Problem with Mark III disassembly

[swift]

Don't know what I did wrong, but I cannot disassemble my Mark III target and now it will not function properly.

What I did:
1. check for empty mag and chamber.
2. Insert mag into magwell, pull trigger.
3. Remove mainspring
4. remove magazine

Now the bolt is supposed to slide out the back, but something is in the way.

So I put the mainspring back in, and attempt to restart the procedure, but now the bolt will not pull to the back - something still is in the way.

Any idea what I did wrong and/or how to fix it?

[choaderboy2]

The hammer strut isn't in the right place. You got to get the hammer strut back into the cup in the mainspring housing. Everyone makes this mistake the first time you take one apart. Tilt the gun muzzle up at a 45 degree angle and the mainspring latch should close without much effort, that's how you know you got it right.

Check this out.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ruger-Mark-III-Pistol-Take-Down-and-Assembly/step15/Install-the-bolt-retainer-pin/

[bubbala]

http://www.ruger.com/products/markIIIHunter/extras.html

ruger video

[swift]

Thank you!

Thank you! Got it apart.

[steel30]

They can be difficult...glad you got it!

[Fishslayer]

Thank you! Got it apart.

Now comes the fun part!

[Bushwack44]

This is also a good video regarding stripping and re-assembly a Mark III.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opNMCQ_sqwo

[Jester3]

It gets easier the more you do it. Don't be discouraged. Nice handgun.

[AR22]

One of the worse take downs I have ever encountered..Reliable Pistol but it stinks in the take down dept. I got rid of mine mostly because of that screwy system..

Hope you figure yours out..

[james758]

http://bushing.webs.com/apps/webstore/products/show/3124793

If you get this bushing to replace the factory bushing and magazine disconnect safety, it will make dissassembly/reassembly a LOT easier. It also lightens up your trigger pull a little and makes the gun a lot "better" overall.
Its not that hard to change out either. You only need to be slightly mechanically inclined to do it.