Lloyd Smale
Blackhawk
ruger doesnt show #1b on there website anymore. Odd i thought it was there best selling #1
1B no more?
- Thread starter Lloyd Smale
- Start date
Quarterbore
Blackhawk
I had seen this discussed in one of the 1a threads and the advise that was posted is Ruger will likely make a bunch of 1a models for a year or two and then go back to the 1b models.
I am not a #1 expert by any means, more or a Parot repeating what I heard, so not sure it is a valid reality but makes sense with what we see from Ruger with other guns and models.
I am not a #1 expert by any means, more or a Parot repeating what I heard, so not sure it is a valid reality but makes sense with what we see from Ruger with other guns and models.
picketpin
Buckeye
All any of us can say is that the "B" is no longer cataloged along with many/most of what most of us consider "standard" American cartridges. When and if any of them or the "B" configuration will be back or when is simply a hope/guess.
To my knowledge Ruger hasn't said a word about the decisions nor have they issued any press releases about the demise of the "B" or the return of the "B"
Ballistically, there is exactly one #1 with a 26" barrel.
Ross
To my knowledge Ruger hasn't said a word about the decisions nor have they issued any press releases about the demise of the "B" or the return of the "B"
Ballistically, there is exactly one #1 with a 26" barrel.
Ross
picketpin
Buckeye
All any of us can say is that the "B" is no longer cataloged along with many/most of what most of us consider "standard" American cartridges. When and if any of them or the "B" configuration will be back simply a hope/guess.
To my knowledge Ruger hasn't said a word about the decisions nor have they issued any press releases about the demise of the "B" or the return of the "B"
Ballistically, there is exactly one #1 with a 26" barrel.
Ross
To my knowledge Ruger hasn't said a word about the decisions nor have they issued any press releases about the demise of the "B" or the return of the "B"
Ballistically, there is exactly one #1 with a 26" barrel.
Ross
I'd be sorry to see the No. 1B go. It's what got me into single-shot hunting (besides Blackpowder). That's all I hunt deer with.
Looks like it will join a growing list of my Rugers no longer produced:
M77 Mark II Target-Brown stock .204 Ruger
10/22 RSI
Gold Label
I'm taking the Gold Label and 10/22 RSI up North this weekend for a little small game outing/workout. I'm not a collector, I'm a shooter. They're still firearms and I'm glad I've got mine.
Looks like it will join a growing list of my Rugers no longer produced:
M77 Mark II Target-Brown stock .204 Ruger
10/22 RSI
Gold Label
I'm taking the Gold Label and 10/22 RSI up North this weekend for a little small game outing/workout. I'm not a collector, I'm a shooter. They're still firearms and I'm glad I've got mine.
wunbe
Buckeye
Ross,
I am more than usually dim this AM. Please explain the last sentence in your last post.
wunbe
I am more than usually dim this AM. Please explain the last sentence in your last post.
wunbe
rugerjunkie
Hunter
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2005
- Messages
- 2,048
I see two problems with the B.
One might be that Ruger is possibly at capacity with all the new offerings in the No.1 line up and has set B production at the bottom of the list for now.
The other might be to lackluster sales? The B has been stagnant and always in the same calibers for the most part. How does Ruger get the No.1 buyers to add another B to the safe when he probably has one of the long catalogued calibers already? I don't need another 25-06 or 7mag in a 1B. The only new one off the top of my head lately has been the 264. And I haven't seen one of those with wood decent enough yet to get me interested. Otherwise it's always the same old 270 , 30-06 , etc. etc. Maybe some of these new calibers being offered in other models plus some other new ones added in would spark some more interest in the 1B. But instead...Ruger goes the other direction and culls calibers further limiting selection and ultimately removes it from the catalog?
One might be that Ruger is possibly at capacity with all the new offerings in the No.1 line up and has set B production at the bottom of the list for now.
