Ruger Mark III Instruction Manual

							Always unload a firearm
before cleaning, lubrication,
disassembly or assembly.
2. Insert a blunt, ‘pointed’ instrument in the oval recess of the mainspring
housing (at the back of the grip) and swing the housing latch open like the
blade of a pocket knife. (Some users find that a paper clip, looped over the
latch, is an ideal ‘instrument’ for this phase of disassembly.)
3. Swing the entire housing outward on its pivot and pull downward, removing
the mainspring housing and bolt stop pin. With new pistols it may be
necessary to lightly tap (with a plastic hammer and wooden dowel) on the
top portion of the bolt stop pin—which protrudes above the receiver—while
pulling downward on the mainspring housing. Be careful not to damage the
rear sight.
4. Fully insert the empty
magazine into the frame. Point the muzzle upward in
a safe direction and pull the trigger rearward. The bolt will drop out of the
receiver or it can readily be removed.
5. With the mainspring housing, bolt stop pin (as an assembly), and bolt
removed, a forward blow (with a plastic hammer) on the rear of the receiver
will disengage the barrel-receiver assembly from the grip frame. No attempt
should be made to remove rivets or staked pins. Further disassembly should
be undertaken only by the factory.
REASSEMBLY
(The procedure is the same for all RUGER® MARK IIIpistols.)
1. Be cer
tain the pistol is free of
cartridges!  The safety must be
in the off (F) position for
reassembly.
2. Keep your finger off the
trigger.  Place the hammer in
the horizontal (cocked) position.
(The hammer is visible by
looking down on the grip frame
and is the rectangular object
inside the grip frame and near
the rear. See Figure 6.)
21
Figure 6
Hammer
F
UNLOAD BEFORE
CLEANING
WARNING — DISASSEMBLY123       
						

							22
If you cannot place the hammer in the horizontal
position, it is most likely because the hammer
strut is trapped behind the crosspin (see Figure 7
– not applicable to 22/45 models).  If this occurs,
lift the hammer to free the hammer strut from
behind the crosspin and then move the hammer
into the horizontal position.
If the hammer has been rotated too far forward, it
also may be difficult to rotate backwards. Inserting
the empty
magazine fully into the magazine well
will allow the hammer to rotate backwards into a
horizontal position. Once the hammer is
horizontal, remove the empty magazine.
Before placing the barrel receiver onto the frame,
make sure that the loaded chamber indicator pin
(Part No. A02611 / Key No. 7 on p. 36) has not
fallen out of the receiver.
Figure 7
Figure 8AFigure 8B
3. Place the barrel receiver on top of the frame so that the square lug engages
the square front recess on the underside of the receiver (see Figure 8A).  Push
the barrel rearward until it stops, with the rear end of the receiver slightly over-
hanging the rear end of the grip frame (see Figure 8B).  If alignment cannot be
achieved by hand pressure, place the pistol (muzzle down) on a padded bench
and strike the rear of the grip frame immediately below the receiver with a
plastic or wooden mallet.  Be careful not to damage the grip frame.  HAMMER STRUT
CROSSPIN     
						

							4. Fully insert the emptymagazine back
into the magazine well. Point the muzzle up
in a safe direction and pull the trigger.
Gravity should cause the hammer to return
to the cocked position if it became dislodged
in step 3 (see Figure 9).  If not, reach into
the rear of the receiver and push the
hammer back down flat (into the horizontal
position). When the hammer is in this
position, remove the empty magazine.
5. NOTE: Before sliding the bolt into the
receiver, BE CERTAIN that the firing pin stop
(part number A03500, a small pin) is in the
bolt. (See Figure 10.) Without this pin, the
first time the trigger is pulled
on an assembled pistol, the
firing pin will fly forward so
far as to irreparably dent the
rear end of the chamber of
the barrel, making the pistol
useless.  Now, slide the bolt
(with the recoil spring
upward) fully forward into
the receiver. (See Figure 10.)  
6. Insert the empty
magazine into the magazine well, point the muzzle toward
the ground in a safe direction and pull the trigger. The hammer should fall to its
full for
ward position. If it does not, retract the bolt partially and manipulate the
hammer through the slot in the rear of the frame until the hammer is in its full
forward position. Remove the empty magazine.
Point the muzzle toward the ground.  With the
pistol in this position, hold the mainspring
housing bolt stop pin assembly and press the bolt
stop pin through the holes in the receiver and
bolt until the tip of the pin protrudes beyond the
top of the receiver.  (See Figure 11.)  You may
need to tap the mainspring housing into position
with a rubber or wooden mallet.
The pin must be fully in place to close the latch in
Step 8.  Do not yet move the mainspring housing
into the frame.
23
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 9
PUSH UP UNTIL
BOLT STOP PIN
PROTRUDES
HEREFIRING
PIN STOP       
						

