Custom Ordered Ruger No.1

[El Numero Uno]

Just how many of you No.1 fanciers would order something, that is not in the catalog. Obviously, it would have to be in calibers that are, or have been chambered by the Factory; standard barrel contours would have to be maintained, length might vary within certain parameters. Stocks are optional.
I have discussed this concept with a few people who have the where with all to make it happen. I have not been told "NO"! So there is a slim chance; but for it to happen, shooters, hunters and collectors will have to step up.
No weird crap, just an ability to select from a fairly extensive menu.
Who has an interest??

 

[BlkHawk73]

Maybe.

 

[cellar701]

It will depend somewhat on the price point, but short answer is yes.

 

[cat1870]

I'd fancy a .219 Donaldson Wasp....

 

[TBear77]

My immediate reaction was...YES! However, I suspect the devil is gonna be in the details.

I've wanted a two-tone No 1-AB in .308 Win. that aestetically matches my Red Label. A 24" magnum weight barrel in .308 may be the detail that breaks the deal; but I'm willing to keep my name in the hat until I find out.

Like this:

As you find out more, let us know.

Ted

 

[picketpin]

Cat: you have to order something that they have or already have chambered. That is part of the rub with the idea. I certainly would have paid to have the factory build my wildcats over the years and suspect that the price from Ruger wouldn't have been much more than I paid to have them built BUT Ruger doesn't have a BUNCH of reamers.

I would even pay a reasonable ammount over what the smith charges me to have then be factory #1s But Ruger doesn't make 17 Mach IVs, 17 Javalinas, 17 Remingtons, 225 Wins, 22-250AI, 250Sav age AI, 6mm-284, or 257 AI or.....................................................30-338...........................

Unless they did it would be pointless to me.

As much as I'd like it to work, it didn't work in 1967 when they only built 2000 or less #1s and unfortunately it probably would not work now even if they restricted it to already existing stock, barrel and cartridge choices.

We all say we'd really like a 22LR #1. We all say we'd buy one at factory prices. I've been told that Ruger is well aware of the demand. They aslo will tell you it is NEVER going to happen in your /my life time. One, they wouldn't do it on a full sized #1. Two, they are NOT going to spend the time, money and effort to design, develop and produce it.

Custom and semi custom work just aren't going to happen, sadly and I'm one of the guys that would in fact spend more to have his rifles "factory".

Ross W Thomas

 

[cat1870]

Wellll.............we can all drean, can't we?

 

[mike7mm08]

I think this would be a great thing. Actually I think this is the only way the #1 should be sold. Give us a menu of options that we can pick and choose from and fill the orders in a reasonable timeframe. Maybe offer a order window each year. Once that window closes no orders til next year. Ruger would then be able to do the run and then move onto higher demand and more profitable models.

The market for #1s has to be very small compared to all other Rugers. Frankly I am surprised that the #1 is still produced. Just look at how lean the #1 line has become this year. There is really very little to appeal to the "gun nut" market. The majority of demand for the #1 is that very market. How many people looking for a deer rifle ,that is going to be their only rifle, buy a #1?

Being able to order what you want would satisfy the core market for the #1 and keep a great rifle in production. Would also make the #1 more profitable for Ruger.

 

[mcknight77]

Lee, I'd love to see some more rifles like the No.1AB and AH that came in .25-06 in some other calibers, especially .280Rem. And, make mine with a brown pad, please!

 

[Heliman]

Well, if they won't build me a 1-A or 1-S in .348 Win, I would not be too interested at this time, but would be possibly have future interest.....

 

[bigbore45colt]

Lee,

Count me in, I'd be interested.

BB45C

 

[four70nitro]

No. 1-AH in .280

 

[Go Navy]

Never owned a No. 1, and I'm confused about all the models. I like them and would really like to own one. I have noticed they almost never end up for sale as used guns in the three stores I monitor. However, I'd probably want one in .223 with a long barrel, but that may be a standard option. If not, I might go in on this proposal.

 

[four70nitro]

No. 1-S in .280

 

[Trey Whitley]

Nothing exotic- 1S in .30-'06 with a 26-inch barrel would do me fine.

 

[Rocdoc]

Would like a K1RSI in 338-06, would rob my retirement finds to get a factory version of such, think it likely to be an outrageous price, but this combo would be near perfect.

 

[patrickjames]

I would. Something like Randall knives. You can only chose 5 options, like barrel lenght,caliber, etc. etc etc. Factory ordered randall knives was a 5-6 year wait.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

im easy. Id take a #1 int. in 250 sav and a #1a in 280 and a 1s in 300 h&h with a 24 inch barrel. No stainless or laminated wood please.

 

[Heavy Barrel]

I'd rather not see any,it would just add to my addiction and make my home life tougher than it already is. = "WIFE" :shock:

 

[txpitdog]

K1-H 458wm no dights
K1-H 375 Ruger no sights
K1RSI in any caliber
1-S 375 Winchester

 

[txpitdog]

Also like the comment about limiting availability of the #1 to custom order only.

