Ruger M77 chronology

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wapitiwhacker

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Hey Ruger fans and gurus. I think I've figured out most of this from rambling around the net but not 100% sure. The M77 started as a round receiver, no? Then evolved to what is endearingly (for some) referred to as the "Tang Safety", then on to the MkII and finally the Hawkeye. Everything before the MII had push feed and claw extraction, The MII gained CRF and 3 position safety, and the Hawkeye the LC6. How am I doing so far? Where the water gets a little muddy for me is with the designation letters, RS (iron sights), RSI (International) yadda yadda. Did Ruger attach any of these designations to the MkII rifles or are they exclusively attached to Tang Safety models? Did MkII come equipped with irons?, excluding the Alsakan, African, GSR, Hawkeye series of course. Are the RS etc models stamped as such or just known by those designations?

Not counting RSM, RSI, etc. which I know attract a premium, how do standard Tang Safety models compare with MIIs value wise? RS?

Got my eye on what looks like a nice piece on the web. Need a couple of more pics to confirm some things, and gotta get my facts straight so I can ask some intelligent questions!

Thanks for the help.
 
RS stands for "rifle" "sights"... this is a Ruger descriptive designation and is not stamped on the rifle.

So the "R" models are "rifle" without sights also referred to as the "standard."

"RSI" = Rifle Sights International = iron sights/full stock, also not stamped on the rifle.

"RSM" = Rifle Sights Magnum

These designations were used for tang safety guns, MKII's and the current Hawkeye rifles also... the code is on the shipping carton label. Tang safety rifles are coded M77 (R, RS, RSI, RSM etc...), the CRF 3- Position guns are M77-MKII (R, RS, RSI, RSM etc...), the current version Hawkeye guns state HM77 (R, RS, RSI, RSM etc...).

Now the somewhat confusing part is that transition years and special runs may break these rules, also there are other versions that may incorporate these designations but are much different rifles, such as the African, Alaskan and Guide models etc...

Tang safety models are generally equal in value to MKII models and both actually will sell for more than current Hawkeye (in same condition) rifles for "certain" buyers... particular caliber chamberings (.257R, 6.5X55, 7X57, .358, .35W, .350 RM, 9.3X62 etc...) draw a premium as compared to standard chamberings (.243, .270, .308, .30/06 etc...)

If you were to state what the rifle is and the condition, even better with some pictures, we could give you a reasonable estimate of the value.
 
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hoytcanon said:
RS stands for "rifle" "sights"... this is a Ruger descriptive designation and is not stamped on the rifle.

So the "R" models are "rifle" without sights also referred to as the "standard."

"RSI" = Rifle Sights International = iron sights/full stock, also not stamped on the rifle.

"RSM" = Rifle Sights Magnum

These designations were used for tang safety guns, MKII's and the current Hawkeye rifles also... the code is on the shipping carton label. Tang safety rifles are coded M77 (R, RS, RSI, RSM etc...), the CRF 3- Position guns are M77-MKII (R, RS, RSI, RSM etc...), the current version Hawkeye guns state HM77 (R, RS, RSI, RSM etc...).

Now the somewhat confusing part is that transition years and special runs may break these rules, also there are other versions that may incorporate these designations but are much different rifles, such as the African, Alaskan and Guide models etc...

Tang safety models are generally equal in value to MKII models and both actually will sell for more than current Hawkeye (in same condition) rifles for "certain" buyers... particular caliber chamberings (.257R, 6.5X55, 7X57, .358, .35W, .350 RM, 9.3X62 etc...) draw a premium as compared to standard chamberings (.243, .270, .308, .30/06 etc...)

If you were to state what the rifle is and the condition, even better with some pictures, we could give you a reasonable estimate of the value.
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Perfect HC exactly what I was looking for, thanks for the info. PM inbound.
 
