Ruger MK III
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| Ruger MK III | |
|---|---|
 The Ruger MK III Target with 5½" bull barrel | |
| Type | Pistols |
| Place of origin | United States of America |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Sportmen |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Sturm, Ruger & Co. |
| Produced | 2004 |
| Variants | See Models |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 31 oz to 35 oz |
| Length | 8" to 10⅞" |
| Cartridge | .22 LR |
| Caliber | .22 |
| Action | Recoil |
| Feed system | 10+1 cartridges magazine |
The Ruger MARK series rimfire semi-automatic pistols are popular, durable, and reliable handguns, with over 3 million sold.[citation needed] They are manufactured by Sturm, Ruger & Company. Ruger Mark IIIs are the continuation of the MARK series rimfire semiautomatic pistols from Ruger; essentially, MARK IIIs are Mark IIs with additional safety 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 more traditional thumb release behind trigger.
- All Mark III pistols with adjustable sights are drilled and tapped for a Weaver-style scope base which ships with the pistol.
- A new magazine disconnect safety 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
Models
The newest series of rimfire pistols made by Ruger are known as MK III. They were released in 2004 with multiple models to let the consumer decide which pistol fits their needs best.
In 2006, the latest addition to the Mark III family is the Hunter. The Hunter features 6⅞" fluted barrel, with HiViz fiber optic front sight, and special hunter green case.
There are two sets of lineups.
Mark III
The first is simply known as Mark III. The pistol frame and barrel are made from a single piece of steel, with a layout superficially similar to the Luger.
- The high-end model is known as the Hunter. This pistol features a stainless steel frame and 6.785-inch fluted bull barrel, fiber-optic front sight, adjustable rear sights, and half-checkered Cocobolo grip. It features good safety mechanisms, and includes the first ever visible loaded chamber indicator ever included in a .22 rimfire pistol. Internal and external keyed locks provided.
- The next pistol in the lineup is named Competition. It too has a stainless steel frame and 6.785-inch bull barrel, and adjustable rear sights; the pistol also has the Cocobolo grip.
- Target is the next Mark III. This pistol has a blued finish, a tapered 6.785-inch barrel, and adjustable rear sights.
- 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 and a blued finish. It comes with either a 6-inch or 4.75-inch barrel.
| Catalog
Number |
Model | Finish | Sight | Length | Approx.
Weight |
Price | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blued | Stainless | Rear | Front | Barrel | Overall | |||||
| Standard | MKIII4 | Standard | * | Fixed | Fixed | 4¾" | 9" | 35 oz | $322.00 | |
| MKIII6 | Standard | * | Fixed | Fixed | 6" | 10¾" | 37 oz | $322.00 | ||
| Target | MKIII512 | Bull Bbl. | * | Adjustable | Fixed | 5½" | 9¾" | 42 oz | $382.00 | |
| KMKIII512 | Bull Bbl. | * | Adjustable | Fixed | 5½" | 9¾" | 42 oz | $483.00 | ||
| MKIII678 | Target | * | Adjustable | Fixed | 6⅞" | 11⅛" | 42 oz | $382.00 | ||
| KMKIII678GC | Competition | * | Adjustable | Fixed | 6⅞" | 11⅛" | 45 oz | $555.00 | ||
| KMKIII678H | Hunter | * | Adjustable | HiViz Fiber Optic | 6⅞" | 11⅛" | 41 oz | $567.00 | ||
22/45 Mark III
The second lineup is named 22/45 Mark III. These pistols have a polymer grip and steel barrel. The frame is laid out like the Colt 1911.
- The high-end model is known as the Hunter. This pistol features a stainless steel 6.785-inch fluted bull barrel, HiViz fiber optic front sight, and adjustable rear sights.
- The Bull barrel pistol comes in a few different variations. It has a heavier barrel to help the barrel from overheating and to keep recoil down.
- Stainless steel 5.5-inch barrel and adjustable rear sights.
- Blued finish with 5.5-inch barrel and adjustable rear sights.
- Blued finish with 4-inch barrel and adjustable rear sights.
- Blued finish with 4.5-inch barrel.
| Catalog
Number |
Model | Finish | Sight | Length | Approx.
Weight |
Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blued | Stainless | Rear | Front | Barrel | Overall | ||||
| P4MKIII | Bull Bbl. | * | Adjustable | Fixed | 4" | 8" | 31 oz | $307.00 | |
| P45GCMKIII | Bull Bbl. | * | Fixed | Fixed | 4½" | 8½" | 33 oz | $305.00 | |
| P512MKIII | Bull Bbl. | * | Adjustable | Fixed | 5½" | 9½" | 35 oz | $307.00 | |
| KP512MKIII | Bull Bbl. | * | Adjustable | Fixed | 5½" | 9½" | 35 oz | $398.00 | |
| KP678HMKIII | Hunter | * | Adjustable | HiViz Fiber Optic | 6⅞" | 10⅞" | 34 oz | $487.00 | |
See also
References
- [www.ruger.com]
- Ruger MK III Instruction Manual
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