Author Topic: Basic Ruger #1 Question (Read 1803 times)

Big Paulie · « **on:** June 25, 2004, 02:23:29 PM »

Dear Guys,

I have never owned a single shot rifle before, and I am considering the Ruger No. 1 Light rifle. One thing, however, gives me some pause. From what I can see, the actions on the Ruger No. 1s open up pretty easily if you touch that interior release lever and pull down on the action lever.

Most of my hunting is deer hunting, through heavy woods and heavy thicket. Here in the south, even in the dead of winter, there are loads of thorn vines and other brush that you have to push through just to walk through the woods. And sometimes, there is no way to do it but get down on your hands and knees and crawl through a space.

My concern would be that in carrying the rifle on my shoulder, or even in my hand, that every time I waded or pushed through brush or thicket or even light woods, that action lever would getting caught on something and would be pulling open. I know that it probably wouldn't open all of the way, but having it open even part of the way on a regular basis would be a big annoyance.

Does anybody out there have any experience with this concern? Is there some standard trick or fix that Ruger No. 1 owners use to address this problem?

Thanks for all information and replies.

Big Paulie

John Traveler · « **Reply #1 on:** June 25, 2004, 03:14:47 PM »

Big Paulie,

I've owned and used several Ruger Number 1 and 3 rifles for many years.

On the Number 1, you have to intentionally depress that release with your ring or middle finger before the lever will open. I've honestly NEVER had it open up at the wrong time or unintentionally. It looks hand-fitted to the trigger guard.

On the Number 3, there is a strong detent that keeps the finger loop in the closed position until you deliberately push it out of engagement. Again, I've never had it let go a the wrong moment.

I've never, ever heard anyone complain about these rifles dropping the breech at the wrong time. They've been out since about 1967, and you would think that if it was a problem to these models, something would've been reported after 35 years.

Hope that puts you at ease.

TPearce · « **Reply #2 on:** June 25, 2004, 04:16:03 PM »

I'm with John on this one.
Tom :grin:

marlinman93 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 25, 2004, 05:08:48 PM »

Almost any action could get caught on a branch or vine and be opened on occasion. Bolt actions, lever actions, or single shots, could all exhibit this on rare occasion. I guess the only action that might not would be a pump or semiauto style rifle.
The thing I'd be concerned about in any gun design, would be the chances of something like this, happening often. I shoot and hunt with a number of different singleshot rifles, and none of them (except the Ruger) even have a catch on the lever. So far I've never had one open at any time, so with the extra safety of a catch, I'd guess the Ruger is even less likely to open.

TPearce · « **Reply #4 on:** June 25, 2004, 07:13:02 PM »

What is a Ruger #1 "Light rifle", This is my third #1, and even with the MPI stock, light ....... nope. Nice rifle though.
Enjoy your new Ruger (I do)
Tom :grin:

TPearce · « **Reply #5 on:** June 26, 2004, 10:39:32 AM »

BP,
I'm with you now on the "Light Sporter" designation. It took alil while....... but I'm I caught up with ya!
The only thing my #1 rifle levers ever snagged.... The state I live in, WA. Insist on hunter orange (for Deer and Elk modern firearms seasons) In a hurry to leave for the hills, I purchased an orange "one size fits all" vest with the split sides. The lever would slide into the split, causing a snag when the rifle was slung muzzle up. This problem was alleviated after finding a vest without the split.
Also....... when the brush gets thick in these parts, thats a good time to have your firearm ready to mount (off the shoulder and in your hands) If you know what I mean.
Good luck and great shooting
Tom

marlinman93 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 26, 2004, 01:09:41 PM »

Tom,
Where'd you find thick brush around Tri Cities! :lol: :lol:

TennesseeNuc · « **Reply #7 on:** June 26, 2004, 06:31:53 PM »

Paulie,
The only rifle that I have snagged the action open was a bolt action. I've never had it happen with a #1.
Later,
TnNuc

TPearce · « **Reply #8 on:** June 27, 2004, 03:29:07 AM »

Marlin,
You gotta get low, real low.......

Tom

oneb · « **Reply #9 on:** June 27, 2004, 09:58:14 AM »

I own eight #1s and hunt a lot with them all.

I have never experienced an accidental lever opening but I have heard of guys who go to shoot their #1s and find the action open and chamber empty. Urban legend? Cyber space crapola? Maybe.

I have directly experienced and seen two other problems. In lots of hunting and range hours with these rifles, I have twice been distracted or inattentive when loading up and did not close the lever all the way. All I got was click and very insubstantial dimple in the primer. My bad entirely! I also have a friend whose #1 loves to shed the small screw that holds the inital release arm on the lever. That can get ugly in deep leaves or snow.

If you hunt in really tight quarters all the time, let me suggest that you look into a Ruger #1 RSI -- a short, 18 inch barrelled, Mannlicher model. You can find them in a bunch of useful calibers, from 7mm Mauser to .30-06. They give up a little in velocity at long range but up to 200 yards are lethal and accurate enough.

