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Posted: 7/5/2004 7:51:26 PM EDT
I'm about to flame the heck out of them, so if you dont like it, well then put me in my place  When I first got into guns I thought Ruger, ok they're cool. American made, got some cool ideas. Different from Remington and Winchester. Maybe I'd get one. The more I looked at them though, the less I like them. It seems they cut corners to be able to market a cool idea at an affordable price. And I guess it works, but I'd rather pay a little extra and get the cool idea with a little better stuff. 10/22 No one is going to argue that the 10/22 isnt' the rimfire semi auto king. It's head and shoulders over the Remington 522, better than the 596 or whatever that new one is, and better than the Marlin alternatives. Of course, the best thing about the 10/22 is just the reciever, and that all the other parts are easily changed. The best part isn't even the Ruger parts  Ruger #1 I applaud an American company for making a nice, stylish, affordable single shot. A classic falling block design and I love it. Also, they have the balls to not just make normal ones, but also varmint and African configurations and chamberings. As well as one in a Mannlicher style stock. Also they offer lots of oddball rounds, which is great too. The only real fault I guess is the forearm hanger system, which often leads to not to great accuracy but can be fixed. Red Label Again, cool idea. American made overunder, cheaper than a Jap made Browning. Has good looks, interchangeable chokes, etc. I used to really like the stainless reciever with blued barrels look. I was really close to buying one of these one time, but went with an 11-87 Sporting Clays instead. Of course now they also offer a stainless synthetic version  They are supposed to be coming out with a SxS shotgun, but its going to be too expensive IMO for anyone to buy, who wouldn't buy a classic one instead. There is also a rumor of a double rifle on the same action, but I'll believe it when I see it.Mini 14/30 Cast reciever. Cast everything. Magazines are hard to find, and slow to change compared to an M1 or AR15. Flimsy little rear peep sight on the Ranch Rifle. Accuracy...well maybe if you do a lot of work. I guess maybe they should be compared to AKs instead of ARs and M1s though. 77 Centerfire rifles American made Mauser. SWEEEET. Or at least on paper. I like the claw extractor, the standing ejector which allows you to control how forcefull ejection is, the controlled round feed. At the same time they're rather big and heavy (maybe because they used a cast receiver that has to be bigger to be as strong as a smaller forged one?). Accuracy I can't say. I've heard good and bad, and all gun makers make some lemons. OTOH, what is up with that boat paddle synthetic stock they used to use?  Did someone actually think that looked good, or tactical, or marketable, or whatever?Single Action Revolvers I actually cant give anything but praise for these. They dont as neat and streamlined as a Colt or true Colt copy, but OTOH they're pretty damn strong, if handgun hunting with big rounds is what does it for you. Its also really cool that they came out with a Bisley style "target" gun in the classic tradition. Still, I wish the Vaquero was on a smaller more sleek frame. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In general, it seems like they have cool ideas but then screw up the details. Good on paper, but in practice they haven't been enough to get me to spend the money. The crap scope rings they include with every gun isn't a selling point to me either, although Joe Deerhunter probably likes em. Of the guns they make, a friend of mine has a 77/22 Varmint Laminted or whatever. That gun will straight up shoot. Probably the most accurate .22 bolt action I've played with, that wasn't a full out target gun. I was also really close to getting a #1 one time, and may get one in the future. I always check them out at stores and gun shows, and read about them in the classifieds online. The price would have to be right though. |
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Did you mention your thoughts on the Mark 2 pistol? I didn't catch that. The 10/22, what about that mag? did you hate that too? Some people have issues with that rotary design. Let me ask you this: If the Mini14/30 sold for lets say, $349, would you like it better then? I think it's a fun weapon, but you are right about that mag release/catch deal. The Mark 2 and the Mini both needed a better mag release system. that would help alot. Well, now though there is the Mark 3 coming out, and it has a normal mag release button next to the trigger, the way God intended it to be
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The 22/45 has the 'normal' mag release too... |
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I've never played with a MkII/III very much. They come in a lot of cool configurations and barrel lengths/weights. A friend has one with the slabside barrel and thumbrest grips but I've never shot it much. He claims its very accurate though. Funny you mention them. I thought about this tread, after reading this post.
