Ruger #1 No. 1 26″ .30-06 SPRG Single Shot Rifle & Leupold VX-I Scope, 1981

SOLD FOR: $1,150.00

WOA#: WY240420CT002

Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.

Model: No. 1

Serial Number: 132-23190

Year of Manufacture: 1981 (Ruger Serial Number Lookup)

Caliber: .30-06 Springfield

Action Type: Falling Block Single Shot Rifle

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked with a Ruger warning over “STURM, RUGER & CO. INC., SOUTHPORT, CONN. U.S.A.”. The left side of the barrel shank is marked “.30-06 SPRG.” and with a Ruger proof mark. The top of the receiver is marked “RUGER / No. 1”. The bottom left of the receiver is marked with the serial number.

Barrel Length: 26″

Sights/Optics: There is no provision for iron sights. There is a quarter-rib screwed to the rear of the barrel. The rib is cut for Ruger rings with a set holding a Leupold VX-1 3-9x scope with duplex reticle. The body has minor wear with a few small nicks and scratches, the glass is fairly clear but could use a good cleaning.

Stock Configuration and Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with semi-beavertail forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb, orange rubber Ruger buttpad and sling studs front and rear. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with notable scratches on the left-rear of the buttstock and a concentration of marks on the bottom of the forend around the mounting screw. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the pad. The pad has light wear and a little discoloration. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is a little stubborn copper fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There are a few light nicks and scratches. The finish of the receiver and lever has a slight plum hue (common for Rugers). The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition.

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

Box, Paperwork and Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The Ruger No. 1 was introduced in 1967 and at first seems an odd design choice for a modern rifle. Repeating rifles of many different designs had become the norm by the late ’60s and the single shot—certainly the falling-block single-shot—was on the outs with most hunters and target shooters. The brilliant success of the Ruger No. 1 comes from its embodiment of Ruger’s design philosophy: simple, durable, reliable. It has been chambered in nearly 50 different cartridges and continues to be manufactured and sold to this day.

This No. 1 was made back in 1981, just after the Ruger Warning was stamped on the barrel. It has a strong bright bore chambered in .30-06 and is equipped with a Leupold 3-9x scope. This rifle is ready to add to your collection or go on your next hunt. Good luck on your bid!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud