Is this normal? bad craftsmanship on Ruger mark iii

[dljor]

Just about to field strip my new Ruger mark iii for the first time. Notice that there are some dents or cuts on the back side of the pistol, close to the main spring.

Is this normal?

I don't know why but I always had doubt that the local gun shop took advantage because I am a first time gun owner...


Thanks.

 

[jsust]

could be from the factory or could be from the struggle of taking it apart. there is a possibility that it was returned by a customer that had difficulty during disassemble. I banged mine up in a couple places when I first disassembled it. I love how even the manual says to use a hammer haha. I sold that probably after only a month of ownership. That was the most frustrating take down of any gun I owned.

 

[dljor]

They are not supposed to sell return as new are they?

It seems that the marks come from removing the pin. The guy must have lift it up instead of pulling down.

This drives me nuts. I trusted them...


The receiver is not going anywhere. Gonna have to buy a hammer tomorrow.

 

[johnwilliamson062]

Some here would argue with me, but I wouldn't have taken a MKIII apart until it had problems. I am willing to bet at least 50% of Ruger MK series pistols have NEVER been disassembled. 75% probably not more than once.
I don't see anything that I don't think could have come from the factory.

I'm not sure on the magnification and don't have my MK II available to compare, but as a machinist(even a relatively inexperienced one) that could easily be some poorly done de-burring that wasn't bad enough to scrap the part. It happens. Neither is visible with the gun disassembled, correct? You do not suspect it is having any effect on function, correct?

 

[marine6680]

The design is old.. and there are a lot of steps to make the frame and other parts from separate pieces welded together, then ground and polished.


The pistol is a bit mish mash really when you look it over and see how it is constructed.

Couple all those steps with the modern desire for speed/efficiency and low cost manufacturing, and you get sloppier work that the older models.

I wouldn't worry about it, its cosmetic and the gun should shoot fine.


Just remember, that hammer spur is the problem area when assembling, it can cause issues, so make double sure its positioned correctly before putting in the mainspring housing.

 

[chris in va]

If it's internal, don't worry about it. Heck you should see the machine marks on my CZ's.

 

[Snyper]

Gonna have to buy a hammer tomorrow.

Forget the hammer and don't take the gun apart unless something is broken and needs replacing

Use spray solvents and lubricants and it will most likely function longer than you will

The marks on the gun are cosmetic only, and apper to be caused by someone taking it apart.

That doesn't mean the shop did anything dishonest, and it could have come from the factory the way, or could have been done by a customer in the shop.

If you simply can't resist the urge to disassemble the pistol, use a large paperclip as a hook to pull the lever, and don't take the barrel off the frame, since that's what requires a hammer. ( A 10-12" piece of 2 X 4 works just as well)

If it's not broken, don't try to fix it

 

[weblance]

Its a $300 gun. Its not a museum piece. Ruger doesnt make cosmetically perfect products. They never have. They make rugged, reasonably accurate guns, that are as good as guns that cost 25%-50% more, but if you look closely, you will find imperfections.

 

[crazy charlie]

IIRC there is/was some sort of kit to make it easier to field strip for cleaning.

I got one in trade when I had my gun shop made in 1976. The customer said it wasn't working. It was pretty well leaded up and I had to take it apart and give it a good cleaning. As I recall it was somewhat of a 'bear' to take apart and put back together, but all went well and it performed flawlessly. Sadly my ex-wife got her hands on it when we got divorced and never let go of it.

 

[45_auto]

Just about to field strip my new Ruger mark iii for the first time. Notice that there are some dents or cuts on the back side of the pistol, close to the main spring.

In the future, I would suggest that a close examination of the gun BEFORE you buy it may be in order. From the gouge marks on the frame it appears that someone had some difficulty assembling it at least once. Maybe a new guy on the assembly line at the factory?

I don't have any steel MkIII's (only MkIII's are plastic frame), but none of my half dozen MKI's and MKII's have machine work that sloppy on the top radius cut.

As others have stated, there's no real need to disassemble it unless you're installing a trigger kit or removing the magazine safety. Other than that, spray it out with some brake cleaner every couple of thousand rounds and drip a few drops of oil into it. It'll still be running like new for your grandkids.

 

[Kreyzhorse]

I'd guess that it came from the factory that way. Either way, I would not sweat it. It's cosmetic so go shoot it and enjoy it.

 

[mete]

I was asked to take apart a Ruger as the owner [gun and owner were new] couldn't take it apart ! I had to use a large hammer and full swings !!! Factory assembly was by gorilla I think. I used a woodn block to protect the gun. I then had to use files and stones to provide proper fit.

 

[dljor]

Found a hammer and some old shirts to protect the gun.

Pretty sure those gouge marks came from someone struggling disassemble it. Not sure when and where it happened. Gonna find a file and file it smooth.

I didn't want to take it apart. But aren't we supposed to clean a new gun before using it? Confused.

I even bought a 22lr pistol cleaning kit...

Taking it apart wasn't too bad. Once you find a hammer....

 

[Mobuck]

"Some here would argue with me, but I wouldn't have taken a MKIII apart until it had problems"

I , for one, agree 1000%. No need to dis-assemble. Hit it with some spray lube and drip some CLP or RemOil on the action rod/spring and clean the bore. Continue this procedure occasionally until the pistol chokes and THEN dis-assemble. I have 5 or 6 Ruger 22 pistols and only one has been apart(and then only because it was dropped in the creek and got quite a bit of sand in it).

 

[Snyper]

But aren't we supposed to clean a new gun before using it? Confused.

Spray solvents and small tools will do all the cleaning you need on a new gun.
Cleaning the barrel and chamber is the most important thing.

I have a couple of MKII's that haven't been disassembled for a few DECADES, but have never failed to function as they should.

A little solvent on a patch, manipulated with a small screwdriver will reach the tight spots on the bolt, and an air hose or even canned air will blow out debris

Dry silicone lubes won't attract and hold residue, and will keep things cleaner, longer.

 

[ritepath]

I've had my MKII since the early 90's it's from the 80's....I've taken it down once. They'll shoot forever without issue.

Lock it back spray the hell out of it, work it several times wipe it down, spray it again and forget about it.

 

[Jbar4Ranch]

They are not supposed to sell return as new are they?

Sportsman's Warehouse does. They have a "no return" policy, but if you push it, they'll take a gun back. It's then shipped to one of their stores that specializes in selling their used/returned guns at full retail as new guns.

 

[dljor]

it sucks that someone would try selling returns as new. Unethical.

The take down and reassembly are not that hard. I did it with little effort, but had to use a hammer.

 

[James K]

First, the "damage" looks to be purely cosmetic. Second, the Mk III is not difficult to dis- and re-assemble if you 1) read the instructions and 2) don't decide to tackle the job with a lug wrench, a sledge hammer and a front-end loader.

I see scratched up MSH's all the time from using screwdrivers, pocket knives, etc. on the latch, when a fired .223 case works just fine and is non-marring.

As to a gun shop taking back a gun that has been worked on, I fear we have the pot and the kettle here. I can't count the number of posters who responded to a complaint about a gun being hard to re-assemble with advice to "take it back and demand a new gun" or words to that effect.

Jim

 

[Pyzon]

Indeed these Rugers come apart and go together way differently than any others, if you practice enough and maybe watch the many Youtube videos, you will come up with your own way to do it and it will become second nature.

Yes, cleaner is better, despite the fact that many of these and other makes and models rarely receive any care and they work fine for years and years.

Your damage might have been caused by either a customer or salesperson not familiar with the way it works.

Go shoot it, but let the store know you are peeved about it just the same.