The other might be to lackluster sales? The B has been stagnant and always in the same calibers for the most part. How does Ruger get the No.1 buyers to add another B to the safe when he probably has one of the long catalogued calibers already? I don't need another 25-06 or 7mag in a 1B. The only new one off the top of my head lately has been the 264. And I haven't seen one of those with wood decent enough yet to get me interested. Otherwise it's always the same old 270 , 30-06 , etc. etc. Maybe some of these new calibers being offered in other models plus some other new ones added in would spark some more interest in the 1B. But instead...Ruger goes the other direction and culls calibers further limiting selection and ultimately removes it from the catalog?
picketpin
Buckeye
Explanation: To me and intially to Ruger the big selling point to the #1 besides all the hype about classic etc was that it allowed the use of a 26" barrel in a package that was the same length overall as a bolt gun with a 22" barrel.
So ballistically the #1 offered high velocity with a rifle short enough to still be handy.
A classic example is the 264 Win Mag. When Winchester brought the cartridge out in the model 70 it was with a 26 inch barrel and called the Westerner. They knew that it was going to take at least 26 of barrel to achieve the published velocities. It also made a sort of unweildy package. Later due to complaints about the barrel Winchester cut the barrel to the now standard barrel length for magnums, 24". LThe ballistics suffered of course and all of a sudden it was sort of passe and not all that much faster than of 6.5s. They later made 264s with barrel as short as 22". The 264 has never totally recovered from the bad press all those years ago.
For me at least the advantage to the #1 and the "B" and "S" in particular was a 26" barrel that allowed as much velocity as you were likely to get in a usable rifle,
I guess we are supposed to be happy with 22" barrels that come out the same overall length as a 18" barrel bolt gun.
I don't shoot pistol cartridges in (modern) rifles so the need for a short barrel is usually a moot point.
While I do have a few "A"s and "AB" they are in cartridges that work okay with a shorter barrel,17 Mach IV, 222, 223 and , I have one 257AI in "AH" that's the biggest caliber/bore/cartridge I have in a short barrrel #1 and frankly the only ones I'm likely to own, ;-)
The best
Ross
So ballistically the #1 offered high velocity with a rifle short enough to still be handy.
A classic example is the 264 Win Mag. When Winchester brought the cartridge out in the model 70 it was with a 26 inch barrel and called the Westerner. They knew that it was going to take at least 26 of barrel to achieve the published velocities. It also made a sort of unweildy package. Later due to complaints about the barrel Winchester cut the barrel to the now standard barrel length for magnums, 24". LThe ballistics suffered of course and all of a sudden it was sort of passe and not all that much faster than of 6.5s. They later made 264s with barrel as short as 22". The 264 has never totally recovered from the bad press all those years ago.
For me at least the advantage to the #1 and the "B" and "S" in particular was a 26" barrel that allowed as much velocity as you were likely to get in a usable rifle,
I guess we are supposed to be happy with 22" barrels that come out the same overall length as a 18" barrel bolt gun.
I don't shoot pistol cartridges in (modern) rifles so the need for a short barrel is usually a moot point.
While I do have a few "A"s and "AB" they are in cartridges that work okay with a shorter barrel,17 Mach IV, 222, 223 and , I have one 257AI in "AH" that's the biggest caliber/bore/cartridge I have in a short barrrel #1 and frankly the only ones I'm likely to own, ;-)
The best
Ross
picketpin
Buckeye
Explanation: To me and intially to Ruger the big selling point to the #1 besides all the hype about classic etc was that it allowed the use of a 26" barrel in a package that was the same length overall as a bolt gun with a 22" barrel.
So ballistically the #1 offered high velocity with a rifle short enough to still be handy.
A classic example is the 264 Win Mag. When Winchester brought the cartridge out in the model 70 it was with a 26 inch barrel and called the Westerner. They knew that it was going to take at least 26 of barrel to achieve the published velocities. It also made a sort of unweildy package. Later due to complaints about the barrel Winchester cut the barrel to the now standard barrel length for magnums, 24". LThe ballistics suffered of course and all of a sudden it was sort of passe and not all that much faster than of 6.5s. They later made 264s with barrel as short as 22". The 264 has never totally recovered from the bad press all those years ago.
