Ruger No. 1 Instruction Manual

							For Product Service on This Model Please Call:
(603) 865-2442 (See p. 26)
STURM, RUGER & Company, Inc.
Southport, Connecticut 06490 U.S.A.
THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL SHOULD ALWAYS ACCOMPANY THIS FIREARM AND BE TRANS-
FERRED WITH IT UPON CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP, OR WHEN THE FIREARM IS LOANED OR PRE-
SENTED TO ANOTHER PERSON.
S/1-02 R5
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND
WARNINGS IN THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY
BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM
!
BLUED &
STAINLESS
STEELCALIBERS
.22 Hornet, .218 Bee, .223, .22-250,
.220 Swift, 6mm Rem., .243, .257 Roberts,
.25-06, .270 Win., .280 Rem., 7x57mm,
7mm Rem. Mag., .7mm STW,
.308 Win. Mag., 30-06, .300 Win. Mag.,
.338 Mag., .270 Weatherby, .300 Weatherby,
.375 H&H, .416 Rem., .416 Rigby, .45-70,
.458 Mag., & .458 Lott
INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
FOR
RUGER®
NO. 1
SINGLE SHOT RIFLES  
						

							2
WARNING!
“Children are attracted to and
can operate firearms that can
cause severe injuries or death.
Prevent child access by always
keeping guns locked away and
unloaded when not in use. If you
keep a loaded firearm where a
child obtains and improperly uses
it, you can be fined or sent to
prison.”
ADVERTENCIA!
State-By-State Warnings
Certain states require by law that their own specified warning
notices in larger-than-normal type be conspicuously included by
the manufacturer, distributor, or retail dealer with firearms sold
in that state. Sturm, Ruger sells its products in compliance with
applicable laws and regulations. Because our products may be
sold in these states, we include the following:
California:
“A los niños los atraen las armas
de fuego y las pueden hacer fun-
cionar. Ellos pueden causarses
lesions graves y la muerte. Evite
que los niños tengan accesso a las
armas de fuego guardándolas
siempre con llave y descargadas
cuando no las esté utilizando. Si
usted tiene un arma de fuego car-
gada en un lugar en que un niño
tiene acceso a ella y la usa inde-
bidamente, le pueden dar una
multa o enviarlo a la carcel.”
Connecticut:
“UNLAWFUL STORAGE OF A LOADED FIREARM MAY
RESULT IN IMPRISONMENT OR FINE.”
Florida:
“IT IS UNLAWFUL, AND PUNISHABLE BY IMPRISON-
MENT AND  FINE, FOR ANY ADULT TO  STORE  OR
LEAVE A FIREARM IN ANY PLACE WITHIN THE
REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR UNDER 18
YEARS OF AGE OR TO KNOWINGLY SELL OR OTHER-
WISE TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OR POSSESSION OF A
FIREARM TO A MINOR OR A PERSON OF UNSOUND
MIND.” 
						

							3
Maine:
“ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD IS A
CRIME. IF YOU LEAVE A FIREARM AND AMMUNITION
WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD, YOU MAY BE
SUBJECT TO FINE, IMPRISONMENT OR BOTH. KEEP
FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION  SEPARATE.  KEEP
FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION  LOCKED  UP.  USE
TRIGGER LOCKS.”
Maryland:
“WARNING: Children can operate firearms which may cause
death or serious injury. It is a cr
imeto store or leave a loaded
firearm in any location where an individual knew or should
have known that an unsupervised minor would gain access to
the firearm. Store your firearm responsibly!”
Massachusetts:
“WARNING FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEY
GENERAL: This handgun is not equipped with a device that
fully blocks use by unauthorized users. More than 200,000
firearms like this one are stolen from their owners every year
in the United States. In addition, there are more than a thou-
sand suicides each year by younger children and teenagers
who get access to firearms. Hundreds more die from acciden-
tal discharge. It is likely that many more children sustain seri-
ous wounds, or inflict such wounds accidentally on others. In
order to limit the chance of such misuse, it is imperative that
you keep this weapon locked in a secure place and take other
steps necessary to limit the possibility of theft or accident.
Failure to take reasonable preventive steps may result in inno-
cent lives being lost, and in some circumstances may result in
your liability for these deaths.”
“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE OR KEEP A FIREARM,
RIFLE, SHOTGUN OR MACHINE GUN IN ANY PLACE
UNLESS THAT WEAPON IS EQUIPPED WITH A TAM-
PER-RESISTANT SAFETY DEVICE OR IS STORED OR
KEPT IN A SECURELY LOCKED CONTAINER.” 
						

