Allure of the Ruger No1

[Nyala23]

A Scottish gunmaker in the late 1800’s Alex Henry styled the groove if I remember. May of been a possible sling or f nothing more than ornamental. Bill Ruger loved the lines so he included it. I’m on my way to look at JD’s book

 

[Nyala23]

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Clayton book has no explanation of purpose of the groove He recounts Bill Rugers love of the Fahrquarsen and Henry simple lines and design and had a stock designed accordingly. I’ll try to research why it was used initially. My guess would be to mirror the design of the forearms on double rifles for the aesthetic

 

[Rafiki]

The real question is: What is the purpose of the groove in the forend?

I have a theory, but I'd like to hear your thoughts.

I think it was intended as a bear bottle opener.

 

[cash_tx]

I theorize that it was intended to suspend the rifle using parachord from the doorway of a Huey. ;-)

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I theorize that it was intended to suspend the rifle using parachord from the doorway of a Huey. ;-)

 

[Nyala23]

Actually you may be closer to truth. It would allow a cord to be side to side in a machan and allow rifle to be suspended and then serve as a rest?

 

[franzfmdavis]

The real question is: What is the purpose of the groove in the forend?

I have a theory, but I'd like to hear your thoughts.

A place to securely tie a rifle to a vertical gun rack in a wagon?

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I think purely aesthetic, and it works!

 

[Rafiki]

I think purely aesthetic, and it works!

I cut the thing off and replaced it with ebony.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Wow. Almost seven hundred responses. Would never have thunk it. The No. 1 never had any allure for me. Purely a novelty item. Like thong underwear. Kinda sexy and maybe it works, but not for me. And I'm not much interested in single shot rifles either.

 

[Nyala23]

An autobiography of Alex Henry quotes”the groove allows the rifle to be locked into a rest of his design”

 

[tidbit824]

Let’s play show and tell:
View attachment 580565View attachment 580565

That's a Leupold 3X right.... everybody liked that optic. I just don't understand why they quit making it? Hungh ...

 

[Goopy]

Yep. Solid simple glass

 

[Goopy]

I respectfully disagree with Ontario Hunter on the labeling of the No 1 as a “novelty item”; I find it a classic rifle capable of anything that needs to be done. Variety is the spice of life and our “club” is fortunate to have many choices in what we choose to hunt with, target shoot with or even just to admire in its aesthetic engineering.

 

[Goopy]

…however, I do agree with him on the thong underwear thing. I move a lot during the day and I think the thong part might upset “operations” down there!

 

[BlueFlyer]

What are your thoughts on the Hagn Single Shot action in comparison. It looks an more refined design to me.

 

[Goopy]

While having never shot a Hagn, his rifles are definitely gorgeous. I don’t believe that I’ve ever read anything negative about accuracy issues and most certainly have never heard anything negative in my low circle of pals. The lines of the rifle are impeccable and just ooze classic. The falling block action, while no speed king, is in my opinion the strongest of all the rifle actions. That same type of action is utilized in artillery pieces for its strength and simplicity. Hagn took that concept/action and really put it at the next level. With the passing of Martin Hagn, I think that his rifles will definitely find a place in the category of hard to find collectibles.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

The Hagn is indeed pretty and the finishing quality looks to be top notch, but for me the Ruger No1 still takes the best lines prize.