Very disappointed with the ruger mark3 hunter.

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Joined
Jan 26, 2008
Messages
782
Location
north carolina
I got the mark 3 a couple years ago and liked everything about it except the failure to feed problem. The sharp feed ramp would cut into the head of the bullets and jam. When I got it, my walmart always had the federal bulk packs and it would work perfect with them. It would not work with the remington goldens or the winchester bulk pack. The local walmart hasn't had any federals in ages so I had to quit shooting it. I called ruger and told them the problem and he admitted they had a problem with them for me just to shoot the federal's. They also told me to send it in and they would look at it, but after sending my p345 back and sending my lcp back and sending my bearcat back and sending my redhawk back, I am tired of sending them back. As long as they have been making the ruger 22 auto, you would think they would have it figured out by now. At any rate, I sold it today at a loss and I did tell the buyer that as long as he shot federal's it would work fine but good luck with any other ammo. By the way, the single action's work with any ammo always.
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22bond

Single-Sixer
Joined
Aug 21, 2009
Messages
118
Location
Texas
I bought a Stainless Hunter this year. It was a lot of trouble. Send it back to Ruger - all on Ruger dime. Came back w/a receipt - Repair Extractor. It was better but still FTE and stovepipe. Finally completely removed the LCI and no more problem. Mainly shooting Rem GB since it is now the cheapest 22 bulk at Walmart.
 

Geezer

Single-Sixer
Joined
Mar 13, 2009
Messages
249
Location
Conway, SC
The LCI is the cause of many problems with the MK III's. The MK II's didn't have these problems. At least the lawyers are happy.
 

tomiswho

Single-Sixer
Joined
Feb 2, 2008
Messages
323
Location
Georgia
My 2245 MKIII I got in September functions flawlessly. I did find after the 1st 4 magazines, that the bullet hitting the bottom of the feed ramp was my fault for not fully seating the magazine, the next 500+ rounds have been with out a hitch. I don't need any Volkswagon parts or grip padding on mine. It's just fine. I'll bet this is the problem for most who have a feeding problem. With the magazine interlock, it takes a bit more care to get it fully seated. Not a problem for me.
 
Joined
Jan 26, 2008
Messages
782
Location
north carolina
I tried everything I could think of and read everything I could find concerning the problem. I polished the feed ramp, measured the distance from the top of the mag to the ejector and it had the right clearance, always made sure the magazine was seated completely and actually took a fine diamond hone and very slightly took the cutting edge off of the feed ramp. You could put one bullet in the magazine of any brand and it would always feed. But when you got to the 4th or 5th bullet I noticed the front of the bullet would always be sticking down as when only one bullet, it would always be sticking up and go easily onto the feed ramp. At any rate, hope you all enjoy yours that work properly and I may try another one down the road. Just to show you I wasn't the only one have problems, here are some related links from rimfirecentral.com.
If you have a couple hours to spend, enjoy the following. All are links relating to this issue


http://mrcompletely.blogspot.com/200...-problems.html

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=758218

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=5358929

http://rugerforum.net/showthread.php?t=10999

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/i.../t-233187.html

http://ingunowners.com/forums/handgu...ed_issues.html

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=5475658

http://firearmfun.blogspot.com/2008/...ii-hunter.html

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?p=2218695

http://www.fixya.com/support/t175363..._ammo_question

And from RFC (there are actually more than these)

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums...d.php?t=234163

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums...d.php?t=232589

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums...d.php?t=258253

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums...=241194&page=2
 

aWoods

Single-Sixer
Joined
Aug 9, 2009
Messages
117
I am using only copper jacketed bullets in mine, otherwise, yes, i have the same problem. Knowing what type of ammo to use fixed my issue w/ my mk 3 hunter. I love the gun now.
 

OldRugerMan

Blackhawk
Joined
May 26, 2003
Messages
758
Location
Idaho USA
Take heart o' Ruger MKIII shooters. I shoot a Mark I T514 made in 1952 and it will sometimes fail to feed Remington hollow points. The bullets are too soft to feed and will deform on the feed ramp. Its just something I have come to expect.
 

