Ruger MK III

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
Weight	31–45 oz (880–1,280 g)[1]
Length	9–11.12 in (229–282 mm)[1]
Barrel length	4.75–6.88 in (121–175 mm)[1]
Cartridge	.22 LR
Barrels	1:16" Right hand twist[1]
Action	Blowback
Feed system	10-round magazine [1]

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.

Ruger Mark III Lineup

	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

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.

Ruger Mark III 22/45 lineup (as of June 2012)

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

• List of firearms

References

1. "Ruger Mark III". Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
2. 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.

External links

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