							New Jersey:
“IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE TO LEAVE A LOADED
FIREARM WITHIN  EASY ACCESS  OF A  MINOR.”
New York City:
“THE USE OF A LOCKING DEVICE OR SAFETY LOCK IS
ONLY ONE ASPECT OF RESPONSIBLE WEAPONS STOR-
AGE. ALL WEAPONS SHOULD BE STORED UNLOADED
AND LOCKED IN A LOCATION THAT IS BOTH SEPARATE
FROM THEIR AMMUNITION AND  INACCESSIBLE TO
CHILDREN AND ANY  OTHER  UNAUTHORIZED  PER-
SONS.”
North Carolina:
“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE OR LEAVE A FIREARM
THAT CAN BE DISCHARGED IN A MANNER THAT A
REASONABLE PERSON SHOULD KNOW IS ACCESSIBLE
TO A MINOR.”
Texas:
“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE, TRANSPORT, OR ABAN-
DON AN UNSECURED FIREARM IN A PLACE WHERE
CHILDREN ARE LIKELY TO BE AND CAN OBTAIN
ACCESS TO THE FIREARM.”
Wisconsin:
“IF YOU LEAVE A LOADED FIREARM WITHIN THE
REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD YOU MAY BE
FINED OR IMPRISONED OR BOTH IF THE CHILD
IMPROPERLY DISCHARGES, POSSESSES, OR EXHIBITS
THE FIREARM.”
*****************  *****
Please check with your licensed retailer or state police for addi-
tional warnings which may be required by local law or regula-
tion. Such regulations change constantly, and local authorities
are in the best position to advise you on such legal matters.
4 
						

							This firearm was originally sold
with a key-operated locking device.
While it can help provide secure
storage for your unloadedfirearm,
any locking device can fail. All
guns are designed to fire if they
are loaded and the trigger is
pulled. Therefore, never install the
locking device inside the trigger
guard or in any way that it can
possibly pull the trigger!Do not
leave the keys in the lock.
The ultimate responsibility for
secure storage of any firearm must
depend upon its owner and his or
her individual circumstances.
Guns should be securely stored
unloaded, in a secure location,
separate from their ammunition.
See “Storage Warning”, page 22.
NEVER INSTALL
LOCKING DEVICE
INSIDE TRIGGER GUARD
5
!WARNING – LOCKING DEVICES
DO NOT INSTALL
INSIDE TRIGGER GUARD
INSTALL LOCK
AS SHOWN HERE 
						

							FIREARMS SAFETY-YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
SAFETY MUST BE THE FIRST AND CONSTANT
CONSIDERATION OF EVERY PERSON WHO
HANDLES FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION.
This Instruction Manual is designed to assist you in learning how to use
and care for your RUGER®NO. 1rifle properly.
Only when you are certain you fully understand the Manual and can
properly carry out its instructions should you practice loading,  etc. with
live ammunition. If you have any doubts about your ability to handle or
use a particular type of gun safely, then you should seek supervised
instruction. Such personalized instruction is often available from gun
dealers, gun clubs or police departments. If none of these sources can
help you, write to the National Rifle Association, 11250 Waples Mill
Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-7400. They will assist you.
The person with a gun in their possession has a full-time job. You cannot
guess; you cannot forget. You must know how to use your firearm safely.
Do not use any firearm without having a complete understanding of its
particular characteristics and safe use. Remember: There is no such
thing as a foolproof gun.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
General Information  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Operation of Safety  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Ammunition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
To Load and Fire  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
To Unload Rifle  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Cartridge Extraction and Ejection  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
To Clear a Malfunction (“Jam”)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
To Minimize Malfunctions (“Jams”)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Basic Disassembly and Reassembly  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 - 20
Care and Cleaning  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Storage  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Quick Detachable Sling Swivel  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Attaching Ruger Scope Rings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Sight Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Service and Parts Policy  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Parts Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
The Basic Rules of Safe Firearms Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Warranty Information  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
“Ruger” is a  registered U.S. trademark.
6 
						