For me at least the advantage to the #1 and the "B" and "S" in particular was a 26" barrel that allowed as much velocity as you were likely to get in a usable rifle,
I guess we are supposed to be happy with 22" barrels that come out the same overall length as a 18" barrel bolt gun.
I don't shoot pistol cartridges in (modern) rifles so the need for a short barrel is usually a moot point.
While I do have a few "A"s, "AH"s and "AB"s they are in cartridges of small volumectric capacity that work okay with a shorter barrel, 17 Mach IV, 221FB 222 and 223. I own exactly one, a 257AI in "AH"in a "Hunting" cartridge. that's the biggest caliber/bore/cartridge I have in a short barrrel #1 and frankly the only ones I'm likely to own, ;-) Unless they finally make the 250-3000. Okay, maybe the 257 Roberts "A" but that more of a "collecting" thing than a hunting thing. Even if I bought one I suspect I just keep right on hunting deer with the #3 in 257Ai that I've hunted with for the last 20 years.
Out here in the wide open it's likely that ballistics and speed/wind drift are going to have more to do with meat in the pot or horns on the wall than a Short rifle that handle fine from a blind (which we don't use) or in heavy timber (which we don't have).
It's a personal thing I guess.
The best
Ross
So ballistically the #1 offered high velocity with a rifle short enough to still be handy.
A classic example is the 264 Win Mag. When Winchester brought the cartridge out in the model 70 it was with a 26 inch barrel and called the Westerner. They knew that it was going to take at least 26 of barrel to achieve the published velocities. It also made a sort of unweildy package. Later due to complaints about the barrel Winchester cut the barrel to the now standard barrel length for magnums, 24". LThe ballistics suffered of course and all of a sudden it was sort of passe and not all that much faster than of 6.5s. They later made 264s with barrel as short as 22". The 264 has never totally recovered from the bad press all those years ago.
For me at least the advantage to the #1 and the "B" and "S" in particular was a 26" barrel that allowed as much velocity as you were likely to get in a usable rifle,
I guess we are supposed to be happy with 22" barrels that come out the same overall length as a 18" barrel bolt gun.
I don't shoot pistol cartridges in (modern) rifles so the need for a short barrel is usually a moot point.
While I do have a few "A"s, "AH"s and "AB"s they are in cartridges of small volumectric capacity that work okay with a shorter barrel, 17 Mach IV, 221FB 222 and 223. I own exactly one, a 257AI in "AH"in a "Hunting" cartridge. that's the biggest caliber/bore/cartridge I have in a short barrrel #1 and frankly the only ones I'm likely to own, ;-) Unless they finally make the 250-3000. Okay, maybe the 257 Roberts "A" but that more of a "collecting" thing than a hunting thing. Even if I bought one I suspect I just keep right on hunting deer with the #3 in 257Ai that I've hunted with for the last 20 years.
Out here in the wide open it's likely that ballistics and speed/wind drift are going to have more to do with meat in the pot or horns on the wall than a Short rifle that handle fine from a blind (which we don't use) or in heavy timber (which we don't have).
It's a personal thing I guess.
The best
Ross
gatling
Blackhawk
I think the most obvious reason they've apparently dropped the 1B is that they can make more money with other offerings. If they were making tons of money with this rifle, would they have dropped it?
The No. 1 in any guise has always been a limited production item. Many stores don't stock it because sales are relatively low and the price is relatively high. That's stating an obvious price/demand relationship, but the No. 1 probably has lower demand because of what it is (a single-shot rifle). I think they are the coolest rifle ever made, but that's just me (and probably most of the folks on this board). I would say there aren't but a couple of stores I know of within a 50 mile circle of where I live that keep the No. 1 in stock. And when they do, a No. 1 rifle is likely to sit on the shelf for a year or more. I spotted a very classy, nice-piece-of-wood .22 Hornet in a 1B at my gunstore in Orange County (here in southern California) and thought about it for more than a year. When I went back to see it again, it was still there and I bought it. These things aren't flying off the shelves. I'll bet the stores (and Ruger, for that matter) probably sells a couple of hundred handguns for every No. 1 they sell, and I am probably being conservative with that estimate.
