Anyone seen one in the flesh?
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Anyone seen one in the flesh?
http://www.ruger.com/products/gunsit...mages/6803.jpg
This is as close as I've been to one...
MSRP it bites the hind legs off a $K.
Bruce has a great idea on the magazine.
It reminds me a bit of the CZ 527s with the extended magazines most people find ugly.
Looks like the love child of a SOCOM Scout and a mauser military action.
I like it!
Just what I need....ANOTHER .308 "service rifle"....
I believe Ruger was right in using the Accuracy International magazine. They are expensive, but it's a proven and consistent high-quality magazine.
The term "M-14 magazine" covers everything from great mil-spec mags to some of the worst so-called "magazines" I have ever seen. Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese, as well as domestically-made junk....I would NOT want to bet the success of a new rifle design on the horrendously-varied "quality" of random M-14 TYPE mags. We won't need many mags for a bolt-action rifle, and I think having a five-rounder for carry with one or two ten-rounders as back-up would be sufficient.
I have to confess that on first glance at the specs on this rifle, I thought "Jungle Carbine"! On reflection, I want one of these, but I ALSO still want the #5 Enfield. Toys for men.....
I'm not impressed with the execution. The stock is pretty, but it also heavy, and the rifles heavy enough by itself. The flash hider is pure Mini-14 cheapness, and the trigger guard is plastic. It could be much more desirable with a decent synthetic stock, the barrel tapped for a screw-on flash hider or muzzle brake, and some sort of metal triggerguard to hold the mags in place. And since I'm complaining, they need to trim a couple of hundred dollars from the price.
Now, would somebody please help me down from this here soapbox?
" The flash hider is pure Mini-14 cheapness, , the barrel tapped for a screw-on flash hider or muzzle brake, "
The flash-hider does indeed appear to be the same as the one I removed from my Deluxe (Davidson's) Mini-14. However, there is NOTHING cheap about it, as it's a nicely-finished chunk of solid steel. Also, it IS threaded onto the muzzle; the Mini uses the 9/16x24RH thread and I expect the same thread is used on this rifle.
If one doesn't like the "look" (as I didn't), a British L1A1 flash-hider is an easy installation since it uses the same thread size. It's available from Gunparts Corporation for about fifteen dollars.
I find it difficult to understand the pervasive nit-picking and "why didn't they..." comments on this rifle. ...on SEVERAL Internet forums. While I haven't yet handled one in the flesh, it seems that the design objectives have been well-satisfied in the construction of the rifle. My experience with over forty years' worth of Ruger firearms tells me that the package will work. Also, a goodly number of us DON'T LIKE synthetic stocks, and see laminates as an excellent solution to the durability/warping/strength issues facing conventional wood stocks.
I repeat: I like it.
One of the things Cooper mentioned in his commentaries was a handiness factor. The shorter the depth of the rifle, the handier it was. That magazine ruins it. If they were going to have a mag sticking out the bottom at least make it a high capacity one.
I think they should have used a normal internal 5 shot magazine so the rifle could have been carried normally. Maybe added a stripper clip guide. And the barrel is too short. Mucho muzzle blast. The tactical ninjas aren't going to like this anyway, since it isn't a semiauto, so a lower capacity internal magazine would be fine.
I'm expecting this to bomb in the market place. If they could have put it out 15-20 years ago that might not have been the case, but Cooper isn't here to promote the concept.
Threads on this are 5/8-24. There has been a huge influx in the sales of .30 suppressors. Ruger is trying to capitolize on this.
I did miss the threaded muzzle part somehow. I'd like to see one in person to feel how it handles, but my first instinct is that it was made to provide a "look", and that functionality wasn't given much consideration.
I agree with the above. I would also like to see how concentric the threads are. Bolt guns and big mags dont do a whole lot for me.
I LOVE Ruger firearms. I really love them, but that looks like doo doo.
