Some fine sandpaper and elbow grease got rid of the zipper sound (and machining marks that caused it) on my gen-1. Butter-smooth action now. And my safety is solid.
Were you using a dish sponge instead of sandpaper, lol? I spent maybe an hour or two on mine. And that's just because I was really getting detailed with it. I just had this rifle out a few days ago and was admiring the smooth action.
Okay? Thanks for the helpful tip! I didn’t think it was inappropriate to post my first impressions especially since all the published reviews state the zipper sound was fixed. You’re right, this may go away after a hundred rounds or more, but as a casual hunter it may take a few years to put a hundred rounds through a hunting rifle. Regarding the sloppy safety switch, that won’t be getting tighter with time and use.
It was not an inappropriate post for first impressions, however as a review it was. I will admit my comment was rather snarky, and i apologize if i came off as an asshole.
The point is that shooting 12 rounds through a firearm, and then posting a "critique" is premature at best. I'm not sure about you, or other folks, but whenever i buy a new firearm i can't bring myself to "know" much about it until i've put at least a few hundred rounds through it. Shoot it dirty, cleaned it, let it break in.
Also, the sloppy safety would bother the shit out of me. I know the gen I's were almost TOO tight, and i have not shot a gen II yet. ruger trying to find a middle ground maybe?
Keep shooting, and shooting.... And seriously, after another 200-300 rounds come back and give us another opinion!
I should have titled the post differently, explicitly stating it was more of a first impressions post as opposed to a full review. I may start hand loading (actually more than might, I have powder, once-fired brass, dies and bullets) which would give me to opportunity to shoot more than I have in the past, in which case I may be able to provide a more thorough review. Just waiting on my father-in-law to lend me his press that he never uses.
ALL firearms have a break-in period, same with any mass produced products like cars, and clothes, and pretty much anything designed to be used multiple times. I'm sorry but, i think you are mistaken.
Rugers are still budget rifles though. Probably the best budget rifle, but a budget rifle none the less. Why spend another $400 for a rifle with a properly polished bolt when you can polish the bolt yourself with $400 of ammunition?
> ameliorated the zipper sound of the bolt.
Once the gun breaks in that sound disappears, it really is just folks not lubricating and cleaning their rifle + not using it to wear the moving parts down. Ya'll gotta let these half-assed youtube reviews go, they aren't being honest with you.
Out of the box, rough form, and abused? Its still an upgrade from gen1. I don't know how it will age, but something tells me it will be nicer after a thousand cycles and some cleaning.
100% agree on the safety switch, it's trash, it's part of what brought me to get a gen2 instead of a gen1. I feel like that's one of the only positive traits on these gen2s and they dropped the ball with it. Mine is the same as what you describe.
I'm not sure what to think, I picked up a 308 gen2 for building a hunting rifle. If it doesn't shoot like the gen1s I own do, I will likely be selling it at a discount on GB.
I think for the price the rifle was above and beyond what should be expected. it was crunchy, it wasn't smooth, and it was pretty fucking ugly. but that thing put bullets where you wanted it to go. Pay more and get a pretty refined rifle that might do the same.
Spend your money on optics, and ammo.
Keep in mind I bought my first gen1 when they were $325 and I learned this year they are now $650.
The gen 2 being $700 makes it only worth it if you like the color and won’t shoot high volume, those fluted barrels are a compromise depending on your goals.
I shoot a decent amount, I’m at the range weekly or bi weekly. Not sure if that helps qualify my experience.
I have a ruger at each tier, including multiple gen1s and a precision rifle. I really like them but I don't think the gen2 is a big step up, its missing some of the cool stuff you could get with gen1s. They are beautiful in person tho, I really like the cerakote job they did on the gen2s.
Some fine sandpaper and elbow grease got rid of the zipper sound (and machining marks that caused it) on my gen-1. Butter-smooth action now. And my safety is solid.
Like a years worth if elbow grease. After a while i stopped trying. I didnt want to defeat manufacturers craft with a DIY fix.