							8. The housing latch can now be snapped shut,
completing assembly.  (See Figure 14.)  Spring
pressure should be felt just before the housing is
fully shut if the internal parts are correctly
aligned. 
9. To determine if reassembly was performed
correctly, pull the bolt backward and verify that
it opens fully.  If not, open the latch and repeat
steps 6 - 8, above.  
10. Replace empty
magazine, point pistol in a
safe direction and pull the trigger to uncock the gun. Guns should not be stored
loaded or cocked. Note that in order for the internal lock to be engaged, the pistol
must remain cocked, and the manual safety must be put “on” safe. (See p. 11.)
24
IF YOU HAVE DIFFICULTYREASSEMBLING THE PISTOL,
HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL TIPS!
If the mainspring housing pulls out of the gun when swung in, the barrel/
receiver assembly is not fully rearward on the frame. Repeat step 3, above.
Remember that it is essential that the hammer must be in its vertical, uncocked
position as the mainspring housing is swung shut. If the housing is excessively
difficult to close, the hammer is probably cocked. Repeat steps 6-9, above.
The foregoing may give the impression that reassembly is difficult, but it is
quickly and easily done once properly learned.
Figure 14
Figure 13
Figure 12
7. Now invert the pistol so that the muzzle is pointed upward.  Make sure you
can see the hammer strut when you lift the housing up. The hammer strut
should go into the oval-shaped cut inside the mainspring housing. (See Figure
12.) Hold the trigger to the rear. While holding the pistol in this position and
depressing the trigger, move the mainspring housing into its proper place in the
frame.  (See Figure 13.)    TIP OF
HAMMER
STRUT
OVAL CUT
INSIDE
MAINSPRING
HOUSING   
						

							MAGAZINE NOMENCLATURE
MAGAZINE DISASSEMBLY
TO DISASSEMBLE MAGAZINE: Withdraw magazine from pistol and remove all
cartridges (check chamber to be certain no cartridge remains in it).Hold
magazine upside down in left hand so that the hole in the Magazine Blockis
accessible.
1. With right hand, insert drift punch in hole and depress Magazine Block
Retaining Plungerapproximately 1/4.
2. Slide Magazine Blockforward slowly BEING VERY CAREFUL TO KEEP
PLUNGER AND SPRING UNDER CONTROL. If not contained, these parts will fly
out with considerable force. Therefore keep bottom end of magazine pointed
away from persons and objects.
3. With the Magazine Blockfully removed, the Plunger and Spring should be
slowly withdrawn. 
4. Now, holding magazine flat in left hand, align the Magazine Follower Button
with circular opening near the lower end of magazine body and lift out the
Magazine Follower Button.
5. The Magazine Followercan then be removed.
Reassemble in reverse order, being careful to contain the Spring and Plunger as
the Magazine Bottom is slid and locked into place. After reassembly has been
completed, test Magazine Followerto ensure it has free movement.
Always ‘ride’ the Magazine Follower Button up and down with your thumb.
Do not lower Follower Button and then permit it to snap up.
25
FOR 22/45
ONLYFOR ALL OTHER RUGER
MARK III PISTOLS   
						

							26
MAGAZINE DISASSEMBLY
DAMAGED, NON-STANDARD, OR IMPROPERLY
ASSEMBLED MAGAZINES SHOULD NOT BE USED.
THEY CAN CAUSE THE PISTOL TO MALFUNCTION.
CARE AND CLEANING
Make Sure Gun is Unloaded!
Before cleaning, be certain the pistol and its magazine contain no cartridges.
(See “To Unload,” p. 16.)
At regular intervals, or whenever the pistol has been exposed to sand, dust,
extreme humidity, condensation, immersion in water, or other adverse
conditions, disassemble, clean, and oil it. Proper periodic maintenance is
essential to the reliable functioning of any firearm.
To clean the pistol, proceed as follows;
1. Disassemble (field-strip) the pistol to the extent described on pages 20 - 21.
2. Using a cleaning rod, run a solvent-wetted patch through the bore several
times. Then attach a solvent-wetted bristle brush to the rod and run it back
and forth the full length of the bore as many times as necessary to remove
grease and dirt from the bore and chamber. Clean bore with dry patches and
examine. Bore fouling can contribute to reduced accuracy, and grease
accumulation in the chamber can interfere with proper feeding of cartridges
from the magazine.3 5
14 2Slide Block
Forward
Push UpRemove
Button
Remove Spring
& Plunger Remove Follower   
						

