shaman,
"The Ruger American Rifle-- Who in flaming Flannery's kitchen thought that was a good idea?"
Sorry to tell you this, but the Ruger Americans are probably the best-selling rifles Ruger has ever made. I could list the reasons why, but won't bother. Will say, however, that it was designed by a committee, with everybody contributing an idea or two.
Generally, any time a firearms company sells a pile of particular brand of rifle, they consider it a really good idea.
