So much for the promise Ruger will fix their firearms

redbeard55 · January 18, 2012, 09:08 PM

Been shooting a Ruger GP100 at the local gun club for Steel matches. Have owned Rugers since 1976. Ran maybe 25K TO 50k ammo through the GP100 - with 95% or better being 38 Specials. I don't consider this an excessive number of rounds. The revolver would lock up when the trigger was pulled. The only work I did was replace a couple of springs with lighter springs. Revolver was still essentially stock. The GP100 also had an increased cyclinder gap and essentially out of time. Sent the revolver into Ruger. UPS charged $78 for shipping. Got email today from Ruger. They don't want to fix it. They offered me a brand new GP101 for $389. Full retail is $699. Anyone else experience failure of Ruger to fix a firearm? I currently own 10 Rugers. Wanted a couple more, but it appears I will never purchase other Ruger. I never expected they won't keep their promise to fix anything sent to them. Seems the quality has been going down for years. My 10-22 Target is a jam-o-matic, Sent the GP100 backbefore I even fired it. Also had to send back a P95. Since Smith has a warranty, I expect my next purchases will be Smith or anything else than Ruger.

BlkHawk73 · January 18, 2012, 09:28 PM

Three sides to every story and the teller is almost always going to tell it in a way to better suit their side. The way Ruger would not work on and offer the replacement is if they deemed something about the frame, etc unfit. Could easily be out of spec enough to warrant that you state it's "out of time". With liabilities so prominant, they cannot take chances. Exactly what was their diagnosis and explanation?

Also, after so many years, was it expected this was gonna be a freebie?

jknight8907 · January 18, 2012, 09:31 PM

Sounds like the perfect time for a new GP100 at a great price. Seriously, 50k rounds, that's pretty well worn out. I think you got your money's worth out of it. No gun lasts forever.

twhidd · January 18, 2012, 09:31 PM

Smells a little fishy to me.

laytonj1 · January 18, 2012, 09:35 PM

Almost 50K rounds?
Maybe it's me, but I'd jump on the offer of a new one for $389.

My guess is it would likely cost close to that to repair it, so their offer of a new one instead.

Jim

shootniron · January 18, 2012, 09:40 PM

I would hop on that new one and never look back...sing their praises, too.

abelacres · January 18, 2012, 09:48 PM

I'm not following you here.... Did the GP always have this problem? Or did it develop it after you had shot it 25k to 50k rounds?

btw there is a BIG difference between 25k and 50k....at least 25k I'm sure.

BlkHawk73 · January 18, 2012, 09:56 PM

Quote:

btw there is a BIG difference between 25k and 50k....at least 25k I'm sure.

Quote:

Almost 50K rounds?
Maybe it's me, but I'd jump on the offer of a new one for $389.

Bought some tires and they wore out, I had between 25k and 50k miles on them.

Crankylove · January 18, 2012, 10:02 PM

Quote:

I think you got your money's worth out of it. No gun lasts forever.

My thoughts too. Sounds like you got some good use out of it, and you mention no other problems with your GP100 in those 50K rounds.............sounds like a good firearm to me.

I can't really blame Ruger for not fixing it for free (or at all) after that many rounds. If it was a new gun and had issues, I would feel different, but not with an older weapon with that many rounds.

9mm · January 18, 2012, 10:13 PM

$389 new? NIB $490~$550 here!

mdd · January 18, 2012, 10:14 PM

Let me get this straight....you wore out a revolver and are mad at the producing company for offering you a new one at half price? Its a tool. You wore it out. When I wear out a tractor, combine, or skid loader Deere sure as hell doesn't offer to cut me a deal on a brand new one. If they did I'd practically worship them for it --- not berate them on a public forum.

arch308 · January 18, 2012, 10:19 PM

I have to agree with the rest. You got your money's worth and now Ruger is offering you a special price. What's the beef?

huntinaz · January 18, 2012, 10:19 PM

They sent me a new GP100 for free. They fixed a Security Six for free. This was 1-2 years ago.

aaronious45 · January 18, 2012, 10:22 PM

You should buy a Chinese knock off and save the money, I'm sure you'll be happy with their non quality and lack of customer service

kinggabby · January 18, 2012, 10:50 PM

I say get the new one for $389 and resale it for $500 if you are that unhappy with them. Then you can make about $100 profit off it and then get something else.I would then I would buy a Taurus and be very happy. Maybe another 617 . Or I would get maybe a 817 38 7shot just for fun. But I would not fault them . From what I have seen posted people say Ruger does not offer a warranty.

montelores · January 18, 2012, 11:07 PM

"Anyone else experience failure of Ruger to fix a firearm?"

There may be a liability issue here.

