Ruger 22/45 problems after assembly

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Skyhawk

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I field stripped my new virgin Ruger Mk III 22/45 in order to practice the procedure while waiting for my long term ATT. I prepared myself well in advance because I've heard all the stories of those who had problems putting the major pieces back together. So I know about the "cheese" and the "dingle berry" thingy.

I reassembled it, however when an empty magazine is inserted the bolt release button shifts to a "middle" position. The bolt seems much more difficult to pull back than before, especially the first time when the hammer isn't yet cocked. But the bolt still locks open as expected with the bolt release button going to the full up position.

The bolt release button is really hard to press down now, but still releases the bolt properly once I get it down. When the bolt closes, the release button again returns to the "middle" position. The gun seems to go "click" properly when the trigger is pulled at this point.

The action, including the bolt release button, seems to work smoothly, easily, and as expected when the magazine is removed while the hammer is cocked.

My first thought was that the barrel assembly wasn't far enough back in the frame. So I took it all apart again and while holding the frame tightly, whacked the dangerous end of the barrel with my rubber mallet about 50 times. The rear part of the barrel assembly does extrude a little bit past the frame as the instructions describe.

Any ideas? I've repeated this disassembly/assembly about 20 times in the past two days without any joy.
 
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I just broke down my MK3 last night for the first time and followed the vids on youtube. There are some very simple vids....stay away from the long winded ones. Ensure the upper is seated properly onto the lower. I noticed mine was tilted and prevented the bolt from sliding back in.
Also, I don't think you should be hitting the "business" end on the HG with anything. I understand that damaging the crown may cause accurracy issues.
I'm sure others will chime in...and welcome to the board. There's great info here and we'll help you spend your money:D
 
Thanks johNTO. I should mention that all the parts seem to go together easy enough now that I know what I'm doing. The bolt slides in easily without any fiddling, and even that crazy bolt stop pin fits in fine after all that practice. It's just not operating like it used to before I disassembled it. And I've watched every youtube video on this more times than I'd like to admit.

Could it still be the barrel assembly not far enough on the frame? How do I know if it's far enough? Wouldn't I have trouble fitting in the bolt stop pin if it wasn't aligned properly? I tried resting the muzzel on a padded surface while hitting the back of the frame, but I'm a bit shy to whack that plastic gripframe with the rubber mallet much harder than I am.
 
Make your life easier and get rid of the magazine disconnect. You need for this just a couple of washers. You can get all the necessary details at rimfirecentral.com.
There are also a few mods that I would recommend: a vq sear for instance is a huge improvement. You can add to that a new trigger, hogue grips etc.
Again, rimfirecentral is your friend, lots of info there about how to make your 22/45 a better one.
I'm in Ottawa as well so PM me if you want more detailed info.
 
Skyhawk said:
Could it still be the barrel assembly not far enough on the frame? How do I know if it's far enough?
Click to expand...

The back of the barrel assembly should "over hang" the back of the receiver by about 1/16". At least it is on my MK3.

fyi..mmat just got a 22/45. He's out west so should be waking up soon. Maybe he'll make a vid!;)
 
http://www.guntalk-online.com/2245detailstripping.htm

I bought a 22/45 RP a couple of months ago. Now wears full size Ed Brown Grips. I took it apart and put it back together 5 times the first day. I followed the above link EXACTLY and it was a breeze. Mag in and mag out very important plus the dingle hanging down to close the mainsring. You can click on eack picture to enlarge it. Good luck
 
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Thanks guys. I did use that link and Moe's video even before attempting to field strip it the first time. They were amazingly helpful. Well it pains this to admit it publicly, but I think my problem was in operating the 22/45 rather than assembling it! :rolleyes:

Perhaps I should have read how to use this firearm in the manual as carefully as the assembly/disassembly instructions. It clearly states that the bolt when locked open still must be pulled all the way and held in place while the release lever is pushed down (22/45 only). I wasn't pulling the bolt while attempting to lower the release lever to snap it shut. No wonder the lever button thingy was hard to move.

Good grief. I managed to field strip and reassemble another 4 times after my initial post until I reread how to shoot the darn thing in the manual. Oh well, at least with all that practice I can put this together in my sleep now.

So this slingshot mod means you don't have to fool with the release lever when you pull back the bolt from the locked open position? Just pull and let it go? If so, this sounds like a mod I would find useful.
 
jolio said:
Make your life easier and get rid of the magazine disconnect....
Click to expand...
Yep, that will make your life easier, by voiding the warranty....Plus, in case of a "non-intended" discharge, the liability against you would make any ambulance chasing, pond scum dwelling lawyer jump for joy, even if it did not involve the magazine disconnect....:rolleyes:
 
Had something similar happen to me the first time I took apart a MKIII. I whacked the frame too hard from the back with a rubber mallet when re-attaching the barrel. Subsequently, the pistol just wouldn't go back together properly. Hence I removed the barrel and re-attached it but did not hit the frame nearly as hard this time -- thereafter assembly was fine. It will take some practice and getting use to. Also I would not suggest hammering directly on the muzzle end of the barrel as johNTO suggested. Good Luck.
 
Skyhawk said:
So this slingshot mod means you don't have to fool with the release lever when you pull back the bolt from the locked open position? Just pull and let it go? If so, this sounds like a mod I would find useful.
Click to expand...

Skyhawk, if you're interested in the slingshot mod.... check out mmatt's thread on his mod to the slingshot mod! I believe its specific to the 22/45 models.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=546269
 
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