I actually like this situation (a lot). When I go to the range, I am always the only person there with a No. 1. There's a certain degree of exclusivity associated with owning these magnificent rifles. That's not the main reason I collect them, but it is a factor.
My first No. 1...a Liberty 1A in .30 06, purchased new from Barney's Guns in El Paso, Texas. I paid $250 for it and Barney threw in two boxes of ammo.
Longer term, I think it is likely Ruger will drop the No. 1 altogether. I hope that doesn't happen, but the fact is that there may not be enough people lining up to buy a single-shot rifle that MSRPs at close to $1300. And even though there are a few, Ruger has to answer to its shareholders. Can they justify devoting manufacturing capacity to the No. 1 that can more profitably be assigned to make 9mm handguns or 10/22s?
I'm not saying the above is good or that I agree it is what Ruger should do. I think the people running Ruger today don't think the way Bill Ruger did. It's because of Bill Ruger (and not the beancounters) that we have the No. 1 at all. I'll still keep buying them, and you probably will, too, but we are decidedly in the minority. And like I said above, that's okay by me.
The No. 1 in any guise has always been a limited production item. Many stores don't stock it because sales are relatively low and the price is relatively high. That's stating an obvious price/demand relationship, but the No. 1 probably has lower demand because of what it is (a single-shot rifle). I think they are the coolest rifle ever made, but that's just me (and probably most of the folks on this board). I would say there aren't but a couple of stores I know of within a 50 mile circle of where I live that keep the No. 1 in stock. And when they do, a No. 1 rifle is likely to sit on the shelf for a year or more. I spotted a very classy, nice-piece-of-wood .22 Hornet in a 1B at my gunstore in Orange County (here in southern California) and thought about it for more than a year. When I went back to see it again, it was still there and I bought it. These things aren't flying off the shelves. I'll bet the stores (and Ruger, for that matter) probably sells a couple of hundred handguns for every No. 1 they sell, and I am probably being conservative with that estimate.
I actually like this situation (a lot). When I go to the range, I am always the only person there with a No. 1. There's a certain degree of exclusivity associated with owning these magnificent rifles. That's not the main reason I collect them, but it is a factor.
My first No. 1...a Liberty 1A in .30 06, purchased new from Barney's Guns in El Paso, Texas. I paid $250 for it and Barney threw in two boxes of ammo.
Longer term, I think it is likely Ruger will drop the No. 1 altogether. I hope that doesn't happen, but the fact is that there may not be enough people lining up to buy a single-shot rifle that MSRPs at close to $1300. And even though there are a few, Ruger has to answer to its shareholders. Can they justify devoting manufacturing capacity to the No. 1 that can more profitably be assigned to make 9mm handguns or 10/22s?
I'm not saying the above is good or that I agree it is what Ruger should do. I think the people running Ruger today don't think the way Bill Ruger did. It's because of Bill Ruger (and not the beancounters) that we have the No. 1 at all. I'll still keep buying them, and you probably will, too, but we are decidedly in the minority. And like I said above, that's okay by me.
gewehrfreund
Buckeye
Not to speak for Ross, but I beleive what he was alluding to is the fact that the only #1 now in the catalog is the 1S 300 H&H ( and I suspect that will be gone next year too).wunbe said:
LC
OP
Lloyd Smale
Blackhawk
got to agree that there priceing them out of the reach of alot of people who just want a hunting gun. I have a couple bs but do prefer hunting with the As. Its nice that a 26 inch barrel can be had in a package no longer then a 22 inch bolt but the problem for me is there just to heavy to pack around all day long. I use them for deer blind guns but when im going to be on my feet all day i prefer something lighter.
gewehrfreund said:
Considering the initial word I got from Ruger was the .300 H&H was to be a run of 250 at that was it. Gotta believe they did that and then some.
