Ruger MarkIII 22/45 Need Help!!!!!

ruger357 · Post by **ruger357** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:13 pm

Hi I'm a new user. I screwed up my new gun and need help!

I been online and feel you guys can help me. I viewed the video on the Ruger site to disassemble the 22/45. I started out wrong and I never got it tore down. I'm at a point where the mainspring will only come out about a half an inch, the bolt will only slide back about 3/4 of an inch and then it's stiff or stuck and I cannot get the magazine back in the gun. I need some advice as to what to do now. Should I take to a Gunsmith or what?

Post by **Bullseye** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:01 pm

Sounds like your hammer is either cocked or partially cocked. If this condition happens you cannot open the mainspring because the hammer strut is preventing it from rotating out of the frame. Did you go to this page when disassembling your 22/45? http://guntalk-online.com/2245detailstripping.htm You'll need to move the hammer fully forward and first we must figure out what is preventing the mag installation.

The magazine installation problem is missing some critical information. Is the latch open on the mainspring housing? Is this the part that is preventing the mag from reentering the magwell of the frame? If so, can you close the latch on the mainspring housing? Otherwise look up into the magwell and see if anything else is obstructing the magazine from reentering the frame. I cannot imagine anything but the mainspring latch assembly prohibiting the mag from reinstalling into the frame.

R,
Bullseye

ruger357 · Post by **ruger357** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 5:12 am

Thanks for your help Bullseye, I was hoping you would reply. I have looked up in the frame what seems like a million times and can't see anything that looks like it is stopping the magazine from going up in there. The magazine will go in up to about the last 1 1/2". If I unlatch the mainspring and pull it out as far as it will go, the bolt moves free with no abstructions and the magazine will slide up in the frame easily.

I thought it might be the hammer too but I can't see anyway to move it with the gun assembled.

Thank You for your help! ruger357

ruger357 · Post by **ruger357** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:53 am

I don't think I answered your question completely. I didn't know about your site untill it was too late. The mainspring latch is closed all the way. When the magazine is inserted in the frame it will go up past the mainspring latch.

Post by **Bullseye** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 6:03 am

If you can get the mag inserted then you can use this procedure to move the hammer fully forward. Take a block of wood and place it on the floor. With an empty mag inserted into the frame, grab the trigger and pull and hold it rearward. Turn the muzzle end of the pistol downwards towards the floor. Strike the muzzle end of the pistol very firmly (hard) onto the block of wood while continuing to hold the trigger rearward. The inertia from the blow will force the hammer fully forward. Remove the mag and try reopening the mainspring housing. It should swing fully open now. If not do the procedure again and don't be shy with striking the pistol onto the block of wood. This will free up the hammer strut and allow you to disassemble the pistol.

R,
Bullseye

ruger357 · Post by **ruger357** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 8:20 pm

Thank You Bullseye!!! Your solution worked prefect. I did what you said and the mainspring was freed. Thank You!
I then went straight to my laptop and pulled up your step by step instructions on how to disassemble it. I had a little trouble getting the latch pin out and I thought for awhile the barrel was put on with super glue. In the end it's clean, put back together and shoots great! Thank You again for your great site and your excellent help!

Post by **Bullseye** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 8:39 pm

My pleasure! I'm glad that it all worked out for you. You are not the first person who has encountered a problem like that one. I always get a good feeling when someone's stress is relieved from something I've suggested. Now go out and enjoy that new pistol!

R,
Bullseye