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Solution (?) Mark pistols not locking back on last round

1K views 5 replies 6 participants last post by  stewswanson 
#1 ·
Several of my Mark III pistols function absolutely perfectly excepting that they do not lock back after the last round in the magazine. I know it is not the magazines because a) the same thing happens with over 15 different magazines; and b) the same thing does not happen with a couple of my Mark pistols using the same magazines. I cannot detect any wear on the slide lock levers, and I never use the slide lock lever as a loading lever -- I always slingshot my first round.

Well, I went to the range with my Mark III Hunter yesterday and as usual it was not locking back. So I slathered some lube on the slide release lever and worked it a bunch of times to work the lube in. Suddenly the gun started locking back properly after the last round. Could this have been the problem? Under lubricating the slide release lever? Generally my Marks are "gunstore clean" as I strip each one after every range outing and clean and lube the gun. But I have not focused much on lubing the slide release lever which appears to have been a mistake by me.

I am hopeful that this is the answer to the issue. Yesterday I performed the same maintenance on the rest of my Marks, and I will try to get them to the range to see if this was the solution. Guns are so much fun.
 
#2 ·
I've never had problems with my MKIII's locking open on the last round(right out of the box). All I can suggest is check your thumbs to ensure they're not hitting the slide stop.
My son used to do that on my Glock. First couple of times caught me off guard....
 
#4 ·
The reason the bolt doesn't stay open on the last round is the #31 Bolt stop assy. KA-37 is worn on the edge. If you fire your gun enough it will happen to all of them. It's just a maintenance item. This part # is shown on the stainless diagram but they also have a blued one. The parts people at Ruger will know what you want. Get the spring #33 while you're at it for good measure. It may be old or get lost when you take it apart.
 
#6 ·
Wear

As Stevet1 says, given enough use they all will wear out. Thankfully this is an inexpensive part and easy to replace. The SS part is a few dollars more and doesn't show so you can use the steel part. I never release with the lever and mine wore out after 7 years of fairly heavy use (bullseye matches and practice)
Stew
 
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