The #1 as a model itself is a small market in the grand scheme of things. reps themselves have said they can see a day when the 31 is not in production. sales just aren't there and with the age of the majority of the #1 buyers getting up there to where new rifles aren't a yearly thing anymore, the market gets smaller still. Too many want semi-autos or at least a bolt action for that follow up shot. Not enough care and appreciate the classic designs of the single shot. Couple that with people wanting to spend less for their guns and the #1 certainly doesn't have a bright future. Remember that business is different than it was years ago. the market is a tight one and a business needs to use it's resources wisely and where it's most profitable. The #1 is not it.
picketpin
Buckeye
WE hash it to death annually, but I think for the immediate future "Cataloged" versus "Special Run" is probably going to mean exactly the same thing, roughly 250 rifles in a caliber/configuration that either Ruger or Lipseys think they can sell out in a year or two. Thus cut down on the number sitting on the shelf in the wholesalers warehouse and or paying inventory taxes on.
The only difference will be which ones Ruger decides to hold on to for themselves and which ones they release to Lipseys with a minimum order of 250.
The #1 has always been a niche rifle and has ALWAYS been priced higher in the market place than production bolt guns. It was never invisioned as a mass market, every guy on the block is going to want one AND be willing to pay the price. That hasn't changed.
What has changed is the market and in particular the age of the average buyer and sadly the number of guys that appreciate/understand the concept of the #1 as a hunting/varmint rifle.
Most of us that have been at it a long time and buy into the idea, have PLENTY of #1s.
What Ruger is trying to do is fill an even smaller niche for the guys that have said for years, "If they only made it in X, Y or Z, I'd buy one" Like most things Ruger they simply waited too long to try it as a marketing stratedgy. Granted there are guys that want cartridges I don't and never have. Fankly over the years if Ruger didn't chamber it and I wanted one, I had one made. I suspect the number of younger guys, under 30 entering the #1 market is damned near zero. which I find a bit sad, I was 19 when I bought my first one. I don't see many 19 year olds in todays world as #1 buyers.
Sadly there aren't 250 guys left in the market that are truley interested in the X, Y or Z like they have said for years. The only new one in a 250+ gun run that has sold out to my knowledge was the 303 Brits and that was because the gun had world wide demand, especially in Common Wealth Countries. That is an exception. The rest of Lipseys runs and the current crop of "cataloged" guns a very slow sellers.
I haven't quit buying new #1s, yet. IF I finally find a 264 Win Mag with good/better wood I'll plunk down my dollars At some point I'll buy a 257 "Roberts "A" and if they ever make the damned 250-3000 I'll be there.
Sadly, the rest of the stuff out there right now has zero interest to me.
Long term we'll see fewer #1s in few offering cataloged for less time. It'll essentually end up a special order rifle very limited in numbers each year. Not only do the demographics argue against the #1 or other premium rifles but the ethic and understanding of the average hunter coming up right now are not in line with the gun. :-(
Oh, the ONE I was alluding to that still had a 26" barrel was in fact the 300 H&H.
If the difference in weight between a "A" and a "B" is what limits my hunting, it's time to quit all together.
Ross
The only difference will be which ones Ruger decides to hold on to for themselves and which ones they release to Lipseys with a minimum order of 250.
The #1 has always been a niche rifle and has ALWAYS been priced higher in the market place than production bolt guns. It was never invisioned as a mass market, every guy on the block is going to want one AND be willing to pay the price. That hasn't changed.
What has changed is the market and in particular the age of the average buyer and sadly the number of guys that appreciate/understand the concept of the #1 as a hunting/varmint rifle.
Most of us that have been at it a long time and buy into the idea, have PLENTY of #1s.
What Ruger is trying to do is fill an even smaller niche for the guys that have said for years, "If they only made it in X, Y or Z, I'd buy one" Like most things Ruger they simply waited too long to try it as a marketing stratedgy. Granted there are guys that want cartridges I don't and never have. Fankly over the years if Ruger didn't chamber it and I wanted one, I had one made. I suspect the number of younger guys, under 30 entering the #1 market is damned near zero. which I find a bit sad, I was 19 when I bought my first one. I don't see many 19 year olds in todays world as #1 buyers.
Sadly there aren't 250 guys left in the market that are truley interested in the X, Y or Z like they have said for years. The only new one in a 250+ gun run that has sold out to my knowledge was the 303 Brits and that was because the gun had world wide demand, especially in Common Wealth Countries. That is an exception. The rest of Lipseys runs and the current crop of "cataloged" guns a very slow sellers.