 

[Watergoat]

They CAN do it, witness the recent batch of 45-70 with 26 inch barrels. Before we go too wild and exotic on calibers, remember they have to have availability of proof loads from somewhere in the world.

 

[Boatbuilder]

I can think of a couple I'd consider ordering:
K1RSI in .260 Rem
1S or K1S in 35 Whelen
K1B in 6.5-284

Jon

 

[BlkHawk73]

They CAN do it, witness the recent batch of 45-70 with 26 inch barrels. Before we go too wild and exotic on calibers, remember they have to have availability of proof loads from somewhere in the world.

THAT'S the BIG key! Spoke on more than one occasion with reps and it's the availability of proof loads that kills many introductions. There's Black Hills and a European company they get them from - mostly the Euro company is used from what it seemed. Figure the price and lead times for that and it's a good size undertaking with the shipping, hazmat, tariffs and all.


Seems most only half read the OP. The part about such a option being "Obviously, it would have to be in calibers that are, or have been chambered by the Factory". Guess some read what they want. :roll:

 

[BlkHawk73]

Also, consideration for the nay-sayers... If you were to think about it, the distributor runs are basically what's being thought of here in a way. Get enough interest and be able to come together and cooperate to get a non-cataloged model and with the help of a distributor, it can happen.
Of course very few can come to grips with getting anything other than exactly what they want - no exceptions... Well those will be the ones NOT getting their heart's desire. Compromise CAn get things done.


Just saying...

Been here, done this and it worked.

 

[Ruger1nut]

280 or 348 with 24" bbl with sites and Henry forend. I would prefer a "B" weight bbl but would live with "A" weight

Where do I sent the check and when :lol:

Dave

 

[Con]

Obviously, it would have to be in calibers that are, or have been chambered by the Factory; standard barrel contours would have to be maintained, length might vary within certain parameters. Stocks are optional.

So offer what Savage does to its customers? Note ... these are not options for those outside the USA so the point is irrelevant to me personally being in Australia.

As it stands, Ruger cannot supply in any timely manner what is ordered from here with extensive waits or part shipments made. For example I waited 18 months for a Ruger 375H&H follower and it still never arrived! I know that for me and a few of my friends, its made us wary of ordering anything from Ruger so a custom shop option would be interesting, but realistically I'd be better engaging the services of a gunsmith.

Regular production 'flagship' models would be of interest ... say a Tropical in 500NE at a 25-30% premium. With dies available from Hornady and ammunition ... that Ruger never attempted it is an absolute mystery.
Cheers...
Con

 

[mike7mm08]

Yep savage would be a great model. Just about any combo of factory components can be used to make your rifle.

 

[mattsbox99]

They already make or have made everything I want. There are usually 300+ guns on gunbroker to browse through when I get to looking. I'm patient enough to wait for the right ones to show up.

 

[picketpin]

You can have 250 or maybe as low as 200 of whatever you want to pay for.

As for compromise to get it done. What's the point of a custom/semi custom rifle if it is identical to 249 others?? You are simply talking another dealer special.

Actually that was/is how the 303 Brit came about. enough people showed enough interest for enough time that the wholesaler decided to order it. The same thing with the long awaited 250 Savage.

The 45-70 26" C started life as a special order from a non profit. Ruger made the barrels and assembled the rifles and the non profit refused them because they had wanted a 28" barrel which Ruger couldn't make with their tooling and equipment. That left Ruger a run of 26" 45-70 barrels. They offered them to Lipseys and the barrels were used for the rifles as released.

If you wait long enough there should be some 270s in the "S" configuration available on the secondary market. Of course they'll have non factory embellishments and engraving but....................

Being a factory assembled rifle is the underlying issue. As stated in the initial post you would need to do what was done in 1967. Order your barrel, your wood choice, your sighting options and what you want it chambered in from the list provided. Nothing not on the list will be chambered. No barrel profile not already made would be made. Unless we already have reamers and proof loads you are not going to get it.

Take a look at the 1967 catalog and add the "V" profile and the RSI and that would be what you could build with the addition of things that have been chambered since in the #1 was introduced.

If you were a FOB or you whined long enough and hard enough you could get a one off under the old Ruger. In the new corporate enviroment I wouldn't even expect that to be a reality.

In an era when they are reducing configurations and chamberings and doing what essentually amounts to multiple short runs just to keep the product alive I simply can not imagine them taking on the project. I've certainly got a negative response to the idea on the talk to the CEO page. Others, much better placed to know people within Ruger have been told the same.

We can all dream. But if you want a one off and you really want to shoot it within your lifetime, I'd build one. If it's important that it look as Ruger as it can then use factory parts including barrels if at all possible. I defy the average person to look at most of my wildcats or odd configurations and tell whether they are factory or not, without looking at the engraving for the chamber designation. But they are not factory. I admit that were/had they been built by the factory they would have retained value as long as they would letter. However the secondary market and values has never been an issue that concerned Ruger.

While I too would love factory rifles built to order within reason, I don't get the reluctance to simply build one if it's really "What I've wanted all my life". Must have more will power than I do.

Ross