Ruger American Gen 2 experiences

[camelcluch]

I bought a gen 2 in 223 for my kids to use. The gun is extremely underwhelming when loaded. The bolt gets extremely rough to run, the mag doesn’t want to seat and has a few double feeds. I’m almost positive it’s tuning a few things but wanted to hear some other feedback.
What’s your experience?

 

[timbernomad]

I had to send one of my two Gen 1 Americans, a 5.56 Ranch, back to Ruger for a couple of issues. It came back working well, although the bolt could be smoother. My other American is a 243 that had feeding issues. Ruger sent me a new magazine. I messed with the mag that was malfunctioning and got it feeding well.

Honestly I really like my Americans and would as happily hunt with one of them as my Tikka, although the Tikka is a nicer rifle.

 

[Samson7x]

Interested in replies. Those are generally thought highly of, it seems like. I kinda want to buy one myself.

 

[eric1115]

I've owned one RA gen 1 and been around a bunch more gen 1 and 2.

Pretty much across the board, they tend to
1) shoot fine, often great groups.
2) have mag/feeding issues
3) run rough/have bolt binding issues.

I get why they have a following, especially from guys that primarily shoot slowly off a bench, single feeding by dropping each round in the open action.

Guys that load mags and practice follow up shots tend to move on from them pretty quickly (in my experience anyway).

 

[deertrout]

Love mine, also in 223, used it for coyotes the tail end of last winter, plinked targets with it all summer then used it for deer this fall and really feel like it's one of those guns that can do it all. Haven't had any of the issues you described, that sucks, hope you can get it figured out.

 

[Samson7x]

I've owned one RA gen 1 and been around a bunch more gen 1 and 2.

Pretty much across the board, they tend to
1) shoot fine, often great groups.
2) have mag/feeding issues
3) run rough/have bolt binding issues.

I get why they have a following, especially from guys that primarily shoot slowly off a bench, single feeding by dropping each round in the open action.

Guys that load mags and practice follow up shots tend to move on from them pretty quickly (in my experience anyway).

Even the gen 2 with mag/feed issues? I thought they mostly had that worked out with the newer mag design. Older, rotary style I know had lots of problems.

 

[eric1115]

Even the gen 2 with mag/feed issues? I thought they mostly had that worked out with the newer mag design. Older, rotary style I know had lots of problems.

Eh, seems like the gen 2 feeds somewhat better once you get the mag seated, but I've seen issues still and the mags are still finicky in terms of seating/release.

Stock geometry still sucks and now they are even closer to being the price of a Tikka. Hard pass from me.

 

[Samson7x]

Eh, seems like the gen 2 feeds somewhat better once you get the mag seated, but I've seen issues still and the mags are still finicky in terms of seating/release.

Stock geometry still sucks and now they are even closer to being the price of a Tikka. Hard pass from me.

Yeah, I think a lot of the appeal is you get quite a few features for an entry level price. To get a Tikka with fluted and threaded barrel, you’re going to spend significantly more. That said I’ve owned tikka and the ruger gen 1 which shot great and fed mostly good although I hated the rotary mags. Currently debating a wood stock threaded tikka at $900 or a gen 2 ruger at $550.

 

[Gynaroo]

Just bought a Gen 2 for my daughter. 243 win. It is fun to shoot and she thinks it’s awesome. She’s happy, I’m happy. Plus the wallet isn’t mad.

 

[timbernomad]

Yeah the price increase on the Gen 2 makes it a total nonstarter for me

 

[Dexter Grayson]

What price increase are yall talking about? Can find gen 2 for $550 all day, already chopped and threaded.

 

[eric1115]

Yeah, I think a lot of the appeal is you get quite a few features for an entry level price. To get a Tikka with fluted and threaded barrel, you’re going to spend significantly more. That said I’ve owned tikka and the ruger gen 1 which shot great and fed mostly good although I hated the rotary mags. Currently debating a wood stock threaded tikka at $900 or a gen 2 ruger at $550.

True enough, but fluted barrel on a RA is like sweet rims on a Kia. I'd do a $700 plain Tikka over a $550 fancy Ruger every single time. Function over features.

 

[Samson7x]

True enough, but fluted barrel on a RA is like sweet rims on a Kia. I'd do a $700 plain Tikka over a $550 fancy Ruger every single time. Function over features.

I get that. I’m a tikka fan, but the fact they don’t thread barrels on the cheaper lines is annoying with the popularity of suppressors these days. I don’t shoot unsuppressed so that’s an immediate $150 expense for me along with the hassle of shipping since I don’t have a reliable smith around here to do it.

 

[Feare]

Just picked up a .243 for my ten year old, threw my suppressor on it, took out the spacer in the stock and it fits him perfect. I shot some federal 90 gr or 95 gr into under a 1" group, also had quick loaded up some Berger 105gr vld rounds that grouped about an inch as well, I was pleased they stabilized it. The magazine is trash in my opinion and the bolt was tough to close for my boy, I would imagine it gets better with time.


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[Gwchem]

I have a Gen 1 that has an absolute wreck of an action. No feeding, bolt binding on an empty gun. Sent it back, got a new barrel and bolt. It's much better now.

 

[BLJ]

The Gen 2 223 I had was pretty rough with the factory Magpul mag. It seems like the follower was different to hold the bolt open on the last round fired in an AR15.
Different mags helped, but it was still tight.
I’ve never had this problem with my Gen 1’s and the Magpul mags.

I’ve tried Duramags and AR Stoner mags in my 6 ARC and they do good.

No issues with either so far from AICS mags.

 

[camelcluch]

I hate the 10 round mags. They just get in the way. Maybe I’ll try some others. I’ll also call Ruger after the holidays. Overall, it’s a huge disappointment especially since I can get a tikka for $650.

 

[Paulyester]

I have a Gen 1, the zipper bolt and inconsistent feeding issues annoyed me, but it always shot absolutely lights out for me. Took some 1000 and 2000 grit sandpaper to the bolt, put it in a cheap Trybe chassis and that thing is my favorite gun now. Oh, and swapped out the magazine for a metal Ruger one and haven’t had one feeding issue since. I got it for $32 ish after rebate, the Trybe chassis for $150, I think you would be hard-pressed to find a rifle that out shoots it for $500.

I’m thinking of picking up a 223 Gen II for cheap plinking

 

[BLJ]

I hate the 10 round mags. They just get in the way. Maybe I’ll try some others. I’ll also call Ruger after the holidays. Overall, it’s a huge disappointment especially since I can get a tikka for $650.

The smaller price gap between the 2 makes a person think. For sure.
I liked the $450 RA’s way better. The $350’s were better than that.

 

[Northpark]

I bought the same gen 2 rifle in .223. I’ve actually been impressed with it. For $500 it’s a nice little rifle. I use 10 round PMAGs in it and haven’t had a single feeding issue. I do agree the bolt is a touch rough feeling when you run it but it’s not anything I wouldn’t expect from a cheap gun. I do like the factory threaded barrel as I use a suppressor almost exclusively towards days. Mine is also accurate. It puts 5 of my handloads into .75 MOA at 100 yards with a less than precise scope reticle as I topped it with Riton tactix 1-8 power scope.