When did Ruger start putting the long safety warnings on revolver barrels? I was looking at a Gunbroker listing for a Security-Six, and I kept passing it by as it looked like the finish on the barrel was all marred up or worn off. Eventually, I did take a closer look, and the gun was actually in excellent condition. That huge flaw I was seeing was actually the "billboard," which took up most of one side of the barrel.
When did the "billboards" start?
- Thread starter ditto1958
- Start date
GunnyGene
Hawkeye
ditto1958 said:
Sometime last century. I think in the '80's.
January, 1978.
There are some later exceptions - special orders, usually for LE or for overseas, that don't include the 'Warning' billboard.
It's all about lawsuits and liability.
It's been moved to the bottom of the barrel on current production guns - it's less obvious which is a plus or a minus, depending on cosmetics vis owner responsibility. In other words, someone who should heed it, might not see it now. :shock:
Terry T
There are some later exceptions - special orders, usually for LE or for overseas, that don't include the 'Warning' billboard.
It's all about lawsuits and liability.
It's been moved to the bottom of the barrel on current production guns - it's less obvious which is a plus or a minus, depending on cosmetics vis owner responsibility. In other words, someone who should heed it, might not see it now. :shock:
Terry T
trapperon
Blackhawk
Also, the Red Label and Gold Label shotguns have never had the warning......or the 77 express and magnum rifles with the integrated barrel rib were never adorned with the warning....thankfully!
Ron
Ron
I'm not sure I will ever understand why anyone thinks a firearms maker should have to put warnings on their guns to tell people they can be dangerous. It kinda seems to me that anyone who is not smart enough to know that probably also is not smart enough to be able to read the warning.
ditto1958,
It kinda seems to me that anyone who is not smart enough to know that probably also is not smart enough to be able to read the warning. :lol: :lol:
True but the sad reality in the USA today is the lawsuit situation is so out of control that you can probably file a lawsuit claiming that I am ugly, you looked at me and had mental distress because of it, and you would get you day in court.
Jim
It kinda seems to me that anyone who is not smart enough to know that probably also is not smart enough to be able to read the warning. :lol: :lol:
True but the sad reality in the USA today is the lawsuit situation is so out of control that you can probably file a lawsuit claiming that I am ugly, you looked at me and had mental distress because of it, and you would get you day in court.
Jim
contender
Ruger Guru
The billboard warning came about due to Bill getting mad at a court decision, a lawsuit, that Ruger lost. It was the only lawsuit they had ever lost back then. (Not sure about any losses since.)
The story; A guy loaded an OM single action with 6 rounds. Had some type of accident, where he shot himself because of the fully loaded gun. The judge ruled in that guy's favor,,, BECAUSE Bill had designed & built a New Model. Saying that Bill Ruger knew he had a defective design & built the safety transfer bar system. (The judge dismissed all the historical data about firearm design.) Bill wanted to avoid any future lawsuits,,, (by STUPID PEOPLE,) by putting the disclaimer directly on the gun.
The story; A guy loaded an OM single action with 6 rounds. Had some type of accident, where he shot himself because of the fully loaded gun. The judge ruled in that guy's favor,,, BECAUSE Bill had designed & built a New Model. Saying that Bill Ruger knew he had a defective design & built the safety transfer bar system. (The judge dismissed all the historical data about firearm design.) Bill wanted to avoid any future lawsuits,,, (by STUPID PEOPLE,) by putting the disclaimer directly on the gun.
Mike Armstrong
Hunter
The stupid guy in question was "practicing" quick draws indoors with a fully loaded Bearcat. How many "stupids" is that exactly?
Hondo44
Hawkeye
Moved to bottom of barrel beginning 2006.
Armybrat
Hunter
It would annoy me considerably to have this barrel on my New Vaquero marred with that lawyer billboard. I like them nice & shiny. It bugs me to see it on the stubby SP101 barrel.
contender
Ruger Guru
When you feel the need to complain about the billboard,, BLAME the lawyers, a stupid judge & most importantly,,, the IDIOT that did not know how to properly & safely load an OM. Bill did what he felt was necessary to protect the company.
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