Update:

I got the gun back today through Fedex. I have only looked it over briefly, but from what I can tell all the problems are fixed!!! They included a paper indicating work done. It said they replaced front sight, rear sight, gate spring, and hammer. It does not say it, but they also fixed the front sight base / barrel clocking (looks perfect now). I need to look over it more closely before I can say for sure, but it looks great and the loading gate works more smoothly now... I think I will look into adding those hammer shims before this hammer gets marred.

While it's true that it should have come this way to begin with, this is pretty amazing customer service... A one day turnaround. I shipped it Jan 11 (really Jan 12 because it stayed at a drop-off location for one day before Fedex picked it up) and I got it back on Jan 23.

Of course, my issues were minor compared to what other people have had to deal with (like the posts right before this one). But all in all it seems to have worked out really well and without much trouble.

Some notes:

There has been talk about shippers not taking firearms anymore except sent through FFLs. Apparently if the manufacturer makes the arrangements and gives you the shipping label, you are able to ship it yourself. So you don't have to go to an FFL to send it to Ruger (unless you want to). Ruger gives you the option of sending you a shipping label, and they will tell you to package it in a plain brown box with shipping label attached, and write the RMA number on the box. Then make sure you tell the Fedex person that there is a firearm inside.

I shipped it double-boxed with plenty of padding, and I only included the revolver and both cylinders, all double-wrapped in plastic bags (I did not send the plastic case, or any of the other stuff that came with it-- as advised by CS rep). I included a detailed, typed letter with my information and the issues, and then a simplified list version of the issues. I just wanted my concerns to be clear, to have the best chance of getting them addressed. I also included a Ruger form that you have to fill out and initial.

Ruger returned it in different boxes than I sent it in: A sturdy outer box tightly fitted over an inner box that is brown but looks like the yellow box that Ruger revolvers used to come in (narrow, long box). There was no packing material, so the gun could move around some, though there is a plastic peg that goes through the trigger guard that keeps the gun basically stationary. Gun and extra cylinder were wrapped in plastic.

Anyway, I just wanted to give an update. Maybe I will take some photos and add them. Thanks to everyone who posted advice and experiences!

 

I had a Red hawk 357-8 new a few months ago, sometime late last year, couldn't release cylinder from frame. Same experience, used UPS, they came by house to get it. After Ruger had it one day, sent it back. Perfect! Ruger CS cared about my problem. Those rear sights are cheaper at big online dealers than ebay, but still, let them make it right. I have older blackhawks, some bought used, 2 bought new around 1980, they were better assembled, but after last couple of years, I will cut Ruger some slack. Nothings back to normal, world is still trying to right itself. At least they took care of my and your problems.

 

sent my model 0629 single six back in july of 2022. Ruger wanted to replace mine since they could still not address the lead spitting out the right side and excess build up in frame. Gun was fine until about three years ago when it had to go back for a front sight replacement. Needless to say their 6 to eight weeks led into 7 months after being repeatedly told they were working on it. They did not start building until Nov 2022. What I received in Jan 2023 was the biggest piece of junk i have ever laid eyes on. The new single six grips do not fit straight, my old grips do not fit after their cust service manager assured me they would. Fire a few rounds out of it and the ejector housing screw falls out, The cylinder rod will not come out with some severe finagling. The cylinder itself has deep gouges all the way around, not just a fine line in the bluing from use. even the steel frame overhangs the trigger guard on the left side, and is sharp enough to cut. If I would have looked at this in a shop I would have passed it by. Sent back, Their customer service managers only comment was we like feedback even if its bad. The suggested retail for that scrap metal is 800. Its not worth more than 100. All they would have to have done was replace the barrel on my original, that they messed up. This has become common place with ruger manufacturing. Per their Customer service manager, That is a production gun. The 200 ruger wrangler has better fit and action than this supposed 800 dollar single six. I would have fixed my own sight except they refused to sell me the part 4 years ago. I own a good many ruger revolvers and mkII,s along with ruger rifles. I will never purchase another new ruger firearm again. They can keep that piece of junk. I would have been ashamed of the work on that weapon if I had built it.

