New joys in my house, What does a "U" mean?

williamfeldmann · January 24, 2009, 07:32 PM

So I managed to find a couple of gems on the cheap at the Des Moines Gun show today and couldn't pass them up. Part of the joy of a "black gun" sale and "black gun" shoppers.

So my question is what does the "U" before the serial number on the shorty mean? Some old guy there said something about it being a special edition, but I see nothing "special" about it unless it is the shiny finish, which I think the last run was. If it is a special is there anyway to know why it is or what it's purpose was (photoshoot for such and such magazine, ordered by such and such bigwig, promo gun)?

Warning: pictures are huge (still trying to figure out this camera)

jaguarxk120 · January 24, 2009, 07:43 PM

Try the Ruger forum, the old army has been discontinued, you may not want to shoot collector items. Do a search, I think prices are rising for them.

kwhi43 · January 24, 2009, 08:55 PM

You mind saying what they cost?

Smokin_Gun · January 24, 2009, 10:45 PM

The "U" is not a Ruger stamp the 148-09148 is 2003 vintage.

Here you go Ruger's Serialization Chart...

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firear...story-RE.html#

If you're ever lookin' to sell or trade the Stainless 5 1/2" ROA let me know.

SG

williamfeldmann · January 24, 2009, 10:48 PM

I'll check the Ruger forum.

I got these two and 2 old Stevens sxs 311s for $1100. I don't know if the guy knew what these were. He just knew they were black powder cause of the nipples. He had them individually listed at 400 each and the shotguns at 250 each. They were trade-ins from the previous week's show. The guy only deals in M-1s and 1906's and such military rifles. Anyway, like I said, it was way too good a deal to pass up.

I know the shorty has never been fired. There was still a burr inside one of the chambers, and some of the original shipping oil in the loading lever joints. I don't know if I want to shoot it or not. Maybe I will go on the hunt for another non-special shorty

Smokin_Gun · January 24, 2009, 11:11 PM

Those ROAs are bullet proof pardon the punn, you'll never wear out out. you got um both at a good price . I jus' bought a SS ROA w/adj sights local for $400 out the door. A Gun Galleria...place so I ot lucky.
Silver Thunder

Tina, got this one too...

And an add on in .45 Colt or .45 Schofield

SG

williamfeldmann · January 25, 2009, 02:33 PM

SG,

I want to be just like you when I grow up.

I was considering getting a Converter for the long gun. What is that that you use. I don't see a gate and that will probably be my choice, as I don't want to alter the gun.

Smokin_Gun · January 27, 2009, 05:12 AM

The one I got in Stainless is an R&D Cylinder .45 Colt/ .45 Schofield...it's adrop in and I love it. Mine was $210 on Gunbroker before shipping so it was $221. Call Vance at the Triangle C ....
Nickname: Triangle C
Email Address: [email protected]
Company Name: Triangle C Ranch
Company Contact: Vance Cox
Day Phone Number: 660-359-5422

Tell him Smokin' Gun, Richard said Hi... he's has a direct line to Kinney at R&D Cylinder. Get me one too for Uberti 1858 Rem in .45 Colt/Schofield what ever color he has. :O) Hell Now I'm gonna call um tomorrow instead a buying this Cimarron 1860 I was thinkin' on... I'll see what he has in stock or lead time.

SG

Cagedodger · January 27, 2009, 08:53 AM

Williamfeldmann, the U means Ruger sold this gun as used. It was probably used as a demo or something, but may have never been fired before you acquired it. I've seen it on other Rugers as well.

Cage

williamfeldmann · January 27, 2009, 10:59 AM

After I got a cleaned up pic to clarify that it was a U and not a D, the helpful Ruger collectors had this to say (abridged)

U - signifies a gun that was sold from Ruger directly to the buyer. These guns are almost always "Used" which by and large means they were SHOTShow or distributor models, they were sent to a magazine for a review, maybe they were used for prooftesting, there are a myriad of possibilities. These guns all came back to Ruger after their use and were stamped with the U and then sold, 90 some % of them to Ruger employees at reduced rates (which is how I got mine, the employee says it was in a photoshoot). The only way to know for sure what the specific gun was used for is to call the records department at Ruger. They can give you a specific history if it was "Used by Ruger" or tell you where it went originally if out of house.

D - very rare, signifies a duplicate serial number. Every year there are some of these made by human error in not advancing the serial numbering machine. They are caught before the gun can leave as the records are completed and will show a previously used S/N. They are stamped with a D and again sold to employees usually.