Ruger may consider the revolver defective, and they do not want to carry the liability of attempting to repair a revolver which may fail or need to be returned for repair again.

This seems like a very generous offer, and possibly one that could save someone from being injured.

Ruger is absolutely the one American company in which I have confidence about their willingness to service the customer.

Monty

P.S. From the OP: "I never expected they won't keep their promise to fix anything sent to them."

From the Ruger GP-100 Owner's Manual:

WHY NO WARRANTY CARD HAS BEEN PACKED WITH THIS NEW RUGER FIREARM
The Magnuson-Moss Act (Public Law 93-637) does not require any seller or manufacturer of a consumer product to give a written warranty. It does provide that if a written warranty is given, it must be designated as “limited” or as “full” and sets minimum standards for a “full” warranty. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. has elected not to provide any written warranty, either “limited” or “full”, rather than to attempt to comply with the provisions of the Magnuson-Moss Act and the regulations issued thereunder. There are certain implied warranties under state law with respect to sales of consumer goods. As the extent and interpretation of these implied warranties varies from state to state, you should refer to your state statutes. Sturm, Ruger & Company wishes to assure its customers of its continued interest in providing service to owners of Ruger firearms.

redbeard55 · January 19, 2012, 12:09 AM

Purchased the GP100 new from a dealer. Before even firing the revolver I checked the cylinder gap. 0.003" on one side and 0.009" on the other side. Sent it back and it came back at 0.006" and 0.006". The revolver was never 100% reliable. When I sent it back the cylinder gap. was 0.009" on one side and 0.010" on the other side. When I noticed an issue early on, I wrote it off to possibly short stroking the revolver. Yes, I've got 25K to 50K out of the revolver. Over the years I've read numerous magazine articles and saw interviews with Bill Ruger. Everyone indicated that if a Ruger needed fixing, Ruger would make it right. Never once did I hear of somebody being charged the price of a new revolver to fix one that had been well used. Maybe not a written warranty, but it was certainly implied. When the letter was sent by Ruger, there was no explanation beyond it would cost too much to fix. I expected to pay for the springs I replaced and the pin the gunsmith lost that holds the grip in place. I had substituted a bolt I cut down to the proper size, The cylinder was polished out by a gunsmith because it was so rough you could hardly push out mid range 38 Specials. Certainly didn't expect to pay full retail for repairs. Last time I checked, there is no expectation as to how many rounds of 38 Special can be fired through a Ruger 357 before it is considered wore out. Seems that Gun Test or some other magazine years ago wrote up a study between Ruger, Smith and possibly 1 or 2 other companies. After 25K of 357 mag loads, the GP100 had a single compressed spring. That was it. Never expected the entire revolver would be judged unsafe after 25 to 50K of most 38 Specials. If I had been shooting 357 magnums, yes my expectation would be that it is worn out if it had a true 50K of stiff 357 loads. How many 357 magnums would it take, 5000 or less? That is getting close to junk gun reliability in my book. Certainly not up to the claim that Rugers are among the strongest and most reliable revolvers on the market.

Dan-O · January 19, 2012, 12:20 AM

Quote:

They offered me a brand new GP101 for $389.

Never heard of a GP101. Is that a new Ruger offering?

roaddog28 · January 19, 2012, 12:21 AM

I have a idea. Go by a S&W 686 at $700 and use the GP100 as a paperweight.
Regards,
Howard

C0untZer0 · January 19, 2012, 12:24 AM

I'm with Redbeard,

Ruger should fix it...

huntinaz · January 19, 2012, 12:32 AM

Quote:

I'm with Redbeard,

Ruger should fix it...

I'm surprised they didn't, they gave me a brand new one. They said something like "Upon inspection, this pistol is not safe to shoot and we are not capable of fixing it. We will send you a new pistol, tell us what FFL you would like us to send it." I paid shipping to Ruger, so for $40 I got a new GP100. I'll buy Rugers until I die.

montelores · January 19, 2012, 02:02 AM

This is the most absurd thread that I have ever seen on this forum.

Monty

huntinaz · January 19, 2012, 02:13 AM

Quote:

This is the most absurd thread that I have ever seen on this forum.

You must not spend much time in the "tactics and training" forum

bamaranger · January 19, 2012, 02:17 AM

You may not think 25-50K (kind of a broad estimate?) is many rounds, but everybody else sure does, apparently including Ruger.

But....Bill Ruger is dead and the bean counters and lawyers, literally, are running Ruger now.

Dragline45 · January 19, 2012, 02:20 AM

If I had put that many rounds through the gun then was offered to buy a new one at dealer price I would jump all over it. It would be one thing if the gun had very little use, but it seems like you literally shot the hell out of it. Upon Rugers inspection it is either not fixable and not safe for use, or will be so expensive to rebuild where it is worth you to buy a new one at dealer price. If you dont want another GP100 sell the gun at retail and with the money you get you can buy a 686 for a bit more.

