MKIII Stiffness

[hmudd13]

I just picked up a new MKIII Hunter. I'd like my wife to get fully functional with it, but it's too hard for her to pull the bolt back. The display model in the store didn't seem this stiff, which is why I bought it.
Is it going to loosen up after a few hundred rounds or is this going to be my gun only?

 

[berettapistols]

It will smoothen up were the bolt runs over the hammer with range time..
Good Luck & Congrats on the MKIII & Welocome to the Forum..
Also putting a bit of lube on the flat part of the hammer might help a bit..

 

[blume357]

I just recently discovered this problem with most semi-autos when I took a female friend shooting a few weeks ago...she could not chamber a round on any of my .380s....

hopefully, as mentioned above it will loosen up over time...

I would suggest you let her practice different ways of pulling the slide back... a full grip might work better than the two finger method most of us guys probably use.. Also, keep in mind when shooting the pistol she will only really need to cock the slide back on the first round... it will or should cock itself from then on.

 

[CraigK49]

Bought a new MKIII 22/25 last week and took it to the range on Saturday with my daughter. She had the same problems at first. After about 300 rounds it was noticeably easier. By the end of the day (close to 600 rounds) she had no problem with the bolt.

I'm sure some of it was the pistol beginning to break in. And the rest was her improving her "technique." There is a learning curve to every skill. Be careful, if she is like my daughter, she will want one of her own. :wink:

 

[hmudd13]

Thanks everyone. That's what I wanted to hear.
I personally love the pistol. Goin out tomorrow to break it in.

 

[Yosemite Sam]

Welcome to the forum!

I bought a MkIII Hunter myself just a few weeks ago. I recently disassembled it for some upgrades and found the interior bone dry; Not a drop of oil anywhere in sight. I had lubed the bolt before the first range trip, but nothing else.

You may want to do a simple field strip and lube, especially around the bolt area, and see if that helps.

FWIW, I went over all the mating surfaces in mine (including the bolt and its race) very lightly with 1500 grit w/d sandpaper and/or polish, just to smooth things out. No removing of metal or changing angles. It is now considerably smoother than it was.

-- Sam

 

[hmudd13]

Thanks Yosemite, I'm getting on that right now.

 

[blume357]

Actually, if you think about it.... you may not want to lube it while breaking it in... the lube will keep the surfaces of the metal from smoothing themselves out....

the only reason I'm thinking about this is I know when you install a new Volquartsen hammer, spring and sear in a 10/22 the instructions specifically say don't oil it at first.

 

[BlkHawk73]

YOU bought a gun you wanted HER to like and enjoy? You buy her shoes? Clothes? Let her choose the model SHE wants if any at all.

 

[hmudd13]

YOU bought a gun you wanted HER to like and enjoy? You buy her shoes? Clothes? Let her choose the model SHE wants if any at all.

Well she did pick it out online, not the Hunter specifically, but the MarkIII with the replaceable panels.
I went to the store and fell for the Hunter.

On another note, we went out today, and she loves to shoot it, but still can't get the initial pull though.

And myself, I absolutely dig it. Put over 400 rds through it with only 1 ftf.
Extremely accurate, I was knocking a can around hitting 4 out of every 5 shots.
Targets, I was hitting 10" groups at 30 yds.
Maybe not the greatest, but then I'm new to pistols.

I used 250rds CCI minimag fmj and hp's. no hicups.

Then I put through the only 80rds of Blazer that I'll ever use.
Must coated with wax. Completely fouled the barrel in just 80 shots.

100 rds of federal target grade. no hicups and no fouling that I couldn't clear up with a bore snake, single pass.

 

[blume357]

In defense, buying a handgun my wife would like is how I ended up with 6 of the ones I have. I'm slow to learn.

hdmudd.... sounds like you got a winner... just use half way decent ammo and you are good to go.

 

[hmudd13]

I've found a little item for Mark II's.
It's called a bolt racker.
Does anyone know if someone makes one for the Mark III ?
I can't seem to find one anywhere.

 

[blume357]

Hmudd13, I can't see why it would not work on a MKIII. I've only looked at the picture, have not read the fine print... but as far as I know the rear bolt is the same on both models....

http://www.hornetproducts.com/ViewProduct.asp?ModelNumber=PCBR

oops... now I read the big print in the discription and it says it does not work on the MK III... can't figure out why it would not... I'd call power custom and see if you can get and answer as well as a why if it's such a great product they don't make one for the MK III?

 

[CraigK49]

I've found a little item for Mark II's.
It's called a bolt racker.
Does anyone know if someone makes one for the Mark III ?
I can't seem to find one anywhere.

- hmudd13

Looks great on a SS. Wonder what could be done to "blue" titanium? The SR-71 was made of titanium and it was black. At least the exterior was. I suppose it could have been paint, though. Just thinking out loud... 8)

 

[hmudd13]

Hmudd13, I can't see why it would not work on a MKIII. I've only looked at the picture, have not read the fine print... but as far as I know the rear bolt is the same on both models....

http://www.hornetproducts.com/ViewProduct.asp?ModelNumber=PCBR

oops... now I read the big print in the discription and it says it does not work on the MK III... can't figure out why it would not... I'd call power custom and see if you can get and answer as well as a why if it's such a great product they don't make one for the MK III?

The markII bolt is flat on front and back, the markIII is tapered on the front side.
Any machinists on here looking for a market........ :wink:

 

[blume357]

I'd go look at mine but it's still in the range bag out in the truck and I really don't want to get dressed, put on some shorts to go and get it....

seems like it could be done... I wonder if there is a way to switch bolts? I guess not... I'm sure there is a way for a machinist to add one of these to a MKIII.... but then I really wonder if the added mass would effect the action?