Please identify quality smiths that do safety mods (recessed tang, etc) for Ruger 1s.

Midwest US is home base.

Thanks

I have a #1 that Dale Erhardt built that has a very nicely recessed safety.

Don't have contact info. Actually don't know if he is still working or even still alive.

Anyway, the work on this rifle is excellent.

josh

I have the same kind of answer Josh has. I have a #1 that was built in England with an extended tang that go'es over the comb like a double rifle and the safty lever was replaced with one from a Westley Richards shotgun ( I think ) I'll try to post photo's of it tomorrow. The problen is I don't know who the maker was. I bought it from the Westley Richards company when the U.S. agent was in Springfield MO. They told me that one of the gunmakers at WR had built the rifle for himself then decided to sell it.

OK I managed to get the photo quckly, Not good but tells the stry.

This is something that is so simple that it should be addressed at the factory. There is no excuse to market a rifle in a DG caliber that has ejecting cases hanging up. I shouldnt have to pay a smith to fix it. But.... as long as they sell guns thats the bottom line.

Rob, the Ruger #1 is an excellent single shot for the money. To fault it for such a small problem is not a very fair criticism. It is quite rare for a single shot to be used on dangerous game. My bet is that not very many un-modified factory rifles of any action type are used on dangerous game hunts. Due to the cost and other factors of DG hunts, most hunters have their rifles worked over at the least or go with full custom, hand built rifles at the other end of the spectrum.

The Ruger #1 is a great rifle as is, and is a nice platform for other work.

j

I just took a file to the safety on my .338. It owrked just fine. Jim

Can't help you with smiths in USA, but here's one I had done in Australia. The rifle is chambered for a rimmed cartridge - 7x65R and I wanted to make sure I'd never have any issues with case ejection. Besides, it looks a bit nicer than the factory job (but not really a fair comparison).







cheers,
- stu

very nice job on your rifle. how bout more photos so we can lust over the whole thing!!!

Glad you like it.

More photos and a bit of history were posted on the Gunsmithing forum HERE


cheers,
- stu

WOW!!! Fantastic work!!! I particularly like the way he did the quarter rib. All of it first class in every way. Thanks for sharing.

Heym use to import Ruger #1's and modify them with engraved side plate and they recessed the safety and installed a button in the safety to insure the safety was not accidently moved either on or off. Wish I had a picture. Hell I wish I had one as they were beautiful. Back in the mid 80's when I toured the Heym factory the dollar was so strog that I could have bought one for about $400 with all the modifications.

Josh;

Granted the #1 is a fine rifle. I have several but the only way a manufacturer ever makes positive changes is for the consumer to ask for it. Look at Colt for instance, it only took them 25 years and a huge cottage industry of pistolsmiths working magic on the 1911 platform to open their eyes and offer a factory model that has the grip safety upswept instead of down!

If they are going to offer a caliber such as 450-400 then they should assume some happy soul might take it for buffalo and then it becomes an issue. I understand it keeps costs down to not make mods but in the era of hightec machinery it would be a simple thing to make them all like that. That being said I still like the rifle very much.

Rob,

I agree with you. The factory Ruger #1 safety serves as a 'brass catcher' and was likely designed as such. With Solidworks 3D modelling software and others used for CNC work, it should not be a problem to even recess the existing design and use the same safety button.

My factory #1 in 450-400 will stop the brass on the safety button every time. Regardless, it is still a beautiful piece of craftsmanship and a joy to carry.

Really no need to take to gunsmith for the safety "button" is quite easy to file/sculpt so the case does not snag if that is what you want. Other than for so called DG, stopping the spent case where you can easily pick it up is right handy. Did file down my 458Lott and nothing wimpy about the extraction and catch it on it's way out. Personally I think the No.1 is about as much class as you can buy for the dollars spent.

Ain't but one thing wrong with the No 1 (grin): they're so inexpensive that everybody/anybody can own one! Of course some 'special' folks will still hafta complain, and correcting their complaints gives the custom smiths more work, so everyone should be happy.

The No 1 IMO is stronger, more reliable, safer, stronger, better looking, more reliable, stronger, more ergonomic, stronger, more reliable, easier to stock, stronger, more reliable, less expensive and generally equally or more accurate than almost any other single-shot action ever made. And did I mention that they were stronger and more reliable?

They're just not as exclusive.....
Regards, Joe

You can say that again, Oh, you just did!!

I recommend disconnecting the ejector (instructions in the manual). The underlever is smoother in extractor mode.

If the safety is filed down or recessed the ejector flings the empty into the stock comb.

I adjust the ejector to a minimum ejection so the case just leaves the chamber. The case is then easy to pick up in front of the safety.

That way I don't have to look for the case in the grass or where ever.

Just roll it to the right as the lever is opened..

Mark Penrod. Absolutely first class.

quote:

Originally posted by kda55:
Mark Penrod. Absolutely first class.

If you have a safety done by Penrod I would lode to see a picture or two. I have been looking for an excuse to have him do some work and I have a No.1 in need of a recessed safety.

I have never done pictures but will try this weekend. I had him do the "#1 package" on an action several years and am still working on the stock. Superb workmanship.

quote:

Originally posted by kda55:
I have never done pictures but will try this weekend. I had him do the "#1 package" on an action several years and am still working on the stock. Superb workmanship.

The #1 package sounds interesting! Maybe this No.1 will be my excuse to have some work done by Mark.

If you email me the photos I will post them for you. You can email me at jbrown1@hotmail.com