If you look at rugers lineup it has to be one of the most complete for any manufacturer. Shotgun, bolts, semi-auto rifles (ar, minis, 10/22), pistols (22, 1911, composites) revolvers (single and dble action).. They are into everything just about. Limited in the shotgun space... But seems strange to me that they don't make a lever action rifle. They do it all well. They may not be the best at everything but all their guns are quality IMO.
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Why no lever action from ruger?
- Thread starter 1stmar
- Start date
PatientWolf
New member
Back when Ruger had their customer polls, this is one item I asked for, especially in .38/.357 since they are in short supply and seem to be in demand or even a .40/10mm to get something not offered today.
Jim Watson
New member
Too much competition.
If you don't like the present Japanese Winchesters or Remlins, there are plenty in the secondary market.
If you want pretty import, there are Ubertis, if you want cheap import, there are Rossis.
Henry is doing well in .22s, but so-so in centerfires.
Mossberg is about invisible, Savage made a half hearted effort to bring back the 99 on Spanish castings and then gave up.
I think to do well, Ruger would have to copy a classic Winchester or Marlin, which would be expensive even with their in house casting expertise. They have obviously concluded it is not worth the trouble.
I was surprised to see they are going around again with the O/U shotgun.
I think the 96 series of lever actions were pretty much manually operated versions of their automatics, laid out in case AWB II succeeded in banning private ownership of automatics altogether.
If you don't like the present Japanese Winchesters or Remlins, there are plenty in the secondary market.
If you want pretty import, there are Ubertis, if you want cheap import, there are Rossis.
Henry is doing well in .22s, but so-so in centerfires.
Mossberg is about invisible, Savage made a half hearted effort to bring back the 99 on Spanish castings and then gave up.
I think to do well, Ruger would have to copy a classic Winchester or Marlin, which would be expensive even with their in house casting expertise. They have obviously concluded it is not worth the trouble.
I was surprised to see they are going around again with the O/U shotgun.
I think the 96 series of lever actions were pretty much manually operated versions of their automatics, laid out in case AWB II succeeded in banning private ownership of automatics altogether.
Sure Shot Mc Gee
New member
As read on a prior comment Ruger made a few levers for small bore calibers. Only one lever did they make for hunting. Model 96-44 mag. {not everyone thinks the 44 mag is the cats meow for deer hunting purposes.} If Ruger had manufactured their lever rifle with a common bottle neck cartridge appropriate for most deer hunting situations. 7mm-08 or 308 or even the marginal 30-30 cartridge. Maybe their customer base would have shown more interest.
I remember one of the first write up's I read about the model 96-44. It was in Field & Stream. I thought at the time why not a bottle neck cartridge instead of that 44 mag again they seem to be hung up on.
Upon passing the magazine article to my at work hunting companion I commented "Yup!! Looks like another one for Ruger's discontinued pile of weaponry." And as it turned out my thoughts at the time weren't far off the mark of what actually happened. If Ruger were to make a decent lever rifle tomorrow shooting a bottle neck cartridge. It's too late for me. I doubt I would buy one. Got a couple of old Savage Model 99-E's in my safe that fill that need perfectly. One carbine, one rifle, not counting that little 1899 T/Down I have also. Now those are my "cats meow of lever rifles."
I remember one of the first write up's I read about the model 96-44. It was in Field & Stream. I thought at the time why not a bottle neck cartridge instead of that 44 mag again they seem to be hung up on.
Upon passing the magazine article to my at work hunting companion I commented "Yup!! Looks like another one for Ruger's discontinued pile of weaponry." And as it turned out my thoughts at the time weren't far off the mark of what actually happened. If Ruger were to make a decent lever rifle tomorrow shooting a bottle neck cartridge. It's too late for me. I doubt I would buy one. Got a couple of old Savage Model 99-E's in my safe that fill that need perfectly. One carbine, one rifle, not counting that little 1899 T/Down I have also. Now those are my "cats meow of lever rifles."
Cheapshooter
New member
And they discontinued the 44 Magnum semi-auto 99/44........Twice!
CAS (Cowboy Action Shooting) is not on the rise, it's actually declining.
Peaked a while back.
Competition is stiff & leverguns are already well covered, as noted.
Ruger was surprised to find their lever-actions didn't sell as well as projected & dropped 'em for lack of sales.
One reason suggested has been the non-traditional "hammerless" designs.
ARs & 1911s don't compare, there's a lot of market for both.
Not so with the levergun.
Denis
Peaked a while back.
Competition is stiff & leverguns are already well covered, as noted.
Ruger was surprised to find their lever-actions didn't sell as well as projected & dropped 'em for lack of sales.
One reason suggested has been the non-traditional "hammerless" designs.
ARs & 1911s don't compare, there's a lot of market for both.
Not so with the levergun.
Denis
madmo44mag
New member
IMO lever guns are a “love them or hate them” kind of deal.
Most people prefer the reliability of a bolt action or the simplicity of a auto loader design.
I would not mind owning a lever gun in 357 or 44 mag but not something I’m really looking to buy unless I came across a real sweet deal.
Most people prefer the reliability of a bolt action or the simplicity of a auto loader design.
I would not mind owning a lever gun in 357 or 44 mag but not something I’m really looking to buy unless I came across a real sweet deal.
g.willikers
New member
As much as we probably are reluctant to admit, lots of folks are motivated by tv and movies for what they buy.
Unfortunately for lots of us, todays mainstream entertainment is more about black and sniper rifles and fast cars than horses, sixguns and Winchesters.
Thankfully, there's still shows like Hell on Wheels and an occasional movie to keep the lever action alive for awhile longer.
Unfortunately for lots of us, todays mainstream entertainment is more about black and sniper rifles and fast cars than horses, sixguns and Winchesters.
Thankfully, there's still shows like Hell on Wheels and an occasional movie to keep the lever action alive for awhile longer.
Ruger did make a lever action and it was met with a big yawn.
Today, any company thinking of making a lever action rifle would recognize two types of customers: one type won't buy a gun with a 150-year old design and the other won't buy anything else. Plus Ruger is barely able to keep up with demand for their current products; there is no reason to add a completely new product.
Jim
Today, any company thinking of making a lever action rifle would recognize two types of customers: one type won't buy a gun with a 150-year old design and the other won't buy anything else. Plus Ruger is barely able to keep up with demand for their current products; there is no reason to add a completely new product.
Jim
Couldn't you make that argument for virtually everything ? Bolt action rifles, plastic pistols, over under shotguns... Ruger is in a lot of crowded markets and they continue to enter or re-enter more. They have entries in virtually everything else, really can think of a gap except pump shotguns but they do have a shotgun. Just seems strange they never made a serious play now or previously (don't consider the 96 series a serious entry). Seems to fit well with vaquero, black hawks, their focus on hunting rifles etc.
The reality is that most buyers of lever action rifles are traditionalists, who want guns that hark back to the "Old West", and that market is well covered by Winchester, Marlin, Rossi, etc. Several modern lever actions (Sako, Winchester 88, Ruger 96) have been failures for that reason. No matter who makes a lever action, any "modern" lever action design will not please those who buy lever actions.
Jim
Jim