Some months ago I saw an odd spot on the wood forend of my beloved Ruger No.1 450NE (Boddington model). I rubbed at it and it almost appeared to be some type of mold. It came off somewhat but it left kind of a blemish on the wood. I did not think to much more about it and was not real concerned because it is a hunting rifle. Pulled it out of the toy box last night and the stuff had regrown. I pulled the forend and there was more growing on the inside. It is a solid material but will flake off. I took a few poor pictures with my phone to post here and I will be calling Ruger Cust. Service on monday morning. Any thoughts on what this might be? It originally appeared several months after I bought the gun new.

Its a little wood rot, natures flaw...It looks to be on the inside and an easy repair. Scrape it out and glass it...If its on the outside then you may want to have it replaced by Ruger.

If you intend to use the gun for rough hunting, I would patch it up on both sides, glass bed the forend an maybe mix some walnut dust with glass, rather than mess with it...but thats a decision for only the owner of such to make, and based on what its intended use is to be...

Dang - Never seen or heard of anything like that. I'd send it back to Ruger.

dont remove, send to ruger

quote:

dont remove, send to ruger

+1 You mess with it the Ruger might say sorry.

Called Ruger this morning, they are sending me a PREPAID mailing label. Customer service said just box it up, send it back to them. They offered me the option of sending the whole rifle to best color match the forend to the stock. Or they would just try to color match my damaged wood. I opted to just send the forend and not risk any damage to my baby! I have had to use Ruger Cust svc on a few occassions and they are ALWAYS OUTSTANDING!

Just a quick update, Ruger sent me a free box for the rifle, a PREPAID mailing label and had UPS pick it all up at my office. It was back in about 14 days with a really nice piece of color matched wood. Simply oustanding customer service. That is why I continue to purchase a variety (30 and counting) of their firearms.

" dry rot " is really not dry !
A shame but glad Ruger made it right ! Now get your elephant , etc .

For those of us that are a bit slow, and have not seen this. What causes it? Other than the presence of mold. Is it from sealing over wet wood with the finish?

I've seen what was termed dry rot in homes and trees that I was cutting for firewood, but on a finished firearm? Nope, that is a new one.

Jeremy

I have NO clue. It was very strange whatever it was. Gone now and they treated me well!

Ruger always had (and apparently still has) the best customer service in the business. Not at all surprised they performed this way.

+1 for Ruger, they are a great outfit to work with.
Original cause, possibly alien slime or
George Bush's fault.

Tetonka
DRSS