Checked out Ruger American in 7.62X39, a bit rough

[peacebutready]

A couple of months ago I fondled the relatively new Ruger Amercian chambered in 7.62X39. The bolt was definitely not as smooth as the other caliber Ruger American I compared it to. I guess this is due to it being an early production example. Any opinions about how long it will take for Ruger to iron out any kinks in production?

I noticed the street price is more than other Ruger Americans. Maybe it'll come down in the future.

 

[troy fairweather]

Some of the ruger seam nicer when they first stat making them and some are not. the bolt is a easy fix and not a deal breaker. For the money the cz 527 is the way to go its a little more money but u get walnut, bluing, sights, a mauser style action, and a nice little mag. They are made very well most will shoot under a inch at 100 yards with steel case ammo with the sights. I looked at the ruger ( i am a big ruger fan ) and the cz won out in everything

 

[wanderinwalker]

Another vote for what Troy suggests regarding the CZ versus the Ruger. More money for the Czech rifles, but they're much more refined. I have a few Rugers and CZs here. My prized Ruger is my grandfather's 1970/71 vintage tang-safety Ruger 77 in .308. Even after almost 50 years of use and having been tuned by Ruger 30+ years ago, a fresh off the shelf CZ-550 Standard is still smoother and less clunky.

As for the Ruger American, the smoothness will vary sample to sample. I'm not surprised that you're seeing higher pricing on a more limited availability model. Everybody wants to see one, there's no incentive to discount the price anywhere in the supply chain. Wait a few months to a year and the pricing will likely come down closer to the rest of the American line. And kinks? My opinion of Ruger's current QC isn't very high, but they'll make right on any issues you find.

(BTW, Ruger's Newport, NH facility is only about 50 miles from where I sit typing this. I'd still likely choose another brand first.)

 

[highlander 5]

I'd go for a CZ or Howa before the Ruger,I've 2 CZs in 7.62x39 they have a couple of quirks that are easy to fix otherwise nice light little carbine.

 

[someguy2800]

It’s built on the normal ranch rifle which has been out for a long time now so I think if any ironing was going to get done it would have happened.

 

[peacebutready]

Some of the ruger seam nicer when they first stat making them and some are not. the bolt is a easy fix and not a deal breaker. For the money the cz 527 is the way to go its a little more money but u get walnut, bluing, sights, a mauser style action, and a nice little mag...

IIRC, the CZ is about $250 more typically.

As for the Ruger American, the smoothness will vary sample to sample. I'm not surprised that you're seeing higher pricing on a more limited availability model. Everybody wants to see one, there's no incentive to discount the price anywhere in the supply chain. Wait a few months to a year and the pricing will likely come down closer to the rest of the American line. And kinks? My opinion of Ruger's current QC isn't very high, but they'll make right on any issues you find.

(BTW, Ruger's Newport, NH facility is only about 50 miles from where I sit typing this. I'd still likely choose another brand first.)

I'm guessing at least a year before prices get to the rest of the American line. I'm far from sure, though. It's pretty nifty, shooting very available and cheap ammo and using the same magazines as their semi-auto rifles. I forget the name of those rifles. Not the new ARs but the ones that have been around for a long time.

I'm surprised Ruger QC isn't high. I'm guessing this has come to be within the past few years.

Ruger has or had a facility in AZ. I didn't know they had two.

It’s built on the normal ranch rifle which has been out for a long time now so I think if any ironing was going to get done it would have happened.

Yes, the normal ranch rifle but the dimensions are different for the 7.62X39 cartridge, AFAIK.

 

[peacebutready]

There was a model like the CZ 527 from Serbia but people had issues with them and they are no longer imported. Now that I think of it, Russia has one but I don't think it is legal to import. That's unfortunate as they're nothing like the AKs some bureaucrats dislike.

 

[peacebutready]

Enjoy your weekend, fellas.

 

[FL-NC]

I have 2 I am happy with- 308 and 300 B-O. I don't personally care for the x 39 cartridge.

 

[Sappyg2.0]

I've got between 200 -250 rounds through my 7.62 ranch. It's probably smoothed up as much as it's going to. Still, it's a good bit rougher than my 223 compact with a similar round count.

The rough action may be a result of the magazine. When installed the follower tends to cause bolt drag with or without ammo. This drag does not occur with the 223.

I've wondered if the bolt stop on the follower might be causing some of this but I may never find out. When you're shooting this rifle you just have to be mean to it and it will run fine.