Good luck,
oneb

hillbill · « **Reply #10 on:** June 27, 2004, 01:30:41 PM »

ive had my no.1 lever catch on my backpak strap and depress the catch and open slightly. not a real prob since yu automatically relatch it when yu grasp action to shoulder it for a shot. im with oneb on the rsi thing. mine is a standard and is heavvvvvvy. id trade it fer a rsi in 260 or 6.5x55 any day.

Big Paulie · « **Reply #11 on:** June 28, 2004, 10:20:39 AM »

Dear Guys,

Thanks for all of the responses on this question. In general, it sounds to me like the concern of the Ruger #1 getting caught on brush and coming open is a non-issue. But, on the other hand, when you carry one on your shoulder, muzzle up, you have to pay attention to your other equipment and clothes to make sure that you don't create a snag and pull-open while you are walking. Fair enough.

I too have had two or three occasions in my life when, after coming through heavy brush, I have looked down at my bolt action carbine and seen the bolt handle half-way (or all of the way) up. I guess you just have to keep checking your weapon every step of the way. (I like the old style Remington Model 7, where your bolt stays locked down when you put the safety on. This is now regarded as a dangerous defect, that they are fixing for free, to permit you to keep the safety on while you cycle the bolt to empty the rifle.)

Thanks, Big Paulie

Airsporter · « **Reply #12 on:** June 30, 2004, 11:53:19 AM »

I hunted last fall for a week in the Adirondacks with a #1 light sporter in 30-06. The only rifle-related problem I experienced was with the shotgun-style sliding safety. Understand, I love side-by-side shotguns with this arrangement.

However, the terrain is rugged and the brush can be really thick, requiring you to "one-hand" carry the rifle in tough spots while you push brush with the other. Several times my right hand moved forward just enough to disengage the safety.

I never experienced any problem with the lever disengaging.

45LC-Man · « **Reply #13 on:** July 07, 2004, 03:48:45 PM »

Those Ruger No. 1's are nice but there are occasions where they will catch on things. I had one catch my right ear as my wife swung it at me after she found out that I had bought it. It caught me just below the opening of the ear canal but luckily it was the rear stock and not that thingy that hangs down to make the action work.

TPearce · « **Reply #14 on:** July 07, 2004, 03:51:59 PM »

Ouch! :shock:
T

45LC-Man · « **Reply #15 on:** July 08, 2004, 08:54:06 AM »

Just kidding of course. I've only owned one number one. It was a 1A in .270 and I really liked it and never had it open accidentally. I'd like to own another in 7x57.

TPearce · « **Reply #16 on:** July 08, 2004, 09:15:16 AM »

I would like the Dakota 10 some day, in a 270 Win. I like the Ruger #1 for the larger cased rounds. As it was designed for these, the larger receiver makes the weight. The slim lil Dakota looks nice though doesnt it.
T

dclark · « **Reply #17 on:** July 10, 2004, 03:17:43 PM »

I have owned over a dozen No. 1's in a variety of calibers and hunt with them all. I prefer the 1A's and my sons and I have 3 of them at moment in 7X57, 30-06 and 338-06. I have a custom .280 that is even lighter. I have never had a problem with the lever catching on anything and opening when I was not directly at fault.

As far as you carrying your with the barrel "up", I can not say how that will work. My father taught me to carry on the left shoulder (behind), with the barrel down. Your elbow and arm protects the lever and the trigger. By grasping the fore-end with you left hand, you then pull the fore-end foreward and roll it over (in a natural manner), grab the pistol grip and shoulder it. Fastest and smoothest manner I have ever seen, read or heard about. And I believe the safest method. The one drawback is sticking the muzzle in the snow (mud, dirt, sand, etc) if you stumble. I have not done so in years, so do not consider it a problem.

Might give it a try.

dave clark

Tom W. · « **Reply #18 on:** July 11, 2004, 12:02:36 PM »

dclark, that's how I've been carrying all of my rifles for years. I remember somewhere reading in a "Guns& Ammo" or some such magazine the writer--Maybe it was Jeff Cooper--- calling it the "Indian Carry." It does work really well and is very fast and easy to get the rifle into shooting position. I carry my #1B in the same manner and have no problems with the lever popping open, and it also helps protect my scope.

HHI-7420 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 11, 2004, 04:58:00 PM »

Big Paulie, The thorny vines you refer to are most likely commonly called "green briar" (smilax?). Not sure where you're from, but do not worry about carrying a Ruger #1. Been there. Pat

geronimo.tn · « **Reply #20 on:** July 11, 2004, 05:55:18 PM »

Big Paulie
I use a Ruger #1-A light sporter here in the thickets of Tennessee with no problem,
however, in the past while carrying a #1B slung on the shoulder, I've had the lever snag on my hunting coat pocket and eject the cartridge. Course this was while walking for extended periods while mule deer and elk hunting in Wyoming. So, yes , the lever can be snagged and popped open when slung over the shoulder.
I have never had this happen while carrying a #1 in my hands.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 14, 2004, 07:51:41 PM »

Gentleman,
Never had a problem with a Ruger # 1 opening on me and i have drug them through some rough stuff, Down on my hands and knees through the brier patch so to speak, That would be the least of my worries.
Stay safe...............Joe...............