Ruger MKII/III grip panel compatibility?

[Cheeseybacon]

My Ruger Mark II came with a set of nasty black plastic grips on it and I've been toying with the idea of getting a set of nice wood grips for a while now. I was looking at some of the grips on Ruger's website only to realize that a lot of them are only for the Mark III or only for Mark II. Why is this? I've been staring at the Mark III-only grip panels, the Mark II-only grip panels, as well as my own Mark II for about 20 minutes now and I cannot for the life of me tell what aspect of these grips makes them compatible with one gun but not the other. Aside from the relocated magazine release on the Mark III (which completely clears the grip panel) the two guns appear to be externally identical.

What gives?

[djturnz]

You guessed it. On my MKII grips I got from Hogue, there was a spot that I could cut out to make them fit a MKIII. So I would assume you would just have a notch where there is no button.

Unless you have a MKIII 22/45, then you can't change the grips without grinding.

[Cheeseybacon]

Well shit, if that's all it is then I'm going to go ahead and buy a of Mark III grips.

Stupid Ruger. Honestly, between the diabolical design of the gun that requires a special kit to easily field strip, and these misleading statements about their grip compatibility, the company has really given my ass a pain.

[ar15jules]

It was not a misleading statement. Buy most aftermarket or factory grips for an MKII and they will not go on an MKIII because of the mag release. I just field stripped my MKIII and cleaned it. It took me about twenty minutes.
Jules

[Cheeseybacon]

It was not a misleading statement. Buy most aftermarket or factory grips for an MKII and they will not go on an MKIII because of the mag release.

Ruger isn't talking about Mark II grips not working on a Mark III. I understand that part and agree that Mark II grips won't fit a Mark III because of the mag release button.

What Ruger is stating is that Mark III grips (which happen to have a slot for the side mag release button) don't fit on Mark II gun (which has no mag release button to even cause interference). Despite not having a side mag release button like the Mark III does, a Mark II gun should, in theory, be able accommodate a Mark III grip, with the only flaw being an open slot in the grip for the non-existent side mag release button.

Below is an example of what Ruger is claiming on their website.

[Cheeseybacon]

I took a chance and bought a set of Mark III grips for my Mark II, even though Ruger explicitly says they are not compatible.

Man oh man, am I sorry I didn't listen to Ruger. Clearly they know best and are not the slightest bit misleading.

Here is my Mark II pistol with it's incompatible grips that I didn't install on it because they're only for the Mark III because Ruger said so.

[djturnz]

I started reading you post and i thought oh shit I gave bad advice.

I am glad it worked out for you. Looks good.

[Cheeseybacon]

Yes, they do look good, don't they?

I'm writing a letter to Ruger right now asking them why they have these grips listed as being compatible only with the Mark III.

[ar15jules]

I will be interested in their response.
Jules