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I have a 22/45 that I like very much, and the Mark IIs are pretty decent, as well... You forgot to mention Ruger's DA revolvers - IMO, the Security/Speed Six's are some of the best DA revolvers ever made... Maybe they're not quite as pretty as a Colt or a S&W, but they'll outlast either with ease... Also, the Super Red Hawk is just plain a BRUTE of a gun - if you want to shoot some "stout" loads, a Ruger is the way to go... It isn't a coincidence that BOTH Buffalo Bore and Garritt specify which guns that can safely handle their loads - and the Rugers are at the top of the list... Their SA revolvers are very good guns, IMO also... I'm not a fan of the Mini series, either - but I DO like the 10/22 I have... I'm not a fan of their bolt action rifles - they're nearly as expensive as a Remington 700, but not even in the same league when it comes to shooting... Also, Savage makes a better bolt rifle for less$$$, IMO... I don't really care for Ruger's semi-auto pistols for the most part - Bill Ruger was NOT a supporter of legal CCW - and it shows in their product line.. I also resent his backing of the 10rnd magazine restrictions.... I own, and enjoy a few Rugers - but am willing to offer criticism of them in their areas of shortcomings... - georgestrings |
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I have mixed feelings on Ruger as a company, but I will admit a love affair with the guns I did decide to make mine. The P89, while big and ugly, is such a workhorse. I have over 5,000 rounds through mine and it's running like new, it NEVER fails and eats even the worst, dirtiest ammo with ease. Kimber should pray for this kind of reliability from their guns, cause it ain't happenin. (yes, I own Kimbers too) The GP-100, the most rugged, handy and simple DA revolver out there. I'm very hard on my GP and it's responded by being accurate even when filthy, and other than me killing the finish dragging it around and treating it like a truck gun, it's perfect. Great sights and trigger for a factory gun and it fits my hand perfectly. The 77/22 is to me, the most slick "full size" .22 rifle made. It looks and feels just like a high-power sporter and at least mine is incredibly accurate. If I'm on my game I can put 5 shots into the same hole at 25 yards, 3/8" groups are easy at 50 yards. I don't own currently any other Ruger guns, but the ones I do are among my favorites and I'd buy them again in a heartbeat, even with Bill's traiterous ways. At least he's good and dead. |
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Quik, I share some of your views here. Just think what target shooters might be buying to shoot right now if the 77/22 was screwed together like a hornet. Just think if their 10/22 had a bolt hold open /last round feature. Blackhawk with fixed firing pin, and it goes on and on. I would buy from them. Remember the mags being cut off to civilians long before the ban?Who needs a mini 14 with 125.00 mags?Not a ruger in my battery, not one. I will admit to having a blast shooting a 77 varmint in 223 several times. Bought a Remmy though. |
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All in all, I really like some of the Ruger firearms. Ruger has done a lot as far as innovation with investment casting and building affordable firearms goes, but Bill Ruger is (was) a real POS when it came time to take care of his constituents. Talking about biting the hand that feeds you; that guy was doing as much to screw us out of our rights as most politicians. Ever call Ruger to try and get a replacement part for your AC556? I’ll stop there. Despite my complete disdain for Bill Ruger and the philosophies of his company; I like most of their products, but will always look elsewhere first and turn to Ruger as a last resort. To that end, I have had to resort to a couple 10/22s, 22/45s, a Mark II, a No. 1 and two No 3s. I would consider getting another Mark II to have suppressed and also a 77/44 to have suppressed and am thinking about a PC-4 Carbine. Like I said, if there’s an alternative, I’ll take it. 223 or 7.62x39 weapons are going to be arfs or AKs, no reason to buy a high power semi-auto Ruger, they’re kinda junky anyway. For bolt guns I’ll stick with Remington or Winchester. The Red Label handles like a fence post, ole Bill never did get that one right; I’ll take a Citori any day. And their semi-auto center fire handguns, I was soooo foolish to buy a P89 years ago, what was I smoking. My dad has a few old Blackhawks and those seem like nice revolvers, but when it comes to SA/DA revolvers, I’ll take a Smith any day of the week. |
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"The 77/22 is to me, the most slick "full size" .22 rifle made." I'll take my CZ 452 American over a 77/22, personally - same thing with .22 rifles by Kimber, Cooper, Anshultz, and Sako... "It looks and feels just like a high-power sporter and at least mine is incredibly accurate. If I'm on my game I can put 5 shots into the same hole at 25 yards, 3/8" groups are easy at 50 yards." Then congratulations, you sure do have a good one... Most I've seen won't shoot that well... To answer to another poster - although wheelguns by Colt and S&W are typically VERY slick, are attractive, and shoot well - a good gunsmith can REALLY smooth out a Ruger revolver - and from what I've seen, Rugers are less prone to get shot loose, or out of time, or develope top strap "cutting" as much as a Colt or a Smith is... - georgestrings |
No.3s are pretty neat. I have one in 45-70 and another in 30-40 Krag and the No.1H Tropical Rifle in 458 Win. Mag. Of the three the No. 3 in 45-70 is defiantly the most hurtful of the three to shoot; the rounds can be downloaded though and that would be OK. To my knowledge, Ruger did build the No.3 in 44 Magnum. I know there’s not a lot of them out there and they’re tough to come by, but you might have a new mission there. |
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