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I know. You're all thinking...not another one. But I did a search and didn't find any discussion of my problem. Although it doesn't seem that I am alone with this problem...the manual even mentions it.

I owned a Mark II stainless a few years ago, so take down is not new to me. I did learn very quickly that the Mark II and the 22/45 MkIII are different in taken down procedures. I quickly mastered the new procedure.

My problem was in removing the bolt stop pin from the receiver....and then reinstalling it. I had to use the wood dowel and hammer trick to remove it and brute force to reinstall it.

Since I'm installing a Weigand "no gunsmithing" scope mount this week, I knew that the wood dowel trick was no good. This scope mount covers the top of the pin.

Removing the pin, I saw burrs on the sides of the pin, presumably caused by the bolt. Thinking this was the problem, I buffed them off with my die grinder and Scotch pad. I also smoothed and polished the pin top to remove the machine marks. This removed the bluing, but no matter. Still could not install or remove this pin without use of a mallet and dowel.

Removing the pin again, I noticed that the nubbin (circled) on the recoil spring yoke was sharp. I carefully filed it smooth and ramped it top and bottom. Then I eased the sharp edges of the yoke. On the pin, itself, I eased the sharp edge (circled).

Problem solved. I can now remove and install without the use of tools.

Photo shows before....not after.

I've polished up the butterfly on the recoil rod before but never saw a need to smooth the bolt stop. Looks like a good fix, especially under the circumstances that you described with the scope mount. Thanks for posting your solution.

R,
Bullseye

Jack D, I just bought a new MKIII 22/45 Target. And it gave me hemoroids just trying to take it apart and reassembling it. I looked at these 2 parts after reading your experience, saw where they were binding on each other and filed them down. It seems like they were machined inadverdently in such a way that they would lock themselves together instead of slide by each other. I can now take it apart and reassemble with my bare hands also. Thanks from the bottom of my bottom.
Bulls Eye, I vote this gets stickied for all the new owners that have similar problems. Had I known this right off , Preperation H would not be required for taking these apart. rj

I looked at mine and my is built different than yours. And a replacement I bought last year for my neighbors MKII was built like mine. The ears stick out far enough so there is 1/8" gap before things will hit. Which makes me wonder if the U end was secured properly to the rod. Or the recoil spring may be so weak that the bolt is bottoming out, damaging the U end. If new making me wonder if Ruger has cheapened up the Recoil Spring assembly.