Tim C

 

Man, that's awful........... really awful. So the problems started when they replaced the front sight? I wonder how they messed up the barrel just replacing the front sight. I have a fear any time you send something in that they will cause new problems.

 

Actually, I will take a look at my parts bins and if I can find them I would be glad to send you a few. It might take a day but I will check.

 

Just a comment on post # 25. The scuffing on the side of the hammer rubbing on the frame, this is a common fact of life on a revolver. This can be avoided by installing hammer shims on each side of the hammer when the revolver is new, but this is not something normally done by the factory during the assembly process.

 

Good to know it's not a function issue... I was just concerned that the hammer was being interfered with by the frame. But I'll look into hammer shims. Thanks!

 

Could be someone dropped it causing damage to the rear and front sight and removed the rear to cover their ars! I would send it back, turn around is pretty quick. Had a customer bring in a brand new Blachawk for some tuning and the loading gate didn't close all the way without help and a burr on the back strap. Sent and back within 10 days. Yes it's annoying they make it to the dealer this way, but Ruger will fix it free of charge. Also if you send it back with instructions that the front sight is bent then you have it the way it should be and it won't be that annoying piece you can't get out of your mind. Curious as to where everyone's QC has gone to?

 

I hope they can resolve the issues. I was quoted 6-8 weeks. I don't care if it takes some time, I'm more concerned that it's done really well. Good to hear they took care of those little issues (loading gate, etc)...

I was suspicious too, so I looked over it very closely. Fact is, the finish on the gun was really nice (maybe a few tiny micro scratches), and as I found out quickly, stainless scratches extremely easily. I put some small scratches on it just changing cylinders. So I think if it was dropped (or previously used) there would probably be more damage and scratches... Then again, someone could have polished it out.

Also, the thing about the sight blade is, the end result is that it looks more-or-less vertical. The sight base is angled, so the sight would be angled too, but someone bent it in the other direction so it's basically vertical (rather than clock the barrel perfectly to begin with). That's how it seems to me, anyway.

QC... I thought this Blackhawk was pretty expensive, but then I saw the prices on Springfields (which I thought of as being on the lower end of quality)... Maybe this is just an average sort of price now. Anyway a friend got a Springfield 1911 and it didn't even function out the box (couldn't successfully load a round from the magazine) and he had to send it back to get it worked on. It's fine now. But I guess WE'RE the QC now... And apparently we are paying more for the privilege

 

Apparently none complained or compliments about the 9,999 good guns for every one out of 10,000 with a very minor issue. So, I will say that out of the last dozen new Rugers I've bought, 100% have been perfect. The last used one I bought was shooting a bit high, so Ruger sent a new sight blade that fixed it for me - no charge.

 

I'll defend Ruger to a point but what you've described should be sent back. A Blackhawk needs sights that align......send it back.

I can't tell you if Ruger is actually worse than they used to be or whether we have the ability to find out about problems now. I do assume quality issues are more common since 2020....labor and material shortages hit most everything.

 

I'll defend Ruger to a point but what you've described should be sent back. A Blackhawk needs sights that align......send it back.

I can't tell you if Ruger is actually worse than they used to be or whether we have the ability to find out about problems now. I do assume quality issues are more common since 2020....labor and material shortages hit most everything.

I shipped it to Ruger yesterday.

Yes, I was worried about how things might be after the big disruptions since 2020. These were not available (or at least I could not find one) for the past 2 (or maybe 3?) years I have been looking. It seems only recently Ruger started making Blackhawks again, so I knew there was a chance the first ones would be sort of training for new hires. I guess I hoped that the stainless convertible models would get better treatment since they are more expensive.

 

There does seem to be a rash of improperly- clocked barrels on SA Ruger.
A "tell the CEO" from each customer so-affected would be the right thing to do. The factories will not change unless the word comes down.

Don't forget to consider that progressive lenses can n will rotate perspectives n turn a vertical line. Just a word to advise if one wears progressive lenses. YMMV.

One more thing: examine carefully under a good light, the areas that an original rear sight would make contact with the frame. The recess, drift pin holes, adjustment screw hole and seating point, etc should be free of any witness evidence. Any marring or "white metal" no matter how small, would indicate tampering AFTER SHIPPING.
A gunshop monkey pilfering a sight would be theft involving a gun... Possibly a felony in certain locales? Don't condone thievery and fraud. Clear pictures are easy.

