Ruger American Gripe

[JAC8504]

I have tried to like the American, but one thing bothers me so much. The bolt.

Being able to manipulate the bolt while on safe. If this was locking I would probably have a few

Any other firearm gripes state below- I’m interested to hear.
Do you agree with me on my gripe?

 

[FLATHEAD]

I have the Predator, and my only gripe is the loud safety.

 

[68Plexi]

I have the GoWild version (predator with a muzzle brake and camo stock). I completely agree about the bolt. It’s such a bummer because this thing flat out shoots.

I notice it most when I’m hiking. Either my elbow or tree branches, something always ends up moving that bolt just enough so I have to check it every time I take it off my shoulder.

I understand it’s an inexpensive rifle, but I would own a few more of these if that bolt locked.


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[ReddingArcher]

My only gripe is the rough action and it doesnt want to feed all that well in the 6mm creedmoor I bought for my daughter. It shoots stupid accurate though. Maybe I just need to cycle it much harder than I do other bolt guns?

 

[Shimmybro3]

I have the ranch 5.56 and my only gripe is that it doesn't feed well from metal mags - but for the price and the fact that I mostly use 10rd pmags I have zero issues. Its a tack driver. I would like a lighter trigger tho.

its the rifle I keep with me the most.

 

[N2TRKYS]

Another plus for this rifle. I can’t stand a bolt that locks when on safe.

 

[greaseywater]

I have the ranch 5.56 and my only gripe is that it doesn't feed well from metal mags - but for the price and the fact that I mostly use 10rd pmags I have zero issues. Its a tack driver. I would like a lighter trigger tho.

its the rifle I keep with me the most.

I had the same magazine issue with my Ranch in 6.5 grendel. I removed some coils from the magazine spring to lighten the force amd beveled the rear edge of the follower because the bolt was catching there. It made a huge difference.

To the OPs question, I have two Americans. The Ranch above has only had the mag issue so far. My other is a predator go wild in 308. Its issue was a broken extractor. It was leaving rounds, fired or unfired, in the chamber. I sent it back to Ruger and they fixed it. So far so good on the fix.

I have found the bolt partially open when hiking around. But there are times when I want to be able to work the bolt with the safety on, like needing to chamber a round at home during reloading. So its a tradeoff. I like that my Model 70 has a 3 position safety, so no compromise required

 

[68Plexi]

I had the same magazine issue with my Ranch in 6.5 grendel. I removed some coils from the magazine spring to lighten the force amd beveled the rear edge of the follower because the bolt was catching there. It made a huge difference.

To the OPs question, I have two Americans. The Ranch above has only had the mag issue so far. My other is a predator go wild in 308. Its issue was a broken extractor. It was leaving rounds, fired or unfired, in the chamber. I sent it back to Ruger and they fixed it. So far so good on the fix.

I have found the bolt partially open when hiking around. But there are times when I want to be able to work the bolt with the safety on, like needing to chamber a round at home during reloading. So its a tradeoff. I like that my Model 70 has a 3 position safety, so no compromise required

I like the 3 position safety as well. I want the ability to move the bolt while still on safe, just also want to lock it while hiking. My only gripe with the Ruger.

But there are plenty other rifles I can buy that do that like your model 70.


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[huntsman22]

The bolt don't seem to be much of a problem if the rifle is carried un-cocked on an empty chamber......

 

[JAC8504]

The bolt don't seem to be much of a problem if the rifle is carried un-cocked on an empty chamber......

 

[68Plexi]

. Agreed.


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[huntsman22]

The amount of griping and moaning about Ruger Americans just floors me. There are two reasons for this. The moaners are cheapskates, that buy the cheapest POS they can get, instead of pony-ing up the cash to buy something that works for them without having to spend the time to learn how to overcome the gripes. The other reason is, these same crybabies aren't smart enuff to learn how to defeat these so-called deficiencies. I mean seriously, how hard is it to chamber a round when you need to shoot? Or carry without keeping a hand over the bolt to keep it closed, especially when you are already aware that it can be bumped open?. Or carrying barrel down?

The other bish you see about them on the innerwebs is, the inability for them to fire if the bolt is slightly raised. How frigging hard is it to make sure it's closed, before you touch the trigger?

Gotta be smarter than a piece of steel wrapped in plastic........

 

[JAC8504]

The amount of griping and moaning about Ruger Americans just floors me. There are two reasons for this. The moaners are cheapskates, that buy the cheapest POS they can get, instead of pony-ing up the cash to buy something that works for them without having to spend the time to learn how to overcome the gripes. The other reason is, these same crybabies aren't smart enuff to learn how to defeat these so-called deficiencies. I mean seriously, how hard is it to chamber a round when you need to shoot? Or carry without keeping a hand over the bolt to keep it closed, especially when you are already aware that it can be bumped open?. Or carrying barrel down?

The other bish you see about them on the innerwebs is, the inability for them to fire if the bolt is slightly raised. How frigging hard is it to make sure it's closed, before you touch the trigger?

Gotta be smarter than a piece of steel wrapped in plastic........

tell us how you really feel! I have 20 something rifles and all of them are probably $800-$2000 rifles. I’m definitely not a cheapskate and would definitely like to own a Ruger American but I can’t bring myself to purchasing one for that one reason.

 

[huntsman22]

Ruger Americans are NOT the only rifles that have these 'problems'...... Hint

 

[JAC8504]

Ruger Americans are NOT the only rifles that have these 'problems'...... Hint

Which other ones do? I’m curious. Truthfully am unaware. I have only messed with the Ruger American and I so badly want a “budget” rifle and that’s why I am griping about it. I have heard fabulous things about the accuracy

 

[huntsman22]

About any rifle/action with a safety that don't lock the bolt.. The ruger is just easier to 'lift' because of the loosey bolt, and 3-lug bolt head.....

My custom Bighorns can be made to do it, albeit somewhat harder..... but like I said, not a problem on an un-cocked bolt and empty chamber.

This stuff is only as hard as you make it......

 

[JAC8504]

I guess all of mine are 3 position safeties . So, I can gripe. Like I said “I want to like them”

 

[huntsman22]

Some folk think of the easy bolt lift on the ruger as a plus. Not a minus...

 

[Mountain_Life]

Go troll somewhere else @huntsman22. I think the OP made a valid point and I didn't catch a whining tone from his original post. Rokslide lives on critiquing gear. So buzz off.

@JAC8504, I wasn't aware that the Americans had this issue. I really like the 3 position safety's as well. Although I didn't see any American rifles in my future, the fact that you pointed this out definitely made a mental note for me to steer clear of them. There are times when I carry a rifle loaded (silly, right?) and don't want to worry about the bolt being slightly lifted. Thanks!

 

[68Plexi]

For the money, the Ruger American rifles are great because most of them shoot much better than a rifle at that price should. There are a few upgraded versions from the basic model that are also still very inexpensive.

I picked one up for my sons first rifle (he’s 10) so I could put a scope on it that cost more than the rifle and not worry about the gun getting scratched and dinged up coming on and off a backpack all day. Turns out it shoots great.

I prefer the 3 position safety myself, but we all have our preferences and that’s fine. Maybe the non locking bolt will grow on me. Maybe I just need to remember to check the bolt more often. Maybe my gripe is trying to remember which safety is on which rifle I’m carrying at the time lol. No big deal.


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