Range Report: new to me Ruger Mark III

Rogervzv

New member
Picked up a nice Ruger Mark III tapered barrel (5.88 inches, if memory serves) from a fellow Calgunner. Did the FFL exchange at Turner's at Torrance, and by the way they were fast and efficient.

This one has fixed sights and as I said, the tapered barrel much like the original Standard. I have wanted a Mark III in this configuration for a long time. Don't think I ever saw a new one at Turners back when they were on the roster.

Picked it up Friday night. Did a detail field strip and cleaning. The gun needed a cleaning but was not that bad. Had it gunstore clean and reassembled after a leisurely 25 minutes or so.

Put a Crimson Trace lasergrip that I had in the parts bin on it. (There is a trick to this by the way -- put Scotch tape over the two batteries; makes things much easier!).

Got it to the range today. Wanted to check: a) whether the fixed sights were set accurately, and b) how it functioned.

Shot 90 rounds of CCI "Choot 'ems" and 333 rounds of Winchester 333. Zero ejection or feeding issues, had one dead round, which would not fire even with two tries. Can't blame the gun for that! It was clearly dinged adequately by the firing pin, just wouldn't do it.

The sights were right on the money. The lasersight dot, when sighted in, was right where the sight picture said it should be. Good job by Ruger getting the sights right. My 1965 Standard had to be adjusted.

The bolt locked back after every last shot. Several of my otherwise super-reliable Mark pistols will not do this. God knows why.

Anyway, I am very happy with the gun! There is something about the tapered barrel models that make them remarkably pointable. This is a really good model to hang a laser on.

This is the gun after I cleaned it up but before I hung the lasergrip on it:
 
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Have to say that the lasergrip on the tapered barrel Mark pistol is particularly nice. I was really nailing the target this morning with the laser. There is something about the pointability of this particular model Mark. :cool:
 
I have this exact model. As you say, it points very well.


I wanted rugged fixed sights, and mine are dead on. I have been pleased, and I think you will be too. Nice find; congratulations!
 
I have the MKIII Target and love it..... until it's time for a field strip :mad:

Get ready for some curse words flying until you learn the technique for re assembly. Other than that the MKIII's are outstanding shooters. Only FTF's I will experience with mine is the cheap crap Federal Blue Box ammo.
 
I have the MKIII Target and love it..... until it's time for a field strip

Get ready for some curse words flying until you learn the technique for re assembly. Other than that the MKIII's are outstanding shooters. Only FTF's I will experience with mine is the cheap crap Federal Blue Box ammo.

Been there; done that. I can do it no problem now. Like everyone, a few curse words while one ascends the learning curve. Now it is very easy for me. Just takes a little practice.

The guy who sold me this gun appears to have sold it to get the Mark IV, which is easier to strip. Great for me, because I prefer the Mark III and I got a very good deal on the gun.

The rugged fixed sights make this a very good holster gun.
 
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