I haven't quit buying new #1s, yet. IF I finally find a 264 Win Mag with good/better wood I'll plunk down my dollars At some point I'll buy a 257 "Roberts "A" and if they ever make the damned 250-3000 I'll be there.
Sadly, the rest of the stuff out there right now has zero interest to me.
Long term we'll see fewer #1s in few offering cataloged for less time. It'll essentually end up a special order rifle very limited in numbers each year. Not only do the demographics argue against the #1 or other premium rifles but the ethic and understanding of the average hunter coming up right now are not in line with the gun. :-(
Oh, the ONE I was alluding to that still had a 26" barrel was in fact the 300 H&H.
If the difference in weight between a "A" and a "B" is what limits my hunting, it's time to quit all together.
Ross
Ross,
Did they make alot of the Blued 35 Whelen with the sights?
Just wondering?
Did they make alot of the Blued 35 Whelen with the sights?
Just wondering?
El Numero Uno
Buckeye
Steve,
The blue 1A in .35 Whelen was supposedly a 250 production run. I did get one with the Boddington checkering style Circassian wood
Back to Ross's point, I believe the blue 1A in .30-30 is the only one that sold out-quick!. The other blue 1A's(.257 Roberts, 6.5x55 .35 Whelen) were still in stock at Lipsey's last I checked. They won't last long. The .303 British was not a Lipsey's Exclusive, but I doubt it was made in numbers a whole lot greater than 250.
ENU
The blue 1A in .35 Whelen was supposedly a 250 production run. I did get one with the Boddington checkering style Circassian wood
Back to Ross's point, I believe the blue 1A in .30-30 is the only one that sold out-quick!. The other blue 1A's(.257 Roberts, 6.5x55 .35 Whelen) were still in stock at Lipsey's last I checked. They won't last long. The .303 British was not a Lipsey's Exclusive, but I doubt it was made in numbers a whole lot greater than 250.
ENU
wunbe
Buckeye
Picketpin,
OK I see your point now and concur thoroughly.
IIRC, at one time or another, Ruger once made 1Bs in @ 20 or so calibers including 22 Hornet, .204 Ruger, .203, .22-250, .22 Swift, .243, 6mm. 257 Roberts, .25-06, 7x57, 7mm-08, .270, 280, 7mm RM, 7mm WBY,,308, 30-06, 300 WBY, and 338 RM. These rifles took full advantage of the 26" barrel and relative compactness of the rifle. (I probably missed a few.)
I can see where they might have glutted the market for the .243, ,270s and 06s because they were always on offer, but the others in B models surely have not yet filled all the prospective gun safes out there. And the gun writers constant whining about rifle weight has not totally buried the 26" standard weight barrel --yet.
But then Ruger has decided not to risk holding large 'odd ball' inventories, so they mainly now build special orders on which the risk sits squarely on distributors' shoulders. The disappearance of the B also concides with the intro of Ruger's black rifles which have much higher MSRPs and profit margns given the all synthetic materials and CADCAM applications in the design. Plus, the gun writing agitrpop complex is tying itself in knots flacking black rifles for all builders -- and ignoring the weight issue with ARs. (I see a difference between a rifle maker and a rifle- builder. The skills needed in the latter profession are mainly cybernetic. Ruger is becoming a builder.) Maybe, when even soccer moms are carring an AR, the market will be fully saturated and price competiton will lower AR profit margins. By then, will we be asking "what was the Ruger #1"?
Regards,
wunbe
OK I see your point now and concur thoroughly.
IIRC, at one time or another, Ruger once made 1Bs in @ 20 or so calibers including 22 Hornet, .204 Ruger, .203, .22-250, .22 Swift, .243, 6mm. 257 Roberts, .25-06, 7x57, 7mm-08, .270, 280, 7mm RM, 7mm WBY,,308, 30-06, 300 WBY, and 338 RM. These rifles took full advantage of the 26" barrel and relative compactness of the rifle. (I probably missed a few.)