Handled one today in Shrewsbury Pa. It was a light, sharp looking rifle. Wood fit was acceptable. Barrel was not free floated. Action had a nice matte finish and cycled very smoothly. Trigger felt maybe 4# and crisp, no over travel. The magazine ejected easily and mounted easily and positive. Did not have any dummy rounds to test cycling. The only things I would do different at the factory would be to use a different flash hider/suppressor. I just did not care for the looks. It may work fine but it was not pleasing to my eye. My son loved it so I guess that one is very subjective. I would like the barrel free floated and I would like an additional magazine approx. the same length as the trigger guard to compliment the larger 10 rounder. I think it was 10 anyway. They wanted $749.00 which did not seem to far out of the ballpark. It handled very nice. It had a ghost ring(removable) rear sight and a scope could be mounted on the Picatinny rail or on the std ruger base on the action. My son intends to return in the morning and try to work a deal with them. We are both anxious to see how it shoots. So, from a selfish perspective, I hope he can deal with them and come home with it.
All in all in was a very nice package for the price.
I've never been a big fan of Ruger rifles, but this one looks interesting.
I'm not averse to the looks of the magazine, it is what it is, and it's part of the basic concept. What I don't like about it on my CZ527 is there's no comfortable way to carry it. It's right at the balance point. If you hold the fore end in front of the mag then it's hard to keep the muzzle pointed down like it should be. Sling it and the mag gouges you in the kidney. Try to carry it in the crook of your arm and it gouges your wrist.
There is a flush fitting mag available for the CZ that cures that problem, but it only holds two rounds. That's no big deal if you have a couple of extra five or ten rounders. As a matter of fact, if you have various loads for different purposes, it's just a matter of a few seconds to change the mag and eject the round in the chamber.
Personally, I don't have a need for a flash hider. I suppose it would be a simple matter to change that to what ever you want...muzzle brake, suppressor false muzzle.
What about the cross bolts in the stock? Are they really necessary on a 308 in a laminated stock? AFAIC they look much worse than the mag.
Hmmmm.......wonder where I could get a good look at one.
Jerry
As a lifetime Ruger Fan, I think it looks nice to me. I do
believe this will be a great seller.
Sure some folks will 'pick it apart", but Ruger is trying
to stay in the market. (It probably handles nice also)...:razz:
I hadn't thought of that. I suppose that's a possibility, but I don't see why the action screws wouldn't be enough...that works for everybody else.
OK, I looked at the Ruger website and their "Laminate compact", which appears to be the same rifle without the tacticool package, doesn't have any cross bolts. Their "Compact Magnum" and "African", both available in 308, have a single cross bolt at the recoil lug, but both models are available in calibers with much more recoil.
The two cross bolts on this one just strike me as being more cosmetic than functional.
Jerry
I've always taken a "whatever dings your bell" approach to other people's taste in firearms. It is, after all, a free country (at least that's what they tell us).
If I tell myself that enough, I'll understand why Ruger built that instead of something else.
That pretty much sums up my feelings, I have no use for black rifles but they are real popular with many shooters. I can't see myself wanting one of these, but they will have a share of the market, which was probably studied before they went to the expense of building them.
I don't mind it, but I don't think it will do anything that the nicely Bubba'd SMLEs that I bought for $125 each. One has a scope and the other original sights. The 308 is a bit superior, but in reality, hard to tell which one is being used from either end.
It will probably do OK, Ruger don't seem to ever turn out things that don't sell. I can't imagine why you would want a survival type rifle like this when you can buy semi autos. They may sell well in Australia and other countries where the anti gunners have convinced the Gubba mint that semi autos are a device of the devil.
If I had more money than sense, I'd probably buy one to have a play with. Be a handy rifle and if it doesn't sell, probably a good colector.
I'll let ya'll know in a couple of weeks. I knew I shouldn't have handled that gun, it "felt right", came right up to point an snuggled up to my cheek. It was whispering to me so I put money down and now have to hustle to finish paying it off. Mags are well made but it only comes with one magazine (a ten rounder)and I wish Ruger had inclued a five rounder. Looking forward to trying my handloads and some cast boolit loads form it soon.
