Ruger Mark III Instruction Manual

11
OPERATION OF INTERNAL LOCK
Never rely upon any safety mechanism or mechanical device to justify unsafe or
careless handling of a firearm.  When securing your pistol or to prevent
unauthorized access, you should completely unload the pistol and store it in a
gun safe or use the key-operated external locking device supplied with your
pistol. (See Page 5.)  However, for added security, and to comply with certain
state and local laws, your RUGER
®MARK IIIpistol is also equipped with
an internal lock....

12
WARNING —AMMUNITION
IMPROPER AMMUNITION
DESTROYS GUNS
AMMUNITION (CARTRIDGES) NOTICE
WE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE
OR INJURY WHATSOEVER OCCURRING IN CONNECTION WITH, OR
AS THE RESULT OF, THE USE IN RUGER PISTOLS OF FAULTY, OR
NONSTANDARD, OR “REMANUFACTURED” OR HANDLOADED
(RELOADED) AMMUNITION, OR OF CARTRIDGES OTHER THAN
THOSE FOR WHICH THE FIREARM WAS ORIGINALLY CHAMBERED.
Death, serious injury, and damage can result
from the use of wrong ammunition, bore
obstructions,...

13
4.Engage the safety by moving it fully upward so the “S” shows completely. (See
Figure 2, p. 10.)
5. Put ten (10) or fewer .22 caliber Long Rifle cartridges into the magazine. In
loading the magazine make sure that all of the cartridges lie parallel and
evenly in the magazine. The follower button on the left side of the magazine is
used to lower the follower so the cartridges can be readily inserted.
CAUTION: When using the follower button, have it under control.
When loading or handling the magazine,...

14
WARNING —FIRING
9.Immediately following the firing of a shot, and if a subsequent shot is not to be
fired at once, put the safety in its “safe” position while the pistol is still
pointing in a safe direction down range. Never put a loaded pistol down with
the safety off!
BOLT OPENS FAST -
HOT BRASS EJECTED
The bolt automatically opens and shuts
quickly while firing. Keep face and
hands away from rear. Hot brass is
ejected quickly and can burn you. Always
wear shooting glasses and hearing
protectors....

15
WARNING  —  
   HANDLING
ANY GUN MAY FIRE IF DROPPED
10. When the last cartridge loaded into the pistol has been fired, the magaz\
ine
follower presses the slide stop upward to engage the slide automatically\
holding the action open.  If the slide is shut, the shooter should always
assume that there is a cartridge in the chamber!
Don’t rely on your memory to know if a gun or magazine is loaded. Visually
inspect the magazine and the chamber. If dropped or struck with the safety
“off,” the pistol may...

When the chamber is loaded, the rearmost portion of the loaded chamber
indicator should protrude from the left side of the receiver, and a red dot also
should be visible on the forward top portion of the loaded chamber indicator.
(See Figure 5B, below.)
TO UNLOAD
NOTE: This sequence must be followed exactly as spelled out. Failure to do so can
result in the pistol’s chamber becoming unintentionally loaded with a cartridge.
1.The muzzle of the pistol must be pointing in a safe direction at all times, and...

and briskly retract the bolt to its rearmost position. As the bolt nears the end
of its retraction, the chambered cartridge should be extracted and ejected.
When the bolt is fully retracted, push upward on bolt stop with thumb, then
allow bolt to move forward slowly until it comes to rest against the bolt stop. 
Always visually double check the chamber and the interior area of the receiver
and the magazine-well to be certain there are no cartridges present. Gently
shake the pistol to dislodge any...

18
4. If desired, the bolt can be left in the open position, being held there by the bolt
stop. If it is desired to close the bolt, again look to be certain the chamber is
empty. Assuming that the magazine is not in the pistol and that the safety is
“on” (S), retract the bolt to its rearmost position, release it, and the bolt will
snap forward (on Mark III models). On 22/45 models the bolt stop button must
be depressed. Keep your fingers out of the receiver!
5.With the muzzle pointed in a safe direction,...

19
WARNING —MALFUNCTIONS
TO CLEAR AMALFUNCTION ( JAM )
1.Be certain the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction and the safety is “on” (S).
2. If possible, first remove the magazine. It may be necessary to manually
remove a jammed cartridge which has only partially been stripped from the
magazine. If so, use extreme care. Lock the bolt open with the bolt stop
before attempting to clear the jam. Drawing the bolt fully to the rear may
bring the jammed cartridge along. Keep your face away from the ejection...

20
a.Make certain the gun and the magazine are unloaded and that the
safety is “on” (S). Remember, the magazine should be removed first,
then check the chamber and be certain it and the magazine-well are
clear of cartridges.
b. Thoroughly clean the magazine and bolt mechanism, paying
particular attention to removing accumulated grease. Use a bristle brush
and solvent to remove grease and fouling from the bolt face, the
extractor, the chamber, and the feed ramp. (See the “Care and Cleaning”
section of...