Sturm Ruger No. 3 Single Shot Rifle 223 Rem Falling Block Hunting Rifle

SOLD FOR: $1,025.01

LSB# LSB251130SL005

Make: Sturm Ruger 

Model: No. 3 Single Shot Rifle

Serial Number: 132-43273

Year of Manufacture: 1982

Caliber:  .223 Rem.

Action Type: Single Shot Breech Loading, Falling Block, Lever actuated

Markings: The left side of the chamber is marked,”.223 Rem”.  The top of the barrel is marked, “BEFORE USING GUN-READ WARNINGS IN INSTRUCTION MANUAL AVAILABLE FREE FROM STURM, RUGER & CO. INC., NEWPORT, NH. U.S.A.”. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number.  There is a circled PR proof mark on the left side of the chamber.  The top of the receiver is marked, “RUGER No. 3”.  The rubber buttpad has the Ruger Logo.  

Barrel Length: 22″.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed into a barrel band. The rear sight is an adjustable folding U notch. The top of the barrel is drilled and tapped for a scope. There are Weaver bases and a Nikon 2.5-10x Prostaff scope installed. We cannot guarantee the functionality of optics.

Stock Configuration & Condition:  The stocks are two piece checkered walnut with traditional capped pistol grip, straight comb, sling stud in the bottom of the buttstock and belly, and red rubber buttpad. The LOP measures 13.5? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. There are scattered scratches, compression dents and handling wear throughout. There is light damage to the left side of the forend checkering. The stocks rate in about Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion. There is minor fouling. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates a 9/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. There is corrosion freckling throughout. There is light thinning on the leading edges. The screw heads are undamaged.  The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition.

Mechanics:  The action functions correctly. The lever lockup is strong. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements. Tang Safety. 

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Scope as described above.

Our Assessment: This Sturm, Ruger & Co. No. 3 represents Ruger’s streamlined take on the classic single-shot sporting rifle, introduced in the early 1970s as a lighter, more utilitarian companion to the No. 1. Built around a strong falling block action with lever actuation, the No. 3 retained the same mechanical strength and reliability while dispensing with some of the refinements of its predecessor. Chambered in .223 Remington, this 1982-production example reflects Ruger’s emphasis on practical accuracy and field durability during a period when single-shot rifles were enjoying renewed interest among hunters who valued simplicity and deliberate shooting.

The .223 Remington chambering offers mild recoil, flat trajectory, and excellent efficiency from the rifle’s 22-inch barrel, making it well suited for varmint and small game use. Factory iron sights provide a traditional sighting arrangement, while the drilled and tapped barrel accommodates optics, as evidenced by the installed Weaver bases and Nikon ProStaff scope. The falling block action is notably strong and compact, with positive lever lockup and a tang-mounted safety, combining modern safety features with a design lineage that traces back to 19th-century single-shot rifles.

Condition on this example is consistent with honest field use. The rifle retains approximately 85 percent of its original blued finish, with light thinning on the edges and scattered corrosion freckling present. The bore remains bright with sharp rifling and no erosion, rating a solid 9 out of 10 in this writer’s opinion. Stock wear includes scattered scratches, compression dents, and localized checkering damage on the forend, but the wood remains structurally sound. Overall, this Ruger No. 3 presents as a mechanically strong, well-preserved example of Ruger’s practical single-shot design philosophy, firmly rooted in function and understated utility. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! MF