I can see where they might have glutted the market for the .243, ,270s and 06s because they were always on offer, but the others in B models surely have not yet filled all the prospective gun safes out there. And the gun writers constant whining about rifle weight has not totally buried the 26" standard weight barrel --yet.
But then Ruger has decided not to risk holding large 'odd ball' inventories, so they mainly now build special orders on which the risk sits squarely on distributors' shoulders. The disappearance of the B also concides with the intro of Ruger's black rifles which have much higher MSRPs and profit margns given the all synthetic materials and CADCAM applications in the design. Plus, the gun writing agitrpop complex is tying itself in knots flacking black rifles for all builders -- and ignoring the weight issue with ARs. (I see a difference between a rifle maker and a rifle- builder. The skills needed in the latter profession are mainly cybernetic. Ruger is becoming a builder.) Maybe, when even soccer moms are carring an AR, the market will be fully saturated and price competiton will lower AR profit margins. By then, will we be asking "what was the Ruger #1"?
Regards,
wunbe
wunbe said:
No real inventories to worry about since they use Lean manufacturing from what I'm told by more than one source within the industry. Orders come in, orders, processed, production and orders shipped. Even the service depts have very little if any inventory of spare parts available at times.
picketpin
Buckeye
I can still buy as many 30-30s of GB as I have the money to purchase. Even of sold out at the wholesalers, these short runs will be banging around for the next3 to 5 years waiting to find perminent homes.
It's mentioned that Bill Ruger Sr resisted the current marketing scheme strongly. In talking to him over the years he was very very reluctant to chamber the number #1 in just another 30 caliber. Hence you nevr got the 30-30. His attitude was it did nothing in a #1 that you simply couldn't do with a 30-06.
There were those of us asking for the 7STW which truley made sense in the #1 "S" with the 26 barrel but he saw it as not much better than the 7mm Mag and it didn't get made for 10 years and then for one year in the stainless/laminate which didn't have much support.
In the ineterum we as a family rechambered 9 #1s in 7mm Mag to 7mm STW. They could have save us the trouble and we would have bought new ones but they didn't make then. By the time they did most people that really wanted one had already made one.
I THINK they ended up with 400+ in the 303.
In todays market 250 is too many for most special runs. There are darned few that there are 250 "shooters" just clambering for one and 250 is just too high a number to buy as a collector and leave sitting on the shelf waiting for it to appreciate.
I fit in the middle there somewhere I still HUNT but I also COLLECT.
With maybe another 10 years of buying left in front of me I can't rationalize "just another #1" and there is just way to many #1s, even cataloged guns that sold way less than 250 for me to tie my money up in these runs.
Ross
One hopes that they will keep it in the line up, even if a premium gun in limited numbers.
It's mentioned that Bill Ruger Sr resisted the current marketing scheme strongly. In talking to him over the years he was very very reluctant to chamber the number #1 in just another 30 caliber. Hence you nevr got the 30-30. His attitude was it did nothing in a #1 that you simply couldn't do with a 30-06.
There were those of us asking for the 7STW which truley made sense in the #1 "S" with the 26 barrel but he saw it as not much better than the 7mm Mag and it didn't get made for 10 years and then for one year in the stainless/laminate which didn't have much support.
In the ineterum we as a family rechambered 9 #1s in 7mm Mag to 7mm STW. They could have save us the trouble and we would have bought new ones but they didn't make then. By the time they did most people that really wanted one had already made one.
I THINK they ended up with 400+ in the 303.
In todays market 250 is too many for most special runs. There are darned few that there are 250 "shooters" just clambering for one and 250 is just too high a number to buy as a collector and leave sitting on the shelf waiting for it to appreciate.
I fit in the middle there somewhere I still HUNT but I also COLLECT.
With maybe another 10 years of buying left in front of me I can't rationalize "just another #1" and there is just way to many #1s, even cataloged guns that sold way less than 250 for me to tie my money up in these runs.
Ross
One hopes that they will keep it in the line up, even if a premium gun in limited numbers.
43north
Bearcat
I think we miss out on some of the issues of buying a #1 in any configuration.
The collectors value at times diminishes the market.
