Ruger MKIII Hunter

[ZNiner]

Thinking of grabbing one of these with my tax return money. I already have a Buckmark but I never get to shoot it because the folks I take to the range with me end up using it. I figure it is time to grab a second .22 handgun.

I know there are a massive number of new tacticool .22 handguns out lately but figured I would be better served grabbing a classic more robust design that will last a lifetime and eat up all kinds of ammo.

Anyone have any opinions on this particular model? I am looking at ordering the stainless with the 6.88" fluted barrel. All the reviews I have read seem pretty positive.

I don't see myself tinkering with it and replacing any parts. I will need to handle it to see how I like the feel and all that prior to shelling out the cash for one.

[MongooseV8]

They rock!

[glockman19]

I love mine... MkIII Hunter w/fluted barrel.

[TakeFive]

Great gun plus you can help Ruger sell a million guns and maybe get to attend NRA meeting in St. Louis: http://www.ruger.com/index.html

[ZNiner]

I saw some threads pop up about adjusting the Ruger MKIII mags to get them to feed all kinds of ammo. Have you guys had to do that with yours?

[randomBytes]

I've not had any issues with mags, my mkIII competition does run better on 40gr than 36, but that's more about extract/eject than feeding.

[ZNiner]

Went down to the shop after filing my taxes and ordered the Handgun today. I went ahead and ordered 3 mags and a Volq hardened extractor.

Looking forward to having the handgun come in and starting the 10 day wait on it.

[rogervzv]

My Mark III Hunter is one of my very favorite firearms. Truly a work of industrial art. It will eat any kind of .22 ammunition and never jam, and it is accurate besides.

[cpiaaq]

Also very happy with my Mark III hunter. Added a LCI filler and "sams bushing" which makes it functionally like a Mark II. (purchased from members at rimfirecentral) A Volquartsen trigger and sear make the trigger incredible.

[BlueDog333]

I love my 22/45 Hunter model. The only down side was an increadibly stiff bolt release when it was brand new. Thankfully it softened up after about 2000 rounds. It's still stiff but now I can opperate it one handed, in the begining I had to pull back on the bolt with my free hand while pressing the bolt release with the other to chamber a round. Has anyone else had that problem with their hunter? I have the blued 5.5 inch hunter model. This one:

http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/Default.aspx?item=10127&index=1&mfg=Ruger&mdl=22%2f45&cat=1&type=Semi-Automatic+Pistol&cal=22LR&fin=&sit=&pid=&inv=

Oh and you'll need to put some blue locktite on the front sight screw because after a few magazines straight from the factory it will come loose. After my first trip to the range I found my self tightening the front sight back down after every 15 rounds.

[ZNiner]

Oh and you'll need to put some blue locktite on the front sight screw because after a few magazines straight from the factory it will come loose. After my first trip to the range I found my self tightening the front sight back down after every 15 rounds.

Thanks for the heads up on that. I'll be sure to do that before I take it out to shoot.

[jbush]

I have a 22/45 Hunter and really like it. It was more 22 semi then I was going to buy but I'm glad I spent the extra money. As noted in another post, bolt is stiff. Mine has problems feeding the real cheap Winchester and Remington bulk. Seems like I've got about 400 rounds through and it finally starting to loosen up, but it's very accurate.

[littlejake]

...The only down side was an increadibly stiff bolt release when it was brand new. Thankfully it softened up after about 2000 rounds. It's still stiff but now I can opperate it one handed, in the begining I had to pull back on the bolt with my free hand while pressing the bolt release with the other to chamber a round. Has anyone else had that problem with their hunter?...

The bolt should release with just pulling back the bolt when a magazine with rounds in it is inserted. Ruger has a spring next to the trigger that pushes downward on the bolt catch. The magazine follower button overcomes that and pushes up on the bolt catch on final round. Most Ruger enthusiasts release their bolt by pulling back on the bolt (slingshot mode.) It's recommended not to use the bolt catch as a bolt release as the process will wear the bolt and soon the bolt will not catch on last round.

The MKIII stainless guns -- the Hunter and the Competition model have better fit and finish that their blue guns. The typically are easier to take down. And shoot better out of the box.

I recommend changing the extractor and firing pin to the Volquartsen bolt tune-up parts.

[BlueDog333]

The bolt should release with just pulling back the bolt when a magazine with rounds in it is inserted. Ruger has a spring next to the trigger that pushes downward on the bolt catch. The magazine follower button overcomes that and pushes up on the bolt catch on final round. Most Ruger enthusiasts release their bolt by pulling back on the bolt (slingshot mode.) It's recommended not to use the bolt catch as a bolt release as the process will wear the bolt and soon the bolt will not catch on last round.

I recommend changing the extractor and firing pin to the Volquartsen bolt tune-up parts.

Thanks for letting me know. I'll stop releasing the bolt with just the bolt catch, but mine can't (not won't) release the bolt just by pulling back on it, I have to use the bolt catch also. Mabey I just haven't broken the gun in enough yet, do you think that could be the case? I don't like stainless guns and always buy guns with a dark finish, and the fluted blued bull barrel mkIII Hunter is very nice. I guess Ruger just puts more effort into making their guns with "bling" then stealth.

And for the OP I can confirm their blued mkIII's are very tight and can be difficult to take down at first, and the blued Hunter models are even tighter, but they arn't impossible dissamble and start to loosen up after about a 1000 rounds. You just need to learn how to do it right. I've watched the Ruger youtube vids and they arn't the most helpfull. I have a lot of good youtube videos I can give you links to that are much more helpful if you want to consider a blued mkIII.

[littlejake]

And for the OP I can confirm their blued mkIII's are very tight and can be difficult to take down at first, and the blued Hunter models are even tighter, but they arn't impossible dissamble and start to loosen up after about a 1000 rounds...

I have both the 5.5 inch, blue, bull-barrel target and the stainless steel, competition, "slab side". The SS gun comes apart like it should. For the blued gun, I have to use a 1/4" brass pin punch and hammer to drive out the bolt stop pin. And really wack the back of it with a 2 pound dead blow hammer to get the receiver off the frame.