Ruger MK III

The Ruger Mark III is a .22 Long Rifle semi-automatic pistol manufactured by Sturm, Ruger & Company. It is the successor to the Ruger MK II, and includes several new features.

Changes from the Mark II

• Addition of a visible loaded chamber indicator on the left side.
• Magazine release moved, from bottom of grip to behind trigger guard.
• All Mark III pistols with adjustable sights are drilled and tapped for a Weaver-style scope base which ships with the pistol.^[2]
• A new magazine disconnect prevents the pistol from being fired with the magazine removed from the pistol.
• An internal safety lock has been added. Using a key, the safety can be locked in the "safe" position.
• Shorter tapered bolt ears.
• A smoothly contoured ejection port profile.

Models

Mark III

Stainless steel Ruger Mark III with magazine.

The first lineup is simply known as Mark III. The pistol's barrel is made from steel bar and is threaded into the receiver which is made from steel tube. The barrel is not removable without machining, though. The layout is similar to the Luger P08, although the operating mechanism was originally copied from the Nambu pistol.

• The high-end model is known as the Hunter. This pistol features a stainless steel frame and comes with either a 4.5-inch, 5.5-inch (a distributor exclusive), or a 6.875-inch fluted bull barrel, fiber-optic front sight, adjustable, V-notch rear sights, and half-checkered cocobolo wood grip. It features multiple safety mechanisms, and includes a visible loaded chamber indicator (The first ever included in a .22 rimfire pistol) as well as internal and external keyed locks provided.
• The next pistol in the lineup is named Competition. It too has a stainless steel frame and 6.875-inch slab sided bull barrel, and adjustable rear sights; the pistol also has the cocobolo grip with thumb rest.
• Target is the next Mark III. This pistol has a stainless or blued finish, a 5.5" bull barrel, adjustable rear sights, and black plastic grips on the blued finish and Cocobolo grips on the stainless finish.
• The bull barrel pistol comes in stainless steel or blued finish. It has a heavier barrel to help keep the barrel from overheating and to minimize recoil. It has a 5.5-inch barrel and adjustable rear sights.
• Finally, the Standard Mark III has a tapered barrel, black plastic handgrips and a blued finish. It comes with either a 6-inch or 4.75-inch barrel. It has fixed sights.

Mark III 22/45

Mark III 22/45 with 5.5" bull barrel

Mark III 22/45 Lite

The second lineup is named Mark III 22/45. These pistols have a polymer frame, and the steel barrel is installed nearly permanently into a tubular steel receiver. The grip angle emulates that of a M1911.

• The current high-end model, the Mk III 22/45 Lite, was introduced at the 2012 SHOT Show. The main features include a light-weight aluminum upper receiver, material reduction on the upper receiver for enhanced appearance and further weight savings, a steel barrel that has been threaded ½"-28 for a compensator or suppressor, and user replaceable grips. Finally, the receiver of the Lite model is drilled and tapped for a Weaver rail section included in the packaging.
• The previous high-end model is known as the Hunter. This pistol features a stainless steel 4.5-inch or 6.875-inch fluted bull barrel, HiViz fiber optic front sight, and adjustable rear sights. This model was discontinued for 2012.
• The Target pistol comes in a few different variations. It has a heavier barrel to limit overheating, reduce recoil, and increase accuracy.
  • Stainless steel 5.5-inch barrel and adjustable rear sights (Discontinued in 2012).
  • Blued finish with 5.5-inch barrel and adjustable rear sights.
  • Blued finish with 4-inch barrel and adjustable rear sights.
  • Blued finish with 5.5-inch barrel, fixed rear sights, and replaceable Checkered Cocobolo grips.
  • Several models previously sold as Bull Barrel and Slab Side models had their names changed or were entirely discontinued when Ruger changed their catalog to reflect the Target lineup.
• The Threaded Barrel models are very similar in configuration to the Target models, but with a threaded barrel for the addition of a compensator or suppressor. These models also feature user replaceable grips and the option of either adjustable target sights or Picatinny rails.
• Distributor Exclusive models are specially made versions of the Mk III 22/45 released through certain distributors. For the 2012 lineup, these models include:
  • A Target model with a "Water Dog" Brown Digital Camo lower receiver.
  • A Target model with a fluted barrel and adjustable rear sights.
  • A Target model with a fluted barrel and adjustable fiber optic rear sights.

See also

• List of firearms

References

External links

• Mark III website
• Ruger Instruction Manual (.pdf)

Sturm, Ruger & Co.
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