Mark IV magazines won't release

[buckshot]

I've been looking for a Mark IV for awhile and couldn't find one and then I ran into a decent deal for a S&W SR22 Victory, so I picked it up. Less than two weeks later I found a Ruger Mark IV Target stainless so I picked it up as well. Both guns are like new and I'm not sure if either has actually been shot. Upon inspection both were clean and lubed properly. Today I took them both shooting for the first time. My plan was to compare them side by side and decide which one I wanted to keep, as I don't know if I need two target pistols.

Well the Ruger has some issues, it would not eject the mags. I had no issues at home when trying them out before shooting, but as soon as I emptied the first mag it wouldn't release it. The mag release won't even press in at all. If I remove the upper receiver I can eventually get the mag to release. I have five Ruger mags and they all have the same issue. The mags look new and appear clean and lubed. Needless to say, I am frustrated with my new pistol. Any Ideas on what may be causing the issues? Do I need to send it to Ruger?

I am typically a Ruger guy, but the S&W shot flawless today and actually impressed me. I was mentally prepared to love the Ruger and feel so so about the S&W. I figured after today's outing I would be ready to sell the S&W to fund another Ruger, but that's not what happened.

 

[Dan in MI]

I don't play with MK-IV's but my first question is factory grips/screws?

 

[buckshot]

The pistol is 100% factory.

 

[Mobuck]

There's a difference between 'release' and 'eject'.
If the mag release won't 'press in' there must be interference somewhere. I'm not a MK-IV fan either but haven't seen this problem with various other Ruger 22 pistols.

 

[john guedry]

Mine works "right".

 

[Huskerguy72]

I do not have a MK IV but shoot a MK III in steel plate challenges. The three factory mags I purchased when it was new work perfectly. About a year ago I happened across a bunch of NOS Ruger mags and purchased 7. Everyone would not work correctly. Ruger said I could send them to the factory and they would fix them. I was messing around with them and all I did was file just a little bit off of the lug that catches on the mag release. They shoved up in there so tight, they were hard to release, IF I could get them to catch. That fixed them all.

Again, this was with a MK III so it may be different.

 

[contender]

A polite call to Ruger is in order. You'll likely get a prepaid shipping label to send it back. Every mechanical object made can have a flaw from the factory. Give them a chance to fix it & THEN do a comparison.
Yes,, it can be a hassle, sorta,, but it may well be worth it.