I had read a lot of comments here and on other boards regarding this upcoming rifle. Well I got mine last week and finally got some Hornady factory ammo yesterday. While still at the shop I purchased a limbsaver pad (prefit for No.1) and we installed it right on the spot, pad fit perfectly but the bottom screw hole needed to be realigned about 1/8th inch. Rifles fit and finish was excellent. The wood is very nice and received several comments at the shop. The rifle balances perfectly, just slightly forward of the action. Trigger pull is clean and breaks nicely. I had heard a number of theories that due to its light weight this rig would kick like a mule. I admit to using a folded dish towel for shot number one which I just cranked off quickly to get a feel for the recoil. You can't imagine my relief that recoil was not only not bad, but with subsequent shots using only the limbsaver pad it was actually not even uncomfortable. The first two aimed shots that I took offhand were at about 20 yards and they both landed about 1/4 inch apart. This rifle really fits me well and truly points where I am looking. The larger/thicker pad helps with my LOP due to my "ape arms". I ultimately fired 12 rounds with the open sights at 20-25 yards and had a very respectable group and best of all, NO BRUISING! This rifle is definately a keeper.

BUT! its not perfect. The safety blocked EVERY SINGLE round from being ejected. The case length is such that when the rear of the case strikes the safety the front edge of the case has not even cleared the barrel yet. Ejected cases simply hit the safety lever and bounce halfway back into the chamber. I tried rotating the rifle onto both sides and gravity could not even help enough to get the case to fall free.

It is absolutely amazing to me that Ruger could market these as dangerous game rifles in magnum calibers, then let these rifles leave the factory knowing that you have to claw each empty case out of the action. This is a well documented problem that they apparently refuse to address. I will do like everyone else and just grind the leading edge of the safety but it will forever be a point of irritation for me. I have probably 25 ruger firearms and love them all but this is OUTRAGEOUS!

I know Hamilton Bowen used to make a recessed safety for the Ruger No. 1 conversions he made. Don't know if he is still doing them but I believe he got a good penny for that particular feature.


Dutch

quote:

It is absolutely amazing to me that Ruger could market these as dangerous game rifles in magnum calibers, then let these rifles leave the factory knowing that you have to claw each empty case out of the action.

Turn the rifle sideways about 10 degrees before throwing the block open first. The casings hit the safety and fall to the ground.

At least, that's what they do with my 7mm Mauser...

I guess if everyone bitches but goes ahead and grinds down the leading edge of the safety, Ruger has ZERO reasons to do so at the factory or revise the safety size. If people would just send the rifle back with a nasty letter attached...then MAYBE they would correct the problem. Until that happens, they are just content to see that YOU will attend to their engineering mistakes. I would bet a bunch of money you would not do that to any other merchandise you purchase. At least call and bitch them out...it's just as outrageous if you don't.

I think Ruger did the safety this way on purpose. Think quick shot, rifle still on shoulder, flip the lever, hot .450 Nitro case in right (or left) eye, ouch! looks like a potential law suit for sure.
C.G.B.

move the little thingie to throw the empty to one side or the other. They are set to throw it straight back. That works on my 45-120.

Rich
DRSS

I don't think that I can adjust my little thingy to throw right or left. Unlike some that can even sling it off to the side, my thingy will only (try to) squirt it straight out of the hole.

May have to get my little thingy looked at!

When you tilt it to the side with the .450 rim size, the case then hits the frame/block recess instead of the safety. I will bevel that when I get the 49 other projects done. My #1 450-400 does that most every time. If you hold it straight, the big rim hits the safety, and then bounces back into the chamber. With shorter cases, they will usually bounce out. I have a .375 and it hits the safety as well, but seems to bounce out more often. (shorter case) But the safeties are easy to mod. I wouldn't hold my breath for Ruger to do anything.

According to 'The DGR Guys' it can't possibly be a true DGR anyway 'cause it doesn't have either 4 down or a second barrel.......

Color me curious: how much extra did the special edition cost ya? Bet you coulda had the safety recessed by some big name smith for that much extra $.
Regards, Joe

[Color me curious: how much extra did the special edition cost ya? Bet you coulda had the safety recessed by some big name smith for that much extra $.
Regards, Joe[/QUOTE]

Joe it was only about $200 more than a "standard Tropical". What I got for the money was a very nice fixed standing rear sight (standard folds forward), upgraded wood (circassion walnut), warne quick detach rings ($79), nice flat matte finish, but most importantly it was chambered in 450NE (not a factory option).
I love the rifle and find that it was well worth the small premium.

I can't consider a single shot to be a prudent D.G.R. anyway. I have, and have had many #1's in various ctgs. They all bump the safety when ejected. It doesn't look to be such a difficult job to shorten the the top part to still cover the SAFE marking while "off safe", keeping the same radius.

I have 4 No 1s in various calibers,
The ones with rims always hang up and the ones without rims don't do it. Also shorter cartridges come out cleaner where the really long ons don't. About the worst is the 9.3X74R
I have had to modify the safetys on my 450/400 NE 3 in. and my 405 Winchester. They work fine now.
Good luck and good shooting

Tetonka

Idkier,

single shot rifles were DG rifles before your Granddaddy was born.
It amazes me, no offense meant to you or anybody else; how many things that were commonplace a century ago are impossible or unsafe or imprudent these days.

I don't see how a SS cartridge rifle is not ten times as good a choice as a bow and arrow.

Rich
DRSS