Ruger mark III

[bobdbldr]

Looking to get a Ruger Mark III.the one I believe I want is the stainless gc competition target model in 6-7/8 barrel. I wanted the longest barrel for accuracy.
1. is that the right conclusion about the accuracy?
2. Does anyone out there have one,,and can they tell me how they are. I Have heard nothing but good about them.
3. So far I have $560.from a local dealer as the best price,anyone know where I can get it cheaper?

 

[stevebc]

1) Yes.
2) I have a Mk. 1, my brother has the stainless Mk.3, and both are excellent. Stripping for cleaning purposes can be a challenge, but it's rarely required, and gets easier with practice.
3) Seems like a reasonable price to me. You might beat it if you buy used.

Good choice, and do consider the Mk. 1 and 2 models as well.

 

[rdgietz]

I am no expert but i have had a Ruger Mark III.

Increased Barrel length does help accuracy as long as the shooter does their part. That being said good shooters can shoot a bullseye with a gun sporting a 2 inch barrel at 25 -50 yrds.

The only thing i did not like about the Ruger was the difficult stripping procedure.. but once you get used to it there is not problem... Just dont put it back together incorrectly or you will jam it up and need to send it to a gunsmith to get it apart or even working.

The other problem is not really a problem but more of a difference. The trigger on a Ruger Mark III does not compare to the trigger on a Target pistol like the S&W Mod 41. I have had both and i had to put in the Valquartsen trigger into the Ruger to get it even close to the Model 41.

Price wise... I think i paid over $600 plus taxes for mine new.. so i think the strength of the Canadian dollar is doing good things for gun prices.. I think $560 is a good price.. You may want to look on the EE for used ones if you are shy about that price.

You can check all the sponsors above.. i do know that some of them sell the Mrk III ..
P&D has some in stock..
Ruger 22/45 MKIII Hunter, Stainless/Blk Fluted, 6 7/8" 22 LR 575.00 NEW

Check out Ellwoods Epps.. too

and i am sure others have them.. just click sponsors above..

You should Check out Valquartsen's website.. ht tps://www.volquartsen.com/category/11-mkiii-conversions/1-all
Nice guns

RDG

 

[BCRider]

Pistol accuracy doesn't come from the length of the barrel. It comes from the quality of the rifing and the accuracy of the muzzle crown. The only factor that aids accuracy is that longer barrels have a longer sights baseline. So small errors in your holding are more easiy seen. This is why they are more often used for longer range hunting, extreme accuracy bullseye competitions and the like.

But if you're fairly new to handgun shooting you're likely not going to find that you will have all the rest of your grip and arm muscle tone to provide and use a truly steady grip and hold. And depending on your age and visual situation maybe not even the eyesight to really capitalize on the advantages that come from a longer barrel. It's fair to say that it's a rare shooter that has all their skills down to where they would see any appreciable size difference in their groups between shooting a MkIII with a 4.5 to 5.5 inch barrel over a 7 inch barrel. And in most cases there would be NO noticable difference.

So why do they sell the long barrel versions? Mostly for down in the US where you can mount a low power optic on the gun and then go out hunting for small game. What the longer barrel DOES give you is a definite increase in muzzle velocity so the bullets fly with a flatter run out to the target and arrive with a bit more energy. But for most pistol shooting here in good ol' Canada, where you're limited to tyical pistol range distances, we don't really need the extra velocity.

Also, before you decide to get one anyway try holding a long barrel and a shorter barrel version out at arm's length for a minute or so. Likely you'll find that the long barrel version is fairly muzzle heavy on the wrist as well as being overall heavier. For a few shots the difference is not a big deal. But for magazine after magazine that few ounces will soon grow to feel more like a few pounds. How soon will depend on how you use the gun. I'm not suggesting that this aspect would be a deal breaker if you want the gun. But it's certainly something to think about.

 

[bobdbldr]

Done

Decision is made,Just ordered the-KMK III 678GC,10112,Stainless competition,in 6-7/8 barrel, gotta wait 3 months for del though,great price $560.+ tax.
By the way ,thanks for all the info folks ,it did help me decide. BCrider, I did listen to yours too and looked at the 5.5 " barrels, but as you said ,part of it is personal preference,and I really like the look of the 6-7/8.

 

[howasan]

I have had a MarkIII Target for 4 years and continue to be intrigued (if that's the correct term) by the continuing comments on the difficulty of cleaning and disassembly. I can fully appreciate it as originally it was driving me nuts till I went to Ruger and got the correct manual. Now its as easy as pie and I clean mine every 3 trips to the range even if there is no need to do that. The original Mark III manuals were not correct and Ruger has not exactly publicized this fact. The Mark III is different from the Mark II and if you know one it doesn't work the same way on the other. Also you have to go exactly by the book or things can get difficult even with the correct manual.