Flyfishtom

Bearcat
Joined
Jan 8, 2009
Messages
5
Location
East Central Florida
There are two issues with Ruger semi automatic pistols that cause FTE and FTF. The first issue is not with the pistol but with the magazines and is easily fixed. Just round off the rear lips of the mags and the problem is solved. This issue has been discussed for years. Why Ruger has not addressed the issue is beyond me. The extraction problem is solved with a VQ extractor. The Ruger part is stamped metal and the VQ extractor is machined. I would not use Remington ammo either. If you do the two modifications above your pistol will work like a charm for years and years.
 
Joined
Jan 26, 2008
Messages
782
Location
north carolina
I had put a VQ extractor in the mark3 and had the ejection problem fixed. I had also read about rounding the rear lips of the mag off. But, You know, why should I have to do that as long as that gun has been around. You would think Ruger would address the problem and send owners new improved magazines that work or better yet sell the guns with magazines that work. By the way, I replaced it with this at the local gunshow this weekend. I can't hit anything with it but at least it shoots every time you pull the trigger.
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5 yards off a rest.
 

Shoot44

Single-Sixer
Joined
Oct 11, 2008
Messages
150
Location
The Ozarks
I've shot several thousand rounds in my MK III Hunter, and remember only a single single FTE, except for 'dud' rounds that wouldn't fire. I have shot almost every brand/style of ammo, with no problems at all. Even the 'normal velocity' Aguila stuff that simply will NOT cycle my Marlin 60 shoots fine in the MK III.

It likes CCI "Green Tag" stuff best, and Federal "Lightning"s almost as well, concerning accuracy, but all of it shoots just fine in terms of functioning. Normal day-to-day fodder is the old cheap Remington "Golden Bullets". I stay away from the cheap Federal stuff cause it is so dirty; but it shoots.

BTW, my shooting buddy has a MK II, and he has a malfunction in almost every magazine full. No lie. It works best with CCI mini-mags, and "Thunderbolts", but still has frequent stovepipes and FTE's.

They're all just different, I guess.
 

badtzmaru

Bearcat
Joined
Nov 11, 2009
Messages
5
I have been thinking of buying a new MKIII Hunter, thanks for the info. It has not changed my mind in buying this pistol but I will have to wait a little longer to look for more info concerning this problem.
 

Larryhoosier

Bearcat
Joined
Jun 2, 2009
Messages
7
I also have a MKIII which stove pipes about 20% of the time regardless of what ammo I'm using. I have one mag which doesn't lock back the slide and one which does. I have replaced the extractor with one from Volquarzten, didn't help the stovepipes. I have rounded off the mag rear tabs, didn't help the stovepipes. I have completely taken off the LCI, didn't help the stovepipes. I installed the Volquartzen accurizing kit, made the trigger much better, but still stovepipes. Replaced the Hi-Viz front sight (came standard on my model gun) with a standard front sight because wouldn't adjust low enough to zero. Replaced the v-notched rear sight insert (see previous problem). And Oh yes, worst gun to disassemble of any I have ever worked with, and I have Glock, Kahr, Smith, Kimber, and Cigur semi-autos. Now, I know that all of the ultra-sensitive Rugerholics will tell me that I have done something terrible and wrong in regards to all of this and that it is all my fault. I have practically rebuilt this target pistol from the plastic case up and I still don't have a reliable target pistol to shoot! Lest you think that I'm just one of those "raging Ruger-haters", my wife has a 22/45 which is reasonably reliable, also has the Volquartzen accurizing kit but the trigger on it isn't nearly as smooth even with the kit. I quess what I really want to say is I don't believe Ruger became a solid member of the shooting fraternity in the past by building this type of product and sending stuff back to the factory is, well, unsatisfactory! Bottom line is, I have two unreliable weapons in my stable, one Ruger and one Kahr. I will be getting rid of both and will not be buying anymore Ruger or Kahr products.
 

Waldo Pepper

Bearcat
Joined
Jan 8, 2008
Messages
50
Location
Big MO
Has anyone read my last round in magazine post? Two Mk III Hunter's with same problem at the range? It is a odd one for sure, would like to know why.
 

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