The Mark III

[JohnM]

Are the new ones as nice as the older ones used to be?
I've wanted one of those for years and am thinking of getting one next week.
It'll be the first NIB firearm I've bought for years.

 

[JohnM]

Well, this sure didn't get far.

 

[gstan1919]

I have a MK III 22/45 that I really like.

The MK III's have more safety features on them (LCI, loaded chamber indicator and magazine dis-connect) which can reduce the reliability of the firearm if it is not kept clean.

I hope this helps some.

 

[JohnM]

I don't consider the 22/45 in the same league as the pistol that started out as the Mark I.
I consider that design a classic little 22.
I figured the Mark III was loaded with lawyered up safety features.
The new one I was looking at in a friends gun shop didn't look too different.
Still all the great lines.
But, I did about crack up at that phoney padlock included, sheese!

 

[jadek44]

I've got the 22/45 Mark iii with fixed sight and the 4 1/2 in slabside bbl. Only crab I have is putting in and removing the magazine. Scale of 1 to 10 I wold give it a high 8.. I did add a houge slip on grip tho, I like the finger grooves...Again IMHO a worthwhile purchase. No feeding problems at all with the old remington stockpile of ammo. Mixed bag . Some is 25 + years old and some recent purchase.

 

[gstan1919]

I've got the 22/45 Mark iii with fixed sight and the 4 1/2 in slabside bbl. Only crab I have is putting in and removing the magazine. Scale of 1 to 10 I wold give it a high 8.. I did add a houge slip on grip tho, I like the finger grooves...Again IMHO a worthwhile purchase. No feeding problems at all with the old remington stockpile of ammo. Mixed bag . Some is 25 + years old and some recent purchase.

I removed my mag dis-connect and the mag goes in much easier and falls out on its own when you press the mag release.
The best $11.00 upgrade I ever made.

 

[eveled]

I don't consider the 22/45 in the same league as the pistol that started out as the Mark I.
I consider that design a classic little 22.
!

Aren't they mechanically the same gun just with a different grip angle?

 

[gstan1919]

I don't consider the 22/45 in the same league as the pistol that started out as the Mark I.
I consider that design a classic little 22.
!

Aren't they mechanically the same gun just with a different grip angle?

Yes they are.

 

[welder]

I bought a new one last year and the mags could not be locked in place. I had to remove a tiny bit of metal on the magazine boss to solve the problem. The magazines were bottomed but the catch had not fallen behind the boss yet. They work great now but I would prefer the MKII if I could find an unfired one.

 

[JohnM]

I don't consider the 22/45 in the same league as the pistol that started out as the Mark I.
I consider that design a classic little 22.
!

Aren't they mechanically the same gun just with a different grip angle?

Yes they are.

Lots of similar actions around. I wouldn't give you two bits for a 22/45; same was as I wouldn't own a NM Blackhawk.

 

[eveled]

Aren't they mechanically the same gun just with a different grip angle?

Yes they are.

Lots of similar actions around. I wouldn't give you two bits for a 22/45; same was as I wouldn't own a NM Blackhawk.

Care to elaborate on why these guns are inferior? Ed

 

[JohnM]

Don't like 'em, only reason I need.
Very few guns of recent manufacture I'd have.

 

[eveled]

Don't like 'em, only reason I need.
Very few guns of recent manufacture I'd have.

Save your money. You won't like the MKIII.

 

[JohnM]

OK, there we go. Why?
I looked over a new standard model pretty well and didn't see much quirky new age stuff.
Actually thought it looked pretty much like the old ones.

 

[eveled]

OK, there we go. Why?
I looked over a new standard model pretty well and didn't see much quirky new age stuff.
Actually thought it looked pretty much like the old ones.

I can't imagine you'd be happy with a gun that has a big red flag that sticks out the side of the receiver when there is a round in the chamber.

Seriously do yourself a favor and find a used MKII. I think you will be happier. Ed

 

[JohnM]

Hmm, I saw that it had a loaded chamber indicator, but I never ran a round in. Just though it might be a little button that could be seen or felt.
If it's a big flaming warning device I sure wouldn't want one of those.
I just passed up a good deal on an almost unfired RedHawk because I didn't like the complicated built in interlock system.

 

[eveled]

Next time you look at the MKIII lock the slide open you should be able to push the loaded chamber indicator out with a pen so you can see what it looks like. Also note all the extra nooks & crannys associated with it that will collect crud. If these are things you can live with then buy it. If not look for a used MKII.

As far as the Black Hawk goes...you missed out on a nice revolver. The hammer block has been around a long time. I've never heard of any failures associated with it. It lets you carry with all chambers loaded. Would I send an old one in to be converted? No. But I don't mind the new ones at all. Hope you find what you want. Happy shooting. Ed.

 

[JohnM]

I'm going down to a gun show this weekend, so I'm going to stop in and have another look at that Mark III.
I almost bought that Redhawk, but I let the fact it was a double action finally make up my mind. I like the old 3 screw Blackhawks, wish I could afford a few more.
I bought a new CZ453 a couple years ago, for the past 30 years most everything has been used.
Getting too picky in my old age I guess.
Wish I still had all the guns I bought new back in the 60s.

 

[langenc]

OK, there we go. Why?
I looked over a new standard model pretty well and didn't see much quirky new age stuff.
Actually thought it looked pretty much like the old ones.

I can't imagine you'd be happy with a gun that has a big red flag that sticks out the side of the receiver when there is a round in the chamber.

Seriously do yourself a favor and find a used MKII. I think you will be happier. Ed

That LCI (big red flag) can be removed and the hole filled real easy and it looks very nice.

 

[PAVTXER]

OK, there we go. Why?
I looked over a new standard model pretty well and didn't see much quirky new age stuff.
Actually thought it looked pretty much like the old ones.

I can't imagine you'd be happy with a gun that has a big red flag that sticks out the side of the receiver when there is a round in the chamber.

Seriously do yourself a favor and find a used MKII. I think you will be happier. Ed

That LCI (big red flag) can be removed and the hole filled real easy and it looks very nice.

If you really wanted to... it's not that noticeable actually... and not that hard to keep clean either.
I like the mag release on the MK III much better than the MKII.... but some prefer the MKII for other reasons as well.

 

[JohnM]

Thanks for all the comments on the Mark III's guys.
Been a long time since I'd considered something "new".
Digging around I found there are a lot of parts and kits available to get rid of what I considered irritants on the new model.

So, I had decided to get one and was on my way to town to pick one up.
On the way I stopped to see a friend I deal with a lot for nice used offerings.
He'd just got back from a private sale and had a couple I really wanted.
Well, you know how that goes, I can pick up a new Mark III any time.

 

[ruggedruger]

I was loving me a Mark III. Wanted one sooo bad. Looking at stainless, wood grips, etc. ( a "hunter").

Finally held one in my hand, as well as a 22/45 and found out I totally loved the 22/45 grip angle... I bought one of those. (although my budget caught up with me, and I bought the simple blued model).