Ruger Mk III or S&W 41

[littlejake]

I had a Ruger MkI that I bought back in 1969 -- 5 inch bull-barrel. It was an OK target gun; and seldom if ever failed. In the early 1980's -- I traded up to a S&W 41 in 5.5 inch heavy barrel as my target gun. Lost interest in target shooting about 1990 and sold it. (OK -- two mistakes I made.)

I am again interested in .22 target shooting. I see Ruger's offering is the MK III. Although it looks and feels the same, I am hearing a lot of negatives. Most involve the magazine safety interlock, the trigger pull, and a few complaints about the loaded chamber indicator. Plus the extractor seems to fail FTE occasionally.

S&W still makes the 41; but he price is much higher.

Should I get back in with a MK III? Would you recommend any modifications to make it more like the MK I that I remember? Or, should I save a few extra coins and buy the S&W 41?

T.I.A. Jake

[Tank 57]

I own a 41 and a Mark III among other .22 pistols.If I could only keep one of the two, I would keep the S&W 41.Got my Mark III in Feb.Couple thousand rounds thru it at this point without trouble.Recently "Delawyered" it by removing magazine disconnect by installing Volquartsen Mk II hammer bushing.Removed Loaded chamber indicator and replaced with a beatifully made filler plate sold by a gentleman at rimfirecentral.com.Now I like it even more.Still would keep the Smith over it.If you afford another 41,I say go for it.

[bjl333]

S&W 41 for sure !!! The other 22 I really like is the High Standard Victor.

[Pugster]

If money is no issue then you should go with the S&W 41. If you want the Ruger MKIII, you can do the following:

1) Change out the OEM sear for a Volquartsen one
2) Remove the magazine disconnect and put in the washer to fill the void

https://www.volquartsen.com/category/16-action-trigger-components/4-mkiimkiii

I am thinking even with the MKIII upgrades you probably buy two MKIII for every S&W41.

[duldej]

Aside from the magazine disconnect, the mark III is a good gun. It's priced to sell, too. I'm not familiar with the Smith and Wesson .22, but unlike the Walther p22 it's metal.

To me it's being metal is preferable to polymer. The magazine disconnect is annoying, but then again it's supposed to be. it's not a flaw in the workmanship of the gun unlike something that I would expect in a polymer gun where the plastic will bend or wear out or get shaken out of place, etc.

[jyo]

Yeah, the 41 costs more, but you get what you pay for! They are both fine pistols, I personally would choose the 41.

[littlejake]

Instead of using a washer to shim the MKIII hammer when removing the Mag disconnect, will a MKII trigger work instead? And if so, do I need the MKII bushing with it?

Should I just get a MKII hammer and sear from Volquartsen?

[BamBam-31]

If buying a new Mk. III, just buy the VQ sear and the oversized Clark Mk. II bushing, which fills the gap left by the removal of the mag disco. (If you thought disassembly of your Mk. I was a PITA, you should try it w/ a mag disco. ) That will get you where you want to be w/ regards to trigger pull and no mag disco. Sure, the whole VQ accurizing kit will be even better, but the sear alone will get you 90% of the way there for a fraction of the cost.

I'd also invest in a VQ extractor as cheap insurance (SOP for any Ruger rimfire, IMHO).

The LCI on my Mk. III 22/45 hasn't given me any problems to date, but if it does, I'm taking that sucker out as well. I've done a few more mods to my Mk. III 22/45 (VQ rear sight, aftermarket grips, slingshot mod), but the important ones are mentioned above.

[gunn]

Can you guys elaborate as to why I need a washer if I've removed the mag disconnect in my MKIII?


I haven't had any problems in the ~1yr I've shot my MKIII w/ that stupid feature removed. IMO, the trigger feels better and the mags drop freely now as well.
-g

[BamBam-31]

You have a lot of wiggle room in there, now that the mag disco is removed. With the Clark bushing, you take out the slop between the hammer and the disconnector assembly arm. Kinda surprised that your gun still shot so well w/o the oversized bushing to keep the hammer in its proper place. Can't argue w/ your results, though. If nothing else, the bushing does improve your trigger pull even more by removing said slop. Should feel "crisper."

[littlejake]

Can you guys elaborate as to why I need a washer if I've removed the mag disconnect in my MKIII?


I haven't had any problems in the ~1yr I've shot my MKIII w/ that stupid feature removed. IMO, the trigger feels better and the mags drop freely now as well.
-g

In my online research, the MKIII trigger is not as wide at the hammer axle pin because the mag interlock fits in there. A MKII hammer does not have that width reduction -- but I am not sure they are interchangeable.

It would appear without the mag interlock, or a spacer, the MKIII trigger would be sloppy on the axle.

[gunn]

In my online research, the MKIII trigger is not as wide at the hammer axle pin because the mag interlock fits in there. A MKII hammer does not have that width reduction -- but I am not sure they are interchangeable.

It would appear without the mag interlock, or a spacer, the MKIII trigger would be sloppy on the axle.

K, thanks.
I'll check tonight. I dont' think I noticed anything so I'm not really included to throw any money at something I never noticed.

I MIGHT actually remove that LCI though -- that fix looks interesting.

[GM4spd]

If you can afford the S&W 41--- don't even consider the Ruger. There is
no comparison. Ruger is a good value for the money but if you have more
money you will be much happier with a S&W 41. Pete

[Fatcat]

RimfireCentral.com Forum

Y'all should go over here to drill through the threads on Mk II/III topics:

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums...play.php?f=208

The recommendations you read on Calguns & RimfireCentral are generally true, however YMV. I recently got a MkIII Hunter and am very happy with the gun. I have not experienced lot of the complaints of a trigger being heavy, gritty. Only things objectionable were the mag safey and the trigger take up and the looooogggggg-A#$'d reset. I installed the VQ trigger, VQ sear, and Clark bushing/pin and the pull became much lighter - but a lot more softer. In my gun, the trigger "rolled" out of engagement instead of breaking clean. I may go back and re-install the factory sear. Have fun!

[trob]

I am fond of the ruger