January 18, 2012, 09:08 PM	#1
redbeard55 Member Join Date: November 16, 2005 Posts: 55	So much for the promise Ruger will fix their firearms Been shooting a Ruger GP100 at the local gun club for Steel matches. Have owned Rugers since 1976. Ran maybe 25K TO 50k ammo through the GP100 - with 95% or better being 38 Specials. I don't consider this an excessive number of rounds. The revolver would lock up when the trigger was pulled. The only work I did was replace a couple of springs with lighter springs. Revolver was still essentially stock. The GP100 also had an increased cyclinder gap and essentially out of time. Sent the revolver into Ruger. UPS charged $78 for shipping. Got email today from Ruger. They don't want to fix it. They offered me a brand new GP101 for $389. Full retail is $699. Anyone else experience failure of Ruger to fix a firearm? I currently own 10 Rugers. Wanted a couple more, but it appears I will never purchase other Ruger. I never expected they won't keep their promise to fix anything sent to them. Seems the quality has been going down for years. My 10-22 Target is a jam-o-matic, Sent the GP100 backbefore I even fired it. Also had to send back a P95. Since Smith has a warranty, I expect my next purchases will be Smith or anything else than Ruger.

January 18, 2012, 09:31 PM	#4
twhidd Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2005 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 823	Smells a little fishy to me. __________________ Todd NRA Life Member

January 18, 2012, 10:14 PM	#11
mdd Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Posts: 626	Let me get this straight....you wore out a revolver and are mad at the producing company for offering you a new one at half price? Its a tool. You wore it out. When I wear out a tractor, combine, or skid loader Deere sure as hell doesn't offer to cut me a deal on a brand new one. If they did I'd practically worship them for it --- not berate them on a public forum. Last edited by mdd; January 18, 2012 at 10:39 PM.

January 18, 2012, 10:19 PM	#13
huntinaz Senior Member Join Date: September 21, 2010 Location: az Posts: 1,332	They sent me a new GP100 for free. They fixed a Security Six for free. This was 1-2 years ago. __________________ "When there’s lead in the air, there’s hope in the heart”- Hunter’s Proverb "Feed me, or feed me to something. I just want to be part of the food chain." -Al Bundy

January 18, 2012, 11:07 PM	#16
montelores Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2009 Posts: 239	"Anyone else experience failure of Ruger to fix a firearm?" There may be a liability issue here. Ruger may consider the revolver defective, and they do not want to carry the liability of attempting to repair a revolver which may fail or need to be returned for repair again. This seems like a very generous offer, and possibly one that could save someone from being injured. Ruger is absolutely the one American company in which I have confidence about their willingness to service the customer. Monty P.S. From the OP: "I never expected they won't keep their promise to fix anything sent to them." From the Ruger GP-100 Owner's Manual: WHY NO WARRANTY CARD HAS BEEN PACKED WITH THIS NEW RUGER FIREARM The Magnuson-Moss Act (Public Law 93-637) does not require any seller or manufacturer of a consumer product to give a written warranty. It does provide that if a written warranty is given, it must be designated as “limited” or as “full” and sets minimum standards for a “full” warranty. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. has elected not to provide any written warranty, either “limited” or “full”, rather than to attempt to comply with the provisions of the Magnuson-Moss Act and the regulations issued thereunder. There are certain implied warranties under state law with respect to sales of consumer goods. As the extent and interpretation of these implied warranties varies from state to state, you should refer to your state statutes. Sturm, Ruger & Company wishes to assure its customers of its continued interest in providing service to owners of Ruger firearms. Last edited by montelores; January 18, 2012 at 11:20 PM.

January 18, 2012, 09:28 PM	#2
BlkHawk73 Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 1999 Location: Maine Posts: 756	Three sides to every story and the teller is almost always going to tell it in a way to better suit their side. The way Ruger would not work on and offer the replacement is if they deemed something about the frame, etc unfit. Could easily be out of spec enough to warrant that you state it's "out of time". With liabilities so prominant, they cannot take chances. Exactly what was their diagnosis and explanation? Also, after so many years, was it expected this was gonna be a freebie?

January 18, 2012, 09:31 PM	#3
jknight8907 Member Join Date: February 25, 2006 Posts: 87	Sounds like the perfect time for a new GP100 at a great price. Seriously, 50k rounds, that's pretty well worn out. I think you got your money's worth out of it. No gun lasts forever.

