Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
...is thankfully in my study, at least in small, tasteful parts. If you're anything like me, you find your firearms to be sentimental things, and develop strong preferences in maker, features, and design. I'm a Model 70 lover, and a gorgeous pre-war shares a space inside the cabinet beside this trio. Though near anytime I go big hunting, anytime I need to use a rifle from here to Zimbabwe and anywhere in between, it's a Ruger. No other factory firearm compares to their upper end offerings, which are slowly and sadly being reduced to Legacy items. It takes a god honest $4,500 custom shop Model 70 to compare to what the RSM and Express Rifles pictured arrived as in the factory box. A custom? Now you're looking at $8,000+ for an integrally ribbed Controlled Round Feed Express Rifle. They may not have the prestige of a pre-war or early post-war Model 70- the Rifleman's rifle, or the slickness of a Sako- though they certainly cant be far behind, or the flagship name of a London Best; but they don't need it.
Maybe that's why Ruger's offerings appeal to me so, they're timeless, humble- even if I'm not, and built to a standard of rugged yet refined quality few things are today. Bill Ruger was a genius, pure and simple, he started with a quality product built to 'never fail', at a fair price. His prices were almost too fair, for his products are grossly under-appreciated and sell at ridiculous prices for the quality and features. This blurb stems from me pulling these three out of the safe and laying them on the study's desk. I often feel a pang for a Holland & Holland, or a new model Heym Express Rifle ala Martini & Hagn design. Then I pull out my lowly factory Rugers, and I'm at a loss to where, for my purposes, they could possibly be improved. Certainly they make the $10,000 more required to begin getting into the other options appear rather ridiculous. This is not to say I turn my nose up at a London Best as snob's silly selection, one small example of Holland & Holland's work will grace the corner of the safe, shunned there by the Rugers, should the import run on time next week. It will be reached past time and again for the Rugers, and that to me says more than anything.
Bill Ruger, I'll miss you, as these class of guns from Ruger, now fading, with the Express Rifle, pictured in .300 Winchester Magnum, the Gold Label in 12 gauge, and the RSM pictured in .375 Holland & Holland have all faded into the sunset of your legacy. Each has been dropped by Ruger in favour of more commercially viable Ruger options like the Hawkeye Alaskan, 'Tactical' gadgets and gizmo guns, and a million 10/22's. The guns are good but the soul is lacking, Bill Ruger realized a gun can be made at a loss and benefit the brand to degrees that more than pay back the investment. Sadly, he took on more of those losing flagships of yesteryear's quality and ideals than I imagine his board could stomach to continue with his passing, and they've been axed. Still there as a last bastion of Bill stands the No.1, and I need to add one back to the safe to form a fearsome quartet, perhaps something in a .25 cal to double duty dogs and small cervids and antelopes. If the No.1 dies, so does Bill Ruger in all but the originals, like these three. I feel incredibly lucky to own them and no matter how well I could do in life can't imagine replacing the two steadies, that Gold Label and the .375 RSM. Thanks for listening.
Maybe that's why Ruger's offerings appeal to me so, they're timeless, humble- even if I'm not, and built to a standard of rugged yet refined quality few things are today. Bill Ruger was a genius, pure and simple, he started with a quality product built to 'never fail', at a fair price. His prices were almost too fair, for his products are grossly under-appreciated and sell at ridiculous prices for the quality and features. This blurb stems from me pulling these three out of the safe and laying them on the study's desk. I often feel a pang for a Holland & Holland, or a new model Heym Express Rifle ala Martini & Hagn design. Then I pull out my lowly factory Rugers, and I'm at a loss to where, for my purposes, they could possibly be improved. Certainly they make the $10,000 more required to begin getting into the other options appear rather ridiculous. This is not to say I turn my nose up at a London Best as snob's silly selection, one small example of Holland & Holland's work will grace the corner of the safe, shunned there by the Rugers, should the import run on time next week. It will be reached past time and again for the Rugers, and that to me says more than anything.
Bill Ruger, I'll miss you, as these class of guns from Ruger, now fading, with the Express Rifle, pictured in .300 Winchester Magnum, the Gold Label in 12 gauge, and the RSM pictured in .375 Holland & Holland have all faded into the sunset of your legacy. Each has been dropped by Ruger in favour of more commercially viable Ruger options like the Hawkeye Alaskan, 'Tactical' gadgets and gizmo guns, and a million 10/22's. The guns are good but the soul is lacking, Bill Ruger realized a gun can be made at a loss and benefit the brand to degrees that more than pay back the investment. Sadly, he took on more of those losing flagships of yesteryear's quality and ideals than I imagine his board could stomach to continue with his passing, and they've been axed. Still there as a last bastion of Bill stands the No.1, and I need to add one back to the safe to form a fearsome quartet, perhaps something in a .25 cal to double duty dogs and small cervids and antelopes. If the No.1 dies, so does Bill Ruger in all but the originals, like these three. I feel incredibly lucky to own them and no matter how well I could do in life can't imagine replacing the two steadies, that Gold Label and the .375 RSM. Thanks for listening.
