going to insight shooting range in artesia.

I remember shooting the ruger mark 2 for the first time couple years back but then I did not know a thing about the gun and remember saying "what kind of pansie gun is this! wheres the bang"

after getting into shooting i personally like .22's =]

so pretty much been looking at and collecting .22s so far haha

[MAD SVT]

Sweet! ya just PM me whenever, i go at least once a week either.. usually thursdays.