So I guess my next stop is a phone call to Ruger records department to se what I can learn if anything.

January 27, 2009, 10:59 AM	#10
williamfeldmann Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Posts: 60	The guys on the Ruger forum said... After I got a cleaned up pic to clarify that it was a U and not a D, the helpful Ruger collectors had this to say (abridged) U - signifies a gun that was sold from Ruger directly to the buyer. These guns are almost always "Used" which by and large means they were SHOTShow or distributor models, they were sent to a magazine for a review, maybe they were used for prooftesting, there are a myriad of possibilities. These guns all came back to Ruger after their use and were stamped with the U and then sold, 90 some % of them to Ruger employees at reduced rates (which is how I got mine, the employee says it was in a photoshoot). The only way to know for sure what the specific gun was used for is to call the records department at Ruger. They can give you a specific history if it was "Used by Ruger" or tell you where it went originally if out of house. D - very rare, signifies a duplicate serial number. Every year there are some of these made by human error in not advancing the serial numbering machine. They are caught before the gun can leave as the records are completed and will show a previously used S/N. They are stamped with a D and again sold to employees usually. So I guess my next stop is a phone call to Ruger records department to se what I can learn if anything.

January 24, 2009, 07:43 PM	#2
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,626	Try the Ruger forum, the old army has been discontinued, you may not want to shoot collector items. Do a search, I think prices are rising for them.

January 24, 2009, 08:55 PM	#3
kwhi43 Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,393	You mind saying what they cost?

January 24, 2009, 10:45 PM	#4
Smokin_Gun Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2005 Location: Mojave Desert, CA Posts: 1,195	The "U" is not a Ruger stamp the 148-09148 is 2003 vintage. Here you go Ruger's Serialization Chart... http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firear...story-RE.html# If you're ever lookin' to sell or trade the Stainless 5 1/2" ROA let me know. SG

January 24, 2009, 10:48 PM	#5
williamfeldmann Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Posts: 60	I'll check the Ruger forum. I got these two and 2 old Stevens sxs 311s for $1100. I don't know if the guy knew what these were. He just knew they were black powder cause of the nipples. He had them individually listed at 400 each and the shotguns at 250 each. They were trade-ins from the previous week's show. The guy only deals in M-1s and 1906's and such military rifles. Anyway, like I said, it was way too good a deal to pass up. I know the shorty has never been fired. There was still a burr inside one of the chambers, and some of the original shipping oil in the loading lever joints. I don't know if I want to shoot it or not. Maybe I will go on the hunt for another non-special shorty

January 24, 2009, 11:11 PM	#6
Smokin_Gun Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2005 Location: Mojave Desert, CA Posts: 1,195	Those ROAs are bullet proof pardon the punn, you'll never wear out out. you got um both at a good price . I jus' bought a SS ROA w/adj sights local for $400 out the door. A Gun Galleria...place so I ot lucky. Silver Thunder Tina, got this one too... And an add on in .45 Colt or .45 Schofield SG

January 25, 2009, 02:33 PM	#7
williamfeldmann Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Posts: 60	SG, I want to be just like you when I grow up. I was considering getting a Converter for the long gun. What is that that you use. I don't see a gate and that will probably be my choice, as I don't want to alter the gun.

January 27, 2009, 05:12 AM	#8
Smokin_Gun Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2005 Location: Mojave Desert, CA Posts: 1,195	The one I got in Stainless is an R&D Cylinder .45 Colt/ .45 Schofield...it's adrop in and I love it. Mine was $210 on Gunbroker before shipping so it was $221. Call Vance at the Triangle C .... Nickname: Triangle C Email Address: [email protected] Company Name: Triangle C Ranch Company Contact: Vance Cox Day Phone Number: 660-359-5422 Tell him Smokin' Gun, Richard said Hi... he's has a direct line to Kinney at R&D Cylinder. Get me one too for Uberti 1858 Rem in .45 Colt/Schofield what ever color he has. :O) Hell Now I'm gonna call um tomorrow instead a buying this Cimarron 1860 I was thinkin' on... I'll see what he has in stock or lead time. SG

January 27, 2009, 08:53 AM	#9
Cagedodger Junior Member Join Date: February 19, 2007 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 6	Williamfeldmann, the U means Ruger sold this gun as used. It was probably used as a demo or something, but may have never been fired before you acquired it. I've seen it on other Rugers as well. Cage