generic ruger handgun question

[bobski]

knowing all the levels of owning guns and collecting...I know theres a lot to digest.

but just an overall simple answer might do it, what is the most common issue ruger owners tend to run across as being wrong with a ruger when they see one for sale or at a gun show?
mechanically speaking. was there ever a common issue with all handguns or is it model specific?
in other words, whats your check list when you pick one up and start deciding good or bad>?

 

[Bob Wright]

knowing all the levels of owning guns and collecting...I know theres a lot to digest.

but just an overall simple answer might do it, what is the most common issue ruger owners tend to run across as being wrong with a ruger when they see one for sale or at a gun show?
mechanically speaking. was there ever a common issue with all handguns or is it model specific?
in other words, whats your check list when you pick one up and start deciding good or bad>?

Despite all the bad hype concerning Rugers, I've never found any inherent problem with any of my Blackhawks/Super Blackhawks. What 'smithing I've had done was all cosmetic.

Bob Wright

 

[NikA]

I would say most generic complaints I've heard are cosmetic and related to grips or fitment of various metal parts.

Specific models have know issues. .45 revolvers have cylinder throat and barrel constriction issues. Some of the semi autos have various intricacies related to takedown/reassembly.

 

[powder smoke]

knowing all the levels of owning guns and collecting...I know theres a lot to digest.

but just an overall simple answer might do it, what is the most common issue ruger owners tend to run across as being wrong with a ruger when they see one for sale or at a gun show?
mechanically speaking. was there ever a common issue with all handguns or is it model specific?
in other words, whats your check list when you pick one up and start deciding good or bad>?

Despite all the bad hype concerning Rugers, I've never found any inherent problem with any of my Blackhawks/Super Blackhawks. What 'smithing I've had done was all cosmetic.

Bob Wright

I have had way more problems with Colts to be honest! Rugers have been great ps

 

[6GUNSONLY]

Bad trigger pulls would be my vote, based on my experience. Usually not too hard to remedy, and I understand “lawyer mandated trigger pulls”, but I’ve gotten a few that were horrendous; impossible to shoot well until addressed.

 

[Bob Wright]

Specific models have know issues. .45 revolvers have cylinder throat and barrel constriction issues. Some of the semi autos have various intricacies related to takedown/reassembly.

These are my Rugers in .45 Colt, four Blackhawks and a Vaquero. None have experienced and constriction problems. Maybe the vintage or just sheer good fortune:




Bob Wright

 

[NikA]

Think you're just lucky, Bob. Plenty of threads in the smithing subforum about cylinder throats and thread chokes on the .45 revolvers. Of the two stainless examples I have, the Bisley BH gages correctly and the Redhawk needed lapping.

Also think the issue is more pronounced in the stainless models due to steel that is tougher on the tooling.

 

[contender]

Listening to many folks over the years,, as far as general complaints,, about overall models of Rugers,, both of the first ones I've heard the most were;
Semi-auto .22's,, a PIA to re-assemble.
The .45 Colts & the undersized throats in the cylinders.

Now,, one thing often heard by many is; "Gosh it's heavy."
Or, about the M77 rifles,, "Some are accurate & some can't hit the broad side of the barn."

But if I were at a gun show,, and studying any Ruger for potential purchase,, the one thing I look for is either owner abuse or kitchen table gunsmithing. And trust me,,, I've seen too much of both.

 

[57springer]

The older guns are better in my opinion . Quality, Finish etc .

 

[dwayne]

It really depends on what you want. If you are looking for something that looks good at a glance and will go “bang!” every time and hit a 5-gallon bucket from 7-yards, the new Ruger revolvers are totally fine. If you are looking for a finely finished, precisely built revolver that is free of manufacturing slop (thread choke, improperly sized cylinder throats, sloppy rear sights, grips that do not fit the frame, gritty triggers, etc.), you will be disappointed with Ruger. Most people fall somewhere in the middle ... only you will know your tolerance for imprecision or sloppiness in manufacturing. As someone previously said, the old model revolvers are much better (IME).

 

[JackpineWillie]

My brother had an issue on a .45 Blackhawk with a barrel out of alignment. He contacted Ruger and they had him send it bact. When they returned it it came back perfect and they had slicked up the action to near Colt smoothness!

 

[Ale-8(1)]

The Ruger single-actions are my weakness. The only "problem" I've had with any of them is the woefully undersized chamber throats in the .45 Old Models, and while having those reamed I have done the forcing cones just because. Good results IMHO.

I haven't messed with New Models enough to have an experienced opinion.

I'm not fond of the teardown/reassemble procedures on the .22 pistols, but that's a matter of learning all the tricks. :wink:

 

[bobski]

what is the waterloo year of 'old better' and new rugers?

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Well, 1973 was the year we saw the last of the Old Model (3-screw) single-actions and the introduction of the New Model (transfer bar) versions. For some of us, 1973 brought us the best of the Old Models, but others might go further and say the pre-1963 versions were even better. I cannot offer an opinion on the New Models.

But there are so many other Ruger firearm models that IMHO it's impossible to pick a "Waterloo" for all of them. Others will likely disagree.

:mrgreen:

 

[dwayne]

what is the waterloo year of 'old better' and new rugers?

IMHO, the beginning of the end was when Ruger began (~2012) a flawed implementation of the Lean Production System and rooted out the gunsmiths (and gunsmithing) in the process lanes.

 

[Fox Mike]

The biggest 'complaint' I have had, being a Bearcat collector, is grip fitment. Never had any true 'issues' with the Single Sixes, new or Old model.

 

[Sacramento Johnson]

I have to agree with the above poster; "owner abuse or kitchen table gunsmithing". I'd add poorly maintained ones as well; look for excessive finish wear, external and internal pitting, lack of cleaning/dirty etc. I'd also shy away from external and internal modifications outside of grips.