I just got a relatively brand new MarkIII Target and I'm having a strange problem with the magazines that I can't seem to find a solution for anywhere on the web. I can't load more than 4 rounds without magazine forcibly ejecting the rounds (almost like the spring is too powerful). I've taken the magazines apart and cleaned them and I've tried a wide variety of ammo but nothing seems to work. I even sent the original 2 magazines back to Ruger, but I'm having the exact same problems with the replacements. Since I can't seem to find anyone else on the web having this problem I'm assuming I'm doing something wrong, though I can't imagine what that could be... Does anyone have any suggestions?
are you using 22 lr ammo ?
reason im asking....I have the same pistol, and just for giggles i tried loading some 22 shorts in one of my magazines and they did the same thing your describing, I wasnt going to shoot them, i was just curious.
Welcome from Australia mate.
Glad to have you on board, nice folk here and lots of good info.
Seems strange that the replacement magazines are doing the same thing, I'd be looking elsewhere.
Thanks! I'm glad I found this forum, I'm a huge fan of Ruger firearms.
I am indeed using 22lr ammo and I'm not exactly sure where else to look for the problem. The gun isn't even involved at this point, I can pick up a magazine, pull down the thumb release, load 10 rounds and gently let go of the thumb release and about 6 to 8 rounds will shoot out of the top of the magazine. I can also slowly start loading the magazine one round at a time and when I get to around 4 to 6 rounds about half will eject back out.
are you pushing the rounds down then back against the back of the mag all the way ?
I did have an issue like this one time loading one of my mags, but only that one time.
I actually just found a post in another forum where they're having problems loading more than 4 rounds in their magazines but they don't offer a solution. Problems with newer Ruger firearms
I'll snap some pictures, but I won't be able to upload them for a couple of hours because I have to go to a lunch meeting.
Are you using the slide button to lower the spring loaded ramp?
You should be dropping the rounds into the magazine, not forcing them in against spring pressure.
Keep holding and lowering the slide button as you fill the magazine.
Then make sure they are all lined up as you slowly release the spring to push them up against the feed lips.
The top round will be sticking up on an angle, ready to be pushed into the chamber by the bolt.
These magazines don't work quite like the ones for a centerfire pistol.
I'm loading them just like I would any other type of round into a clip, down and back. That's what's driving me crazy, I've owned other pistols before and even decided to purchase this after putting several hundred rounds through a friend's MKII... I can't figure out what's going wrong.
I'm loading them just like I would any other type of round into a clip, down and back. That's what's driving me crazy, I've owned other pistols before and even decided to purchase this after putting several hundred rounds through a friend's MKII... I can't figure out what's going wrong.
If your friend lives nearby, how about taking your gun and magazines to his house?
Have him try to load your mags, and you try to load one of his.
That might tell you whether it's you... or your mags that have the problem.
I've tried loading the rounds both ways... but primarily by lowering the slide button and dropping the rounds in... The crazy thing is that sometimes I can get all 10 rounds to stay in the magazine after I release the slide but then just the act of trying to slide the magazine into the gun makes them eject.
Could be a defective mag, but a mag with this sort of issue would be a rare bird. The fact that you are getting the same results from other magazines leads me to believe that there are other causes for this issue.
What brand of ammo/load are you using? Is this occurring with more than one brand and load of ammo?
As others have stated, use the follower! Depress it enough to make room for each new round, carefully stacking and pushing each round to the back wall of the mag as you go. If that round is not fully and firmly seated back against the rear wall of the mag, the rounds will have a tendency to flip their noses up and when one goes nose up, more will follow. When you have a full load, push that follower down all the way to the bottom and give the mag a shake to settle the rounds, then gently release the follower.
I have a Sig 1911 and on Ebay I happened to find an original Colt magazine loader tool. One of those things that slide around the magazine to push the column of rounds down a bit to get the next round inserted. It works like a champ, however if I don't put the new round in far enough, It pops out like a watermelon seed. Smithy.
I'm sure I'm doing something wrong, but if I am you'd think I wouldn't be successful with even the first 4 rounds. I do have a small problem for now... I shot all of my ammo this weekend (4 shots at a time) so I went to get some today at lunch to try to replicate the problem and I can't seem to find any 22lr anywhere. I called/visited every store within 20 miles and everyone is sold out. I'll have to borrow some and then I'll shoot and post a quick video of how I'm loading it so you all can tell me where I'm going wrong.
What you said.. <g> plus I think a major Operater error is happening..Never heard of that..I bought a new Mark III and have had ZERO problem..plus I bought that speed loader for the Mark II and III and it is flawless as well.. Dunno..
I just tried to load rounds backwards and they won't go that way. I loaded 5, 7, and 10 and tried "slingshotting" the follower after each, all rounds stay in my mags. The only thing I can think of is the bend on the lips that hold the rear of the cartridge might be out of spec?
I am holding my mag in my right hand, using that thumb to depress the follower button and feeding rounds in with my left hand. No problems here.
Good luck, keep us informed.
Just played with some of my mags to try and recreate the OP's problem. Couldn't make it happen. If the lips are spread just a hair wide, there might be just enough spring tension with +4 rounds in it to pop them out. Didn't feel like bending the lips out on one of my mags to test the theory though
Not to change the subject of my own thread but what in the world is going on with 22lr ammo? I just spoke to a guy that said he got in 8 cases and one customer bought all of it the minute they brought it out on the floor.
On my new 22/45 Mark III the only issue with the magazines (two that came with and the four Ruger replacement mags I bought last week) is the grittiness with the follower button, and I ordered the Mark I buttons to correct that. (if they would just ship them)
I had a similar problem with 1 magazine. The one in the gun when I bought it worked just fine. One of the guys I was shooting with took it and bent it straight and the problem went away. Since you replaced the magazines already I guess its not that but you can try borrowing your friend's magazine to see if it makes a difference. Also, I use CCI .22lr, all different speeds, it all seems to work fine. The type of ammo can make a BIG difference. Finally, have you taken that gun apart for cleaning and lubing yet? There can be some residual gunk left in it. I have a revolver that could not go 4 rounds without jamming until I gave it a good cleaning. Sometimes, I think new guns are worse than used ones.
Thought I read (or maybe dreamt) someplace that if the mag follower button is on the wrong side you can only load 4 rounds because of the mag release button or some other reason. Can somebody comment on that as memory is going fast!
Well the friend I shoot with doesn't exactly live close by, plus if I am making a stupid mistake I'd rather he not know... I'd never hear the end of it! I'm having problems finding anyone with 22lr in stock, but I'm going to borrow some tomorrow. Then I'll shoot a video with my phone showing how I load the clips and how the ammo shoots back out.
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