# Does what I was told at the gun range make any sense? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 13, 2012, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-what-i-was-told-at-the-gun-range-make-any-sense/631335 "2012-08-13T02:16:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![JLRogers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@JLRogers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JLRogers)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-what-i-was-told-at-the-gun-range-make-any-sense/631335/21 "2012-08-15T05:29:08Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > I bet it’s this. Mark III is indeed a giant pain in the ass to disassemble/reassemble, especially when it’s new. And you’ve got to constantly be inserting & removing an empty mag, because of the stupid magazine safety. So you can’t do a 3 minute cleaning job to get out 70% of the crud that ranges often do. I have a MkII, so no magazine safety to contend with, but disassembly has never really been an issue for me. Still, you can use CLP and a boresnake to do a perfectly acceptable cursory cleaning in way less than 3 minutes without really disassembling the thing at all. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-what-i-was-told-at-the-gun-range-make-any-sense/631335/22 "2012-08-15T08:24:54Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > Two words: Gilda. Radner. 😕 She died of cancer. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-what-i-was-told-at-the-gun-range-make-any-sense/631335/23 "2012-08-15T08:31:22Z")
Contact Ruger immediately and let them know about this. Not cleaning guns can lead to a lot worse than the slide sticking. If a bullet gets fouled in the barrel, the next shot you fire could be the last one you do on that range. If they are unable to maintain the gun, they should send it back or otherwise dispose of it. You should find a better gun range with staff who have a clue about what the hell they are doing. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-what-i-was-told-at-the-gun-range-make-any-sense/631335/24 "2012-08-15T09:05:57Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I would send a letter to Ruger explaining what I was told, and see what they say. And make some vaguely threatening comments about possibly unsafe Ruger pistols and legal action, just to improve the odds of getting a response. Threaten legal action because nothing happened? That sounds reasonable. ---
**Author:** ![JLRogers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@JLRogers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JLRogers)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-what-i-was-told-at-the-gun-range-make-any-sense/631335/25 "2012-08-15T10:33:43Z")
> [@Raguleader](#): > > Contact Ruger immediately and let them know about this. Not cleaning guns can lead to a lot worse than the slide sticking. If a bullet gets fouled in the barrel, the next shot you fire could be the last one you do on that range. > > If they are unable to maintain the gun, they should send it back or otherwise dispose of it. You should find a better gun range with staff who have a clue about what the hell they are doing. What dangerous malfunction do you expect of a dirty .22? ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-what-i-was-told-at-the-gun-range-make-any-sense/631335/26 "2012-08-15T11:11:54Z")
> [@JLRogers](#): > > What dangerous malfunction do you expect of a dirty .22? To be honest, I’m more concerned about the dirty (or worn, or damaged; if you never clean the weapon, you’ll likely never notice that either) 9mm or .45, if the shop has a practice of not maintaining their weapons. As far as how much damage can be done by firing a .22 into a blocked barrel, I’ve never tried it. ---
**Author:** ![Orionizer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orionizer/32/4442_2.png) [@Orionizer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orionizer)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-what-i-was-told-at-the-gun-range-make-any-sense/631335/27 "2012-08-15T12:04:47Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > I bet it’s this. Mark III is indeed a giant pain in the ass to disassemble/reassemble, especially when it’s new. And you’ve got to constantly be inserting & removing an empty mag, because of the stupid magazine safety. So you can’t do a 3 minute cleaning job to get out 70% of the crud that ranges often do. > > Here’s some videos showing what a pain it is. Only gun I have that requires a hammer and multiple punches to tear down. > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGEtudNJua4](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGEtudNJua4) > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeY9s2TYAOk&feature=relmfu](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeY9s2TYAOk&feature=relmfu) Holy crap! I’ve shot one of these before and was really impressed. Since then, I’ve always wanted one. Not now… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Orionizer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orionizer/32/4442_2.png) [@Orionizer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orionizer)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-what-i-was-told-at-the-gun-range-make-any-sense/631335/28 "2012-08-15T12:05:49Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > 😕 She died of cancer. That’s what I thought too. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-what-i-was-told-at-the-gun-range-make-any-sense/631335/29 "2012-08-15T12:40:09Z")
> [@Orionizer](#): > > That’s what I thought too. 😕 Maybe badly maintained guns give you cancer? And I’m calling BS on the gun range guy too. That sounds like a recipe for disaster. At the very least the response to “They just tell us to shoot them until they break” should have been “Here. It’s broken.” ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-what-i-was-told-at-the-gun-range-make-any-sense/631335/30 "2012-08-15T13:30:37Z")
> [@Raguleader](#): > > As far as how much damage can be done by firing a .22 into a blocked barrel, I’ve never tried it. It would almost certainly cause my underwear to soil. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-what-i-was-told-at-the-gun-range-make-any-sense/631335/31 "2012-08-15T13:39:29Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > I’m an instructor. Been one for 20+ years. I’ve never heard such lazy bullshit in my life. > > Don’t go back to that range, ever. A gummed-up gun is a hazard, and there’s no excuse for it, not even the Mk I, II, and III whiners. Yeah, it’s different than some, but you learn the process once, and you’re good to go. I’ve got several of each and it’s just not that big a deal. > A range that won’t clean its weapons properly is one that’s cutting corners other places, and I certainly wouldn’t go back. > > No manufacturer of any kind, much less firearms, would use the public as some kind of torture test control group. Anyone ever hear of liability? It’s something no manufacturer wants. > > I love all my Rugers and they’re fine, quality tools, all of them. I feel the need to defend myself as being a “whiner”. I have great fun with my Mk III as well, and I use it weekly in my pistol league. But it is a bear to dis/re assemble. Not so much because of the complexity - I had a Mk I before buying the Mk III, and apart from the continuous mag insertions/removals, it’s identical. But the Mk III is pretty damn tight, and even after 30 or so disassembly/reassembly cycles, I’m still using a plastic mallet to remove the mainspring housing, separate the grip from the receiver, realign the grip to the receiver, and reinsert the mainspring housing. It’s a giant pain, and I can easily see someone getting lazy and not doing it. > [@JLRogers](#): > > I have a MkII, so no magazine safety to contend with, but disassembly has never really been an issue for me. > > Still, you can use CLP and a boresnake to do a perfectly acceptable cursory cleaning in way less than 3 minutes without really disassembling the thing at all. If the bolt wasn’t closing, the issue wasn’t a dirty barrel - it sounds like the bolt & the inside of the receiver needed to be cleaned & lubed, which isn’t really possible without removing them. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-what-i-was-told-at-the-gun-range-make-any-sense/631335/32 "2012-08-15T13:53:20Z")