							STORAGE
GUNS SHOULD NOT BE STORED LOADED!
Do notkeep the pistol stored in a leather holster or case. Leather attracts
moisture, even though the holster or case may appear to be perfectly dry.
TO RENDER THE PISTOL INOPERATIVE FOR SAFE STORAGE
Be certain that the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction and that the safety is
“on” (S) if the pistol is cocked. Remove the magazine and carefully check it to
verify that it is completely empty. Draw the bolt fully rearward and visually
inspect the chamber to be certain that there is no cartridge in itand then release
the bolt. Insert the empty
magazine into the magazine well until it “clicks” and
is fully in place. Place the safety in the “off” (F) position. Point the pistol in a safe
direction and pull the trigger to uncock the pistol.
Firing a pistol with oil, grease, or any other
material even partially obstructing the bore
may result in damage to the pistol and
serious injury to the shooter and those
nearby.
Do not spray or apply lubricants directly on
ammunition. If the powder of a cartridge is
affected by the lubricant, it may not be
ignited, but the primer firing may push the
bullet into the bore where it may become
lodged. Firing a subsequent bullet into the
obstructed bore may damage the pistol and
cause serious injury or death to the shooter
and those nearby. Use lubricants properly.
You are responsible for the proper care and
maintenance of your firearms.
3. Using powder solvent on a clean patch or bristle brush, remove powder
residue from all components of the mechanism. After cleaning, run a dry
patch through the bore, then follow with a patch that is very lightly oiled.
Wipe all surfaces clean with a cloth, then wipe all surfaces with a patch or
cloth that has been very lightly oiled.
4.NOTE:Only a light application of oil is needed to provide adequate
lubrication of moving parts and to prevent rust. Excess accumulations of oil
tend to attract particles of dust and dirt and may congeal in cold weather
which can interfere with the safe and reliable function of the pistol.
5. If magazine becomes dirty, it should be disassembled and thoroughly cleaned
(see “Magazine Disassembly” section, p. 25).
6. Before firing remove all oil and grease from the bore. 
27
WARNING —LUBRICATION
IMPROPER LUBRICATION
DESTROYS GUNS
USE THE EXTERNAL LOCKING DEVICE
SUPPLIED WITH THE PISTOL FOR STORAGE.
(SEEPAGE5)     
						

							28
Using a paper clip or similar non-marring tool, pull down on the main spring
housing latch located at the lower rear of the pistol grip. Swing the main spring
housing upward. With the pistol pointed upward, pull the trigger. Now invert the
pistol so that it is pointing downward. Keeping the pistol pointing downward
swing the main spring housing back in to the pistol grip and push the latch back
into the main spring housing until it is flush with the pistol grip.
When assembled in this manner, it should be impossible to fully retract the bolt
to chamber a cartridge. With the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, test the
pistol by attempting to retract the bolt. If the bolt cannot be retracted more than
a fraction of an inch, the pistol has been assembled in an inoperative condition.
It is uncocked and cannot be fired without correct reassembly.
To reassemble the pistol for firing, again using a paper clip or similar non-
marring tool, pull down on the main spring housing latch and point the muzzle
upward. Pull the trigger and keep the muzzle pointed in an upward direction.
Swing the main spring housing back into position and shut the main spring
housing latch. Test the pistol to be sure it is correctly reassembled by attempting
to retract the bolt fully. If the bolt can be fully retracted, the pistol is correctly
reassembled and can be loaded and fired normally.
While the pistol is less likely to be used by unauthorized persons when
assembled in the above inoperative manner, it is always safest to store the
pistol with the supplied external locking device correctly installed on the pistol,
or to store the pistol in a gun safe or other secure location away from children
and unauthorized adults. Guns should always be stored securely, unloaded
and
separate from their ammunition.
To operate internal lock, see instructions and warnings on page 11.
Never place or store any firearm in
such a manner that it may be
dislodged. Firearms should always be
stored securely and unloaded, away
from children and careless adults. Use
the locking device originally supplied
with this firearm for storage.
The use of a locking device or safety
lock is only one aspect of responsible
firearms storage. For increased safety,
firearms should be stored unloaded
and locked in a location that is both
separate from their ammunition and
inaccessible to children and any other
unauthorized person.
STORE SECURELY &
UNLOADED
WARNING —STORAGE     
						

