Ruger Mark II and Mark III .22 Pistols - Well-Made Or Cheap Junk?

Lonesome Donkey said:
I thought that this You-Tube Video would show how easy stripping and reassembly can be.
(Not a comment, just information.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7nDefvB1Io
Click to expand...

That agrees with my text note above exactly, thank you. It is easier than a lot of 1911s with full length recoil spring guides.
You may need the tip of a pen to open the Mainspring Housing, or you may be able to use a fingernail.
 
haven't had my 22/45 Mark III long, but it seems well made.
will routinely catch a casing on the way out once in a while.
hates the waxy s&b ammo, couldn't even get thru 3 rounds before she started jamming on the feed...after that, every round was a snafu
normally run cci, though some hot Winchester rounds flowed through it nicely
have yet to pull it down for a full clean-out, but she gets some treatment after every range visit
 
I got 2 MKIII with Quality control issues. The replacement sent to replace the first one with issues, had other issues. They were going to send #3 and was done with Ruger.

My MKIII has no sights other than the rail, because the rear sight broke and the front sight is crooked.

Once you learn the tilt back and pull the trigger. The Mainspring spurr is easier and easier to assemble. And don't lock it unless there's tension.
 
No question there are cost saving measures in the MKII and MKII pistols. They are durable, reliable and accurate.

If you REALLY want the best MKxx frame, purchase a Volquartsen and spend ridiculous money.

For the money spent, and enjoyment obtained from their use, the MK series is truly without peer.

For the Record, I own A Smith and Wesson 46, 41, 2x Anschutz Exemplars, 2x MKII KMK10's, 2x MKII KM10's, 1x MKII Gov Target, 2x Buckmark Silhouettes, 2x Thompson Contenders, and a few others.

While not an ''expert'' per se it does place me in a position to reliably, and in an unbiased way declare the factory Ruger pistols can hold their own quite well.
 
My MKIII also had issues from the factory but unfortunately it was my very first pistol and obviously first MK so I didn't realize that how hard it was to take apart wasn't normal so I sold it. The guy that bought it was very familiar with them and apparently something had been machined off center or out of alignment so everything "fit" (using that term loosely here) way way tighter than it was supposed to, you basically needed a sledge hammer and punch to remove the hammer spring assembly thing. It shot amazing and I didn't find it that difficult to take apart procedure wise just was basically not physically able to do so. Knowing now that it was defective, I might try another one day but I'd definitely attempt disassembly before buying if possible.
 
I have the MKII 5.5" bull barrel very accurate .Had a 6 7/8" MKI and the MKII is much more accurate and shootable.........Harold
 
Before anyone gets all in a twist about disassembly I have to say more 22's have been ruined by cleaning than any other method I know of. Run an oily cloth down the barrel after using the pistol and it will last you a lifetime and then some. Just saying.

The Mke 1 & 11 & 111 are about as good a value as I can think of. The Browning Challenger would be the only comparable.

Take Care

Bob
 
there are 3 MK1's at a range in South Africa that have shot well over a million rd's each. I prefer the MK2, bought mine new for $229.00 Can. The MK3's seem to have really gone up in price, one of the big selling points of Ruger Standard auto's was their affordable price.

Ruger #1's seem to retail new for over $2000.00 Canadian!
 
Are the Ruger MKIIIs Standards steel framed or polymer. Heard some where that MKIIIs were polymer now.

M
 
There is always the possibility of a lemon with every brand of firearm. In general though, the Ruger Mks are well made, built like bank vaults, accurate and not usually ammo sensitive.

As someone else pointed out, disassembly is easy. Reassembly can be frustrating until you get the hang of it. Once you've done it a few times it's almost fun and no harder than many other .22 pistols.

Anyone who claims Rugers are junk simply doesn't know what he is talking about.
 
From what I've read and experienced, the Mark IIs are highly regarded, top performing (accurate and reliable), and well built 22 autos.

this is my favourite MKII variant:

5EE73A80-FFE0-4CF7-BF27-6124FF9FA715_zpswmsmey3i.jpg
 
Meh. MKIII is pretty OK. 7/10

+ Attractive, accurate, reliable, pretty decent stock trigger, mags are easy to load ("ultimate clip loader" makes it even easier)

- Not the simplest to strip (not terrible though), possible lack of QC, innards are a bit rough


Mine jammed up after the first few rounds out of the box and had to be sent back in to be repaired. Ended up being a metal burr on the bolt. It's been smooth sailing since then though, no jams FTFs or anything of the kind. They aren't that complicated to strip, just a bit different. Mine is TIIIIIGGGGHHHHTTTT coming apart and together, definitely takes more force than you would expect. I have to use a nylon punch to get it apart, but it's getting looser every time I clean it. Machining is pretty rough on the inside of mine, so I took after it with a light polishing stone and cleaned it up a fair bit.

IMG_2905a.jpg
 
There is nothing I don't like about my Mark III Competition Target Model, fantastic pistol IMO and I have fired a Mark I, a High Standard Military Model and several others.

I have absolutely no regrets about purchasing it and it also looks and feels really cool and has fired everything I have put through it so far without a hitch of any kind.
 
gnmontey said:
"stamped"? How does one discern that? Are KMIIs stamped as well?

M
Click to expand...

Stamped as opposed to casting or forging methods.
They take a piece of sheet metal and run it through a press that stamps it to shape.
Left and right hand parts are made then joined to create the grip frame.

That's been the construction method since the beginning of Ruger in 1949.
 
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