To add to hoytcanon's post, there was a short transition period between the M77 tang safety and the M77 MKII CRF where MKII was still a push feed with the claw extractor. I have one of those. It started as a stainless/Zytel stock .30-06, it's now a .35 Whelen.
 
Many thanks for all the info gents. As I type, there is a 1994 M77 MII left hand .338WM being boxed and shipped. I've been enamored with the .338WM for years, not sure why, but I've always had a soft spot for it. They are difficult to find in left hand, so even though my need for a medium bore thumper has been filled for some time with other chamberings I couldn't resist.

One last question though,....What do you do with the MkII trigger to make it a usable hunting trigger, replace with aftermarket, respring, or rework completely? One of my Hawkeyes I replaced the LC6 with a Spec Tech, the other I haven't done anything with, but think I can get away with just a lighter spring. I've heard lots of stories about the MKII triggers but have never had to deal with them. What say you?
 
wapitiwhacker said:
Many thanks for all the info gents. As I type, there is a 1994 M77 MII left hand .338WM being boxed and shipped. I've been enamored with the .338WM for years, not sure why, but I've always had a soft spot for it. They are difficult to find in left hand, so even though my need for a medium bore thumper has been filled for some time with other chamberings I couldn't resist.

One last question though,....What do you do with the MkII trigger to make it a usable hunting trigger, replace with aftermarket, respring, or rework completely? One of my Hawkeyes I replaced the LC6 with a Spec Tech, the other I haven't done anything with, but think I can get away with just a lighter spring. I've heard lots of stories about the MKII triggers but have never had to deal with them. What say you?
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You can get an aftermarket for not too much money.....

I personally pull my trigger group out and remove the pin and polish it where it meets the sear........ Do it slow and a little at a time though..... Test the pull along the way with a fish scale......
 
wapitiwhacker said:
...The M77 started as a round receiver, no? ....
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No, they had the tang safety and integral dovetail scope bases from the very beginning, and every rifle came with Ruger one inch rings.

The round receiver came later, and was contoured to match the 700 Rem profile for those who wanted to use other scope mounting systems.

Ted
 
Why not? said:
No, they had the tang safety and integral dovetail scope bases from the very beginning, and every rifle came with Ruger one inch rings.

The round receiver came later, and was contoured to match the 700 Rem profile for those who wanted to use other scope mounting systems.

Ted
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In the beginning the rings separated into a left and right half rather than a base and top 1/2 for the integral dovetail receiver , I had a late sixties Gun Digest that featured the introduction of the rifle, John Amber and Bill Ruger were pretty tight so it was an extensive report. I recall the short action preceded the long action by a little bit, so we ended up with the initial magnum offerings being the 6.5 and .350 Rem Mags also the bolt handle was a bit of a dog's hind leg affair initially, the tang safety was there since day 1.
 
Once again, thanks to all those who responded. All interesting stuff, and I appreciate the information.

The rifle arrived today and I am pleasantly surprised,...... I think. Overall the rifle is in really nice shape, a couple of marks in the wood, but hey, it will be hunted, and there will be more soon. It is a near twin to my Hawkeye African, both tipping the scales at about 8lb. 13oz.




The metal finish is near perfect on action and barrel, a couple little nicks in the floorplate, nothing to raise an eyebrow at. The trigger has been worked on, there's a little hitch as you take it up, and then it breaks cleanly at just over 3.5 lbs. It shouldn't be too big a deal to get rid of the take up. The action runs very smoothly, smoother than both my Hawkeyes. That was to be expected I guess. So, yes, overall a very nice piece.

It didn't take me long to notice the barrel to for-end fit was VERY tight, definitely not free floated. Looking a little closer there is bedding compound the length of the barrel. Look again, the front sight is different from my .375 and there is no factory stamping on the barrel, 338Mag is laser engraved just ahead of the receiver. Not a factory barrel:confused:



Sooo,... out come the tools and everything comes apart. Yessiree, the barrel has indeed been bedded, including a recoil lug that has been added to the barrel just a little ahead of the chamber. The front of the action has been bedded, the rear pretty much left as is, just a wee bit of what looks like bedding material around where the bolt release is. The job has been very well done.



