Super Easy Cheap Upgrade for the Ruger MKIII

nathanours · 02-05-2013, 12:57

Hey everyone I know a good many of you out there own Ruger MKIIIs, and I thought some of you may be interested in how I vastly improved the trigger and function of my gun in my opinion. Before doing any of this the trigger was a little gritty and broke at about 6 lbs with a little bit of creep. It now breaks at 3.15 lbs and is very smooth with no creep. The magazines fall free much easier and disassembly is easier as well.

The first thing I did was to order a new hammer bushing that received great reviews on rimfire central. It takes the place of the old hammer bushing and allows you to get rid of the magazine disconnect and magazine disconnect spring. This allows the gun to fire with the magazine out of the gun, while improving the feel of the action, making the magazines easier to insert and remove, and making cleaning easier. This new bushing costs $12 with shipping.

http://www.tandemkross.com/cubecart/markiiibushing.html

Next I installed a new Volquartsen target sear. This part is a direct drop in replacement for the old sear and spring and greatly improves the feel of the trigger. It costs $28.

http://www.brownells.com/handgun-par...prod24641.aspx

Altogether for $40 the gun has a much better feel. These are both cheap and easy to replace parts (took me 1/2 hour total, and I've never taken apart the gun's frame before), that really make a nice difference. I thought some of you may be interested if you want to greatly improve the target performance of your pistols on a budget.

nathanours · 02-05-2013, 14:26

Actually, could a mod please move this to the rimfire forum?

CigarandScotch · 02-05-2013, 15:11

If you managed to do that in a half hour the first time, I am impressed. Let's just say it took me a little bit longer...and then I had a nice, strong drink.

**Jason D** · 02-05-2013, 16:58

I gutted my gun.

Volquartsen trigger kit, bolt kit, and rear target sight.
After some teething problems she runs like a top now. The only time I ever have a problem anymore with it, is when the ammo I shoot lacks priming compound.

Ruggles · 02-05-2013, 18:15

Thanks for the info, I just started a Mk III build. Just a Fastfire mounted on it so far but I intend to do more

Thanks.

WayneJessie · 02-05-2013, 18:56

I love my MKII.

BenjiEDF · 02-05-2013, 20:04

I have a very similar MkIII I appreciate the info, I plan to do that later. Bookmarked the parts, cheers.

garya1961 · 02-05-2013, 20:39

I did the exact same mods to my MARK III.

FloorPoor · 02-06-2013, 19:25

My bone stock MKII already has a GREAT trigger

nathanours · 02-06-2013, 19:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by FloorPoor

My bone stock MKII already has a GREAT trigger

The trigger on the MKIII is pretty good stock as well. A Volquartsen sear will make it smoother and lighter though. The sear I linked in the first post is for the MKII and the MKIII. The grind angle (I believe) on the contact surface of the sear gives it a lighter pull weight than the stock sear. It is also much more highly polished and smooth to make things less gritty (not that the triggers are very gritty to begin with). For $27 it's worth the price.

brisk21 · 02-06-2013, 21:30

My Mk3 trigger is awsome. Especially for a $350 gun. I am very happy with the gun. I thought about "upgrading" it with some trigger parts, but Im already happy with it.

tercel89 · 02-06-2013, 22:31

Thanks for the information.

railfancwb · 02-07-2013, 04:45

Removing the magazine disconnect will create issues should you end up in court because someone was shot with the gun. Jus sayin...

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nathanours · 02-07-2013, 09:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by railfancwb

Removing the magazine disconnect will create issues should you end up in court because someone was shot with the gun. Jus sayin...

Posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

Ya but my cheap plinking .22 target pistol will never be used to shoot anyone if god forbid the need arises. I always have my CCW on me even when target shooting another gun. Lately it's been my Sig 938 which is completely in factory configuration.

garya1961 · 02-07-2013, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by railfancwb

Removing the magazine disconnect will create issues should you end up in court because someone was shot with the gun. Jus sayin...

Posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

Do you have any proof of this? Any court case to back it up?

**Jason D** · 02-07-2013, 16:08

There are what, a zillion MK pistols out there without the magazine disco in it.

railfancwb · 02-11-2013, 16:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by garya1961

Do you have any proof of this? Any court case to back it up?

I believe Mas has discussed the legal risks of such modifications from time to time. I don't have a link to a specific case.

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**Jason D** · 02-11-2013, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by railfancwb

I believe Mas has discussed the legal risks of such modifications from time to time. I don't have a link to a specific case.

Posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

Legal risks are one thing.
Actual legal proceedings against someone with a modified gun would be another.

I could hand a modified MKIII to a hundred people to shoot. I would imagine not one in that hundred would ever note the magazine disco having been removed unless they were intimately familiar with the workings of the pistol.

