Problems with Ruger American Rimfire

[daved]

The Ruger American Rimfire looked like a nice trainer package, particularly with the modular stock, so I ordered one from an on-line retailer for my wife to use in low-level club competition. I was initially amazed by how tight the bolt locked into the receiver - it was a struggle for me to open and lock it and impossible for my wife to operate. A little lube didn't help so I called Ruger who, without hesitation, instructed me to return it to them for repair. Fast forward two weeks - Ruger tells me the defect in the gun is "non-repairable" and offers to replace it. I agree, several weeks go by, a couple calls to Ruger, explanations that they don't have any in stock and a replacement has to be "pulled off the line" and repeated promises that "we should have it next week". So two months after initially receiving the gun, and two months minus one day after returning it to Ruger, I'm still waiting.

I was curious as to whether others have had similar problems, both with the gun and Ruger's customer service. Also, any thoughts as to what type of manufacturing defect would be unrepairable - I would think most problems related to the bolt lock-up could be repaired by a competent gunsmith.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[Wesek]

I have no experience with the Ruger American, but I had a similar experience with a Marlin xt-22vr early in the production of them. I never was told what the exact problem was, but I'm guessing it was either an out of spec receiver or barrel. I was told the same thing... They'd have to pull one off of the production line to replace it with. Took them a month or so but the replacement functions and shoots great.

Ruger is probably investing all resources and materials into production at the moment so it's probably easier and more efficient to just replace the entire rifle rather than have a bad one fixed.

 

[VTSEAL]

I was checking out one of the Ruger American Rifles in .22LR in the store the other night, and had previously tried them in .17. The bolts on all 3 of the ones I handled worked smoothly without issue. Both folks I spoke with who own .22LR versions of these rifles said they love them, and their children use them regularly.

Articles I had read indicated these were being sourced out of the new plant in Mayodan, NC; but I'm not sure if that is already online and producing these guns, or if they were still coming from other plants...

 

[daved]

The RAR is currently being produced in North Carolina according to Ruger customer service. Not certain if the original models were also. At any rate, the replacement for the gun I sent them has been received by the CS folks in NH, will be inspected to insure there are no problems and then shipped to me "in a few days".

There's no question that the RAR is very popular - the one I got must have been a lemon. Still puzzling as to what the "non-repairable" problem was--

 

[sierra6]

Since retiring last January I've been working in a local gunshop owned by a good friend. We are a large Ruger dealer and I've had a few opportunities to experience their customer service. Ruger CS is among the best in the business.

 

[rancilio]

daved, Did you consider offering the good folks at Ruger to just drive over to Prescott and let them hand a replacement to you in person + lunch + factory tour? Sounds like a two month wait deserves that!

 

[daved]

daved, Did you consider offering the good folks at Ruger to just drive over to Prescott and let them hand a replacement to you in person + lunch + factory tour? Sounds like a two month wait deserves that!

Unfortunately, the factory producing the RAR is in North Carolina, and the Customer Service Dept for rifles is in New Hampshire, so even if they had made such a fine offer, I would have had to refuse

 

[Mod Adahy]

My experience with Ruger is that they do not have more than 2 or 3 gunsmiths on site and they are only for the guns that they do not make anymore. It is cheaper for them to destroy the gun and send a replacement than it is too fix it. Can you PM the serial number?

 

[daved]

My experience with Ruger is that they do not have more than 2 or 3 gunsmiths on site and they are only for the guns that they do not make anymore. It is cheaper for them to destroy the gun and send a replacement than it is too fix it. Can you PM the serial number?

The defective rifle was serial #830-30029. I was surprised that the replacement rifle had a #832- prefix. Perhaps a different production run??

 

[Mod Adahy]

The defective rifle was serial #830-30029. I was surprised that the replacement rifle had a #832- prefix. Perhaps a different production run??

Did they get it fixed or replaced for you?

 

[daved]

Did they get it fixed or replaced for you?

They replaced it - took a while and I'm still in the process of getting my transfer fee reimbursement. The new one is just fine, particularly since my wife "really likes it"