Life span of old Ruger?

[cb51]

I've had this gun since 1972, and it's literally been all over the country with me. Living n Colorado and jeeping in the mountains, Canoe camping all up and down the Potomac river, and every road trip across the country. It even saved me and a girl friend from a wacko in a remote place. I can't begin to calculate how many thousands of rounds have been through it. It used to get shot every Saturday boring for about 15 years on the range. Then just plinking trips.

I've had other guns, and they all came and went. Just didn't bond with them. I even sold off my Smith and Wesson 617, it just didn't have the comfortable feel of the old Ruger.

But, am I deceiving myself and doing something a bit dangerous by continuing to use a gun over 40 years old?

It functions flawlessly, and shoots right to point of aim at 25 yards. I can actually shoot it better than the Ruger MK2 I bought in 1991 and kept for about 10 years before sending it down the road. Had to thick a front sight. The old standard has a nice thin front sight for a finer bead on odd targets like soda cans and tennis balls.

Retire or keep on shooting?

 

[bkuether]

First tell us about the wacko.....

 

[iH8DemLibz]

It toast.

PM me to discuss transfer.

PS: You could have just said Nanny Nanny Boo Boo. Check out my awesome MKI.

 

[Armadillofz1]

Yeah it's done. I recommend you retire it to pasture in America. Arizona perhaps. I can give it a nice place on my farm to retire.

 

[AssMan]

Sounds dangerous. Frosh is on his way.

 

[28Shooter]

Keep it in active service! Why retire something that's solid and dependable?

 

[engineerbrian]

Keep shooting it! It would be cool if you knew the round count on it

 

[Kman]

I have it's indestructible stainless cousin...and I'm thinking it will outlive me.

 

[Alan3413]

Very dangerous. Transfer it to me and I take care of it.

And yes, we want to hear about the wacko.

 

[BigDaddy]

It looks damn good with that travel history. It's been 40 years, treat it to a new recoil spring and keep shooting.

 

[DutchV]

If it's acting funny, get it checked. And a new recoil spring once in awhile couldn't hurt. But I don't think you'll actually wear it out.

 

[rseymorejr]

That gun will still be going strong long after the worms are done with you!

 

[ohen cepel]

Dad has one that has been shot for 1000's of rounds over the years. At least 10,000 and it is still going strong after a trigger rebuild.

I hope to wear a pistol out in my lifetime. That being said, I would not pick A Ruger .22 to be that goal since I think I will fail before it.

Keep shooting it. Hard to buy anything better these days.

 

[Threeband]

40 years old? It isn't even C&R eligible yet.

Most of my guns are a lot older than that.
Just last week, I was shooting a 113 year old rifle. Dated 1902.


So continue to enjoy your Ruger. It should be just about broken in by now.

But one question: do you ever disassemble it?

 

[Dave Greenberg]

That looks to be the exact ruger my father has. It was passed to him by his father. It was the first firearm I shot. My father brings it to the range every now and then and it still performs flawlessly. The magazines are old and creaky as **** but still has zero issues. Keep it buddy.

 

[Huckleberry]

You can always send it to Ruger for a check-up.

The warranty is still good.

I know a guy whose Dad bought one site unseen from an ad in the back of a gun magzine.
Paid like $39 and got it mailed to his house right from the factory. Aw, the good old days

 

[-Z/28-]

Keep on shooting it. Even if it were to malfunction, I don't think it'll kaboom. That's a hefty gun and .22lr is not so hefty ammo.

 

[Jimbob2.0]

I've had this gun since 1972, and it's literally been all over the country with me. Living n Colorado and jeeping in the mountains, Canoe camping all up and down the Potomac river, and every road trip across the country. It even saved me and a girl friend from a wacko in a remote place. I can't begin to calculate how many thousands of rounds have been through it. It used to get shot every Saturday boring for about 15 years on the range. Then just plinking trips.

I've had other guns, and they all came and went. Just didn't bond with them. I even sold off my Smith and Wesson 617, it just didn't have the comfortable feel of the old Ruger.

But, am I deceiving myself and doing something a bit dangerous by continuing to use a gun over 40 years old?

It functions flawlessly, and shoots right to point of aim at 25 yards. I can actually shoot it better than the Ruger MK2 I bought in 1991 and kept for about 10 years before sending it down the road. Had to thick a front sight. The old standard has a nice thin front sight for a finer bead on odd targets like soda cans and tennis balls.

Retire or keep on shooting?

Why worry, its a .22 low pressure in a gun made of awesome steel. Heck they are getting 100k out of an AR and another 100k after barrel and minor stuff on a aluminum upper that is prone to carrier tilt! Enjoy, don't fret its not a problem until its a PROBLEM.

Now if you want to "chance" get an Indian 120 year old Martini Enfield and load it up with modern powder. Then Id worry.

 

[5.56blaster]

Yeah its done. Send it to me and it can get some much needed rest in my safe.

 

[ToBeFree]

Wait

Is this a trick question?

retire?

If if ain't broke..........


Keep shooting that beauty!