I'm getting re-aquainted with a gun I used to shoot years ago. It belonged to my father, but I think I had more rounds though it as a kid than he did. He hasn't touched it in about 10 years so he transfered it to me now that I'm getting more interested in shooting. The bad news is I don't think it was ever cleaned. Fortunately, I don't think we really shot it that much either.

 

So the quesiton is, do I take it to a smith to make sure it's safe? Do I just strip it, clean it, and (as long as everything appears to be in working order) take it to the range. Or, since stripping it is a huge pain, do I just douse it with Hoppes, clean what I can with some q-tips and cleaning squares on a skewer and hope for the best?

 

I know for a fact it was in working order when he put it on the shelf, and he also recalls taking it plinking about 3 years ago, but could be mistaken.

 

Thanks!

 

BTW its a stainless target model. Pics TK if anyone is interested.

Everyone should know how to strip their weapon for cleaning. Even if you already know, I would do that first no matter what, give it a good inspection, make sure that it was put away 10 years ago inthe correct order and check the insides of the barrel.

 

I don't consider my MkIII to be that big a deal to take apart and it gets easier the more often you do it.

Thanks. I'm definitely stripping it. This is a first for me with this firearm, so I'll post if I have any trouble. But that was my plan. Just trying to get a sense of how concerned people would be about a 10 year old unused, uncleaned mark II. Ie "obviously take it to the smith" or "just hose it down and hit the range"

It's a Mark II. I'm not sure I would even bother with hosing it down.

 

Mine sat at least 10 years between firings. More like 12-14. The day after I joined CR, I took it to the range and proceeded to put 250 rounds through it over the next hour or so.

Glad to hear they tollerate neglect well.

 

Got it apart and back together. Not as scary as the internet made it sound, although the saftey thing was a little annoying. Couldn't get the slide to rack for a while. Honestly not totally sure what I did to fix it, but it's together now!

its a ruger... it will work forever.

If you plan to strip it, first make sure you have a copy of the manual. It's not you won't curse, you will just curse less. It is a wonderful gun except for that.

 

I just spray them down with gunscrubber and add oil every 10k rounds or so. If you go the gunscrubber route, make sure you take the plastic grips off first, they can get damaged

I would suggest you get your PC up and running, especially if you have a laptop and go to Youtube and type in Ruger Mark III disassembly, then search for cleaning, and then Ruger Mark III assembly. Ruger has its videos on there. At least watch them before you do it, and/or watch them and pause them, etc. as you do it. That goes for other products as well such as the 10/22, etc. The Mark II and III break down the same. There are lots of videos on youtube for much firearm maintenance and some of them are actually one pretty well.

 

I love the Mark II. For me, it is the most accurate handgun. I just picked up a Ruger Mark III Hunter and would probably trade it in a heartbeat for a Ruger Mark II Stainless Target in perfect condition.

I was wondering what kind of ammo everyone uses in their Mark II? I just picked up a used competition model and was going to get some ammo for it. Thanks

I was wondering what kind of ammo everyone uses in their Mark II? I just picked up a used competition model and was going to get some ammo for it. Thanks

 

Anything roughly shaped like .22 rimfire will work just fine. ::

Anything roughly shaped like .22 rimfire will work just fine. : :

 

Aren't you funny. I know some of these shoot better with certain brands, was just trying to feel out what people have come to like better

I like the CCI mini mags best.

Anything but Remington Golden Bullets.

Mine will shoot anything just fine.

I know some of these shoot better with certain brands,

 

After you try any .22 rimfire in the gun, then you can "unknow" it. A Ruger Mark II is an ammo insensitive gun.

 

Even the Remington Golden bullets will shoot just fine, the problem with that ammo is that 5% of it won't have a primer.

Mine will shoot anything just fine.

 

 

After you try any .22 rimfire in the gun, then you can "unknow" it. A Ruger Mark II is an ammo insensitive gun.

 

Even the Remington Golden bullets will shoot just fine, the problem with that ammo is that 5% of it won't have a primer.

+1

Some guns will be more accurate with one ammo then the other, but its not like it is going to be a firearm model wide issue. You may find an ammo your Mk II likes best but its not like all Mk IIs like the same ammo.

Thanks for the help. Bought some CCI mini, Blazer, and Federal Champion to test out