Are All Current Rugers Garbage?

After my post on pg. 4, yesterday night I was cleaning my Mk. II Target model.

The bolt stop pin has broken after 25 years of service to me, and some time to a previous owner too. Many thousands of rounds finally took their toll:


An email to Ruger got me a case # and confirmation that they still have the part. They referred me to call Customer Service, which I did, and they helped me order the part. $13 and change, incl. shipping.

Now to see if I'll be able to drift that hinge pin out so I can replace it. They pounded a dent in the top of it to make it a tighter fit, I guess. If not, I'll either enlist a 'smith or try a new Buck Mark.

My only new Ruger pistol is a Max 9 that I just bought for CCW. So far, so good, it's been reliable, seems well put together, shoots fine. In the last Ruger pistols I owned were a P95 DC and an SR22. Both were great guns that I wish I hadn't sold.
I don't own a Ruger MK pistol but I've shot a ton of I, II and IIIs and they all were well built.

I haven't shot a MK IV as our legislators here don't allow us to have the same guns as in America (Handgun Roster) but I was able to buy the Max 9 via PPT. Used Ruger MK anythings here are rarer than hens teeth.

To me yes they are, I'll never buy another Ruger.

One of the safest bets you can play in the gun world is buying a current model used Ruger Firearm. Even if you get the worlds worst lemon Ruger will make it right, have it back to you in new working order within two weeks 99% of the time. All at no charge for anything, shipping included. Ruger customer service is 2nd to none.

Skylerbone said:

Inflammatory title I realize, but let me qualify the question. Having read yet another “I don’t want a Mk IV” thread I felt this sort of discussion was High Road worthy.

What I think I know from reading threads is that the Mk II is the pinnacle of perfection (unless a Mk I owner shows up to respond), the Mk III is abysmal due to a few removable parts, and the Mk IV is targeted at a group known as the “illiterati” who are too stupid to follow disassembly instructions that Mk II owners were seemingly born knowing.

I also “know” that despite better quality processes and control, new machinery, and a host of aftermarket support (which is often inquired about) that later Mark pistols need these things while the I and II are perfection from the box (even as the owners describe the VQ goodies they’ve stuffed inside).

I know that a nearly invisible hinge makes the IV ugly, that it may wear out as a result of being hinged, and that “many people” favor the Mark II. Now anyone perusing the rifles section is also painfully aware of all those 10/22s with metal trigger guards that 1-hole any dime size 50 yard target and are versed in how much better a Series xyz Mini-14 is than today’s pot metal excuse.

So I ask again, is Ruger simply producing cheapened, over priced, ugly, poorly shooting garbage these days or are the straw man arguments mere justification for the insecure? I’d hate to think that my money is foolishly spent or that despite outstanding tolerances and process investment that every last one of my 7 recently purchased Ruger rifles/pistols is in all ways inferior.

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i love this post! It made me laugh. I love Ruger but really can’t say exactly why. I am one of those guys that can buy something that is “the most reliable item in the world of its kind and has never been documented to fail!” And it will fail me. And vice versa. People avoid the Glock 44 and buy Ruger .22’s because they are more reliable but my Glock 44 has been stunningly reliable at firing anything! (Up until the firing pin broke) and my Ruger MK III can’t make it through a magazine without some sort of stoppage.Also, I have avoided buying a Ruger 10/22 for ever because literally everyone and their dog owns one. I finally bought a take-down model with the Magpul stock that came with 4 of the perfect and reliable Ruger 10 round magazine and turns out at least two of the magazines consistently cause failures.

I would like to have a Ruger LCP Max or whatever it is called.And there are plenty of other Ruger guns I would like to own and I trust them. However, the main thing I am likely to buy from Ruger at this point is called a “Marlin Trapper”.

Full disclosure: I own multiple Kel-Tec products so I may not be the best judge of quality firearms.

triplebike said:

One of the safest bets you can play in the gun world is buying a current model used Ruger Firearm. Even if you get the worlds worst lemon Ruger will make it right, have it back to you in new working order within two weeks 99% of the time. All at no charge for anything, shipping included. Ruger customer service is 2nd to none.

