KNR-4F initial look-----Back from Ruger!

[Heliman]

I must first apologize for the image I am forced to use since Photobucket is messing with me. Thanks to WAYNO for what I have.
So, that being said, I am not totally satisfied with the appearance of this new revolver. Most of the criticism has to do with the terrible fitment of the grips to the grip frame. Not only the fit, but the grip material. The Ruger web site says "hardwood" grip panels, not Laminate grip panels although they may be hardwood laminate. The material is not as important as is the fit. WAYNO may have a set of grips that fit better that I will probably use short term.
Grips aside the buffing process on the barrel is not up to par leaving heavy brush marks on the finish. I can deal with this, but still disappointing.
Next up I plan to introduce this revolver to the range soon. Hopefully it will be a positive experience.

Pics of the grip fit.......

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p139/devoreshe/DSCN3091_zpsy37bsz35.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p139/devoreshe/DSCN3090_zpsnaoj4uec.jpg

 

[mike7mm08]

Just bought a Bisley 480 grips fit about like that and they won't tighten up. Don't expect perfection but expect them to look like they at least tried to get them close.

 

[Ruger45]

The day Ruger stopped buying Lett grips. That was the last time a set of grips came from the factory that actuality fit the gun.

 

[Uncle Howie]

I have tried to post to this thread several times unsuccessfully. Here is the short version of my commentary, maybe this one will "take."

I'm a shooter, vs. collector. I don't expect perfection, and have generally been pleased with all of my Ruger products over the years.

The bad:
These grips are ill fitting- completely unacceptable, IMHO. MUCH sloppier fit than any of my other Single-Sixes. I will be contacting Ruger on these, as they're "not even close."

The good:
I am pleased with the buffing on my example. Nothing special, but entirely satisfactory to my eye.

The gun locks up better than any of my other Single-Sixes. Were I a gun writer, this is the part where I would bring the phrase "bank vault" into the discussion... :mrgreen:

Gun is a ton of fun! Shoots to point of aim and groups nicely for me at 20-25 yards, using Federal's HV, 550-round bulk pack load.

When I get some better-fitting grips, I think I'll be very happy with it!

 

[xtratoy]

Do you have a picture of the whole gun? Hard to tell what this model is as Ruger website just lists a model number.does f stand for fixed sights?

 

[WAYNO]

Do you have a picture of the whole gun? Hard to tell what this model is as Ruger website just lists a model number.does f stand for fixed sights?

Here's a stock photo of a KNR4F. Yes, F is fixed-sight.


(Interesting, when I accessed my photos from photobucket, placed them back in my computer, then transferred them to postimage.com, and finally uploaded them to the ruger forum, folks that have been affected by the photobucket changes STILL cannot see the photos. (So, I'll start over and place them in postimage from the get-go.) Photobuckets tentacles continue even after you retrieve your own photos back to your own computer. :evil:

And I will post the latest photos of Daves gun. For the Ruger fan-boys who will continue to defend Ruger and say we're expecting too much from a 500-dollar mass produced gun, I say BULL CRAP!

It's bad enough that both Ruger and their customers are accepting this as the new normal, but the FFL where this gun was bought via internet, was specifically asked to select a "good one". This is the best the FFL could select out of the batch? It's not just unsightly, but the fit is actually uncomfortable while shooting.

Lastly...I brought an assortment of Ruger grips, both factory-supplied and aftermarket, and every grip I brought fit well, compared to these chintzy, ugly plywood grips, which have been forced on the buying public.













Dave and I both buy a lot of Ruger products. We are both disappointed by the changes in quality. Recently Dave bought a SR1911-10mm, which is absolutely outstanding, to the point I want one for myself. But I'm fearful of buying one sight-unseen as I just wont know which day of the week it will be made on. Could be a sows ear. And if the FFL can't or wont do an honest inspection before he ships me the gun, I'll likely not get one.

 

[Heliman]

Thanks for the pics WAYNO! I called Ruger this noon, but they are closed until the 10th for their annual shutdown.