I'll have to handle one but like the concept, would be neat with M-16/AR15 mags in 223 as well or how about one in 300 blk/300whisper ;^).
I myself prefer synthetic "plastic" stocks cause a good truck gun is going to get bounced around and not be a safe queen and they take some weight off.
got a good review at http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-Gunsite.htm
Neat concept - heck made up a mauser 7.62 with Wasr mags for myself -
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/4374/dsc06117.jpg
Just watched an online video of the "Scout Rifle" in action.
All the guns had conventional or very nearly conventional scope locations, none
were fwd of the action. LOL! Kinda threw the baby out with the bath water.
Bill
I bought one for $739.
The problem with the #5 enfield is twofold. Heavy and also swapping magazines is not very fast (the mag release is awkward). The rimmed 303 cartridge is easier to charge by stripper clips (as long as these are loaded correctly). A third problem could be mounting the forward scout scope.
I have shot the no 4 mark 2 (outstanding gun) on the 40 round army qualifier (pop ups to 300 meters – designed for the M16) and once you run through the first 10 shots, I always charge the gun with 5 because you need to one keep you rifle in the fight, and two scan for pop ups. I always missed a target or two because of reloads, multiple targets, and time constraints but could still shoot expert. You have to work to get that score, but the course of fire isn't much of a challenge with a cmp bushmaster...
Interestingly enough, the 03A3 was slightly better even thou it had only a 5 round mag. Fire single shot (and reload) for most shots and switch to magazine fed for multiple targets.
Shooting the Appleseed’s AQT course of fire (designed for the 03) is a good test for a rifle and would be fun with the ruger. I also plan on using it in our clubs carbine shoots (slung, targets from 0-50 meters, multiple targets, etc). I will probably take it deer hunting next fall.
Now, this particular shooting isn’t for everyone, but I like it and Ruger’s scout looks very interesting and the rifle seems reasonably priced for what I am getting without having to do any further modifications.
Where in the world did everything have to make sense? Some things are just plain fun...
I plan to feed it a steady diet of Saeco 315.
Actually, Australia has had something like this for several years:Quote:
They may sell well in Australia and other countries where the anti gunners have convinced the Gubba mint that semi autos are a device of the devil.
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g1...om/index10.jpg
http://www.australianinternationalar...au/product.htm
We just can't seem to get them imported here. Last I heard, it had to do with parts being made in countries that aren't allowed to import, such as Vietnam and or Cambodia.
Marstar in Canada has some of these SMLE 7.62's. Kinda neat, but extra magazines seem to be a problem. However these can be topped off with charger clips or single rounds. The Ruger GSR cannot be topped off just loaded from the magazine or single loaded without pulling the bolt all the way back. Pretty good discussions at www.scoutrifle.org
Magazines on Lee Enfield rifles were intended to be removed ONLY for cleaning.
The magazine does not retain cartridges at all well when out of the rifle.
The rifles are intended for charger-loading, and that's the easiest way to reload them.
I was hoping to encounter a Ruger Scout at the Big Reno Show a few days ago, but no such luck. It does interest me.
I don't care what y'all say I still want one and I think its purty.........................
Art
Tazman,
I have no problems with that rifle.
Ideally, one would have the Gunsite Ruger, the Steyr Scout, The Savage Scout, several of the AIA Enfield types, and the original 1903 Mannlicher Schoenauer...
...just to have all of the bases covered...
Good point! I already have the Savage which is why I want the Ruger. But the price my God man!
Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using Tapatalk
Like Bruce B said, the magazines were never designed to be removed and were actually rifle specific. I think that is a bit of local pride coming out saying the 03' was a faster gun to put down shots with. The Brit rifles were designed with high rate of fire as paramount. They were very smooth in the arc that the bolt took, no notchy movement involved. The rifle was a cock on closing one, which eased the opening, especially with a dirty and hot chamber and spread the work needed to be done over the two movements.