We all know it's not a good idea to carry a modified gun for protection, or using one at home. A .22 target pistol that would never be considered a defensive gun, or used as such. Just isn't a worry.

farmer-dave · 02-12-2013, 08:38

I've been pretty happy with my markIII but always up for some improvement. Sounds like a reasonable price for some upgrades, might give it a try.

PhantomF4E · 02-12-2013, 11:46

The only thing I will be shooting with my Modded MKIII target is a squirrel, an uppity racoon , or a stoopid country rat. So far I haven't been to court on any of those shootings ;-) For the two legged varmints, well I have some unmodded irons for them !!!
I'm guessing If I had to use a .22 to put down a bad guy , I would be in such a tight spot where charges would not even be filed . That is about as last resort a place as I would ever want to be in. Better than no gun , but castle doctrine or not I'm getting out of that situation as fast as I can before pea shootin' someone.

**Jason D** · 02-12-2013, 15:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmer-dave

I've been pretty happy with my markIII but always up for some improvement. Sounds like a reasonable price for some upgrades, might give it a try.

One worthwhile upgrade that gets over looked is a pair of grips.
Those can be had for anywhere from 20 bucks to about 150 or so. Since I shoot bullseye a good pair of target grips is a must. I bought a real nice set with a thumb rest from Majestic Arms. Cost about 40 bucks it I recall correctly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhantomF4E

The only thing I will be shooting with my Modded MKIII target is a squirrel, an uppity racoon , or a stoopid country rat. So far I haven't been to court on any of those shootings ;-) For the two legged varmints, well I have some unmodded irons for them !!!
I'm guessing If I had to use a .22 to put down a bad guy , I would be in such a tight spot where charges would not even be filed . That is about as last resort a place as I would ever want to be in. Better than no gun , but castle doctrine or not I'm getting out of that situation as fast as I can before pea shootin' someone.

I faced off with a rabid coon here a year or so ago. I had to shoot it close into my house and kind of thought a .38 would be over kill.

I loaded a magazine for my MKIII with some small game rounds and snapped off two shots it it's head. I know they were good shots, but the little bastard kept flopping around. I really didn't expect that, so I kept firing until it stopped moving.

I wish I would have went with the .38 for the coon.

PhantomF4E · 02-12-2013, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason D

One worthwhile upgrade that gets over looked is a pair of grips.
Those can be had for anywhere from 20 bucks to about 150 or so. Since I shoot bullseye a good pair of target grips is a must. I bought a real nice set with a thumb rest from Majestic Arms. Cost about 40 bucks it I recall correctly.

I faced off with a rabid coon here a year or so ago. I had to shoot it close into my house and kind of thought a .38 would be over kill.

I loaded a magazine for my MKIII with some small game rounds and snapped off two shots it it's head. I know they were good shots, but the little bastard kept flopping around. I really didn't expect that, so I kept firing until it stopped moving.

I wish I would have went with the .38 for the coon.

Racoons are famous for their break dancing after a head shot . I popped one close to a wall once and it looked like a crime scene photo. Those buggars can sling some blood .
Country rats are funny too Pop them in the head and they walk around in circles for 30 seconds and then drop or do the death dance.
Either way their brain is gone , they aren't suffering .

ilgunguygt · 02-12-2013, 18:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by railfancwb

Removing the magazine disconnect will create issues should you end up in court because someone was shot with the gun. Jus sayin...

Posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

Repeating BS you read on the internet doesnt mean there is any truth to it either. Jus sayin...

**Jason D** · 02-13-2013, 16:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhantomF4E

Racoons are famous for their break dancing after a head shot . I popped one close to a wall once and it looked like a crime scene photo. Those buggars can sling some blood .
Country rats are funny too Pop them in the head and they walk around in circles for 30 seconds and then drop or do the death dance.
Either way their brain is gone , they aren't suffering .

I read that after I had killed it, about them flopping around. I just didn't want to to suffer anymore that it had to.

It wasn't acting right. I suspect it had the (happy) version of rabies. It wasn't at all afraid of me or the dog and it seemed to be in control of it's body about half the time. Acting normal one second, and rocking back and forth chattering it's teeth the next. Like it was having some sort of seizure.

It's hard to describe unless you actually see it.

It also bled a lot. I had to wash the entire area down with peroxide and bleach.

FH Alum · 02-13-2013, 18:54

My MK III 22/45 TB had a HORRIBLE trigger, the take up was over a 1/4". I also gutted it by installing the Sam Lam bushing, LCI filler, Volks trigger (got rid of most pre-travel), slingshot mod etc. I didn't do the sear as the weight was OK.

I'm not worried about any legal issues with this pistol as I'm the only one who shoots it and I think opposing counsel, should something horrible happen, would be more worried about the silencer screwed onto the muzzle than a missing mag safety or loaded chamber indicator. If I am shooting a .22 w/o a can I use my MK II that didn't need de-lawyering.