Now, as to function this revolver shot great. Sights are regulated dead on at about 15 yards. With the magnum cylinder it shoots about 3" low at the same distance. Windage is perfect for me.

Now....if I can get the grip situation straightened out, all will be well.

Dave

 

[Hondo44]

Dave,

Very glad it shot well for you!

Let's be frank, the grips are plywood, maybe hard but still plywood.

And you won't get satisfaction from Ruger, they just don't have grips that fit, and you'd still have plywood. No you shouldn't have to spend extra for a new gun to be right!

But there's plenty of nice old Ruger walnut grips on Gunbroker and Ebay that will fit better than those.

And since your gun is stainless, if the grips are a touch small around the edge, you can polish the stainless down to match.

 

[Heliman]

Do you have a picture of the whole gun? Hard to tell what this model is as Ruger website just lists a model number.does f stand for fixed sights?

Here's a stock photo of a KNR4F. Yes, F is fixed-sight.


(Interesting, when I accessed my photos from photobucket, placed them back in my computer, then transferred them to postimage.com, and finally uploaded them to the ruger forum, folks that have been affected by the photobucket changes STILL cannot see the photos. (So, I'll start over and place them in postimage from the get-go.) Photobuckets tentacles continue even after you retrieve your own photos back to your own computer. :evil:

And I will post the latest photos of Daves gun. For the Ruger fan-boys who will continue to defend Ruger and say we're expecting too much from a 500-dollar mass produced gun, I say BULL CRAP!

It's bad enough that both Ruger and their customers are accepting this as the new normal, but the FFL where this gun was bought via internet, was specifically asked to select a "good one". This is the best the FFL could select out of the batch? It's not just unsightly, but the fit is actually uncomfortable while shooting.

Lastly...I brought an assortment of Ruger grips, both factory-supplied and aftermarket, and every grip I brought fit well, compared to these chintzy, ugly plywood grips, which have been forced on the buying public.













Dave and I both buy a lot of Ruger products. We are both disappointed by the changes in quality. Recently Dave bought a SR1911-10mm, which is absolutely outstanding, to the point I want one for myself. But I'm fearful of buying one sight-unseen as I just wont know which day of the week it will be made on. Could be a sows ear. And if the FFL can't or wont do an honest inspection before he ships me the gun, I'll likely not get one.

Back from Ruger today...... Much better! Why couldn't they get it right the first time!?







Dave

 

[Hondo44]

Dave,

Congrats!

They likely just polished down the grip frame to match the grips. Or found a set of grips closest to your gun and polished grip frame to match them.

Like they should have done in the first place. But assemblers don't fit grips, just slap on the next pair on the pile. Grips are only fitted by the repair dept and when the gun is sent back with a complaint.

 

[WAYNO]

Dave,

Congrats!

They likely just polished down the grip frame to match the grips. Or found a set of grips closest to your gun and polished grip frame to match them.

Like they should have done in the first place. But assemblers don't fit grips, just slap on the next pair on the pile. Grips are only fitted by the repair dept and when the gun is sent back with a complaint.

Yep, I studied the grip photos, and the grips are the same. They ground down the grip frame to fit. A good solution, and one that will make it always easy to fit new grips to this grip frame.

As far as the original grips however...I compared them to my stash of grips, and these grips were the smallest of any. They would not have fit any grip frame correctly. When we tried any or all of my factory grips, they all were acceptable. So, I'm surprised they didn't just grab another set of grips and install them instead of reshaping the grip frame. Either solution works, but I like their solution best, making the grip frame under size.

 

[mc1911]

It is not an excuse for Ruger, but it seems SS grip frames are larger than the aluminum grip frames . This leads to a one size fits all approach in my eye.

 

[larryofcc]

To Blackhawk. According to Ruger when I bought a pair of Lett grips for my scarce KS-4 Star, they were the last pair in stock and they would not get any more as Mr. Lett had retired. The fit and finish was absolutely perfect. They were faux ivory and look good on my KS-4 Star. Big Larry