A Problem With ALL Ruger American centerfire rifles

[Litehiker]

I own several Ruger rifles:
-> stainless 10/22
-> 96/22 magnum lever action rifle
-> Ruger Precision Rifle (6.5 CM)
-> Ruger American Predator (6.5 CM)

I like them all but one has a true problem endemic to the Ruger American design.

While hunting with my RAP I lost cartridges on three different occasions. The problem was that the bolt handle easily moves up and the bolt falls open, extracting the cartridge. I have had this happen two times with my Kifaru Gun Bearer and once just using the rifle sling on my shoulder.

I contacted Ruger and the upshot was that their techs said my rifle design was not at fault and was "safe". But the customer service rep said that Ruger would buy my rifle back at the price I paid for it if I sent it in with the receipt.

Well fat chance that would happen now, after I had purchased their outrageously expensive $45. spare magazine, a Timmy trigger and a Boyd's Classic laminated stock and alloy trigger guard.

So, my alternatives are:
1. See if a gunsmith can do a mechanical fix (which would void any Ruger warranty, natch)
2. Do a "redneck fix" such as tie an elastic loop to the trigger guard and up around the bolt handle but make it so it is fast to remove from the handle.

Potential Ruger American rifle buyers should beware of this problem. Jus' saying'...

Eric B.

 

[WildRose]

Even on my smoothest actions I've never had anything similar happen. It almost sounds like they went a little nuts lapping the bolt.

 

[Don A Parsons]

One would think that the chamber would be slightly beveled in-ward to help the lugs stay in place.

Strange indeed.

Lots of Ruger rifles show up at our range and they seem to be working ok, but shooting off the bench is different then trecking around in the woods.

Don

 

[Litehiker]

WildRose, The bolt is not polished and shows a few machining marks. OTOH, I had my Stainless Stalker Browning A-Bolt Teflon coated and the coated bolt inside the coated receiver is as slick as snot on a doorknob. (See below for Browning's good design.)

Don, you're right, I never noticed this problem until I got to the field with the rifle. This RAP is very accurate, as in 1/2" groups with 140 gr. ELD-M and sometimes with 143 gr. ELD-X ammo. I want to keep it.
It's just that Ruger's bolt cams are designed for easier bolt handle lift. I think that is where the problem lies.

My .300 Win mag Browning A-Bolt has two small vertical pins that move up into the bolt when the safety is ON, locking the bolt handle in place. Wish Ruger had gone that extra design step.

Eric B.

 

[just country]

morning, stupid question, does the safety when applied lock the bolt
closed?? GBOT TUM

 

[Adikted]

My buddy and I both have the RAR predator in 308, he had a failure to fire on a live deer because the bolt handle had raised enough to prevent the firing pin from reaching the primer (barely marked it) If the safety locked the bolt the way most rifles do it wouldn't be an issue.

I got my daughter an RAR compact, I kinda like being able to unload it without taking the safety off, I guess that's the trade off...

 

[Adikted]

morning, stupid question, does the safety when applied lock the bolt
closed?? GBOT TUM

No

Didn't see your post before I posted.

 

[huntsman22]

You guys expect a bargain basement budget rifle to have bells and whistles and safety locking bolts?

 

[Litehiker]

I expect corner cutting on inexpensive rifles but to me this is a safety matter, regardless what Ruger says.

Eric B.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

Bump the shoulder a little less when resizing to have a bit of a crush fit. That should fix tje problem.

Or don't carry one in the tube.

Steve

 

[huntsman22]

to me this is a safety matter, .

How is it a 'safety matter'? The gun won't fire if the safety is engaged, or the bolt is partially lifted. How much safer does it have to be? Losing cartridges due to lack of awareness isn't unsafe. Now that you know the weaknesses of the design, I expect you'll be smarter than the rifle and check the bolt often while carrying and before the trigger is pulled. This stuff is only as hard as a guy makes it......

 

[WildRose]

Bump the shoulder a little less when resizing to have a bit of a crush fit. That should fix tje problem.

Or don't carry one in the tube.

Steve

Solid advice.

 

[huntsman22]

not carrying one in the tube isn't going to magically make his bolt stay closed......

 

[WildRose]

not carrying one in the tube isn't going to magically make his bolt stay closed......

It'll keep the chambered round from falling out.