The FN-FAL which we called the SLR (small Army cringe, we always have to have our own name for any gun, although I think the Brits and Canuks called it that as well).
I remember a demonstration at the range in about 1962-63, the SMLE was still used by the Cadet Corp. All of the Army instructors provided were crusty old Korean vets. One guy had a FN-FAL and the two others had SMLEs. They kept a big old coffee can hopping around, hitting it as it hit the ground and keeping it hopping. There was no difference in the rate of fire with the three, the FN-FAL surged ahead momentarily while the SMLE shooters were reloading (which was ony a momentary pause), but about shot 13 the Fn-Fal guy had to adjust the gas port and the other guys started jeering and each took a shot at his can, until he got back into the action shortly after. All three rifle were smoking so much, I expected them to burst into flame, but they all managed to survive.
We were told that the point of the exercise was to prove that our bolt rifles were no slouch and with a well trained operator, we capable of putting lots of commies on the ground (We were less politically correct those days, I'm married to one now :) )
Four Fingers: Actually, I like the Mark 4, Number 2 over the 03A3. For the reasons you point out.
All I was trying to say was that for the us army qualification test (that particular course of fire) I was able to score a little higher with the 03A3 -- but to do so I dumped loaded rounds in a pile on the ground....not something I would like to do in the field. The 03A3 simply had a neat mechanism: fire most shots single shot and when things get hot and hairy switch to magazine fed for a few rounds.
I was also trying to point out that the bolt guns can do quite nicely.
I like it but I'd have to get a cap on the end of the barrel because that flash hider is butt ugly! I have the Tikka Big Boar in 308, they don't import them anymore, and it's a great rifle. The only thing it lacks is the open sights.
Oh yah, I forgot that I had an enfield #4 that I was going to make into a truck gun. I really liked it but sold it because I was younger and needed the money for another project. I still kick myself for that one! It had a super nice smooth sliding action.
I was all hopped up to buy one of these 2 weeks ago, Until I found that nobody I deal with could get one, as it seems the first run is completely sold out. I saw several on GunBrokers but the price was way above what I am willing to pay.
The actual dealer cost is $652. the best price I've seen was $739 in an above post. And I am willing to give a dealer $100 so he can stay in business. But until another run shows up it will have to be on my wish list.
What I really want is a good M94 Swedish Mauser Carbine 6.5x55, that I can massage into the Utlmate Sheep gun. That is what I saw when I saw in the Ruger carbine for the first time. Only the Swedes beat Ruger to the punch by about 70 years.
I think they will sell everyone of these they make, and as fast as they can make them.[smilie=w:
It took me exactly 5 seconds to say I want one. With a 2-8x Leupold mounted on the receiver, not scout style this would be a real good looking gun.Also the sling needs to be mounted on the left side of the rifle so it will lay flat on your back or that magazine will be a problem.
I also agree with the above posts talking 2 10 rnd mags and a 5 rnd mag.
Randy
Sorry, I misunderstood you. It sounds like you are saying the 03A3 has a mag cut off as did a lot of the early SMLEs. It was a great idea apparently, having troops firing single shot volleys under direction and when the Hun was at your door step, you switched over to mag feed and it was full. Unfortunately many Tommies were found dead with the mag cutoff still engaged and a full mag, because when the brown stuff hit the fan, they had panicked and forgotten to slide the cutoff aside. They were quickly removed. I have a SMLE and a P14 with these intact, along with volley sights, for and aft.
Aw Bill, you watched the wrong video! :D
http://www.ruger.com/products/gunsit...le/extras.html
I like it a lot. Can't wait to actually see and handle one. The proof is in the pudding as they say. Without handling and shooting one, I can't really make any intellegent comments about it except for its appearance which I like very much. Kudos to Ruger for taking a chance on a new platform for them.