January 18, 2012, 09:35 PM	#5
laytonj1 Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2005 Posts: 4,443	Almost 50K rounds? Maybe it's me, but I'd jump on the offer of a new one for $389. My guess is it would likely cost close to that to repair it, so their offer of a new one instead. Jim

January 18, 2012, 09:40 PM	#6
shootniron Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2011 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,599	I would hop on that new one and never look back...sing their praises, too.

January 18, 2012, 09:48 PM	#7
abelacres Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2010 Location: Jackson County Florida Posts: 207	I'm not following you here.... Did the GP always have this problem? Or did it develop it after you had shot it 25k to 50k rounds? btw there is a BIG difference between 25k and 50k....at least 25k I'm sure.

January 18, 2012, 10:13 PM	#10
9mm Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2011 Location: Land of the Free Posts: 2,834	$389 new? NIB $490~$550 here!

January 18, 2012, 10:19 PM	#12
arch308 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2011 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 876	I have to agree with the rest. You got your money's worth and now Ruger is offering you a special price. What's the beef?

January 18, 2012, 10:22 PM	#14
aaronious45 Member Join Date: March 3, 2010 Location: Jay, fl. Posts: 24	You should buy a Chinese knock off and save the money, I'm sure you'll be happy with their non quality and lack of customer service

January 18, 2012, 10:50 PM	#15
kinggabby Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2011 Location: OKC Posts: 502	I say get the new one for $389 and resale it for $500 if you are that unhappy with them. Then you can make about $100 profit off it and then get something else.I would then I would buy a Taurus and be very happy. Maybe another 617 . Or I would get maybe a 817 38 7shot just for fun. But I would not fault them . From what I have seen posted people say Ruger does not offer a warranty.

January 19, 2012, 12:09 AM	#17
redbeard55 Member Join Date: November 16, 2005 Posts: 55	Purchased the GP100 new from a dealer. Before even firing the revolver I checked the cylinder gap. 0.003" on one side and 0.009" on the other side. Sent it back and it came back at 0.006" and 0.006". The revolver was never 100% reliable. When I sent it back the cylinder gap. was 0.009" on one side and 0.010" on the other side. When I noticed an issue early on, I wrote it off to possibly short stroking the revolver. Yes, I've got 25K to 50K out of the revolver. Over the years I've read numerous magazine articles and saw interviews with Bill Ruger. Everyone indicated that if a Ruger needed fixing, Ruger would make it right. Never once did I hear of somebody being charged the price of a new revolver to fix one that had been well used. Maybe not a written warranty, but it was certainly implied. When the letter was sent by Ruger, there was no explanation beyond it would cost too much to fix. I expected to pay for the springs I replaced and the pin the gunsmith lost that holds the grip in place. I had substituted a bolt I cut down to the proper size, The cylinder was polished out by a gunsmith because it was so rough you could hardly push out mid range 38 Specials. Certainly didn't expect to pay full retail for repairs. Last time I checked, there is no expectation as to how many rounds of 38 Special can be fired through a Ruger 357 before it is considered wore out. Seems that Gun Test or some other magazine years ago wrote up a study between Ruger, Smith and possibly 1 or 2 other companies. After 25K of 357 mag loads, the GP100 had a single compressed spring. That was it. Never expected the entire revolver would be judged unsafe after 25 to 50K of most 38 Specials. If I had been shooting 357 magnums, yes my expectation would be that it is worn out if it had a true 50K of stiff 357 loads. How many 357 magnums would it take, 5000 or less? That is getting close to junk gun reliability in my book. Certainly not up to the claim that Rugers are among the strongest and most reliable revolvers on the market.

January 19, 2012, 12:21 AM	#19
roaddog28 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2009 Location: Escondido, CA Posts: 961	I have a idea. Go by a S&W 686 at $700 and use the GP100 as a paperweight. Regards, Howard

January 19, 2012, 12:24 AM	#20
C0untZer0 Junior member Join Date: April 21, 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,555	I'm with Redbeard, Ruger should fix it...

January 19, 2012, 02:02 AM	#22
montelores Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2009 Posts: 239	This is the most absurd thread that I have ever seen on this forum. Monty

January 19, 2012, 02:17 AM	#24
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,799	couple of thoughts You may not think 25-50K (kind of a broad estimate?) is many rounds, but everybody else sure does, apparently including Ruger. But....Bill Ruger is dead and the bean counters and lawyers, literally, are running Ruger now.

January 19, 2012, 02:20 AM	#25
Dragline45 Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2010 Posts: 3,513	If I had put that many rounds through the gun then was offered to buy a new one at dealer price I would jump all over it. It would be one thing if the gun had very little use, but it seems like you literally shot the hell out of it. Upon Rugers inspection it is either not fixable and not safe for use, or will be so expensive to rebuild where it is worth you to buy a new one at dealer price. If you dont want another GP100 sell the gun at retail and with the money you get you can buy a 686 for a bit more.