Just some random thoughts and first impressions on this gun ( http://ruger.com/products/rotaryMagazine77357/models.html ).
I was lucky enough to find a used (slightly) one recently for a somewhat reasonable price. This has been on my short list for years, but I have found them, in the past, impossible to locate in my area. I don't want to buy online as I want to inspect, touch the actual item before buying and risk the hassle of sending a firearm back, getting refunds, loosing out on shipping, etc.
Anyway, I have found this to be not only a fun little rifle, but also a potential lightweight hunting rifle also. I love what it can do for the .38 Special and .357 Magnum cartridges. I have gone from lightweight plinking .38 Spl. rounds at @850 fps to .357 Mag. rounds (158g) at @2400 fps.
I like the all weather stainless steel. The composite stock is a perfect match for it and makes 30-30 rifle level loads feel to have the recoil of slightly more than a .22 LR. The 18.5 inch barrel makes for a nice short rifle that is easily maneuvered through the woods. The open sights are rugged and get me on target easily, but I did put some yellow fingernail polish on the brass bead front sight to contrast better. The bolt is strong and smooth.
The rotary magazine is probably my only real complaint; though it is minor. It would be nice if it was larger than 5 rounds. A 10 round one would be better, but I understand the issue of a rimmed cartridge in stacked magazines. Having said this though, the magazine does function flawlessly in both .38 Special and .357 Magnum. Easy to load and snap into place, but it does have a little tricky learning curve on getting it back out of the gun.
So, anyone love this gun, or do you find it just an unnecessary firearm that others can do better. Does anyone else share the same opinions or am I blinded by love and need to be set straight?
I was lucky enough to find a used (slightly) one recently for a somewhat reasonable price. This has been on my short list for years, but I have found them, in the past, impossible to locate in my area. I don't want to buy online as I want to inspect, touch the actual item before buying and risk the hassle of sending a firearm back, getting refunds, loosing out on shipping, etc.
Anyway, I have found this to be not only a fun little rifle, but also a potential lightweight hunting rifle also. I love what it can do for the .38 Special and .357 Magnum cartridges. I have gone from lightweight plinking .38 Spl. rounds at @850 fps to .357 Mag. rounds (158g) at @2400 fps.
I like the all weather stainless steel. The composite stock is a perfect match for it and makes 30-30 rifle level loads feel to have the recoil of slightly more than a .22 LR. The 18.5 inch barrel makes for a nice short rifle that is easily maneuvered through the woods. The open sights are rugged and get me on target easily, but I did put some yellow fingernail polish on the brass bead front sight to contrast better. The bolt is strong and smooth.
The rotary magazine is probably my only real complaint; though it is minor. It would be nice if it was larger than 5 rounds. A 10 round one would be better, but I understand the issue of a rimmed cartridge in stacked magazines. Having said this though, the magazine does function flawlessly in both .38 Special and .357 Magnum. Easy to load and snap into place, but it does have a little tricky learning curve on getting it back out of the gun.
So, anyone love this gun, or do you find it just an unnecessary firearm that others can do better. Does anyone else share the same opinions or am I blinded by love and need to be set straight?