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Buy a current model used Ruger firearm and get it fixed for free?
Ruger wouldn't even fix my GP100 when I bought it new from them.

This was like 2018 when I tried to get them to help me with my, only 4 year old GP100. Then 2019 when I tried to get help with my SP101.
If you want some 50 cent item from them I'm sure they will help you, they will send you something, but try getting something that cost some real money.

I don't believe a word of that post. Ruger has never given me a reason to.

tightgroup tiger said:

Buy a current model used Ruger firearm and get it fixed for free?
Ruger wouldn't even fix my GP100 when I bought it new from them.

This was like 2018 when I tried to get them to help me with my, only 4 year old GP100. Then 2019 when I tried to get help with my SP101.
If you want some 50 cent item from them I'm sure they will help you, they will send you something, but try getting something that cost some real money.

I don't believe a word of that post. Ruger has never given me a reason to.

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This was posted in August 2020

Probable new gun owners, a tale of two firearm manufacturers | The High Road

In the last year or so I had to send two firearms back to their company for repair. Both were 22 caliber handguns. The 1st was a Taurus TX22. The second was a Ruger SR22. The Taurus TX22 was purchased new. The Ruger SR22 was purchased used and was four years old.

The Taurus was three months old, had about 4500 rds fired when the front of the slide cracked caused by the recoil spring assembly which gauged away the aluminum where it rode in the front of the slide. It also had a lot of chatter marks in the barrel. Was sent to Taurus with a explanation of the problems. After 12 WEEKS it was returned. Taurus replaced the slide, did nothing about the recoil assembly or the chattered barrel. The description from Taurus was replaced slide & fired 32 rds. Upon inspection the newly replaced slide already had gauge marks from the non replaced recoil assembly.

The Ruger was sent in for a broken slide lock which was caused by me, not the guns fault. Being 4 yrs old & used, I had fired over 5000 rds through it and since I didn't know how much use it got from the previous owner, I requested that Ruger replace any worn parts and that I would cover the cost of any parts that were replaced. I received the SR22 back from Ruger in 10 DAYS. The description from Ruger was replaced the entire slide and all its components, the slide stop, slide stop spring and the ENTIRE frame assembly. Fired 30 rds. I basically received a brand new firearm and the charge from Ruger, $0. Completely covered under their warranty.

Their warranty is apparently only good for certain people at certain times.
I'm glad they took care of you. Apparently they don't cover barrels.

Got a bunch of Rugers and love them all. My Mark IV 22/45 Lite is still my steel gun, and I doubt that will change. Don't mind cleaning that one at all, rather than the Mark II that I also use at times, which is a PITA, no matter how many times you've cleaned them over the years.

tightgroup tiger said:

Apparently they don't cover barrels

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I bulged a 10/22 barrel when I had a squib and fired another round. Totally my fault. Called Ruger about replacement barrel, they sent me a shipping label to send the rifle to them. Ruger paid shipping both ways and replaced the barrel at no cost to me.

Taurus TX22, I had the usual bad barrel problems. Called Taurus, got a replacement barrel that was worse than the original. Called Taurus, got another bad barrel sent to me. Called Taurus, they said send entire gun it will be 4-6 weeks turnaround. I sold the gun, with full disclosure.

I own 7 Ruger's, oldest made in 2018 and have no issues with any of them.

Edit: Ruger had NO warranty just, IMO, great customer service

I've owned Ruger products for over 44 years and have added 6 in the last 4 years. Ruger has never given any trouble and all shot just great.

People who buy a pre-owned firearm with problems and Ruger fixes it with no fuss have been left with a lot better taste in their mouth Folks who buy brand new Rugers with problems and are fully aware of Ruger’s exceptional after product support are still a little dismayed about the experience and they have long memories. I am one of the latter.

Since my experience, I have bought 2 more Ruger firearms pre owned and am very happy with them. I don’t hold a grudge but I am a bit like a wife with how I handle past experiences pertaining to the future. I may or may not forgive but I never forget.

earlthegoat2 said:

People who buy a pre-owned firearm with problems and Ruger fixes it with no fuss have been left with a lot better taste in their mouth Folks who buy brand new Rugers with problems and are fully aware of Ruger’s exceptional after product support are still a little dismayed about the experience and they have long memories. I am one of the latter.