 

There does seem to be a rash of improperly- clocked barrels on SA Ruger.
A "tell the CEO" from each customer so-affected would be the right thing to do. The factories will not change unless the word comes down.

Don't forget to consider that progressive lenses can n will rotate perspectives n turn a vertical line. Just a word to advise if one wears progressive lenses. YMMV.

One more thing: examine carefully under a good light, the areas that an original rear sight would make contact with the frame. The recess, drift pin holes, adjustment screw hole and seating point, etc should be free of any witness evidence. Any marring or "white metal" no matter how small, would indicate tampering AFTER SHIPPING.
A gunshop monkey pilfering a sight would be theft involving a gun... Possibly a felony in certain locales? Don't condone thievery and fraud. Clear pictures are easy.

I understand your point, but no lenses involved (for me, anyway... what about the installer?)

I think what makes it so noticeable is the contrast between the black sight post, gray sight base, and shiny stainless barrel and frame. With the shiny horizontal and vertical edges of the frame as a backdrop, the angle differences of the sight base and post stand out. Also the facets in the sight base reflect light in such a way that I can see it isn't oriented quite the same as the frame surfaces. I think I might be less likely to notice if all those parts were dark black (blued model).

Not sure, are you asking me to post photos of the rear sight area? I can try to take some. There is no scratched metal in that area at all. When I picked it up at the FFL there was a light layer of soot over the whole recess where the sight would go. Maybe from the test firing? There was no other soot on the gun except in the barrel and the part of the frame where the cylinder is. I wiped off the soot, but it took a swab to get into the sight recess (a simple wiping down with a towel would not have reached it). So if Ruger test fired the gun, then wiped off the exterior with a towel, it would have left the soot in the sight recess. Of course, a thief could have removed the sight and dusted the recess with some soot... But as I said, there is no scratching or marring of the metal there at all (including around the pin holes).

I will think about a 'letter to the CEO' after this is all resolved...

The answer is no, you are not being too demanding. You paid for a new gun, you have a right to what you paid for. Ruger has excellent customer service by all accounts, but it irritates the hell out of me to see this happening to a company that Bill Ruger founded and Bill Ruger Jr. carried on. Rugers are still built like tanks, but there is really no excuse for some of the revovers they are turning out now. Emphasis seems to be on $ and not quality. Even then, I fail to see the profit in doing something twice that you could have done correctly the first time.

Thanks. It does seem that the cost of shipping both ways and fixing issues would add up... But maybe it's like insurance: if only a few people complain and send their guns back in, Ruger still comes out ahead on cost. But their reputation will suffer.

Ok, I went back and forth with myself a bunch on this, and I will send it in after all. I guess the worst they can say is that they can't make it align any better than it is. There is another small thing I noticed that could use a bit of work: the hammer scrapes against the frame on the loading gate side, and now the hammer is marred on that side just from me working it back and forth (I have not fired the gun even once). Again, not a big deal but something that could be addressed.

 

That's why I'll only buy older used Ruger single actions!
I've check out a few newer Ruger Blackhawks and Vaquero's.
I was not very happy with shoddy work!
QC needs to get it together!

 

I would think about the sight being bent every time I picked up the revolver. If you (and you are the one who matters at this point not any of us) can get past that you might want to just buy and install a rear sight, then call it good.

A side of me wants to believe that if Ruger keeps getting guns returned to fix improperly clocked barrels they might make a greater effort to prevent them leaving the factory that way but my hopes for any improvement by manufacturers (or society) is waning.

Bruce

 

So... I left the gun in the case for a day while I was writing these posts, writing and calling Ruger, etc. I got an RMA from Ruger yesterday, and took the gun out to re-check my observations, see if anything else was wrong, etc and box it up.

Here's the thing... and I feel sort of bad about my tone on some of these posts-- Ruger really did a beautiful job on this gun, aside from those issues. I have seen photos of revolvers where it looked like someone took a dremel to the area of the frame where the cylinder sits, etc. None of that on this one. If not for the rear sight and front sight issues I would have been really happy.

