Thread: Ruger No 1 thoughts...

I've been a long time single shot fan and have owned several over the years. However I was sort of "ruined" at the start, the first falling block single shot I handled was a "flat-spring" High Wall. Once you have had one of these and cycled it a few times everything else is sort of coarse or crude in terms of feel - the constant tension on the lever is something magical.

I had a couple of Ruger's for a while, a No 1 in 243 and a No 3 in 22 Hornet, and was at one time greatly inspired by a magnificent custom job done on a number one by Nelson Gunsmith Dave Ward. However I could never get past the floppy lever when cocked, and the forend hanger (that can't be removed as it houses the mainspring).

Currently I have a Winchester 1885 repro low wall in 22K Hornet, its a nice enough rifle with a much nicer feel to it but the lock mechanism is full of small parts and springs, and I don't really think its durable enough (internally, action robustness/strength is fine) to be an all weathers hunting rifle for NZ. I do have an original 1885 flat spring Low Wall action stashed away, but they are only suitable for pistol cartridges really and I've never found a cambering in that type that does it for me.