A Problem With ALL Ruger American centerfire rifles

[alcesgigas]

I haven't looked, but if a Winchester Model 70 safety type, made for your Ruger, is available and presents the same three-way characteristics as the original I'd have one on this rifle. When the lever is "full astern" the bolt is locked; "amidships" applies the safety and allows for removal and disassembly and of course full-forward is fire.

There may be other safeties, or other trigger/safety units, that may fill the bill. In any event good luck.

 

[HARPERC]

1) Is the American the only model you're observing this in?
2) Spoke with Ruger via phone over an issue, and found them something less than useful. I can't imagine sending something back to them. I'd rather pay someone to fix issues correctly.
3) The allure of buying the cheapest model on the shelf knowing you're going to spend money dressing it for for prom night eludes me.[/QUOTE]

 

[WildRose]

Thinking on this thread while I was in the local store picking up a recent gun purchase I handled 3 different RAR's.

My impression was this. The bolt lift on these rifles is relatively light for about 3/4 of the 70% cam distance but then when it gets to the cocking point there's more than enough resistance for a rifle carried properly and safely to prevent it from being any sort of safety issue or issue with a chambered round falling out.

No, the bolt does not lock in the closed position but then neither do a lot of rifles on the market today and in recent decades.

If the op's rifle indeed has a bolt so loose it just falls open it needs to go back to Ruger or at least to a good gunsmith to see what is wrong with it.

 

[Barrelnut]

Besides not being a great idea to hike/hunt by yourself with a rifle slung over your shoulder, with a round in the chamber, you could start using a rifle with a 3 position safety, like a Savage. The Savage locks the bolt in place with a round in the chamber. The Savage even has the safety in the same position as the RAR.

Most rifles, have low resistance for bolt lift, that allow the bolt to be opened with the safety on. It's because they don't have to cock the pin when lifted. This allows the rifle to easily be unloaded with the safety on. This is why Ruger told you it was a safety feature. Some might open easier than others, but all are relativity easy to open.

You could use a rubber band of a piece of coat hanger to get it to work the way you wanted, or just don't put a round in the chamber when you don't have any intention of shooting. It would be quicker to take the rifle off your shoulder and chamber a round, that having to remove a rubber band on a rifle that already had a round in the chamber. That's kinda hokey and probably a wee bit dangerous.

 

[Canhunter35]

This is a funny thread to read! Ruger m77 have a safety that locks bolt in place...but they cost more than the American. I'd be happy that the budget rifle shoots...not expecting it to have every comfort feature. X bolts have that annoying button that locks their action down too. I know a guy who has a mk5, he was cleaning it or something and turning it around, squeezed the trigger and bolt fell out on the floor. Lol, he was annoyed that an expensive gun wouldn't have a bolt catch other than the trigger. Lol also funny and similar

 

[Adikted]

I really don't think it's a $ issue Savage has always had a 3 position safety at that price point. The three lug bolt on the ruger has plenty of engagement through the point where the firing pin is able to detonate the primer so the rifle is plenty safe.

As I said previously when working with a junior such as my daughter or my neighbors kids, it's nice to be able to unload the rifle with the safety on. Especially with the adjustable trigger.

I think it's going to be a matter of hunting style and personal preference that determines whether or not it's a problem for you.

 

[Litehiker]

Welllll...
1. After buying a 6.5 CM Ruger Precision Rifle I intended to sell the RAP but then...
2. I saw the beautiful Boyd's Classic stock in "Nutmeg" color and had to have it. Soon after...
3. I decided to install a Timmy trigger (great decision) & a Savage alloy guard. So...
4. I then got a SWFA 2 - 15 x 42 scope on a big sale and loved it.

Yes, it is a "pig" dressed up but it's a damned accurate "pig".

It was not until I got it in the field I then discovered the bolt lift problem.
So I'm going to talk to Anarchy Outdoors and a few other Ruger aftermarket providers to see if there is a Savage type fix for the safety and bolt they may be willing to make and sell.

Eric B.

 

[Laelkhunter]

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

It should if it is not cocked.

 

[huntsman22]

The safety still don't lock the bolt. Uncocked just makes it harder to open.

 

[Barrelnut]

Uncocked just makes it harder to open.

Which is more than enough resistance to keep it closed.

 

[Garycrow]

No, the bolt does not lock in the closed position but then neither do a lot of rifles on the market today and in recent decades.

This is not a coincidence. The remington 700 used to lock the bolt when the safety was on but models made over the last 20 years or so no longer have the locking bolt. The lawyers informed the gun manufacturers that having to take the rifle off of safe to unload it opened them up to liability suits if some moron shot someone after taking the safety off. That's why you'll find that most rifles, at least the U.S. made ones, allow the bolt to open when the safety is engaged. Rifles with three position safeties like the M77, Savage 110, and Winchester M70 will lock the bolt obviously.

If you want to know who to thank for this, thank the lawyers and our out of control legal system. From Ruger's point of view it's safe and they're not going to get sued for your bolt coming open and dumping ammo on the ground. That's all they care about.

Meanwhile, if you want to make sure the bolt stays closed while carrying it slung the I'd recommend doing as Laelkhunter said, carry it decocked on an empty chamber.

 

[WildRose]

This is not a coincidence. The remington 700 used to lock the bolt when the safety was on but models made over the last 20 years or so no longer have the locking bolt. The lawyers informed the gun manufacturers that having to take the rifle off of safe to unload it opened them up to liability suits if some moron shot someone after taking the safety off. That's why you'll find that most rifles, at least the U.S. made ones, allow the bolt to open when the safety is engaged. Rifles with three position safeties like the M77, Savage 110, and Winchester M70 will lock the bolt obviously.

If you want to know who to thank for this, thank the lawyers and our out of control legal system. From Ruger's point of view it's safe and they're not going to get sued for your bolt coming open and dumping ammo on the ground. That's all they care about.

Meanwhile, if you want to make sure the bolt stays closed while carrying it slung the I'd recommend doing as Laelkhunter said, carry it decocked on an empty chamber.

Exactly right. A few idiots would for some unknown reason put one finger on the trigger and use another to flip off the safety or they'd partially release the sear pulling the trigger with it on safe and then get an AD and of course they had to blame the MFG.

My brother shot the roof out of a box blind when he was about 14 because he was bored and just sitting there flipping the safety off and on and playing with the trigger!

Between the hearing loss and powder burns to the side of his face and head it's a lesson he never forgot.

I guess we're stupid, we didn't sue Remington over it.

 

[WildRose]

Welllll...
1. After buying a 6.5 CM Ruger Precision Rifle I intended to sell the RAP but then...
2. I saw the beautiful Boyd's Classic stock in "Nutmeg" color and had to have it. Soon after...
3. I decided to install a Timmy trigger (great decision) & a Savage alloy guard. So...
4. I then got a SWFA 2 - 15 x 42 scope on a big sale and loved it.

Yes, it is a "pig" dressed up but it's a damned accurate "pig".

It was not until I got it in the field I then discovered the bolt lift problem.
So I'm going to talk to Anarchy Outdoors and a few other Ruger aftermarket providers to see if there is a Savage type fix for the safety and bolt they may be willing to make and sell.

Eric B.

I'd talk to a good gunsmith and see if perhaps there's not an aftermarket 3 position safety that could be installed.

 

[Pdvdh]

I thought the only problem with the RAR was the purchase price was too low.