upnorth73
Bearcat
I have an opotunity to by a mk3 hunter. I've always liked the look of them but do they shoot any better than my 5.5 inch mk2. Is that barrel just all show?
Anyone had or used both?
Anyone had or used both?
Mk3 hunter vs mk2 target
- Thread starter upnorth73
- Start date
ammo.crafter
Bearcat
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2015
- Messages
- 6
Not a fan of the MK III too many additional parts that I do not see as improvements.
The MK II is just right and I do love my MK I Volquartsen PPC gun.
The MK II is just right and I do love my MK I Volquartsen PPC gun.
contender
Ruger Guru
Welcome to the Forum!
I have several of the MK series of 22's. All 3 major variations. I happen to have a MKII Competition Target model. It's similar to the MKIII Hunter,, as a friend has one of those & I've shot & handled his. Plus,,, I own a few in the 5.5" Bull Barrel.
In MY hands,,, My preferences do tend to enjoy the longer barrels,,, BUT,,,, my 5.5" bull MKI has been a 30+ year companion. Hard to beat it.
If you are looking to replace one for the other,, I'd keep the MKII. But if you are wishing to add to the family,,, then get a Hunter & see how YOU like it.
I have several of the MK series of 22's. All 3 major variations. I happen to have a MKII Competition Target model. It's similar to the MKIII Hunter,, as a friend has one of those & I've shot & handled his. Plus,,, I own a few in the 5.5" Bull Barrel.
In MY hands,,, My preferences do tend to enjoy the longer barrels,,, BUT,,,, my 5.5" bull MKI has been a 30+ year companion. Hard to beat it.
If you are looking to replace one for the other,, I'd keep the MKII. But if you are wishing to add to the family,,, then get a Hunter & see how YOU like it.
upnorth73 said:
The one thing I don't like in reference to the question is the two 'III's" and 'II's" have different magazines.. Since there are a zillion MK2s out there with different configurations, I think I stay with that.
I love my MK2, not selling that one.
Have decided to get the hunter and put my red dot on it. Find that heaps of fun, but I'll stay with standard sights on my MK2, good way to keep in practice.
The hunter has 5 mags with it, and I have a MK3 mag I tried in my MK2. So 6 is plenty.
Have decided to get the hunter and put my red dot on it. Find that heaps of fun, but I'll stay with standard sights on my MK2, good way to keep in practice.
The hunter has 5 mags with it, and I have a MK3 mag I tried in my MK2. So 6 is plenty.
I would chose an excellent condition Mk2 over a new Mk3 every time.
The Hunter should shoot better but that can only be generalized.... it will of course depend on many things and ammo will be one of them.
What I was going to say about the '3's' is that all the new lawyer features have never bothered me... and I really like that they finally put the mag release where it should be.
Have never used the lock, loaded chamber indicator has never caused a problem, mag disconnect is simply not an issue... who would try to shoot one of these by loading through the open bolt... talk about a pain. And mine, a target with bull barrel is dead on accurate.
What I was going to say about the '3's' is that all the new lawyer features have never bothered me... and I really like that they finally put the mag release where it should be.
Have never used the lock, loaded chamber indicator has never caused a problem, mag disconnect is simply not an issue... who would try to shoot one of these by loading through the open bolt... talk about a pain. And mine, a target with bull barrel is dead on accurate.
"The only thing I didn't really get answered is do the longer barrel Mk pistols (comp target or hunter) shoot any better than the 5 1/2 bull barrel?
I don't think it'll matter the way I shoot, but what do the guys that can actually hit what they're aiming at think?"
I can usually hit close to what I aim at and my opinion is the longer barrels seem muzzle heavy and are actually harder to hold steady. For me, the 5.5" bull is optimum for ease of carry and accurate shooting. I've never had the opportunity to shoot a 10" but would expect it to rival a rifle for accuracy when shooting from a support.
I don't think it'll matter the way I shoot, but what do the guys that can actually hit what they're aiming at think?"
I can usually hit close to what I aim at and my opinion is the longer barrels seem muzzle heavy and are actually harder to hold steady. For me, the 5.5" bull is optimum for ease of carry and accurate shooting. I've never had the opportunity to shoot a 10" but would expect it to rival a rifle for accuracy when shooting from a support.
1gunsnotenough
Hunter
I actually find the 6 7/8 barrel the most accurate for me. I shoot the small steel plates at 50 yds with mine. But it also helps to have a good trigger. But personally I would stay away from just about any MKIII. Get a good Gov't Target. Here's a pic of mine with all VQ internals. 10 rds shot off bench with iron sights at 35 yds with Federal Bulk ammo.
Thanks guys.
I managed to get the hunter lightly used at a reasonable price, if I don't like it I'll get rid of it.
Unfortunately here in Australia the less common MK2's are just plain hard to get, but I always keep my eyes open. A 10 inch came up on a well known website here, lasted 3 hours....
I managed to get the hunter lightly used at a reasonable price, if I don't like it I'll get rid of it.
Unfortunately here in Australia the less common MK2's are just plain hard to get, but I always keep my eyes open. A 10 inch came up on a well known website here, lasted 3 hours....
transalp1961
Single-Sixer
I have a bunch of Mark IIs and all three stainless variations of the Mark III Hunters (6 7/8", 5.5" and 4" barrel lengths). I like them all and they shoot just as good as my Mark IIIs. I got rid of the LCI and put Volquartsen parts in all my Mark IIIs. I hope you like yours.
SGW Gunsmith
Blackhawk
I think you're gonna like the Ruger Mark III Hunter just fine. The Mark II pistols were NEVER offered in a Hunter, fluted barrel, configuration. The pros involved with the Hunter (all Mark III versions) is, for some, where the magazine latch/release is located. Some of the other added features, like the magazine disconnect and the LCI (loaded chamber indicator) can easily be defeated if you don't want the hassle of dealing with those particulars. The Ruger Mark II variants made a HUGE name for themselves during their manufacturing run from Ruger, but performance wise, the Mark III pistols will keep up just as well for what most want/need to do with 'em.
I looked for almost two years for a NIB Ruger Mark III Hunter in 4½ inch barrel length. Some of the first modifications I made for this pistol involved removing the LCI and installing a filler and discarding the magazine disco parts by installing a replacement hammer bushing that I made. My Ruger Hunter model now has an altered Clark Custom "steel" trigger installed that's had the trigger face ribs removed, as I prefer a smooth face trigger, and the addition of a pre-travel screw. Except for the more convenient location of where the magazine release/latch is located, it shoots NO differently than the bunch of Ruger Mark II pistols I have, and have worked on, since that model made the scene.
I looked for almost two years for a NIB Ruger Mark III Hunter in 4½ inch barrel length. Some of the first modifications I made for this pistol involved removing the LCI and installing a filler and discarding the magazine disco parts by installing a replacement hammer bushing that I made. My Ruger Hunter model now has an altered Clark Custom "steel" trigger installed that's had the trigger face ribs removed, as I prefer a smooth face trigger, and the addition of a pre-travel screw. Except for the more convenient location of where the magazine release/latch is located, it shoots NO differently than the bunch of Ruger Mark II pistols I have, and have worked on, since that model made the scene.