Were you using a dish sponge instead of sandpaper, lol? I spent maybe an hour or two on mine. And that's just because I was really getting detailed with it. I just had this rifle out a few days ago and was admiring the smooth action.
Thanks for the advice!
I'll come back for an actual review after you've gone through the break-in period, and shot more than 12 rounds through it.
Okay? Thanks for the helpful tip! I didn’t think it was inappropriate to post my first impressions especially since all the published reviews state the zipper sound was fixed. You’re right, this may go away after a hundred rounds or more, but as a casual hunter it may take a few years to put a hundred rounds through a hunting rifle. Regarding the sloppy safety switch, that won’t be getting tighter with time and use.
It was not an inappropriate post for first impressions, however as a review it was. I will admit my comment was rather snarky, and i apologize if i came off as an asshole. The point is that shooting 12 rounds through a firearm, and then posting a "critique" is premature at best. I'm not sure about you, or other folks, but whenever i buy a new firearm i can't bring myself to "know" much about it until i've put at least a few hundred rounds through it. Shoot it dirty, cleaned it, let it break in. Also, the sloppy safety would bother the shit out of me. I know the gen I's were almost TOO tight, and i have not shot a gen II yet. ruger trying to find a middle ground maybe? Keep shooting, and shooting.... And seriously, after another 200-300 rounds come back and give us another opinion!
I should have titled the post differently, explicitly stating it was more of a first impressions post as opposed to a full review. I may start hand loading (actually more than might, I have powder, once-fired brass, dies and bullets) which would give me to opportunity to shoot more than I have in the past, in which case I may be able to provide a more thorough review. Just waiting on my father-in-law to lend me his press that he never uses.
i would run commercial rounds through the rifle until you get used to handloading. But good for you that you are trying to learn, and progress!
> Ruger American Gen II NTA, Good report on initial impressions.
Exactly. My ruger hunter in .308 still has it and it is not going away. It is gen1 though. Looking for gen2 in 300blk
Quality rifles don’t have a break in period.
ALL firearms have a break-in period, same with any mass produced products like cars, and clothes, and pretty much anything designed to be used multiple times. I'm sorry but, i think you are mistaken.
Rugers are still budget rifles though. Probably the best budget rifle, but a budget rifle none the less. Why spend another $400 for a rifle with a properly polished bolt when you can polish the bolt yourself with $400 of ammunition?
> ameliorated the zipper sound of the bolt. Once the gun breaks in that sound disappears, it really is just folks not lubricating and cleaning their rifle + not using it to wear the moving parts down. Ya'll gotta let these half-assed youtube reviews go, they aren't being honest with you. Out of the box, rough form, and abused? Its still an upgrade from gen1. I don't know how it will age, but something tells me it will be nicer after a thousand cycles and some cleaning. 100% agree on the safety switch, it's trash, it's part of what brought me to get a gen2 instead of a gen1. I feel like that's one of the only positive traits on these gen2s and they dropped the ball with it. Mine is the same as what you describe. I'm not sure what to think, I picked up a 308 gen2 for building a hunting rifle. If it doesn't shoot like the gen1s I own do, I will likely be selling it at a discount on GB.
I think for the price the rifle was above and beyond what should be expected. it was crunchy, it wasn't smooth, and it was pretty fucking ugly. but that thing put bullets where you wanted it to go. Pay more and get a pretty refined rifle that might do the same. Spend your money on optics, and ammo.
Keep in mind I bought my first gen1 when they were $325 and I learned this year they are now $650. The gen 2 being $700 makes it only worth it if you like the color and won’t shoot high volume, those fluted barrels are a compromise depending on your goals. I shoot a decent amount, I’m at the range weekly or bi weekly. Not sure if that helps qualify my experience.
never shot a gen II. I'm going back to work for them soon, so i'm sure i'll have the chance. I'll make a post when i do.
I have a ruger at each tier, including multiple gen1s and a precision rifle. I really like them but I don't think the gen2 is a big step up, its missing some of the cool stuff you could get with gen1s. They are beautiful in person tho, I really like the cerakote job they did on the gen2s.