							WARNING–ALTERATIONS
This product was designed to func-
tion properly in its original condi-
tion. Alterations can make it unsafe.
Do not alter any part or add or sub-
stitute parts or accessories not made
by Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc.
DO NOT ALTER ANY GUN
!
7
!
FIREARMS ARE DANGEROUS WEAPONS–
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS
IN THIS MANUAL THOROUGHLY AND CAREFUL-
LYBEFORE USING.
GENERAL INFORMATION
AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The RUGER®NO. 1is an under-lever, falling-block, single-shot rifle.
Although it follows in some characteristics the Farquharson design, in mechani-
cal details it embodies features never previously found in rifles of this type. 
The No. 1 receiver forms a rigid connection between the barrel and butt stock.
The butt stock is mortised into the receiver, and a longitudinal bolt passes
through the stock and binds the stock and receiver together. A heavy steel exten-
sion from the receiver is used for forearm attachment. The concealed hammer is
retracted upon the first opening motion of the lever and can never strike the fir-
ing pin unless the breech block is fully elevated into firing position. The swing-
ing transfer block functions to virtually lock the firing pin in its 
WARNINGS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE ARE
FOUND ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES:
Locking Devices 5 Trigger Adjustment 13
Alterations 7 Unloading 14
Manual Safety 10 Malfunctions 16
Ammunition 10 Disassembly 17
Lead Exposure 11 Lubrication 21
Loading 11 Storage 22
Handling 12 Parts Purchasers 27
Firing 13
OTHER CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS APPEAR
THROUGHOUT THE MANUAL. 
						

							8
forward position against gas pressure during firing. The action handles rimmed,
semi-rimmed, rimless and belted cartridges, and the extractor-ejector mecha-
nism provides great leverage with only moderate force applied to the lever.
RUGER
®NO. 1rifles are manufactured in blued steel, stainless steel, light-
weight, standard, and heavyweight barrel models, with “semi-beavertail”,
“Alexander Henry”, and “International” (full-length) style walnut forends, or
weather resistant laminated hardwood in the case of the stainless steel models.
They are all mechanically identical and all versions incorporate integral scope
mount bases.
All mechanical components are made of heat-treated chrome-molybdenum or
stainless steel with music wire coil springs throughout the mechanism. The rifle
is equally usable by right-hand and left-hand shooters.
NOMENCLATURE
Figure 1.In this illustration the rifle has just been fired and an empty cartridge case is
shown in the chamber. The manual safety is shown in its forward “FIRE” (“OFF”) position,
permitting the sear to release the hammer and the rifle to fire. The safety selector should
always be “ON” in its rearmost “SAFE” position whenever the rifle is not actually being fired.
See page 9.
OPERATION OF SAFETY
The RUGER®NO. 1 rifle has a two-position, ambidextrous manual safety
located atop the rear of the receiver. It is operated by sliding it fully backward
and forward with the thumb. 
The safety can be moved to the safe position onlywhen the hammer is cocked.
Fully operating the under lever cocks the rifle. The rifle can be loaded and
unloaded while the safety is in the “Safe” position. The safety mechanism blocks
movement of the sear, and retracts the hammer slightly. It is the retracting of
the hammer which creates the feeling of ‘resistance’ when the safety is being
moved to the “Safe” position. When the hammer is cocked, the hammer spur
protrudes slightly below the lever. See the notation in Figure 1. The protrusion
of the hammer serves as a cocking indicator that can be felt and seen.  
						