Not a lot of youngsters seeing the "need" for a $2000 collectable when they could get as mentioned, a tricked-out M-16 look-alike for that kind of money.
There was nothing wrong with chambering the S1L in .222 again, or having it available in .22 Hornet, .218 Bee, or .25-20, .25-30, or .256 Win Mag..
I know a handful of people interested in both the .250-3000 and the 300 Savage. As areas build-up, the moderate capacity cartridges are more than adequate, and leave the windowglass intact.
The #1 was offered in europe in the excellent 7x64 Brenneke, but when I spoke to SRCo about it in the early '90s, it was a matter of ordering (and pre-paying) for a run of 250... and we'll advise you if and when it's available.
I still have the ammo, never did see the gun.
I had what .280 Rem/7mm RemExp I could lay my hands on, and they sold like hotcakes, as I was a "known source". One sale begat another, as soon as it was seen at the range or in the deer camp.
Getting the #1 in 7x57 in was more problematic, there never enough.
Same for the #1B or #1V in 220 Swift.
I held but one .375 H&H and it was magnificent. Spectacular wood, for a black pad gun.
To sell these guns, I'd put one on the shelf, and have three buyers.
The .257 Roberts came and went, replaced by the .25-06, which didn't have the same appeal for some reason. It sold, but a 6 month dusting & cleaning was required.
That was 20 years ago, but I thoroughly doubt all those fellows ever saw the gun they lusted for, sitting in their rack.
I - personally, never had a cause for the .404, .416, .45-70 or .458 Win,
so those chamberings never sold to me or through me unless a specific order was placed.
I've seen the currently cataloged 9.3mm available locally, and it's still there waiting for a buyer.
The .257 Roberts (new and used) at the same venue have flown out ASAP.
I'd even go so far as to say the middle (.35) caliber hasn't been fully exploited in a #1: 348 Win, .35 Rem, 356 Win, 358 Win, 375 Win
Some would be better #1A, some #1S, some #1B...
Just sayin' if anyone's listening to the west of where I'm sitting.
The collectors value at times diminishes the market.
Not a lot of youngsters seeing the "need" for a $2000 collectable when they could get as mentioned, a tricked-out M-16 look-alike for that kind of money.
There was nothing wrong with chambering the S1L in .222 again, or having it available in .22 Hornet, .218 Bee, or .25-20, .25-30, or .256 Win Mag..
I know a handful of people interested in both the .250-3000 and the 300 Savage. As areas build-up, the moderate capacity cartridges are more than adequate, and leave the windowglass intact.
The #1 was offered in europe in the excellent 7x64 Brenneke, but when I spoke to SRCo about it in the early '90s, it was a matter of ordering (and pre-paying) for a run of 250... and we'll advise you if and when it's available.
I still have the ammo, never did see the gun.
I had what .280 Rem/7mm RemExp I could lay my hands on, and they sold like hotcakes, as I was a "known source". One sale begat another, as soon as it was seen at the range or in the deer camp.
Getting the #1 in 7x57 in was more problematic, there never enough.
Same for the #1B or #1V in 220 Swift.
I held but one .375 H&H and it was magnificent. Spectacular wood, for a black pad gun.
To sell these guns, I'd put one on the shelf, and have three buyers.
The .257 Roberts came and went, replaced by the .25-06, which didn't have the same appeal for some reason. It sold, but a 6 month dusting & cleaning was required.
That was 20 years ago, but I thoroughly doubt all those fellows ever saw the gun they lusted for, sitting in their rack.
I - personally, never had a cause for the .404, .416, .45-70 or .458 Win,
so those chamberings never sold to me or through me unless a specific order was placed.
I've seen the currently cataloged 9.3mm available locally, and it's still there waiting for a buyer.
The .257 Roberts (new and used) at the same venue have flown out ASAP.
I'd even go so far as to say the middle (.35) caliber hasn't been fully exploited in a #1: 348 Win, .35 Rem, 356 Win, 358 Win, 375 Win
Some would be better #1A, some #1S, some #1B...
Just sayin' if anyone's listening to the west of where I'm sitting.
