What's the advantage of Ruger Mark III's fluted barrel?

alvin · 02-01-2016, 08:16 PM

Saw two models of Ruger Mark III, one with smooth barrel, another one with slightly longer fluted barrel. The price of latter one is higher.

Putting appearance difference aside, any functional advantage of the fluted barrel over smooth barrel on this gun?

P08Leder · 02-01-2016, 08:57 PM

lighter weight, dissipates heat (somewhat) quicker
mostly looks

alvin · 02-01-2016, 09:30 PM

Thanks. That makes some sense. The barrel is longer, the slots can reduce weight.

I thought this over. Will go basic model with blue steel and smooth barrel.

Olle · 02-01-2016, 09:51 PM

If you want a long barrel, you might be better off with a fluted or slab sided barrel. A long bull barrel can get pretty nose heavy, and the steel they mill off does make a difference IMO.

rhuff · 02-02-2016, 02:31 PM

There are some very "spiffy" looking Tactical Solutions aftermarket barrels made for that gun with different colors, lightweight, and with flutes. They are a bit pricey, but very popular among shooters of these handguns.

Zorba · 02-02-2016, 03:42 PM

One word: Tapered.

Looks far better to my eye.

alvin · 02-02-2016, 06:35 PM

Yeah... the fluted barrel looks cool.

This is not C&R, I need to find my pin number of permit to buy one. Trying to find that number... this is the new way the state makes buying guns harder. God knows that number needs to be kept... only kept the plastic card.

G.T. · 02-03-2016, 11:41 AM

My dad owned a sporting goods shop in the 50's and 60's, and it was my childhood stomping grounds...

(fond memories)
I once asked him what was the main difference between a 28" and a 30" shotgun barrel? He smiled slightly and said, "It puts you two inches closer to the goose!"...

... Those were simpler times! I miss them! Best to all, til...lat'r...GT....

alvin · 02-06-2016, 01:23 PM

Got one. Its shape looks like an Interarms Parabellum Sports Model. No kidding. It's a beautifully built pistol. Steel frame. Heavy.

Diver6106 · 02-06-2016, 01:51 PM

I just bought one too. If you research the blogs, the auto was modeled on the Luger for grip angle and shape and the Nambu for bolt function. The red seal on the handle is also a rarer item and more desireable. Yours looks like the MK IIs used in the move Assassins with Stalone & Bandarass - but theirs had silencer barrels. For me it is the stainless steel with the long tapered barrel. The Crimson Trace grips were a nice addition.

alanint · 02-06-2016, 03:05 PM

Integrally suppressed. Quieter than an air gun with the right ammo. And it has flutes for those that like them!

sheepherder · 02-06-2016, 03:25 PM

4" tapered barrel, stainless, MK II. Interesting that Ruger serializes the barreled receiver rather than the grip frame. I have not seen any aftermarket 'barrels' for them, but I'd be interested to see if they are serialized...

Edit: Bought new, in gray plastic case, w/two magazines and a tiny lock with 4 keys. There is no indication what the lock is intended for (it's not a trigger lock) and it won't lock the plastic case. Nothing else included; no cleaning rod, no bore brush, no 'takedown tool' (it's pretty impossible to pry down the lever in the back of the grip with your fingernail).

I haven't found any way to release the c0cked firing pin. Leaving a fired cartridge in the chamber works but gets you some annoyed looks at the range...

Zorba · 02-06-2016, 03:34 PM

Here's mine:

kurusu · 02-06-2016, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zormpas

One word: Tapered.

Looks far better to my eye.

Plus one.

DavidJayUden · 02-06-2016, 07:34 PM

"Integrally suppressed. Quieter than an air gun with the right ammo. And it has flutes for those that like them!"

Alan: I have one of Ceiner's which is not particularly quiet, not user serviceable, and he's no longer servicing his stuff. Any ideas on how, or who, will work on them?
dju

alvin · 02-07-2016, 08:04 AM

Looks like Ruger Mark III has three major variations -- Standard (with Luger like barrel), Target (with bull barrel), and Hunting (with fluted bull barrel).

LGS salesman showed me another variation. It's grip is more like 1911, and the model name is indeed 22/45

I prefer Luger's grip angle, so I bought this one.

kurusu · 02-07-2016, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepherder

4" tapered barrel, stainless. Interesting that Ruger serializes the barreled receiver rather than the grip frame. I have not seen any aftermarket 'barrels' for them, but I'd be interested to see if they are serialized...

To me yours is the perfect Ruger. Except maybe for the finish. I prefer them blued.

regul · 02-07-2016, 01:01 PM

Ruger MK.II with Tactical Solutions 4'' Pac-Lite Barrel and Mask HD Silencer

Sergio Natali · 02-07-2016, 01:17 PM

I tried one not long ago at the range, the fluted barrel should in theory dissipate heat.
Smart gun pretty accurate, anaemic caliber.
IMHO

sheepherder · 02-07-2016, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alvin

LGS salesman showed me another variation. It's grip is more like 1911, and the model name is indeed 22/45

I prefer Luger's grip angle, so I bought this one.

It's intended for the target shooter who shoots both centerfire and rimfire; using a Colt-style centerfire pistol. Supposedly the same grip angle promotes consistency when moving from the one caliber to the other.