Another disassembly question. Back when I sold guns 25 years ago, we were always told and told our customers that dry firing a 22 is particularly hard on it due to the nature of a rimfire firing pin. From the video, the Mark III requires that the gun be dry fired for disassembly. Is dry firing not hard on it or is it poor design? ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-what-i-was-told-at-the-gun-range-make-any-sense/631335/33 "2012-08-15T14:04:18Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > 😕 She died of cancer. Sorry - posting fail. I could have sworn I posted that in that “Women aren’t funny” thread. When I looked back in that thread I didn’t see it, so I figured it I must not have posted after all. I didn’t think to check what other threads I might have open. The sad part is, it’s not even a funny mistake. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-what-i-was-told-at-the-gun-range-make-any-sense/631335/34 "2012-08-15T14:14:21Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > Another disassembly question. Back when I sold guns 25 years ago, we were always told and told our customers that dry firing a 22 is particularly hard on it due to the nature of a rimfire firing pin. From the video, the Mark III requires that the gun be dry fired for disassembly. Is dry firing not hard on it or is it poor design? The Ruger Mk I/II/III have a pin in the receiver that prevents the firing pin from striking the face of the chamber if you dry fire. The instructions warn quite explicitly that if you reassemble without the pin, you can ruin the gun. I don’t dry fire mine except when disassembling though. ---
**Author:** ![Miltonyz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Miltonyz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miltonyz)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-what-i-was-told-at-the-gun-range-make-any-sense/631335/35 "2012-08-15T14:52:53Z")
Another issue to think about is that 22 caliber pistols can be finiky about their ammuntion. My Ruger does not want to feed Remington Golden Bullets at all. I had constant failure to feeds in the one box I bought. With Winchester rounds I generally have a failure to fire once or twice a visit to the range, probably 200-300 rounds. Federal and CCI are perfect through my gun. From reading online I see other people have had to use trail and error to see what round their gun prefers. On the other hand I have not generally heard complaints about CCI. Another thought is that I have read that the Mark series pistols have tight tolerances in the chamber. I dont have any micrometer or a way to confirm personally. If the rounds were a little out of spec or what not it is not inconcievable that the Browning would be more forgiving in the loading. As for cleaning it sucks the first rew times, but you get used to it. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-what-i-was-told-at-the-gun-range-make-any-sense/631335/36 "2012-08-15T17:22:55Z")
On all of my Mk IIIs. I have replaced the magazine disconnect parts with a custom bushing. Not only does it aid in dis/reassembly, the magazines drop free from the gun as Og and Bill Ruger intended. Google Sam Lam if you’d like one too. Nice guy in Tronna. Ten bucks and you’ve got mags flying everywhere! ---
**Author:** ![what\_do\_I\_type\_here](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a5b964/32.png) [@what\_do\_I\_type\_here](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/what_do_I_type_here)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-what-i-was-told-at-the-gun-range-make-any-sense/631335/37 "2012-08-15T20:01:00Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > That sounds strange, As you said, a dirty, malfunctioning gun reflects badly on the manufacturer. However, if I remember, the Ruger is the very devil to break down for cleaning and they don’t want the shop employees messing with it and possibly creating a dangerous situation due to mis-assembly. I own a Mk. II and while it is a pain to take apart, I have to say it’s not really possible to re-assemble it ‘dangerously’. It only goes back together one way. ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-what-i-was-told-at-the-gun-range-make-any-sense/631335/38 "2012-08-15T20:53:29Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > Sorry - posting fail. I could have sworn I posted that in that “Women aren’t funny” thread. When I looked back in that thread I didn’t see it, so I figured it I must not have posted after all. I didn’t think to check what other threads I might have open. > > The sad part is, it’s not even a funny mistake. Actually, it kinda is if you remember that one of Radner’s characters was famous for getting things completely wrong and then saying “nevermind!” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2012, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-what-i-was-told-at-the-gun-range-make-any-sense/631335/39 "2012-08-16T03:28:18Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > This was before the unfortunate boat accident, I take it? No, that was shortly before I made that post. I did not purchase any ammo for weapons I probably don’t have that night. I just did a quick [del]science[/del] google search to see what .22 ammo costs these days. ---
**Author:** ![JLRogers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@JLRogers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JLRogers)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2012, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-what-i-was-told-at-the-gun-range-make-any-sense/631335/40 "2012-08-16T05:50:08Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > If the bolt wasn’t closing, the issue wasn’t a dirty barrel - it sounds like the bolt & the inside of the receiver needed to be cleaned & lubed, which isn’t really possible without removing them. Sure, I didn’t mean to imply that the range’s gun could be fixed with that treatment. It’s certainly not necessary to break a Mk down after every range session though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-what-i-was-told-at-the-gun-range-make-any-sense/631335.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-what-i-was-told-at-the-gun-range-make-any-sense/631335.md?page=3)