Polished Blue 9.3x62 African?

[Trey Whitley]

If it weren't for the fact that I'm waiting on a 9.3x62 barrel assembly for a different bolt rifle, I'd probably be bidding on this. Ruger seems to make a little bit of everything, but I didn't know they were producing the African in a polished blue.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=226281970

 

[6mmsl]

Looks like all matte blue are now going back to polished blue for 2011. Take a look on Ruger's website.
Looks nice!

Ruger calls it satin blue now.

 

[Jeff Quinn]

There is also a special limited edition polished blue 9.3x62 African on the way that will have upgraded wood.
Hopefully very soon.

Jeff

 

[Trey Whitley]

If Ruger would produce the 9.3x62 in the Express configuration, integral quarter rib and all, they'd have a fantastic offering. You'd think 500 or 1,000 of those would be an easy sell.

 

[chet15]

If Ruger would produce the 9.3x62 in the Express configuration, integral quarter rib and all, they'd have a fantastic offering. You'd think 500 or 1,000 of those would be an easy sell.

Don't know about that. Ruger only made a few thousand Express Rifles in more common domestic calibers and couldn't make that model sell very well at all. I think what killed the Express was the price factor. Yes, some were willing to pay the extra to have the integral rib that the Mark II Express and Magnum rifles had, but those with the extra $ to spend on something like that are in a lot fewer numbers than the eastern elites could ever imagine.
Chet15

 

[Trey Whitley]

The price is a factor, but it's a relative factor. I agree that most people buying & using M77's aren't willing to pay a significant mark-up for the Express configuration. Then again, most of them wouldn't be willing to pay MSRP for the standard 9.3x62 Hawkeye.

But...I think there are plenty of people who are getting turned on to the 9.3x62 cartridge, and like the traditional styling of the Express, who would be willing to buy one. These are the same guys who know that an integral quarter rib adds between $1,000 and $2,000 to a custom barrel order.

It would never stand as a production offering, but I think the "limited edition" factor and the configuration would get 500 of them sold...not sure if that would make it worth Ruger's time and investment. I also think it would outsell the old offerings in .458 Lott, .416 Rigby, and possibly the .375 H&H.

I suspect the gunblast edition is going to sell quickly too.

 

[SeeDepp]

Is the special edition with upgraded wood a distributor exclusive? I would sure like to get in line for one such African model in 9.3x62.

 

[Trey Whitley]

Is the special edition with upgraded wood a distributor exclusive?

I can't answer the "exclusive" question (Jeff?) but Lipsey's has them listed on their website.

I'll have to admit, even with a 9.3x62 barrel assembly in production I'm tempted by this upgraded model. Time to exercise some willpower...

 

[Hawkeye Stalker]

Looks great, cant wait for mine :twisted:

 

[Jeff Quinn]

Lipsey's will be the only distributor. From what I understand, they will be polished blue with Circassian walnut, and special serial numbers, GB0001 and so forth.

Jeff

 

[bigbore45colt]

Lipsey's will be the only distributor. From what I understand, they will be polished blue with Circassian walnut, and special serial numbers, GB0001 and so forth.

Jeff

I already have one on order. Can't wait. Should be a great rifle.

BB45C

 

[dfletcher]

I have a CZ 550 in 9.3X62 and it gives a pretty good thump. The Ruger recoil pad looks a touch thin ....