Sitting here waiting for my RPAL wondering what to buy. I have shot this model and it was really comfortable to shoot. I want to buy one that will be a keeper for a lot of rounds. I'm leaning towards stainless steel (mainly for looks). I got a chance to put a deposit one one till papers arrive. $600+. Is this a good bang for your buck. Is it reliable? Does it need to be cleaned more often than others?(or less). Let me know what you think. Good for bad. Very open minded here.
Ruger MIII competition. 22 (first handgun)
- Thread starter yodledogg
- Start date
You have purchased a superb handgun, and if it disappoints you, it'll be very easy to turn around and resell. Mark III handguns are awesome and about as reliable as .22 pistols come. It will get dirty, but then, you're shooting .22 so no big deal. Some people have problems with the Mark III takedown, but I've never been bothered by it and there's plenty of good videos online to help you out if you find it troubling. Don't overclean it, either. These guns don't actually need a whole lot of maintenance.
The two classic "bang for the buck" winners of the rimfire semi auto pistol world are the Ruger, in any of its forms, and the Browning Buckmark. So you've got one of the better options for sure.
Over time you'll likely want to improve/upgrade your Ruger with a couple of mods. The Ruger handgun forums at Rimfire Central are a great source of information on these options.
Over time you'll likely want to improve/upgrade your Ruger with a couple of mods. The Ruger handgun forums at Rimfire Central are a great source of information on these options.
A Mark-II with bull barrel was my first handgun many years ago, and is still fun today. The only thing it needed was a new extractor recently (after untold thousands upon thousands of rounds), to eliminate ejection problems. If I tear it down more than every thousand rounds or so I'd be surprised, and it's mostly lubed with soot. Back in the day I put a Volquartsen target trigger and sear into it (hammer too? I forget...), but that was because I had an upgrade bug more than a real need of the bits.
You can find the Mark-II used for decent prices and, from what I understand, they lack the feature that makes the Mark-III teardown interesting.
You can find the Mark-II used for decent prices and, from what I understand, they lack the feature that makes the Mark-III teardown interesting.
With my MkII, I find I have to clean powder residue out of the chamber fairly often...every 300-400 rounds or so...as the buildup prevents the slide from closing just enough to make firing unreliable. I suspect that is more the effect of dirty ammo [Federal American Eagle] than anything else. The Ruger .22 autos are great guns...they will give a lifetime of service. Have fun with yours...
A Ruger Mk 1 was my very first handgun many years ago. A great gun that just kept going. Sold it at
some point but wish I still had it.
After trying numerous .22's over the years, I recently decided to go back to a pistol that was
as close to 100% reliable as possible, would be fun to shoot, not overly expensive , capable of
shooting many different brands of ammo .
So I now have a Ruger Mk 111 target model & this one will be kept.
some point but wish I still had it.
After trying numerous .22's over the years, I recently decided to go back to a pistol that was
as close to 100% reliable as possible, would be fun to shoot, not overly expensive , capable of
shooting many different brands of ammo .
So I now have a Ruger Mk 111 target model & this one will be kept.
Clean? A Ruger? If you're even thinking about cleaning one, download and save a disassembly/reassembly video from youtube. You'll need it.
Otherwise, shoot it and enjoy.
- Location
- West Quebec
Agreed..
Cocked&Locked
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- S. Ontario
You'll give that pistol to your grandkids, and it'll still shoot like a dream. Congratulations on purchasing and ideal first pistol, well done 