So basically after giving myself time to cool off from my initial annoyance, I just want to be fair to Ruger. The rear sight is a simple thing, and the loading gate is functioning better now after oiling it and working it. It still sticks, but is usable. I'm sure it would be a simple bit of filing for someone who knows what they are doing.

So the big issue for me, really, is the barrel clocking. What I don't know is, how perfect can you expect this to be? Looking at the muzzle end, the front sight base is only slightly angled to the right just enough to be noticeable. The sight post is then angled back to the left, so that it looks vertical.

Yes, this is not perfect and it bothers me. I can see that it's wrong when I look down the barrel, with the sight base angling one way and the sight post angling the other. But the amount is small.

I guess I'm wondering if I'm being too demanding with this? I don't know much about revolvers, especially building them. Would you be ok with your front sight not being perfectly clocked?

 

The answer is no, you are not being too demanding. You paid for a new gun, you have a right to what you paid for. Ruger has excellent customer service by all accounts, but it irritates the hell out of me to see this happening to a company that Bill Ruger founded and Bill Ruger Jr. carried on. Rugers are still built like tanks, but there is really no excuse for some of the revovers they are turning out now. Emphasis seems to be on $ and not quality. Even then, I fail to see the profit in doing something twice that you could have done correctly the first time.

 

Resolution?

And what is "QC" you speak of? Quality control is a science that went out in the eighties. Replaced by quality assurance. When properly applied, QA is much more accurate and cost effective. Point is, two efy different practices.

Ruger uses ROI - RELIANCE ON OPERATOR INSPECTION. Obviously they have not mastered the concept in practice. That is why their cs has so much budget, and so much "clout" in the production schedule for repairs.
Remember they are NOT iso registered nor aviation a qualified.
But shipped without a rear sight assy??? I highly doubt it. Sounds to me like a gunshop pilfered the assembly.

 

Resolution?

And what is "QC" you speak of? Quality control is a science that went out in the eighties. Replaced by quality assurance. When properly applied, QA is much more accurate and cost effective. Point is, two efy different practices.

Ruger uses ROI - RELIANCE ON OPERATOR INSPECTION. Obviously they have not mastered the concept in practice. That is why their cs has so much budget, and so much "clout" in the production schedule for repairs.
Remember they are NOT iso registered nor aviation a qualified.
But shipped without a rear sight assy??? I highly doubt it. Sounds to me like a gunshop pilfered the assembly.

Yes, you're right-- I don't know the process I was speaking of... Quality control, quality assurance... Interesting and thanks for elaborating on this. Basically what I meant by 'quality control' was: "making sure the gun was assembled and finished correctly before it leaves the factory."

And I wonder this about the rear sight too... It's easiest to blame Ruger but could have happened at any other link in the chain from Ruger to Lipseys to Buds gunshop to the FFL. But I did not see any marring or scuffing in that area including where the pin would go, so it seems to me it was never installed.

 

They do have quality control issues but they fix it and fix it quick. There are American gun manufacturers that not only have bad quality control but also rotten customer service.

 

Sorry for your negative experience. Call RUGER Customer Service and carefully describe every issue. They will arrange the shipping, repairs and quick return for you. Ruger CS is the best in the industry. Any manufacturer can have a problem. It's how they handle that problem that shows us their quality. You bought a quality gun from a quality mfg and deserve no less. Best of luck.

 

Yes, I have heard that about Ruger and I sincerely hope they will rebuild this revolver properly. I will call them today. There is actually another problem that I forgot to mention before: the loading gate is EXTREMELY difficult to open and close. It takes a lot of force to pry it open... So here is my list of issues (so far) to tell Ruger:

1) Barrel is clocked wrong (front sight base is not at top center of barrel and front sight has been bent to 'appear' vertical). Please re-clock the barrel (and replace the bent front sight with a new one) so that front sight base and front sight are perfectly vertical and at top center of barrel.

2) Rear sight was missing. Please install rear sight.

3) Please check loading gate, which is extremely difficult to open and close and has to be pried open.

Since it will be with them, and they should be working on the barrel fitment, can I ask them to adjust for an optimal BC gap and cylinder end shake? And what numbers should I ask for?