Since my experience, I have bought 2 more Ruger firearms pre owned and am very happy with them. I don’t hold a grudge but I am a bit like a wife with how I handle past experiences pertaining to the future. I may or may not forgive but I never forget.

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Good observation, one I really hadn't thought of until you made it.

I only own one used Ruger, the rest were new and if I could buy a problem Ruger on the cheap and send it in for free repair, I'd certainly be happy, but when I buy new and it's not as good as expected or has some issues, I'm not happy. Thankfully, this has only happened to me with the SP101.

Still, it was enough for me to pause on buying any more DA revolvers from Ruger brand new and with the prices that people are willing to pay because it's a known brand name has me even more leery because I know for a fact when Ruger gets swamped with orders like after Sandy Hook, their middle management in production will send out products with out of spec parts even if they and others in the process (QC, assembly) know there are issues.

Why? Because the bottom line is what matters most to companies that are publicly traded.

Most of my shade I cast on Ruger regarding quality is centered largely on the revolvers, the autoloaders seem to be better as I seldom hear of issues and from personal experience thru ownership notice that the appearance and fit/feel of them is good and meets expectations, not to mention the price is generally right with them.

That all changes once the focus shifts to revolvers. Single actions... they seem fine, but I would probably opt for used with them since they are well made and the older models even more well made. Double actions other than the LCR? Nope, no thank you.

Are All Current Rugers Garbage?

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No.

Having worked in manufacturing my whole adult life, I understand the occasional defect that gets out. This is especially true when managers are pressured for production numbers, heads look the other way from quality issues. I've seen it time and time again. The result is always the same. The issues that caused the defect may get fixed, but the bad product won't get dealt with until the end customer has to do it. Only exception I've seen to this is safety defects that could cause major lawsuits.
That's where good customer service is key. Ruger has it, many others are dismal.

I picked up a black Ruger Wrangler 22 LR for $199 and are happay as a clam at high tide .
Dimensions , fit , finish and timing are tight and spot on . Not even a turn line . I like the trigger pull and the hammer will ignite any half way decent ammo ... shoots accurately and since I sprayed some light grease into the workings of the loading gate it flips right open ... I like it so much I bought some Sunday Shoes ...
Real Imitation Stag ... she lookin good !
No garbage detected here .
Gary

As for their polymer pistols I'm not sure if they are garbage but I think they don't feel as well built as their competitors pistols.

tightgroup tiger said:

Buy a current model used Ruger firearm and get it fixed for free?
Ruger wouldn't even fix my GP100 when I bought it new from them.

This was like 2018 when I tried to get them to help me with my, only 4 year old GP100. Then 2019 when I tried to get help with my SP101.
If you want some 50 cent item from them I'm sure they will help you, they will send you something, but try getting something that cost some real money.

I don't believe a word of that post. Ruger has never given me a reason to.

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My buddy’s dad has a Ruger Service Six and he shot the hell out of it. Mostly hot .357. At least 40,000 rounds, I’d say. When he died my buddy inherited it. It was a bit loose. Called Ruger and they said send it in. Rebuilt it to like new. Even reblued it. Didn’t cost a thing. Not even shipping.

There was a post in this forum not long ago. Poster had a Six series gun need a part and Ruger doesn’t support them anymore. They sent him a new GP100. Free of charge.

I took apart 4 10/22 mags to clean them, even though the manual says not to. Couldn’t get the tension right. Called Ruger. Lady laughed and asked if I would like clear or black replacement mags. Even told me to keep the ones I took apart and keep trying to get them back together right. I did get them back together right eventually. 4 mags sent to me totally free.

Need a rear sight pin in my GP100. Sent me two of them. Totally free.

Another friend of mine bought a used GP100 that wouldn't lock the cylinder after it was cocked. Gun was $200. I knew Ruger would fix it and told him to buy it. He did and sent it to Ruger. Fixed it and didn’t charge a cent.

bnolsen said:

As for their polymer pistols I'm not sure if they are garbage but I think they don't feel as well built as their competitors pistols.

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Have you tried the Ruger American Competition or checked out the Custom Shop on the website?

