I would like to purchase a No. 1 sometime over the next 12 months. I've got a few questions that I need to research.

Should I look only at new guns, or are there good numbers of servicable used ones out there that should be considered?

Is trigger work pretty much universally required, and should I figure on spending any more for gunsmithing of any sort, or are some pretty good "out of the box"?

Yes, absolutely look for a good used one as long as it is what you want, it's in acceptable condition to you, and it's less than a new one. Prices for the #1 have gone up the past few years. This rule applies to just about anything. Lou

I've owned seven of them over the years (.243, .25-06, 7x57, .30-40 Krag, .338 Winchester, .357 Magnum, and .375 H&H), and only bought one of them new. They have all shot reasonably (1-1/2 inch or less at 100 yards for three shots), though one needed some work on the forend bedding (easily done at home), and a couple required trying a variety of handloads to get them to do so. I mess with them, get bored, sell them, then regret it and buy another, but I always seem to have at least one around. As to trigger work, I guess that I have been lucky since the ones I've owned over the years all had decent triggers. Your experience may differ.

Dave

I wouldn’t be afraid of buying a used one if it was in good condition and in a caliber and configuration I wanted.

The trigger issue depends on what you want for a trigger pull. The old rifles have adjustable triggers, new ones don’t (I can’t remember the year they did away with the 3 screw adjustable trigger but it’s been over a couple of decades now).

Here is a picture of the older but not the original 3 screw trigger Ruger used. It's a Moyers trigger but it’s just a copy of Ruger’s design.



Here is a picture of the trigger used today.

I picked up a used Ruger 1B in .308 at a pawn shop last year. Beautiful wood and once I found the factory ammo it liked, I am getting very good groups. Can't wait to hunt with it. You should be able to find a good used one if you have 12 months to shop. I am never that patient. The trigger on mine is fine but if you are particular, it never hurts to have a good gunsmith work the trigger to your satisfaction.

The No. 1 is a great gun. Be careful or you'll end up with more than one.

If you go used, I would try to make sure it is of more recent manufacture. The older ones seemed to be more likely to have accuracy issues.

Until I bought my 300 Win. Mag No. 1S, I would have agreed that all of them need trigger work. However, my 1S trigger breaks like glass at about 3 lbs. That's definitely not the norm, but I guess a good one makes it through the lawyers every once in a while.

I've owned 5 No. 1's. I still have 3: 7x57 1A, 300 Win. Mag 1S, and a 375 H&H 1 tropical.

I did have a 1B in 22-250 that I couldn't get to shoot less than 2 in. I got rid of it.

I also had a relatively rare uncatalogued 1AB in 270 Winchester. It had the longer 1B forend and a sightless 22 in. thin barrel. It was an awesome little rifle that I sold in a moment of need (for cash).

I lovingly refer to my current cache of No. 1s as the arsenal for any game, anywhere. The 7x57, 300 Win. Mag, and 375 H&H will do anything I ever need to in North America and most of the rest of the world.

There are a couple or three more that I really want to lay my hands on at some point: 1RS in 7x57 (since Ruger won't make them in a 358 Win.), A 220 Swift 1V (no longer catlogued), a 45-70 1S, and a 1B in 257 Weatherby (no longer catlogued).

One word of advice is to invest in a set of setback scope rings. That's really the only big rub with the No. 1's. The scope sets too far forward. The setback rings will give you an extra inch or so.

My favorite No. 1 style is the No. 1A. It's the perfect weight for a hunting rifle. If you reload, get one in 7x57 and never look back. If you don't roll our own, get one in 30-06 and never look back.

Getcha one. You won't regret it.

Ken

quote:

Originally posted by Grenadier:

quote:

Originally posted by MickinColo:

Here is a picture of the older but not the original 3 screw trigger Ruger used. It's a Moyers trigger but it’s just a copy of Ruger’s design.

Great picture. You wouldn't happen to have a photograph of the other side of the action would you?

~

Here you go.

Here is one i started awhile back. I found an action only and at one time it was a 22/250 with laminated stock. I have decided to restock and rebarrel to 6.5x55. I have 4 projects going and may be awhile before i get back at it. Anyway, this one has the alunium trigger with 3 screws. I would not change it out for a steel one unless i had to, because it is a good trigger as is. For a hunting rifle i may make it a little heaveier pull than it is now.
Wish i could show it finished, but to many irons in the fire and too much going on at the moment!