Les Jones: Possible Problem with Ruger MK III

September 12, 2004

Guns > Possible Problem with Ruger MK III

There's a report of a problem that can lead to unintentional discharges on the new Ruger Mark III pistol. One of the changes on the Mark III was the addition of a safety device called a loaded chamber indicator, which is required in California. The presence of a cartridge in the chamber causes the indicator to protrude.

A member at Markii.com reported he could cause an accidental discharge 3 out of 5 times in a test environment by striking the cocking indicator. He contacted Ruger and is sending his gun in for testing.

Posted by lesjones

Comments

That's a "safety" device?

Posted by: Thibodeaux at September 13, 2004

The irony is goldy.

Posted by: Les Jones at September 14, 2004

It's a great opportunity for an excellent mod. Simply file down the outside of the indicator to where it is flush with the outside when a round is loaded. Then you still have a day/night indicator. Once this mod is done the indicator will be flush when a round is loaded, and if not, you will see/feel the grove on the tube when it is not chambered.

Posted by: JP at March 08, 2005

I think the "loaded chamber" indicators are very "tacky" looking.......Especially on the Ruger Centerfire pistols

Posted by: Larry Lindsay at April 06, 2005

I just bought a Ruger MKIII pistol. Is it possible to simply get rid of that bloody safety mechanism?

-Marc

Posted by: Marc at July 26, 2005

wanted to buy a ruger22. mark III target model,gov. model or the hunter which is best or are they basically the same just diffeerence in price.

Posted by: jeff bowman at November 27, 2005

This tester was unable to duplicate the supposed problem...

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger_MarkIII-Hunter.htm

Posted by: Ken at December 21, 2005

stop misinforming people, such device is NOT required in california.

Posted by: learn the laws at July 10, 2006

There is a peice of metal next to the breech. When a round is chambered, the peice of metal is pushed to the side by the casing. There is another peice of metal, the indicator you see, on top of this metal peice. They are connected by a spring. So, if the indicator is pushed, it will bend the spring instead of pushing the case and possiblly ignighting the round. The indicator can move independently. The forum poster is full of $#!%.

Posted by: william craig at October 09, 2007

I purchased the MK III 22/45 this last friday, I went out to put some rounds through it and the MAGAZINES DO NOT FEED VERY WELL!
YES THE MAG WAS FULLY SEATED!

Also the Magazines do not free fall as they do on my Mk II
I realy like the look and feel but it does not function as well as the MK II that I have had for many years and I have never had an issue with.

Does anyone know of any kind of Recall on Mags?
What about the Poly style Grip....Is there an internal Flaw?

I will be contacting Ruger today, But before I put up with a bunch of excuses from ruger...And haveing to send it to them on My Dime.....I was wanting to know if anyone here knew any quick fixes?

for the cost of 479.00 + tax
I should have a gun that has absolutly no issues of any kind!
Thanks for listening to me vent.

This was purchased Brand new and still has not fired a round as of yet.
The way it was malfunctioning, I did not try to fire it due to taking extreme safety measures.

Posted by: Todd at May 05, 2008

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