I'm happy with my LCR 357, Bisley Vaquero 357 and Redhawk 44 mag. My wife likes her Mark II. Now I did have an issue with the sight on my Vaquero coming up, Ruger fixed it fairly.

I don’t think Ruger makes any garbage. Their customer service has generally been good. They have sent me things like adjustable rear sights for my MKII free or cost at times and for a nominal cost for the same part at other times. They’re a bit weird at other times. I wanted to buy a stainless steel MK IV 22 bolt from them and they insisted that I return the pistol to them so they could fit the bolt to the receiver. I’ve never seen even one of those bolts that didn’t just drop right in and run perfectly. I’m currently running a MKIV bolt in a MKII target model that I built from parts. No problem whatsoever.

Their guns are well made and, in my opinion, some of the most durable firearms ever made. Where their rifles and handguns are concerned, the only issue I have are extremely heavy trigger-pulls. The aftermarket industry has risen to those issues...something I just accept in order to set up a trigger to my liking. Ruger will not service one of their firearms that has been altered with an aftermarket trigger. They insist on replacing those parts with OEM parts. I have no idea if they would return any of the after market parts.

Then there are some issues they are completely intractable on. I recently bought my first MKIV and was so impressed with the quality and accuracy of the pistol I purchased three, new, unfired spare uppers at a cost $70.00 a piece including shipping and transfer fees. One of the uppers is a standard model with fixed sights. I have to hold the front sight all the way down in the bottom of the notch to get it to hit point of aim. Nothing is necessarily wrong with the gun...probably just the way I grip and hold the pistol. Contacted Ruger to see if I could get them to make me a front sight that is .050” higher...something I told them I would gladly pay for. Nothing doing! Ruger’s position is that that is just too bad. I’m sure they could easily make a higher front sight for me. They just aren’t interested. So I obtained a piece of steel and will have to make one myself which is gonna be a real pain. That pretty much sums up my relationship with Ruger over the past 40 years. Sometimes they bend over backwards and cover stuff free of charge that they didn’t have to cover. And, in other cases, like the front sight on my MKIV Standard upper, they couldn’t care less. Only Ruger knows why!

Skylerbone said:

Inflammatory title I realize, but let me qualify the question. Having read yet another “I don’t want a Mk IV” thread I felt this sort of discussion was High Road worthy.

What I think I know from reading threads is that the Mk II is the pinnacle of perfection (unless a Mk I owner shows up to respond), the Mk III is abysmal due to a few removable parts, and the Mk IV is targeted at a group known as the “illiterati” who are too stupid to follow disassembly instructions that Mk II owners were seemingly born knowing.

I also “know” that despite better quality processes and control, new machinery, and a host of aftermarket support (which is often inquired about) that later Mark pistols need these things while the I and II are perfection from the box (even as the owners describe the VQ goodies they’ve stuffed inside).

I know that a nearly invisible hinge makes the IV ugly, that it may wear out as a result of being hinged, and that “many people” favor the Mark II. Now anyone perusing the rifles section is also painfully aware of all those 10/22s with metal trigger guards that 1-hole any dime size 50 yard target and are versed in how much better a Series xyz Mini-14 is than today’s pot metal excuse.

So I ask again, is Ruger simply producing cheapened, over priced, ugly, poorly shooting garbage these days or are the straw man arguments mere justification for the insecure? I’d hate to think that my money is foolishly spent or that despite outstanding tolerances and process investment that every last one of my 7 recently purchased Ruger rifles/pistols is in all ways inferior.

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I am a Older Ruger fan. I wouldn't own a Ruger anything past 1998. I have 6 of Ole Bills guns. All are excellent weapons. All are handguns. For me... Ruger is gone and what is being sold under the Ruger name is just crap.

I'm on my third MkIII Hunter. Nothing wrong with it once you replace a few parts. The last MkIII I had, I probably put at least 12,000 trouble free rounds through. My current MkIII Hunter is a stainless, wow what a great looking pistol. I bought this one with all the Valquartsen goodies already installed plus the loaded chamber indicator fixed with a blank in the slot.



I have also had a MkII but I hated the heel slide release. I sold my Model 41 but kept the Ruger MkIII! I've never had to send a pistol to Ruger to fix!