The problem with ordering a firearm sight unseen is you don't know what you're going to get until you open the box. This isn't much of an issue if you're buying a plastic/aluminum wonder with a matte black finish, but if you're ordering a rifle with a walnut stock it's a different situation. Unfortunately in my case this rifle did not meet my standards. The buttstock was very poorly fitted to the receiver. I could see daylight between the stock and the tang on one side. There were significant gaps between the wood and metal in other areas. I realize the days of getting "good wood" on a new Ruger No. 1 are probably just luck of the draw at best and may be completely gone. If this were sent to a local gun shop I'm sure the dealer would reject this gun, and certainly the buyer would at least be aware of it. Back in the day when you could compare guns at your local gun store naturally you'd ask to look at all the guns on hand and pick the best one. And often the dealer would have one "stashed away" to nudge a hesitant buyer over the edge. But that's the problem with No. 1s. They are a niche gun and I don't know of any gun store that routinely carries the new products.
Don't get me wrong, I like Ruger. I own more Rugers than any other three manufacturers combined. And this is the 6th No. 1 I've purchased. All but one of them was purchased new and three of them were ordered sight unseen. But when I got this one home and saw this mess I called customer service, wrote a short note, stuck a piece of paper between the stock and the tang, and shipped it back the next day.
Twenty nine days later the rifle was returned. I consider that pretty quick since this period included Christmas and New Years. The rifle was re-stocked, butt and forend, and the fit is acceptable. It could be better, but like good wood, I think the days of insisting on perfection are limited. So I'm pretty happy. It did cost me and additional $40 in FFL fees, but it was worth it. I couldn't have enjoyed looking at that ill-fitted wood for the rest of my days.
Don't get me wrong, I like Ruger. I own more Rugers than any other three manufacturers combined. And this is the 6th No. 1 I've purchased. All but one of them was purchased new and three of them were ordered sight unseen. But when I got this one home and saw this mess I called customer service, wrote a short note, stuck a piece of paper between the stock and the tang, and shipped it back the next day.
Twenty nine days later the rifle was returned. I consider that pretty quick since this period included Christmas and New Years. The rifle was re-stocked, butt and forend, and the fit is acceptable. It could be better, but like good wood, I think the days of insisting on perfection are limited. So I'm pretty happy. It did cost me and additional $40 in FFL fees, but it was worth it. I couldn't have enjoyed looking at that ill-fitted wood for the rest of my days.