Ruger Safari Magnum identification?

[Axle2010]

On boys I'm definitely wanting a 375 and I'm looking at a couple if Rugers that both claim to be the RSM. They both have Ruger Magnum on the left of the receiver and the 3 leaf rear sights but one had the front sling swivel on a barrel band in front of the forearm like other DG rifles but the other has the barrel band right in the middle of the forearm with the swivel stud sticking through the wood making floating the barrel impossible. So which style is the RSM which I hear is much better than the regular m77 safari model?

 

[Robncolorado]

I believe the one with band beyond the ebony cap. I have all calibers of the RSM series and I’ve never seen the band on a Ruger RSM like the one through the forearm. Hope that helps

 

[BloodyKnuckles]

Mine has the barrel band beyond the ebony tip toward the muzzle.
Like @Robncolorado mentioned, I’ve never seen one through the forearm.

 

[John458Lott]

On boys I'm definitely wanting a 375 and I'm looking at a couple if Rugers that both claim to be the RSM. They both have Ruger Magnum on the left of the receiver and the 3 leaf rear sights but one had the front sling swivel on a barrel band in front of the forearm like other DG rifles but the other has the barrel band right in the middle of the forearm with the swivel stud sticking through the wood making floating the barrel impossible. So which style is the RSM which I hear is much better than the regular m77 safari model?

Both are RSM as in the action is the Magnum length M77 style Magnum action. The one with the sling stud thru the forend is the original RSM. The complaint was it was too heavy. I dare say close to 11lbs bare. The second with the barrel band they lightened it a bit due to customer demand I guess you could call it the RSM Mk II. Although they never released it as such.

 

[JimP]

I remember the old Ruger Tropical in 375 and 458 and both of them had the band on the barrel. This was back in the 70's and early 80's.

 

[sierraone]

@John458Lott is correct. The sling stud through the forearm was on the initial RSM, about 1990. It was moved forward the second or third year.

 

[Axle2010]

OK thanks a lot guys. I don't think I'll mind the extra weight I just don't like the barrel contact that would be almost impossible to avoid with the original style. The wood on that one is gorgeous though. Those of you that have them is there really a noticeable difference in the RSM over the regular Rugers?

 

[sierraone]

OK thanks a lot guys. I don't think I'll mind the extra weight I just don't like the barrel contact that would be almost impossible to avoid with the original style. The wood on that one is gorgeous though. Those of you that have them is there really a noticeable difference in the RSM over the regular Rugers?

Not the same gun. There is no connection other than the word Ruger, between the Ruger RSM and the
Ruger African. What you are showing with the sling band under the forearm though is an RSM, just one of the first models. All RSMs also have integral rear sights made as part of the barrel, not added on.

 

[Red Leg]

I have noted this several times on other RSM discussions, but Ruger lost money on every one of these produced. A former Ruger executive told me over a decade ago that the RSM would cost well north of 3K just to produce then.

One cost saving they did use was a standard barrel contour. That means the .375 is actually the heaviest of the brood and thus quite a bit heavier than necessary for a .375. That also means they are very sweet shooting rifles if the owner doesn't mind the extra pound or so.

One of the problems with a stud on the forearm of a heavy recoiling rifle is the potential to nick a finger on the off hand during recoil - particularly if not using a sling. It is one of the reasons those clever Englishmen but the thing out on the barrel back in the day.

 

[Axle2010]

Sounds more and more like I need this rifle. Thanks for all the info guys