Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Asked Mike Fifer about the future of Number ones

I saw him this afternoon at Larry's Pistol and Pawn in Huntsville, AL. I asked him about the future for Number Ones. He said they plan on building a few every year, but not many. He was smiling when he told me this. I took that statement to mean..We don't make much or any money off them you better buy one now if you want one.

Well they sure aren't cutting into their profits from the quality of wood they are now supplying on the Number #1's.

At least Cooper makes some effort.

Flyer

If this is true, then used #1's with "nice" wood will only get MORE expensive.

Ol' Bill Ruger must be rollin' over in his grave about now seeing as what the "new guys" at the head of Strum-Ruger are doing to his "baby". Sad...

Thunderball: Yikes, on your contention.
Sad if this is to become the case.
Thanks for your information.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

That's the least of why he's spinning in his grave. I think Ruger making scary AR15 "assault rifles" and pistols that hold over 10 rounds would be enough to make him do flips from the grave.

Not really, Reelman...

Bill Ruger loved his own "special rifle"... the #1. It was his "baby" and he designed and built it because he NEEDED and WANTED to design and build it.

Unfortunately, the new "management" at Ruger doesn't have that same "love" for the #1... possibly their "eye" is more on "PROFIT"... not a "dirty 6-letter word" in the world of business.

Jus' my 2�...


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

I think Ruger is probably happy to have a distributor - Cabelas, Davidsons, etc. step up and say yes we'll buy 250 #1's in xxx archaic trendy caliber, and Ruger is happy to make a run of them. And maybe one in ten will have nice wood As far as Ruger risking inventory and making a run, mmmm...not sure that's going to happen in a publicly traded company.

Maybe Nosler might commission a run of #1's in .26 Nosler? That would be okay with me.

Any chance you interpeted his words and smile incorrectly?

Yes

I think the Ruger No. 1 appeals to very small niche of the shooting community. Thinking of the shooters that I know � about 16 � only one had a No. 1 .45-70 and later sold it off when the �novelty� of a single shot faded away.

Also think that accuracy is something that goes against the No. 1. Seems to me that the No. 1 is � as Ned Roberts would say � not noted for its �gilt edge� accuracy. Otherwise I believe might see more of them on the shooting ranges.

Sooner or later everyone who desires one will have they want and the demand will dry up or quickly taper off. Witness the M94 Winchester, the Browning Black Powder Cartridge Rifle, and the Ruger Ol� Army.

My SWAG (Scientific Wilds Arsed Guess) is that Ruger will continue the No.1 in standard and not standard/obsolete calibres, but in limited runs to dealers like Lipsey. Ruger collectors and those who prefer certain calibres in a single shot will buy them. And something else to think about: a company cannot stay in business and still make what does not sell in large numbers but in some instances limited number or small runs usually sell to the enthusiasts.

A No. 1 S .45-70 recently followed me home from Cabela�s. A .303 British might be hard to refuse also. But then again, I do have a preference for single shot rifles and the .45 calibre rifle rounds�.

I once thought I would get two No. 1 RSI's if they ever came out in .257 Roberts.
One to shoot and one to keep new in box.
They did come out and the wood was so bad I was turned off.
Instead I got a 1980's No. 1 RSI in .243.
This is a gun I don't need that I enjoyy owning and shooting.

Without the 6 letter word profit Ruger would not be in business. I believe Bill Ruger was a very good business man and the #1 came out at the perfect time for a single shot rifle but like others have said the novelty has long ago worn off. If the #1's were still popular and selling good Ruger would be making them. A company doesn't discontinue something because there is to much demand for it and they're making to much money on it!

25 years ago you cold walk into a store and see 3 or 4 #1's on the rack, and maybe even a #3 for good measure, but now if you did that they would sit on the rack and never sell. Other than a couple people who collect them there isn't much interest in them.

I've had a couple #1's and like someone else said the accuracy was not that great, in fact it was just mediocre.

Now that is nice, lovely.

Cheers, Chris

Number ones, however you view them on their own merits as a shooter, simply have their own cachet--a value over and above that which we place on a firearm for its performance. Christina Aguilera may not be much in the kitchen, but sure would look good on your arm---or anywhere else.

IMHO if Ruger continues to produce the #1 variations such as the RSI, 1AH, 1V, and 1S in interesting calibers they will continue to sell out.

These variations were never in alot of different cartridges, example for years the RSI was only available in .243, 7x57, .270 and 30.06.

What's not to like about a RSI in 25-3000, 6.5x55, 7-08, 30-30, 338 Fed 348, 35 Rem , 358 Win , etc:

Flyer

Ruger probably has it right - niche rifle for a niche market. I also seem to have at least one in the safe.

I have wanted a Ruger #1 since I was a kid back in the 70's this year I finely got myself 2 of them. 338 Win Mag #1B and a 257 Roberts #1B. Now I am looking for one in 280 Remington.

If the market is indeed that small why do I see so many Browning and Winchester falling blocks?

The quality of workmanship on the Number One has declined over the years. Still, I like the rifle and own one myself. I think Ruger should simply build the 1B and the 1A in appropriate chamberings and let it go at that. Try to improve quality. GD

Funny, I haven't seen a decline in workmanship. To what are you referring? Wood quality has retreated, but that is no reflection on how its put together.