Ruger MK III pistols incorporate two new features that frankly are answers to questions that nobody asked. The first is a magazine disconnect feature. The second is a LCI, or loaded chamber indicator. Please! We’re talking target pistols, and even some plinkers, and honestly, if you don’t know that your gun is loaded with a round in the chamber, you likely don’t have any business owning a gun. The design of Ruger’s magazine disconnect places an asymmetrical load on the sear/hammer interface, and increase the trigger pull to absolutely unacceptable levels.
I recently bought a Ruger Mk III 22/45 Light in cobalt blue with the shark gill treatment. Let me be honest. I needed another .22 pistol like a hole in the head, but I like the looks. I immediately detested the mag disconnect and LCI. Fortunately a company called Tandemkross makes a dandy stainless steel precision milled bushing that replaces the factory bushing when you yank the mag disconnect out of the guts of the gun. They also make a blanking plate, allowing you to get rid of the LCI and replacing it with a precision machined plate to cover the hole.
I made both mods, and I’m really happy. The interface between sear/hammer is now symmetrical, the trigger is smooth, lighter, and breaks cleanly. The factory LCI internal protrusion, which does cause misfeeds and jams, is gone. Best of all, the gun comes apart just like a Mk II, with no need to insert a mag during reassembly or takedown. Hmmm, isn’t it rule one that the magazine is removed from the gun before you even think about cleaning it?
Tandemkross has a great video showing how easy both mods are. I’ve been on the firing line with shooters who have unmodified Mk III’s, and they prefer my modified Mk III. I don’t usually promote a manufacturer, but Tandemkross is worth a look–and a purchase.
Ruger MK III pistols incorporate two new features that frankly are answers to questions that nobody asked. The first is a magazine disconnect feature. The second is a LCI, or loaded chamber indicator. Please! We’re talking target pistols, and even some plinkers, and honestly, if you don’t know that your gun is loaded with a round in the chamber, you likely don’t have any business owning a gun. The design of Ruger’s magazine disconnect places an asymmetrical load on the sear/hammer interface, and increase the trigger pull to absolutely unacceptable levels.
I recently bought a Ruger Mk III 22/45 Light in cobalt blue with the shark gill treatment. Let me be honest. I needed another .22 pistol like a hole in the head, but I like the looks. I immediately detested the mag disconnect and LCI. Fortunately a company called Tandemkross makes a dandy stainless steel precision milled bushing that replaces the factory bushing when you yank the mag disconnect out of the guts of the gun. They also make a blanking plate, allowing you to get rid of the LCI and replacing it with a precision machined plate to cover the hole.
I made both mods, and I’m really happy. The interface between sear/hammer is now symmetrical, the trigger is smooth, lighter, and breaks cleanly. The factory LCI internal protrusion, which does cause misfeeds and jams, is gone. Best of all, the gun comes apart just like a Mk II, with no need to insert a mag during reassembly or takedown. Hmmm, isn’t it rule one that the magazine is removed from the gun before you even think about cleaning it?
Tandemkross has a great video showing how easy both mods are. I’ve been on the firing line with shooters who have unmodified Mk III’s, and they prefer my modified Mk III. I don’t usually promote a manufacturer, but Tandemkross is worth a look–and a purchase.