The front sight on my Ruger MK III becomes loose after about 100 rounds. What gives? Should I use LOKTITE?

Also A fellow behind the counter at a local gun shop told me to be careful with the MK III if I ever lay it on the shooting bench loaded. He claimed that the "chambered round" indicator can fire the gun if it is jostled. Sounds like B.S.
Has anyone heard this before?

Hi Bob,

Check out this link to see if it answers your question or gives you an idea.

Don't Locktite Those Gun-Screws! (http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tips/archive_tips.htm/50) by Marshall Stanton on 2001-02-06

This information is under the Tips & Comments (http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tips/index.htm)section of the Beartooth website. You might enjoy just reading on down the list...I did.

I've never used Locktite before, but if you decide to use it, I believe there is more than one type, and it seems I read somewhere that you'll have trouble down the road removing the screw if you use the wrong kind. Maybe someone else who knows could add to this thread as I am not sure....just wanted to raise a flag for you with this comment.

Also, you might want to check out the Tech Notes section as well for all kinds of neat info.

- Gringo Loco

Try the clear fingernail polish. This tip is good for all kinds of stuff

good luck

Nate

I used the red locktite (also comes in blue, one is more permanent, but can't remember which one) to hold the front sight down on my 22/45. Place a dab on the screw and tighten.

Some of the early articles published about the Mk III had warnings about the possibility of the loaded chamber indicator inadvertantly firing a round if hit with enough force. The end of the indicator sits on the rim of the cartridge, so if it's hit hard enough it could dent the rim and possibly ignite the primer. Probably theoretically possible, but highly unlikely to ever happen. Your dealer was simply doing the responsible thing in passing along the info.

Thanks for the information.

I had forgotten about using clear nail polish. I already use it occasionally to keep the tubes snug in my shotgun.

I guess the "chambered round" indicator would have to be struck at least as hard as a firing pin does. I laid the gun down on the bench and saw that the indicator doesn't contact the bench even when there is only one round in the chamber and none in the magazine.

the current MKIII had a loaded chamber indicator (LCI) that will not cause a discharge if struck. the first ones were discovered to do this and Ruger engineered a fix. for a complete discussion of this you can go to www.MKII.org and dig around a little. the whole story about the first MKIII LCI issue is there somewhere.

monty

the current MKIII had a loaded chamber indicator (LCI) that will not cause a discharge if struck. the first ones were discovered to do this and Ruger engineered a fix. for a complete discussion of this you can go to www.MKII.org and dig around a little. the whole story about the first MKIII LCI issue is there somewhere.

monty

Think with a ball-peen hammer and a really good wack, might get one to fire...might. Do think it's a silly thing to put on any gun....would you trust that it's unloaded just by that indicator (or trust that it is loaded)?

As to why Ruger .22 sights tend to get loose, I've no clue, but they do. My old-old Standard model needed the sight tightened twice...brothers 1976 Ruger target needed the front sight tightened. By the time my old Standard needed it's second tightening, decided to just take it all loose, clean it, tin it, clamp it, and sweat solder it back in place.

the origional MKIII LCI was a steel part that was cammed out to the "loaded chamber" position by the rim of the case, and a guy over at MKII.org did exactly what you said and laid one on the bench pointed downrange and whacked the LCI with a mallet. this produced a discharge over 50% of the time. he was concerned that if the gun was dropped it could also produce an AD, so he reported this to Ruger (possibly the first to do so) and kept in touch with them throught the process of developing a LCI that would not produce an AD if dropped or struck.
the new part is two pieces connected with a small spring and seemed to satisfy the guy with the hammer. if any of you have the old style LCI, retrofit kits are available from Ruger. the Ruger web site should have the serial number range of the guns in question.
the front sight screws of the bull barrel models are another story. while a very common headach, it is usually cured with a dab of Loc-Tite. the pinned front sight of the tapered barrel models is not prone to loosen.

below is a link of the whole LCI thread over at MKII.org (with pictures of both styles of LCIs)

http://www.markii.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=1689