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Offline cbl51

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Ruger life span?
« on: January 28, 2009, 02:04:54 AM »
I have a Ruger standard model I bought back in the mid 60's for 39.95. It's been my main gun for most of my life, and I really don't know how many thousands of rounds it's sot. My kids learned to shoot on that gun, and I wonder if they have a point where they need to be retired. This one sees 4 to 5 bulk boxes a month through it. It did go back to Ruger in 1998 as it was starting to miss fire. Ruger put in a new fireing pin, mainspring, and extractor, and didn't charge me for it. Just sent me a nice letter saying they were happy I/ve gotten so many years of service from it.

I've had some thoughts about getting a new one just like it and putting this one aside. Do they still make the 4 1/2 inch taper barrel and fixed sights?

Or should I not worry about it and keep on shooting.
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Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Ruger life span?
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2009, 02:21:54 AM »
that's only around 105000. rounds give or take a few thousand . shoot it !
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Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Ruger life span?
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2009, 02:28:16 AM »
Ruger would have informed you not to shoot it if it was bad or maybe they would have replaced it ?
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Offline Brett

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Re: Ruger life span?
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2009, 11:43:19 AM »
Shoot it another 30 years, send it back to Ruger for another tune up and repeat.  ;D 8)
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Offline S.B.

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Re: Ruger life span?
« Reply #4 on: February 05, 2009, 03:43:29 AM »
Yes, still made with modifications. Even in stainless steel. I'm with other posters, shoot this thing, it will probably go for another life time? Besides, it's got family history. I'll bet your kids have very pleasant memories about shooting this gun?
Steve
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Offline buckweet

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Re: Ruger life span?
« Reply #5 on: February 26, 2009, 11:53:44 AM »
WOW 39 BUCKS ?
 mine is a mark II standard with taper 4 inch ? barrel... it just shoots and shoots..... very accurate too..
but .. my super single six, and 9 inch barrel that i bought new in 76' is still going strong, like you, sent it in after years and years of hard use, and ruger did the same thing, new firing pin, and checked it all out, no charge..cannot beat ''free'' ... ruger all the way !!!
and totally made here in the US of A !!!!

weet
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Offline Pappy John

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Re: Ruger life span?
« Reply #6 on: March 08, 2009, 05:31:28 PM »
I've got one that was manufactured in 1951 (S/N 423XX), which makes it 5 years older than me.  It still works like a champ and is accurate enough to make a good looking target group at 25 yards.  I'm pretty sure it will outlive me, unless I do something stupid with it.

Shoot it.  You're not going to hurt it.
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Offline woodchuckssuck

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Re: Ruger life span?
« Reply #7 on: March 11, 2009, 07:39:16 PM »
I have a 22/45 but I think ruger's design is about as bulletproof as it gets, although a Volquartsen Exact edge extractor really helped mine be 100% reliable.

My 1950s model Colt Woodsman Target is a lot nicer of a gun, and hasnt seen more than probably a thousand or so rounds (it was my grandfathers, he says he never shot it much) but both guns shoot about the same. The Colt will be in my family forever...:)
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Offline KAYR1

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Re: Ruger life span?
« Reply #8 on: March 12, 2009, 02:37:07 PM »
I tell you what..If you are still having reservations, I will purchase the pistol from you for what you paid for it. You can then use the money to buy an updated one.  Seriously, Ruger's service is excellent. Even if you did have a problem, they would most likely fix it for free, or a minimal charge.  Personally, I have never seen a Ruger wear out from the use that you describe. Not a bad investment for 30 years of service!
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Offline 6.5BR

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Re: Ruger life span?
« Reply #9 on: March 13, 2009, 10:43:30 AM »
I read a 'club gun' used in a target range had been shot IIRC, around 1 million rounds.

You will be pressed to break one...perhaps a few minor worn parts......my 1982, first yr. Mk 2 bull has seen dozens of bricks and the chamber must have worn, as on occasion I have split brass cases ejected.....but when Ruger reblued it, they checked it and said it was 'in spec' so I keep using it.  The blue job came back looking better than a new gun......I thought they sent me a new gun when I opened the box!

I would not worry one bit.  Last I benched mine years back w/scope, it shot 10 in a quarter sized group at 25 yds......my slab side model does that at 50 yds!
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Offline pastorp

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Re: Ruger life span?
« Reply #10 on: March 21, 2009, 01:58:04 PM »
Just keep it properly lubed and it will outlast you. I'd shoot it. Buy another and put it up in the closet if you want, but I bet you never need it. ;) Regards

If you don't have a few mags I would get 5-6 of those. JMO
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Offline cbl51

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Re: Ruger life span?
« Reply #11 on: March 21, 2009, 03:42:37 PM »
Quote from: pastorp on March 21, 2009, 01:58:04 PM
Just keep it properly lubed and it will outlast you. I'd shoot it. Buy another and put it up in the closet if you want, but I bet you never need it. ;) Regards

If you don't have a few mags I would get 5-6 of those. JMO

I clean it well after every shooting session, and use Hoppys gun oil on it. It's kept well lubed. I've got about a dozen spare mags for it, so I should be set.
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Offline buckweet

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Re: Ruger life span?
« Reply #12 on: March 23, 2009, 04:10:50 AM »
MY OLD RUGER 10-22 , WAS bought new in 1976, still have it... still shooting it... , still shoots itty bitty groups after all these years.
awsome rifle,  wishes i had a nickel for every round i've fire through it.
dont ever plan on replacing her.

weet
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Offline cybin

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Re: Ruger life span?
« Reply #13 on: May 08, 2009, 04:53:40 PM »
I have had my ruger for at least 35 years, and have shot it a lot---maybe not as much as you--but still alot--never has missed a beat. A few years ago I bought one with a 6 inch tappered barrel--it shoots as good as the one with the 4 (tappered), but I still grab the old one when I go out for an afternoon.

My wife bought me a Browning Buckmark last year for my birthday--I wonder if it will still be shooting as well 30 years from now. But then it probably will as I will more than likely still grab the old ruger more often than not.

cybinv
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Offline SD Handgunner

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Re: Ruger life span?
« Reply #14 on: May 13, 2009, 05:24:33 AM »
Just keep shooting it. I have a 1992 Stainless-Steel Ruger MKII 5 1/2" Bull Barrel that has been used for Target Competition ever since day one. I have no idea how many rounds have been put through this Ruger. I have had a couple of issues with it, but a replacement extractor and firing pin fixed the problems.

Larry
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Offline greener

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Re: Ruger life span?
« Reply #15 on: May 15, 2009, 01:55:17 PM »
Quote from: SD Handgunner on May 13, 2009, 05:24:33 AM
Just keep shooting it. I have a 1992 Stainless-Steel Ruger MKII 5 1/2" Bull Barrel that has been used for Target Competition ever since day one. I have no idea how many rounds have been put through this Ruger. I have had a couple of issues with it, but a replacement extractor and firing pin fixed the problems.

Larry

An extractor and firing pin in only 17 years?  I trust you called Ruger and complained.  ;D

Except for easily replaced springs and firing pins, I'm not sure that you can do much short of absolute abuse to wear one out.
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