Bolt release

billythemtn · Post by **billythemtn** » Sun Apr 11, 2010 9:11 pm

Hey everybody!
New user here. First of all I'd like to thank everyone for the excellent advise, pictures, links and help with regards to the Ruger MK II & III's. I have built up a new MK III and accessorized it seemingly without any catches so far.
While trying out different ammo yesterday, I began to experience a few too many fail to feed properly's. At first I thought it was the ammo (Federal Bulk) but then I began to notice when it jammed, the magazine was partially ejected. Since I added a pair of laminated wood Volquartsen grips I thought maybe they were binding the magazine release extension button.
I took off the grip and noticed that when the bolt release was depressed it would contact the spring button on the magazine (where you have to pull it down to load) enough to release the magazine.
I am puzzled now and am wondering how maybe re-assembly of gun with accurizing kit may have gone wrong. I don't think the bolt release should have any affect on magazine. Anyone have any issues like this?

blue68f100 · Post by **blue68f100** » Sun Apr 11, 2010 9:56 pm

First, Welcome to Guntalk-Online

Get in the habit of using the slingshot method to release the bolt. The Bolt catch is just a catch not release according to Ruger, and most mfg follow this. Using the lever to release, wears the catch. Grips can keep the bolt from locking open, should not impact the release, unless it pinching the release button. If that's the case you need to give it some clearance.

As far as magazine not fully seating there could be several reasons. First it could be an operator issue, not fully seating it. Some time you need to hit them hard if the bolt is closed. Get in the habit of seating with bolt open make it easier. You also need to check to see if the mag lip is contacting the ejector, if so it's setting to high. You also need to make sure the catch is in good shape. Once seated, see if you can manually pull the mag out.

Is it coming loose during shooting? There was one that cam through here recently that had a bad catch.

billythemtn · Post by **billythemtn** » Sun Apr 11, 2010 11:03 pm

David,
Thanks for the pointers! I appreciate it... I will definitely use the bolt release less to minimize wear.
I tried adding a couple layers of masking tape under grips to see if shimming a few thou would help. nada.
The real issue is the magazine releasing during firing - randomly. I don't remember it happening before I installed accurizing kit - although I have not yet put 500 rounds through it. I assumed the jams I got with the Federal ammo were ammo related. When I looked, the magazine had partially ejected during the feed cycle and the round didn't make it to the chamber. The bolt definitely catches after the last round. I'm just trying to think of any detail I may have missed during accurizing kit installation...

Post by **Bullseye** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 6:32 am

I believe your looking at a symptom and not the problem. The bolt release is supposed to touch the magazine follower button and it should not affect the magazine's placement. What you appear to have here is a magazine locking system that is not fully latching the magazines, likely from the magazine release button not fully engaging the mag's locking bump. When the bolt release contacts the mag follower button then the only thing that should result is the button gets pushed down a little not a mag dislodging from the locked position. On the flip side, the contact between these two parts is essential as the follower button is what engages the latch to lock the bolt open after the last round is expended from the magazine. I'd look very carefully at the VQ extended mag release button as there have been several problems with these in the recent past.

R,
Bullseye

billythemtn · Post by **billythemtn** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 9:33 pm

Thanks for the feedback.
Do you think there may not be enough relief in the grip where the extended mag release button fits? If there was not enough relief, it (release extension) would partially depress the mag release when the grips were tightened.
I'll get a chance to spend some time with it tomorrow eve.

Post by **Bullseye** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 11:56 pm

How does it latch with the grips off? I'm thinking currently with those grips, if you reached up and pulled on the bottom of the magazine it will dislodge. But the question is will it do the same thing with the grips off? If it does then the magazine latch button is suspect not the grips.

R,
Bullseye

billythemtn · Post by **billythemtn** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 7:54 pm

With grips off there is a really audible "click" when magazine engages catch. When I put grips back on, I had to really forcible push up to get same "click". I could see right half of grip extended a little further down past the bottom of handle. I sanded the right half to be even with the left half and I am back in business. Magazine stays in.
I am now having trigger reset issue at least 1 -2 per magazine even with trigger adjustment screws adjusted out. I will put more rounds thru it to break everything in. Did I read a thread somewhere in here where the VQ trigger return spring is a tad weaker than the factory spring? I ask this in case it does not correct, I may be able to put factory spring back in to get reliable reset.
Again, thanks for everyones help on this!

Post by **Bullseye** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 8:39 pm

First I'd check the inside of the receiver tube. How does the trigger reset with the receiver tube off the frame and the mainspring installed? If it resets properly then your tube is interfering with the disconnector. Put the receiver back onto the fame and leave the bolt out and look inside the hole. On the right side of the hammer is the disconnector. Lately there's been quite a few Rugers that have had this issue. The disconnector should be slightly bent inward (approx. 5°) about 1/3 of the way down. This bend provides the clearance from the cut end of the underside of the receiver.

If you look at this link you can see the top of the disconnector just to the right of the hammer. http://www.guntalk-online.com/images/22 ... fsra03.jpg

R,
Bullseye

billythemtn · Post by **billythemtn** » Thu Apr 15, 2010 1:56 pm

The trigger did reset with receiver off. Looking at the disconnect lever, there was no bend at all in it. It rode flush with the inside of handle hsg. It seemed like the magazine disconnect lever and spring were adding side force to the disconnect lever.
I put a very slight bend in the disconnect lever and also fine sanded and polished the inside, bottom milled edge of the receiver tube which was pretty burred up from factory - adding to the interference.
Today I put 200 rounds thru it without issue. I enjoyed the zen of detail stripping my new MK III many times and adding the upgrades, but nowhere near as much as I'm going to enjoy shooting it.
I'm a previous MK II owner and did not shoot it near enough. It has morphed into this project. Thank you for your help with this!
When I learn how to imbed a photo I will.

Post by **Bullseye** » Thu Apr 15, 2010 4:24 pm

Dave wrote a nice description abouyt posting photos in this thread: http://www.guntalk-online.com/forum/vie ... php?t=1329

R,
Bullseye