Received my May 2024 copy of American Rifleman today in the mail. One of the main articles is honoring the 75th Anniversary of Ruger Firearms/Bill Ruger. One of the side articles on page 24 gives some history and such of Bill Rugers attempt sometime (according to him) in 1938-39 when he took a Savage 99 250-3000 caliber rifle and attempted to convert it to semi-auto fire. This was some 10 years prior to his first firearm a Standard Model 22LR semi-auto pistol (some call the Mark I). Interesting article. I've read of Rugers attempt to convert a 99 several times before, but always interesting to read about anything do with a 99 and of Bill Rugers genius firearm design abilities. The rifle is on display at the NRA Museum.
He didn't just attempt it, he did it. Converted a 99T in 250-3000 into a semiauto.
Love to see it be shot.
“The Savage 99 Pocket Reference”. All models and variations of 1895’s, 1899’s and 99’s covered. Also dates, checkering, engraving.. Find at www.savagelevers.com
"...aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one." - Paul to the church in Thessalonica.
Had extraction problems that were never fully worked out. Yup--Be interesting to shoot. Although Ruger due to patent this and that probably couldn't have marketed it, wonder what he could have come up with if WW2 hadn't happened and he had spent time away from R&D gov't arsenals during the war.
Ruger created the Savage proto type in the early 40’s. 1941 I think. Used it as a resume while interviewing at Springfield Armory. Hired on the spot. Formed Sturm Ruger in 1949.
Interesting video, be interesting to see that rifle being fired or more yet, fire it. In my original post referring to the Savage 99 I penned Ruger "attempted to convert it to semi-auto fire", should have reread my writing better, he (Ruger) did convert it!!!!
Perhaps one of our comrades here ought to replicate it. Sam, Chris, Jeff? Doesn't seem like it would be too difficult for a skilled machinist with a lot of time on his hands! The gauntlet is hereby thrown down!
I think from reading about this gun that he ran out of time to conquer the last stumbling block - extractor reliability. Even at that the gun was successfully fired hundreds of times, no?
"You can lead a man to logic, but you cannot make him think." Joe Harz "Always certain, often right." Keith McCafferty