							SIGHT ADJUSTMENT
The Standard RUGER®MARK IIIpistol is equipped with a rear sight which
is adjustable for windage only. The rear sight can be drifted laterally in its
dovetail on the top of the slide by tapping it with a wooden or plastic headed
hammer or similar implement. The front sight is fixed. Target models are
equipped with adjustable sights. Turning the top (elevation) sight adjustment
screw clockwise lowers
the impact of the shot. Turning the horizontal (windage)
sight adjustment screw clockwise moves the impact of the shot to the left
.
29
SUGGESTED SIGHT PICTURE
Top of front sight even with top of
rear sight blade. Front sight
centered in notch of rear sight
blade. Target bull’s-eye centered on
top of front sight.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ATTACHING
THE SCOPE BASE
(Target Model Only)
1. Remove the filler screws from the top of the receiver.
2. Degrease the screw holes in the receiver.
3.  Degrease the scope base screws.
4. After the degreased areas are dry, place a drop of red LOCTITE adhesive/sealant
or equivalent to the scope base screws.
5. Set the scope base on the receiver with the side notch aligned with the ejection
port of the receiver.
6. Install the scope base screws and tighten.
7. Set the assembled pistol aside overnight to allow the adhesive to set up.
ATTACHING RUGER SCOPE RINGS
(Competition Models Only)
On the Mark III COMPETITION TARGET MODEL pistol, the rings fit the
removable base (A07000), which is attached as described above. Make sure the
scope base screws are tight before attaching the scope ring assemblies!
Iron sights can be used with the scope base mounted on top of the receiver, so
removal of the base is not normally necessary. Three “filler” screws (Part No. B-83)
are provided to fill the scope base screw holes if the user decides to remove the
base.
On the underside of each mounting ring assembly there is a locating “tab.” By
reference to this “tab,” the mounting ring can be assembled to the scope so that
the tab will fit correctly into the recess on the top of the receiver.   
						

							Disassemble one ring and reassemble over the scope body between the turret and
the eyepiece so that the clamp nut (D-73) is positioned to the right of the scope.
Install the four top screws. Do not tighten.
Disassemble the other ring and install it on the forward section of the scope tube
with the clamp nut positioned to the right of the scope. Install the four top
screws. Again, do not tighten.
Assemble the rings to the scope base with the locating “tabs” engaging the
recesses in the top surface of the base. Tighten the clamp nuts so that the rings
are locked to the semi-circular cuts on the sides of the scope base. Rotate the
scope until cross-hairs are aligned properly, and slide scope to desired eye relief.
Then tighten the eight top screws a bit at a time to grip the scope body. Sight in
according to the directions with your scope.
SERVICE AND PARTS POLICY
If you have any questions with regard to the performance of your RUGER®
MARK III pistol, please call (928-778-6555) or write our Prescott, Arizona
Product Service Department, fully describing all circumstances and conditions
involved. If you should return your pistol to the factory for repair, or order parts
for it, please comply with the following suggestions for prompt service:
30
SHIPPING FIREARMS FOR REPAIR
RUGER®MARK IIIpistols returned to the factory for services or repair
should be sent to: Sturm Ruger & Co., Inc., Product Service Department, 200
Ruger Road, Prescott, AZ 86301-6181. Telephone: (928) 778-6555.
Guns should be sent prepaid. W
e will not accept collect shipments.
The Federal Gun Control Act, as well as the laws of most States and localities, do
not prohibit an individual (who is not otherwise barred from purchasing or
possessing a firearm) from shipping a firearm directly to the manufacturer for
repair. However, before you ship your firearm to us, be certain that your State or
locality does not have a law or regulation which will prohibit you from receiving
it from us after it has been repaired. If such receiving is prohibited, then please
have a Federally Licensed firearms dealer ship the gun to us. If it is sent to us by
a dealer, it will be returned to him after being repaired. If a handgun (pistol or
revolver) is shipped by an individual who does not hold a Federal Firearms
License, it must
be shipped via U.P.S. (Next Day Air). Persons who do not hold a
Federal Firearms License are prohibited by Federal law from shipping a handgun
by Mail. Handguns mailed in violation of the law are impounded by the Post
Office.
Please do not include holster, custom grip panels, or custom accessories with a
firearm being shipped to the factory for service. DO NOT SEND GUN BOXES
OR LITERATURE THAT YOU CONSIDER TO BE COLLECTOR’S ITEMS -
THESE ARE INVARIABLY DAMAGED OR DESTROYED IN SHIPMENT.
Always insure your shipment.
WARNING: BEFORE SHIPPING ANY FIREARM, 
BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT IT AND ITS MAGAZINES
ARE UNLOADED. DO NOT SHIP CARTRIDGES WITH A
FIREARM.