Just picked up a 1979 red pad #1A in .270 cal. Is missing the front sight assembly. Previous owner completely removed it from the barrle.

How hard are these to replace or does it need to go back to ruger?

Contact Brownells, supply house, and they will most likely have one in stock, but if not can order for you. Good gunsmith can install replacement or can source very fine front sight w/ barrel band from New England Guns. There are quality 'smiths on this site that can advise or install for you.

Send it back to Ruger. You will be dollars ahead and it will be just like originally manufactured. As I remember, and it has been awhile, Ruger charges something like 40 bucks for the front sight assembly if you send it back to have one installed.

I sent one of my other rifles back to Ruger for a rebuild. New barrel, etc and had it re-blued. They did a great job and less than 2 weeks turn around.

quote:

Originally posted by wapiti22:
I sent one of my other rifles back to Ruger for a rebuild. New barrel, etc and had it re-blued. They did a great job and less than 2 weeks turn around.

You're lucky as hell. When I sent my 7x57 back, it took 7 months before I ever saw that gun again. However, when it came back it had a new barrel, the action was reblued and even the stock was refinished, not that it really needed it. Guess it was worth the wait after all. I'd sent it back because of he bad barrel. A 2.5" throat ain't in SAMMI or anybody else's specs.
Paul B.

Sounds like what I did. I had picked up an early '70s 7x57 that was in really sad shape. Had it re-barrel, new stock, all new internals, etc. And less than 2 weeks in the shop.. I must have hit a slow period.