trigger creep

A member of another forum said that Ruger uses pot metal, which I find VERY HARD to believe. Another member said they use alloy steel and another member said they use investment cast 4140 steel. So, what is the truth? I highly doubt that Ruger uses anything but the finest of steel, but I want to hear the truth from you guys.

danjman

They probably use American steel, not from China or anywhere else.

BronxBoy

Ruger uses gun grade steel for all barrels and key components. There are carbon alloys, like 4140, and stainless alloys which are not the same but the barrel and receiver steels are of high quality. I don’t know any place where I could find pot metal on a Ruger. Pot metal is usually die cast zinc but I have heard the term used for other alloys that have low melting temperatures and are easily cast. I have never seen pot metal on any of the Ruger models I have handled. Now, I don’t work for Ruger and I don’t know everything they do but I selected my first Ruger based on my evaluation of the mechanical design and the materials and purchased others due to the quality I find within them. Ruger may use other alloys for the steel grip frame and less stressed components but I see or know of no evidence suggesting these are inferior alloys. Some components are aluminum alloys and some are composites (polymer plastics).

Rugers are not less expensive due to “cheap” materials as some people have suggested. They are less expensive due to simplicity and less detail to surface finishing. Iowegan has detailed many good examples of why Ruger is less expensive in his writings on deburring and polishing of the components of their firearms. Rugers are inexpensive, they are NOT cheap!

brimic

I used to be leary of Ruger because of their extensive use of cast steel. I did some research and found out that Ruger's investment casting produces receivers/cylinders that are substantially stronger than forged/milled counterparts.

Rugerismisticness

When the P345 first came out, an article stated "400 series stainless"

bada61265

ruger has been using investment cast parts since the beginning. this is cheaper than making the part starting from a solid block of steel but is not pot metal. i think you can look to there revolver frames which have been regarded as strong as they get by industry standards and are all investment cast. theres always going to be haters and they should get the proper amount of attention, which imo is ignoring them.

Ruger GP100

Anybody who tells you that Ruger has "pot metal" in their guns, has probably been smoking pot. Ruger uses high grade materials in their guns. Rugers may be inexpensive, but they damned sure aren't "cheap" by any means. Don't listen to the idiots out there that say otherwise.

Snyd

It depends on the guns also. They use a special 465 Carpenter steel for the 454 SRH cylinders and another for the barrels.

Carpenter Technical Articles - ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST POWERFUL REVOLVERS GETS LIFT FROM AEROSPACE ALLOYS

drake437

Look here: Ruger has their own casting operation for quality control.

Ruger Investment Casting

trigger creep

So that guy was full of crap, that doesn't surprise me. People on the internet have a long list of reasons why Rugers are crap, but my M77 is probably the best quality rifle I ever owned.

Iowegan

trigger creep, Your M-77 has a forged steel barrel, receiver, and bolt. Some of the "small" parts are cast steel or stainless steel but none are pot metal.

Tracer

Now someone please exsplain to me what "Carpenter Steel" really is?

I am all ears for this information!

BlkHawk73

Pine Tree casting is actually one of the country's leading facilities in investment castings. There's reasons they have the clientele they do, including aerospace, gov't and other firearms manufacturers.

DPris

IO,
Ruger bolts are cast, at least now.
Dunno if they always have been, but wouldn't be surprised.
Denis

Dood

Is there a reputable/informative website or even a thread on this forum that explains the grades of steel?

I have looked up 'Damascus Steel' and that it is a lost art from the Ancients.
(It is a fascinating story in my opinion)

I have also read the very fine book by David McCullough titled 'The Great Bridge'.
That book explained quite a bit on the development of steel (and many other engineering feats) during the Civil War times and the building of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Still, I am quite ignorant of steel used on firearms through out the ages and would enjoy learning more.