[CA357]

I have a Mark III that is just a kick in the pants to shoot, but now it needs a proper cleaning. When I flip the lever on the rear of the grip, I can't get it to lever outward. Any ideas?
Thanks.

[Rick1967]

I have the 22/45 which I believe is the next model after yours. With mine I flip the lever out GENTLY with a small screwdriver. Then it pivots in the bolt assembly. You pull the assembly straight down. Do you have a book? With mine if you don't have it pointing the right way, up or down, when you reassemble it won't shoot. If you need the book, I could probably scan a few pages for you.

[stalkingbear]

Are you remembering to dry fire it before trying to field strip it? That relieves all the tension on the mainspring and moves the hammer & strut. Call Ruger and request the free manual. Once you have manual in hand it'll be easy IF you go exactly according to directions.

[CA357]

Duh, I haven't done the dry firing part. It goes against my grain to dry fire a .22. I'll try it now.

[Bear_Down]

Step #1 Verify the pistol is unloaded. Open the bolt and inspect the chamber.
Step #2 Insert an empty magazine into the pistol.
Step #3 Squeeze the trigger, listen for the hammer to "click". Note - Hammer must be in the fully up or uncocked position to proceed with the disassembly. Also the pistol's internal locking screw must be turned fully flush with the key to remove Mainspring Housing. (Picture here)

Step #4 Open the mainspring latch and then swing the mainspring housing out of the frame well. (22/45 must remove magazine before unlatching mainspring housing)
Step #5 Pull mainspring housing downwards to remove the bolt stop pin from the recevier. Remove the entire mainspring assemby from the frame.

Step #6 Pull bolt rearwards until it is clear of the receiver. Note - Hammer will now be in the down or cocked position.

Step #7 Remove the magazine from the grip frame. Caution - The receiver will not come off of the frame if a magazine is installed. (22/45 skip to step #8)

Step #8 Slide pistol's receiver forward until it separates from the grip frame. (tap receiver with a mallet if necessary.) Pistol is now field stripped for cleaning or other maintenance.

And reverse process to re-assemble

[CA357]

That was it. Thanks guys.

[CA357]

It's clean and now I'm reassembling it. The bolt stop won't seat completely. It won't go about the last quarter inch. What am I doing wrong?

[NGIB]

The strut isn't falling into place in the mainspring carrier. Take it apart again. When reassembling, the bolt goes in, move the hammer all the way forward, hold the gun upside down and reinsert the "lever thingy" thru the bolt into it's hole in the receiver, start to fold the thingy back in while tilting the gun backward (upside down so tilt the barrel up) so the strut tilts back, fold it in all the way and close the lever...

(Since you said Mk III, you'll have to insert the mag to move the hammer forward after installing the bolt. I removed the loaded chamber indicator and the mag disconnect from mine to make it easier))

[KMO]

When I first ordered my Mark III, I found 3 excellent videos on YouTube by a guy named patriot36. For YouTube videos, he really did an excellent job with lighting, camera work, and a rare articulate narration. These are 3 10-minute videos worth watching...

YouTube - Ruger MkIII Field Stripping Part 1 of 3

YouTube - Ruger MkIII Field Stripping Part 1 of 3

[CA357]

Thanks, I bookmarked the videos.