So, when I was researching the Ruger lineage before I purchased this rifle I came across a couple of posts that had mentioned adding a recoil lug to beef up the recoil absorbing abilities of the M77 Mkll but never thought I would see an example in real life. Has anyone done this to one of their rifles? Any drawbacks you've noticed? Any noticeable improvements?

All in all, I'm quite happy with my purchase. I think the rifle was owned by someone who wanted a firearm that performed better than OEM, and enjoyed and cared for the rifle, so I am hopeful that it is an accurate piece. Then only disappointment is that the stock was shortened when the after market recoil pad was installed. The length of pull sits at 12.5" an inch and a bit shorter than most of my rifles. I guess I'll have to be careful not to have the optics rearrange my eyebrow!

If anyone has any info or insight into the practice of adding a recoil lug to a M77 and would care to share your views I am all ears and once again appreciative of that info. Thanks!
 
Looks like a nice bedding job and the recoil lug will definitely take alot of pressure off the tang and wrist... however, if the aftermarket barrel and short 12.5" LOP were not mentioned in the sales ad, I would be more than a little miffed personally.
 
Yes, one part of me agrees with that, the other says that when it was taken in on consignment it probably wasn't mentioned by the previous owner and no one else was observant enough to ask. I guess the argument could be made that as a firearms business it is their job to be that observant.
 
wapitiwhacker said:
Yes, one part of me agrees with that, the other says that when it was taken in on consignment it probably wasn't mentioned by the previous owner and no one else was observant enough to ask. I guess the argument could be made that as a firearms business it is their job to be that observant.
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Not much of a worry as LOP can be adjusted with a spacer and thicker pad as needed. Nice rifle & chambering fer sure.:)
 
Wow, that's a hell of a recoil lug! :)

Looks like you got a customized rifle for the price of a used factory rifle. Assuming the accuracy is good, you got a nice little surprise. I would shoot it and if the stock is too short just add more recoil pad and/or spacer, although you may not mind the shorter stock,either. Only one way to find out! :)
 
SHELL SHUCKER said:
Not much of a worry as LOP can be adjusted with a spacer and thicker pad as needed. Nice rifle & chambering fer sure.:)
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Yes, I know it's not the end of the world, and it was purchased as a shooter, not a collector piece. It already sports about an inch of aftermarket recoil pad. It won't look near as nice with two inches of black behind the wood, but it is what it is. I'll shoot it as is for now. It might be just the ticket for late season hunts with heavy cloths on.



Gatehouse said:
Wow, that's a hell of a recoil lug! :)

Looks like you got a customized rifle for the price of a used factory rifle. Assuming the accuracy is good, you got a nice little surprise. I would shoot it and if the stock is too short just add more recoil pad and/or spacer, although you may not mind the shorter stock,either. Only one way to find out! :)
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I think I did OK. The vendor was kind enough to contact the previous owner and found out the barrel is a Douglas premium, and the smith a well known custom gun builder from down in the States. The rifle only has about 50 rounds down the tube. A day at the range is now in order to see what it can do.

Still really interested to hear from anyone with experience with this style of auxiliary recoil lug in their Ruger.
Anyone?
 
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OP, that barrel mounted recoil lug & bedding job will go a long way in ensuring that the stock won't split with repeated use of hefty loads. I had a Winchester M70 back in the 80's in .338 that I put around 100 shots through 'er before trading it in. No signs of stress on the stock & it shot damn staight.

A buddy of mine bought it from the dealer I swapped it in to and took it out to the range for sighting in with his handloads. The stock cracked through the wrist within 10 shots.:eek:
That rifle shoulda had the second recoil lug added fer sure.;)
 
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