							9
Figure 3.Safety selector in “FIRE”
(full forward) position. The safety selec-
tor should be moved to this position
only
when the gun user is actually fir-
ing the rifle.If you chose not to fire,
immediately
return the safety to the
“SAFE” position shown in Figure 2.
When the safety is in the “FIRE” posi-
tion, it is referred to as being “off.” 
Figure 2.Safety selector in “SAFE”(full
rearward) position. The safety selector
should be in this position when the under-
lever is open to load a cartridge, or to
unload a live round. Whenever a cartridge
is chambered, the safety selector should be
in the “SAFE” position unless the rifle is to
be fired immediately. Keep the safety in this
position except when actually firing. (When
the safety is in the “SAFE” position, it is
referred to as being “on.”)
When the rifle is loaded, unless it is to be fired immediately, THE SAFETY
SHOULD BE AT ITS EXTREME REARWARD POSITION with the word “SAFE”
fully visible (on some older models the letter “S” appears). When operating the
safety (with the thumb) the user will feel additional resistance to movement of
the safety beforeit reaches its extreme rearward position. That resistance should
notbe assumed to indicate the safety is in the safe position. 
Practice with an unloaded rifle, moving the safety into the “Safe” and “Fire” posi-
tions until you know the safety position’s correct positions. See Figures 2 and 3,
below.
WARNING: When manipulating the safety, DO NOT HAVE ANY FINGER INSIDE
THE TRIGGER GUARD! When the safety selector is in the “Fire” position and the
trigger is pulled, the rifle will fire.
The safety selector should always be in the “Safe” position except when the gun
user is actually firing or unloading the rifle. The safety selector should unfailing-
ly be moved to the “Safe” position when the gun user ceases firing.
SAFETY POSITIONS
The safety selector is held in each of its positions by a spring. Therefore, the gun
user should frequently check the position of the safety selector to be certain it has
not been inadvertently moved. If the safety does not function properly, or if the
selector seems to move too easily, or if the safety selector does not seem firmly
positioned in either of its positions, stop using the rifle and return it to the
Newport Product Service Department for repair (See p. 26). 
						

							Death, serious injury, and damage
can result from the use of wrong
ammunition, bore obstructions,
powder overloads, or incorrect car-
tridge components. Even the
strongest gun can be blown up by
excess pressure. Only use correct
ammunition loaded to U.S. Industry
Standards. Always
wear shooting
glasses and hearing protectors.
IMPROPER AMMUNITION
DESTROYS GUNS
10
Keep the safety on unless actually firing.
Always move the safety fully to its intended
position and check it. The safety has two
positions –“SAFE” (also used for loading and
unloading) and “FIRE.” The safety is not on
“SAFE” until it is “clicked” fully rearward
and the word “SAFE” is fully visible. Never
depend on a safety mechanism or any other
mechanical device to justify careless han-
dling or permitting the rifle to point in an
unsafe direction.The only “safe” rifle is one
in which the breech block is open and the
chamber is empty.
KNOW HOW TO USE THE SAFETY
!WARNING – MANUAL SAFETY
SAFE
AMMUNITION
RUGER®NO. 1rifles are chambered for many of the most popular factory-
loaded cartridges manufactured in accordance with U.S. industry practice. The
particular caliber for each rifle is rollmarked on the barrel. Use cartridges only of
the designated caliber that is marked on the barrel.Please see AMMUNITION
WARNING below and LOADING WARNING on page 11.
AMMUNITION (CARTRIDGES) NOTICE
WE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE
OR INJURY WHATSOEVER OCCURRING IN CONNECTION WITH, OR
AS A RESULT OF, THE USE IN ANY RUGER FIREARMS OF FAULTY,
OR NON-STANDARD, OR “REMANUFACTURED” OR HAND-LOADED
(RELOADED) AMMUNITION, OR OF CARTRIDGES OTHER THAN THOSE
FOR WHICH THE FIREARM WAS ORIGINALLY CHAMBERED.
!WARNING – AMMUNITION