Most everyone has had or has a few lever actions in the gun room. I have some Henry Big Boy Blued steel shooters (no gold-silver plating, no engraving or octagon barrels) to go with my Ruger revolvers in .357 .41 .45 .45LC .44, and a 30-30 because I thought I needed it . Many folks have a Winchester or Marlin addiction or have traded in them over the years. These are my four 96 series Rugers, 96-17, 96/22, 96/22M and the 96/44. I don't shoot them because they don't seem to come around very often and I don't want to ding thing up I suppose. There doesn't seem to be much of a collection following to them and not much rarity in the RENE resource. I believe Ruger selected the correct calibers when they introduced the 96 series. The 96 isn't known for having the smoothest actions but they have the incredible Ruger under-slot magazine well which is quick loading and can be done while keeping your rifle pointed down range (cant do that with your rim fire Marlin or Henry). Additionally they have a safety feature on top of the rear receiver, a gold pin which is upright when a round is chambered and flush when no round is chambered. Again maybe ahead of there time, I suppose in the end it was competition and sales numbers that led to the demise of the Ruger model 96 but I still find them interesting and they have a home here with the rest of the Rugers.
FT44 makes a great point that I neglected to mention. The 96 series rate of fire can be very quick for a practiced shooter as the throw on the lever action is short. With some work on the trigger and smoothing the action they become less gritty and smooth. Any 10/22 lover will enjoy a 96/22 if you get the chance to pick one up.
Sure wish I would have bought at least one when they where out. They sell for big bucks on gunbroker. Or at least they ask big bucks for them on gunbroker!
The top photo third gun has gorgeous wood on it! A really nice Ruger collection even if those were the only ones you owned.
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Gene those are great looking. I have a few lever actions from various makers but no Ruger 96's. The shortest lever throw I have seen is on the Browning BL-22. The trigger travels with the lever so no pinched fingers. The idea of a long gun & handgun in the same caliber is very sensible.
Some people sit on $.05 of knowledge like it is the treasure of Egypt. I will teach anyone $.10 worth just to prove a point...
Jay on behalf of my friend Gene I am prepared to offer you George Washington's hatchet that he used to chop down the famed cherry tree. It's on it's 3rd head & 42nd handle but I am sure it's the original one. I will also include a can of baked beans & a set of waders to settle his $1000 note
Some people sit on $.05 of knowledge like it is the treasure of Egypt. I will teach anyone $.10 worth just to prove a point...
Thanks Carl, I appreciate you covering down for me.
I hear you Jay, I’ve had the same feeling when cruising through these posts. Most noteably the Ruger hand tool education I received on ROCS. It didn’t even come with a cash or coupon voucher for ebay!!!
. Many folks have a Winchester or Marlin addiction or have traded in them over the years. These are my four 96 series Rugers, 96-17, 96/22, 96/22M and the 96/44. I don't shoot them because they don't seem to come around very often and I don't want to ding thing up I suppose. There doesn't seem to be much of a collection following to them and not much rarity in the RENE resource. I believe Ruger selected the correct calibers when they introduced the 96 series. The 96 isn't known for having the smoothest actions but they have the incredible Ruger under-slot magazine well which is quick loading and can be done while keeping your rifle pointed down range (cant do that with your rim fire Marlin or Henry). Additionally they have a safety feature on top of the rear receiver, a gold pin which is upright when a round is chambered and flush when no round is chambered. Again maybe ahead of there time, I suppose in the end it was competition and sales numbers that led to the demise of the Ruger model 96 but I still find them interesting and they have a home here with the rest of the Rugers.
