No iron sights Ruger 77/22

This one came in with a bundle deal I had to make in order to get a nice Mauser. Ruger 77/22, a rifle that is factor built without any iron sights. The last owner screwed the pooch trying to mount a scope on it and had the bolt handle hitting the scope bell. Because of that he didn't fire it, now I have to find a scope I like and fix it properly.

[@srvanddt1]

Jim, they did put iron sights on the Ruger M77, it would be called an RS model, rings and sights. Most M77's do not have sights though. I have the same rifle but in 22 Magnum. Excellent rifle. Would like to get one in 22LR as well.

[@RockIsland1913]

I wish they had put iron sights on all of them. Sounds like bean counters saw a way to save a buck.

[@aliasmari]

I agree with you, it is disappointing without iron sight, I have similar one and planning to custom make iron sight but I am not sure about the result

[@marcturcasso5788]

I have a 77/22 RS. It has iron sights. These came with scope rings that will not clear most full sized scopes. High rings can be purchased for about $65. So, you need a compact scope (mine is a burris 6x mini) or you need to get Ruger high rings. Pretty gun for sure.

[@RockIsland1913]

This project has been sitting wrapped up in the vault for a couple of months as I deal with another pile of firearms a friend asked my help in selling off. Nothing of consequence in that lot, some .22's but none as nice as this Ruger. There have been attempts to get it away from me, but the price of a burger and fries isn't going to make that happen. I will likely get some of the high rings so I can use one of my existing scopes rather than buy another one. The former owner tried to use the Ruger low rings with a full size scope, that didn't work, the best part of that is the rifle remained unfired, and comes to me in new condition. This would be the closest I have ever come to buying a new .22 rifle. I have easily 20+ .22 rifles, all excellent, and all purchased used. I just hate paying full retail for anything.

[@yourlocaltoad5102]

I just won a bid for a 77/22 all weather without the rear sight (only paid 215€ for it) and now I also wonder how I will mount an optic to it. There are picatinny scope bases available, but they cost a minimum of 100€ (excluding shipping) and now I wonder if I might have other options if I want to mount an optic to it. How did you end up solving this issue? And do you have any recommendations for accessories, upgrades or spare parts that might make my experience of owning this rifle a bit nicer?

[@RockIsland1913]

The issue was not solved and the rifle awaits some form of scope, likely a compact scope sometime in the future.

[@yourlocaltoad5102]

@@RockIsland1913 my idea was that once I picked up the rifle from the auctionhouse, I would take measurements of the mounting points on top of the receiver and design a picatinny mount that can be clamped on. I have a 3d printer, so I can just print this part and mount my optic to the picatinny rail. If you want, I can notify you once I have finished and tested my design and then I could share the files with you. That way you could print it (if you have a 3d printer) or have it printed (by a friend or one of those online 3d printing services) and use it to solve the mounting issue.

[@RockIsland1913]

I am not sure what the exchange rate is with the US dollar, but 215 Euro sounds low compared to the $700 and up prices I have seen on these rifles over here. At least unused rifles like the one I have. I just put it aside because I have other projects more pressing at the moment, and I have the Ruger 10/22 for my .22 shooting among others so there is no hurry. Good optics are expensive, and I don't like dealing with cheap junk on a quality rifle. Another reason the rifle waits to be finished, sooner or later I will come across a scope for it that will do at some estate sale, or flea market. The seller unaware they have something better than the average BB gun scope, then I will start hunting for a set of mounts that will work. Other than the necessary scope and mounts the rifle needs nothing. A sling would be nice if you needed to carry it into the field, or intended to use it as a shooting aid, but for range use off a bench it's not a requirement. