User:Pusillanimous/MKIII
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (May 2011) |
| Ruger MK III | |
|---|---|
 The Ruger MK III Target with 5½" bull barrel | |
| Type | Pistols |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Sturm, Ruger & Co. |
| Produced | 2004–present |
| Variants | See Models |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 31 oz to 45 oz |
| Length | 8" to 11⅛" |
| Cartridge | .22 LR |
| Action | Blowback |
| Rate of fire | semi-automatic |
| Feed system | 10-round magazine + 1 in chamber |
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[edit]
- Addition of a visible loaded chamber indicator on the left side.
- Magazine release moved, from bottom of grip to behind triggerguard.
- All Mark III pistols with adjustable sights are drilled and tapped for a Weaver-style scope base which ships with the pistol.[1]
- 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[edit]
Mark III[edit]
The first 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.
- 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 tapered 6.875-inch barrel, adjustable rear sights, and black plastic grips.
- The Bull barrel pistol comes in stainless steel or blued finish. It has a heavier barrel to help the barrel from overheating and to keep recoil down. 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.
| Catalog
Number |
Model | Finish | Sight | Length | Approx.
Weight |
Suggested
Retail Price | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blued | Stainless | Rear | Front | Barrel | Overall | |||||
| Standard | MKIII4 | Standard | * | Fixed | Fixed | 4¾" | 9" | 35 oz | $362.00 | |
| MKIII6 | Standard | * | Fixed | Fixed | 6" | 10¾" | 37 oz | $362.00 | ||
| Target | MKIII512 | Bull Bbl. | * | Adjustable | Fixed | 5½" | 9¾" | 42 oz | $430.00 | |
| KMKIII512 | Bull Bbl. | * | Adjustable | Fixed | 5½" | 9¾" | 42 oz | $543.00 | ||
| KMKIII678GC | Competition | * | Adjustable | Fixed | 6⅞" | 11⅛" | 45 oz | $625.00 | ||
| KMKIII678H | Hunter | * | Adjustable | HiViz Fiber Optic | 6⅞" | 11⅛" | 41 oz | $638.00 | ||
| KMKIII45H | Hunter | * | Adjustable | HiViz Fiber Optic | 4½" | 8¾" | 38 oz | $638.00 | ||
Mark III 22/45[edit]
The second lineup is named Mark III 22/45. These pistols have a polymer frame and steel barrel installed nearly permanently into a 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.
| Catalog
Number |
Model | Finish | Sight | Length | Approx.
Weight |
Suggested
Retail Price | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blued | Stainless | Aluminum | Rear | Front | Barrel | Overall | ||||
| P45MK3ALRP | Lite | * | Adjustable | Fixed | 4½" | 8½" | 22 oz | $469.00 | ||
| P4MKIII | Target | * | Adjustable | Fixed | 4" | 8" | 31 oz | $349.00 | ||
| P512MKIIIRP | Target | * | Fixed | Fixed | 5½" | 9½" | 33 oz | $389.00 | ||
| P512MKIII | Target | * | Adjustable | Fixed | 5½" | 9½" | 35 oz | $349.00 | ||
| P45GMK3RP | Threaded | * | Fixed | Fixed | 4½" | 8½" | 32 oz | $439.00 | ||
| P45GMK3PRRP | Threaded | * | Picatinny Rail | None | 4½" | 8½" | 32 oz | $439.00 | ||
| KP512MKIII | Bull Barrel | * | Adjustable | Fixed | 5½" | 9½" | 35 oz | Discontinued | ||
| KP678HMKIII | Hunter | * | Adjustable | HiViz Fiber Optic | 6⅞" | 10⅞" | 34 oz | Discontinued | ||
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ The Ruger manual says ... "NOTE C — Scope mount bases and rings listed will fit all MARK III and 22/45 MARK III pistols. Only the MARK III Target models are drilled and tapped at the factory. The MARK III Standard models must be drilled and tapped by your local gunsmith. (Drilling and tapping instructions available upon request.) As of March 2011 it appears as though Ruger has started drilling and tapping the Mark III Standard model.
- Ruger Instruction Manual (.pdf) - Ruger web site
External links[edit]
Category:American semi-automatic pistols
Category:Sturm, Ruger & Company firearms
Category:Ruger semi-automatic pistols
Category:.22 LR firearms