Ruger Mark II -- What's the secret to taking it apart?

Question

I find the manual a bit terse.  The instructional videos online make it look incredibly easy, but I must be missing something, as I can't get it apart.

I've gotten through these parts ok:

1. remove magazine and check chamber is empty.
2. relieve tension on mainspring by pulling trigger.
3. Using a paper clip, swing out metal "tongue" from back of grip.

That's as far as I got.  The instruction videos show the next part as swinging out an assembly from the back of the grip.   It looks like the person did this with just two fingers relatively easily, but I'm obviously missing something, as it's incredibly tight.  No way I'm getting that out with just two fingers and little force -- at least not the way it is now.

I've got to be missing something, so what did I do wrong here?

pagamenews · Accepted Answer

I rarely clean my Ruger Mark II.  It's one of those guns that I shoot, spray with a bit of silicone based lube and put away in a plastic bag.

But, I have cleaned my 28 year old Mark II on twice.  I didn't have any trouble with it.  I think that the thing you are missing is that you have to literlly wiggle and jiggle the parts a little to help them to come unstuck from the tight telerances of the pistol itself.  There may be some old gun oil and powder residue that is "gumming-up" the works and making the parts stick together...so you simple need to apply a bit more muscle power.

eferrell01 · Answer

The metal tongue is the mainspring housing latch. When rotated out as far as it will go, it forces the bottom of the mainspring housing out of the frame. Referring to Page six, note the bolt stop pin which is pinned to the mainspring housing. It protrudes from the top of the receiver and is held in place by tension from the recoil spring. You may have to push it down a little with your thumb to get get it started out. Reassembly is where the fun really begins. After reinserting the mainspring housing, before rotating it all the way in, point the muzzle up so the hammer strut will fall into the recess in the mainspring housing. Push the housing all the way in and latch it shut. 
It is not easy the first time, but as with all things practice will allow you to completely strip it and reassemble in a short time.

Hangfire · Answer

The part you're missing is that you must first shoot 10,000rds through it in order to loosen it up a little lol Seriously, I went through the same thing with my Mark III which was a Nightmare. I ended up using a hammer and a punch that was wrapped up in a towel. Anyhow, my best advice is to run a couple of thousand rounds through it before trying to clean it. I'm just dropping a couple of drop of oil in the chamber area and swabbing the barrel a little until it gets looser.

Here is my little thread talking about cleaning my Ruger Mark III. 
http://www.semiautorifles.com/forums/f15/ruger-mark-iii-most-fun-i-ever-had-cleaning-gun-1206.html

Fatefinger · Answer

I don't even bother. You should find someone that already knows and have them show you how to take it apart and put it back together. Then have them watch you do it 3-4 times. Because online picture and video guides suck. It's to complex and you cant see all the little things.

Every time someone I know took apart a mkii they could not put it back together and had to go to a smith.

oiler625@verizon.net · Answer

Go to rugers website and download the manual

Anonymous · Answer

Ha Ha... you seriously want me to give you my secrets? 

Heh. Okay here goes...


The secret is....

A *lot* of patience. 






I hate stripping my Mk. II. Grr...

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Ruger Mark II -- What's the secret to taking it apart?

6 Answers