02-01-2016, 08:16 PM	#1
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	What's the advantage of Ruger Mark III's fluted barrel? Saw two models of Ruger Mark III, one with smooth barrel, another one with slightly longer fluted barrel. The price of latter one is higher. Putting appearance difference aside, any functional advantage of the fluted barrel over smooth barrel on this gun?

02-03-2016, 11:41 AM	#8
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,500 Thanks: 1,318 Thanked 3,627 Times in 999 Posts	barrel length... My dad owned a sporting goods shop in the 50's and 60's, and it was my childhood stomping grounds... (fond memories) I once asked him what was the main difference between a 28" and a 30" shotgun barrel? He smiled slightly and said, "It puts you two inches closer to the goose!"... ... Those were simpler times! I miss them! Best to all, til...lat'r...GT....

02-06-2016, 01:23 PM	#9
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Got one. Its shape looks like an Interarms Parabellum Sports Model. No kidding. It's a beautifully built pistol. Steel frame. Heavy. Attached Thumbnails

02-06-2016, 01:51 PM	#10
Diver6106 User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Mt. Vernon VA Posts: 244 Thanks: 1,424 Thanked 117 Times in 75 Posts	I just bought one too. If you research the blogs, the auto was modeled on the Luger for grip angle and shape and the Nambu for bolt function. The red seal on the handle is also a rarer item and more desireable. Yours looks like the MK IIs used in the move Assassins with Stalone & Bandarass - but theirs had silencer barrels. For me it is the stainless steel with the long tapered barrel. The Crimson Trace grips were a nice addition. Attached Thumbnails

02-06-2016, 03:05 PM	#11
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Integrally suppressed. Quieter than an air gun with the right ammo. And it has flutes for those that like them! Attached Thumbnails

02-01-2016, 08:57 PM	#2
P08Leder User Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 77 Thanks: 8 Thanked 43 Times in 18 Posts	lighter weight, dissipates heat (somewhat) quicker mostly looks

02-01-2016, 09:30 PM	#3
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Thanks. That makes some sense. The barrel is longer, the slots can reduce weight. I thought this over. Will go basic model with blue steel and smooth barrel.

02-01-2016, 09:51 PM	#4
Olle User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,149 Thanks: 159 Thanked 663 Times in 318 Posts	If you want a long barrel, you might be better off with a fluted or slab sided barrel. A long bull barrel can get pretty nose heavy, and the steel they mill off does make a difference IMO.

02-02-2016, 02:31 PM	#5
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,288 Thanks: 2,702 Thanked 971 Times in 716 Posts	There are some very "spiffy" looking Tactical Solutions aftermarket barrels made for that gun with different colors, lightweight, and with flutes. They are a bit pricey, but very popular among shooters of these handguns.

02-02-2016, 03:42 PM	#6
Zorba User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Merritt Island, Fl Posts: 952 Thanks: 777 Thanked 527 Times in 290 Posts	One word: Tapered. Looks far better to my eye.

02-02-2016, 06:35 PM	#7
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Yeah... the fluted barrel looks cool. This is not C&R, I need to find my pin number of permit to buy one. Trying to find that number... this is the new way the state makes buying guns harder. God knows that number needs to be kept... only kept the plastic card.

02-06-2016, 03:25 PM	#12
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,441 Times in 2,329 Posts	4" tapered barrel, stainless, MK II. Interesting that Ruger serializes the barreled receiver rather than the grip frame. I have not seen any aftermarket 'barrels' for them, but I'd be interested to see if they are serialized... Edit: Bought new, in gray plastic case, w/two magazines and a tiny lock with 4 keys. There is no indication what the lock is intended for (it's not a trigger lock) and it won't lock the plastic case. Nothing else included; no cleaning rod, no bore brush, no 'takedown tool' (it's pretty impossible to pry down the lever in the back of the grip with your fingernail). I haven't found any way to release the c0cked firing pin. Leaving a fired cartridge in the chamber works but gets you some annoyed looks at the range... Attached Thumbnails __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter... Last edited by sheepherder; 02-07-2016 at 01:21 PM.

02-06-2016, 03:34 PM	#13
Zorba User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Merritt Island, Fl Posts: 952 Thanks: 777 Thanked 527 Times in 290 Posts	Here's mine: Attached Thumbnails

02-06-2016, 07:34 PM	#15
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	"Integrally suppressed. Quieter than an air gun with the right ammo. And it has flutes for those that like them!" Alan: I have one of Ceiner's which is not particularly quiet, not user serviceable, and he's no longer servicing his stuff. Any ideas on how, or who, will work on them? dju

02-07-2016, 08:04 AM	#16
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Looks like Ruger Mark III has three major variations -- Standard (with Luger like barrel), Target (with bull barrel), and Hunting (with fluted bull barrel). LGS salesman showed me another variation. It's grip is more like 1911, and the model name is indeed 22/45 I prefer Luger's grip angle, so I bought this one.

02-07-2016, 01:01 PM	#18
regul Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: VA Posts: 96 Thanks: 19 Thanked 57 Times in 20 Posts	Ruger Mk. II Ruger MK.II with Tactical Solutions 4'' Pac-Lite Barrel and Mask HD Silencer Attached Thumbnails

02-07-2016, 01:17 PM	#19
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	I tried one not long ago at the range, the fluted barrel should in theory dissipate heat. Smart gun pretty accurate, anaemic caliber. IMHO __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.