 

Howdy Mr. TX234

If you don't want to send a gun off to Ruger in this current situation,
you can get on E Bay right now, and order a sight with pin, screw,
and springs from a dealer in Ruger Rear Sights. Just do a search
for:

RUGER Adjustable Rear Sight Assembly LOW Blak Blackhawk
Redhawk Single Six GP100

The price is about $ 38.00 plus $ 8.00 for shipping, which will
probably be a lot less and more convenient than sending the
gun off through the mail and hoping it don't get hijacked....

As I say, it looks like they are selling Ruger parts, and they
have really good feedback.

SiGunsmith

 

Howdy Mr. TX234

If you don't want to send a gun off to Ruger in this current situation,
you can get on E Bay right now, and order a sight with pin, screw,
and springs from a dealer in Ruger Rear Sights. Just do a search
for:

RUGER Adjustable Rear Sight Assembly LOW Blak Blackhawk
Redhawk Single Six GP100

The price is about $ 38.00 plus $ 8.00 for shipping, which will
probably be a lot less and more convenient than sending the
gun off through the mail and hoping it don't get hijacked....

As I say, it looks like they are selling Ruger parts, and they
have really good feedback.

SiGunsmith

Hmm.... maybe that's where my missing rear sight ended up?? I guess they are worth something after all... But no-- this is entirely on Ruger, and I will not accept paying extra to finish building their gun for them. For that matter I will be really unhappy if they try to make me pay for postage for rebuilding it correctly.

 

Personally I would not buy a new Ruger Single Action sight unseen. All of mine were bought used and in person except one from Gunbroker and I quizzed the seller before buying. There are just too many examples of shoddy workmanship in the later models. If they spend all their time and resources turning out Wranglers maybe they are forgetting what great revolvers they have produced in the past. Rugers used to be made by craftsmen, now they look like they are made by parts changers. YMMV, but that’s my two cents.

 

Given my experience with this, I have to agree with you-- ordering online sight unseen is not a good idea (unless you want to send it back to Ruger). At least with Gunbroker you can talk to the seller beforehand. I would have to ask so many questions-- is the front sight block and front sight perfectly vertical and centered at the top of the barrel? Are the barrel and bore perfectly round or squashed and deformed? Does it have a rear sight? Do the grip panels fit well? Does the loading gate function smoothly? And that's not even getting into stuff like cylinder end shake and the gap between the barrel and cylinder. At the end of the day would you really expect the seller to answer "the barrel is deformed" or "the front sight is crooked" for an expensive gun he's selling?

I wonder if Wranglers have quality issues? I might expect the problems I'm having if I had bought one of those. But for a $900 stainless convertible Blackhawk I expected a LOT better... Also funny that the price has gone up, but the quality has gone down.

And "parts changers" indeed... who don't even put on all the parts!

 

Thanks for reading my long post and for your replies! Good to know that Ruger test fires them, but sad to see these other quality issues.

I am going to send it back to Ruger so they can fix the barrel clocking, front sight, and install the rear sight. Hopefully I will end up with a good revolver.

 

I bought two Blackhawk bisleys last year in person, no issues to speak of. There are some QC issues out there, I was at a LGS looking at a brand new super redhawk and I pointed out to the guy behind the counter hey theres no rear sight!! He freaked out no one noticed before me. Send it to Ruger.

 

To my knowledge, Ruger test fires all their firearms. That doesn't mean they sight them in or apparently check for a rear sight.

An over tightened barrel, bent front sight and missing rear sight. I'd send it back. Ruger mass produces firearms, they aren't a custom shop so yes there are QC issues.

I think it's been awhile since Ruger spent time making a SA other than the Wrangler. If they mess up let them do it again.

 

YES I DO and it is a real sad thing to see happen. My last single action looks like it was assembled by a rookie. Kinda funny
that the one thing they got right was the barrel clocking but other parts are probably at the far end of their Quality Control
+/- measurements.

 

Yes, send it in to Ruger after they send you the shipping label.

The only issue with my new .357 Blackhawk is the left grip panel that doesn’t fit perfectly.

 

Just bought a brand new Blackhawk in 45 colt. No issues that I've seen. Sounds to me someone sold you a slightly used gun.