Ruger Mark Iii 22/45 Field Strip Problem

[ican_41]

I bought a new Ruger Mark III, after shooting a hundred rounds I tried to field strip the gun so I could clean it. I opened the latch swung the main spring housing out. I tried pulling it downward, tapped the bolt stop pin with a mallet to get entire assembly out but I couldn't do it so I closed it. NOW, MY MAINSPRING HOUSING WON'T SWING OPEN MORE THAN 3/8" WHEN TRYING TO FIELD STRIP THE PISTOL. Any help would be appreciated...

 

[dirty magazine]

Regarding the stuck mainspring housing- are you pulling the latch out all the way? It will hang up on the frame and block the magazine if you don't extend it completely. The latch should extend almost flat, and then spring back slightly.

Once you get the mainspring housing free, to remove the pin, I find it helps to extend the mainspring housing completely as well- so that the end comes up even with the bolt. The other end of the mainspring housing has a "claw" on it that holds onto the barrel/receiver. Opening the mainspring housing all the way lets the "claw" clear the barrel/receiver.

Also note that the hammer has to be forward to remove the mainspring housing, which is why you have to initially dryfire the pistol to begin disassembly. Be sure the pistol and magazine are clear and unloaded first!

The bolt stop pin is tight at first, but it will break in after a few cycles. Good luck and let me know if that helps.

 

[dirty magazine]

Regarding the stuck mainspring housing- are you pulling the latch out all the way? It will hang up on the frame and block the magazine if you don't extend it completely. The latch should extend almost flat, and then spring back slightly.

This might be a bit confusing- the latch needs to be extended so that the other end of the latch will clear the frame. As soon as it is extended, it will block the magazine until the MSH is tilted out of the frame.