Ruger #1 operating question

[Lethal Farce]

Took my Ruger #1 into the woods the first time this afternoon. Fortunately it was unloaded, but while carrying it in w/ a sling, the lever caught on me twice, opening the action. Am I missing something. If I tried to carry loaded, I would leave a trail of ammo.
LF

 

[JJohnston015]

I don't know anything about the #1, so I'm guessing, but does it cock on opening? If it does, you can dry fire it on the empty chamber - that way the lever will be harder to open.

 

[stevelyn]

I have a Ruger #1 RSI. Unfortunately the lever does not postively lock securely when closed. I find that it's a minor design flaw that could probably be solved by the installation of a heavier spring on the locking tab.

However, I only recall it having come open on me once while carrying it. A couple of years ago I had it slung across my back over my daypack while climbing a mountain on a bear hunt. It must have caught on the pack while I was climbing and depressed the locking mechanism enough to drop the lever slightly. The breech block didn't drop and I didn't lose my ammo.

I haven't any any problem with it since, but I tend to carry it slung muzzle down anyway which keeps the lever out of reach of the brush........and ammo in the chamber.

DJJ,

Ruger #1 is a falling block single-shot based on the Farquarson action. It does cock on opening. However, dry firing on an empty chamber leaves you with an empty gun. The hammer can also be safely lowered by holding the trigger back while closing the breech block even with a live round. Which also presents another problem because cocking it will eject the live round when you're ready to shoot.

One possible way to avoid ejecting the live round would be to adjust the ejector to where it only extracts, but that makes hunting with it a bigger PITA than what it's worth. I think the stronger lock spring is the way to go.

 

[berettashotgun]

Heck yeah, that has happened to me. At the worst time possible. But really, I've been using a #1 for a few years now and don't have any troubles to speak of. Try a rubberband around the lever and stock.

 

[Lethal Farce]

Thanks, at least I know it wasn't my ignorance. I got it w/o a manual and thought there may have been an action lock or something. I like the rubber band idea.
LF

 

[Skoghund]

I have used a No1 for over 20 years and never had it come open. I do carry it muzzle down though. Its quicker to get of the shoulder carrying it that way as well.