Ruger Mark III Problem

[james13]

I have a Mark III Competition model that I bought from a fellow board member for over a year. It probably has between 4,000 and 5,000 rounds fired. Overall it has been pretty reliable aside from the occasional FTE.

A week ago the bolt stopped locking back after the last round had been fired. I have two magazines and this occurs with both of them. I cleaned/oiled and then went back to the range yesterday and I still had the same problem.

 

[RichM]

Check for rounding on the bolt lock, especially if you release the bolt using the lever. Use the slingshot method to release the bolt... pull back slightly in the bolt "ears" and release.

Volquartsen makes a good quality replacement bolt lock lever.

 

[Coyote33]

Could just use a good cleaning in that area. I had it before, along with some other stuff. Gave it a huge cleaning and oiling, and it was better. I'm talking take it apart and use a toothbrush, toothpick, and Q-Tips.

 

[eisenhow]

Check for rounding on the bolt lock, especially if you release the bolt using the lever. Use the slingshot method to release the bolt... pull back slightly in the bolt "ears" and release.

Volquartsen makes a good quality replacement bolt lock lever.

I've seen the ears get rounded very quickly due to using the bolt stop as a bolt release.

 

[RichM]

Check for rounding on the bolt lock, especially if you release the bolt using the lever. Use the slingshot method to release the bolt... pull back slightly in the bolt "ears" and release.

Volquartsen makes a good quality replacement bolt lock lever.

I've seen the ears get rounded very quickly due to using the bolt stop as a bolt release.

I thought that's what I said...

 

[james13]

Check for rounding on the bolt lock, especially if you release the bolt using the lever. Use the slingshot method to release the bolt... pull back slightly in the bolt "ears" and release.

Volquartsen makes a good quality replacement bolt lock lever.

I do release the bolt with the lever, so I would bet that is the problem. I've been thinking about buying the Volquartsen Accurizing Kit so there is no time like the present.

 

[eisenhow]

I thought that's what I said...

I was agreeing with you. I also have a pet peeve about people using a slide/bolt stop as a release.

 

[RichM]

I do release the bolt with the lever, so I would bet that is the problem. I've been thinking about buying the Volquartsen Accurizing Kit so there is no time like the present.

You don't need the Accurizing Kit... just get the sear, trigger, extractor, and extended bolt stop. See this thread, and check rimfirecentral.com for some really good information.

Bulls-eye's pages do an excellent job of helping with dis- and re-assembly.

 

[jasons]

Check for rounding on the bolt lock, especially if you release the bolt using the lever.

I've seen the ears get rounded very quickly due to using the bolt stop as a bolt release.

+1 to both of you. It drives me nuts when I see people do this!

 

[james13]

I stripped the Ruger down again last night and took a closer look at the bolt release. At the point where the bolt meets the bolt stop there is a very small nick/chip on the bolt release.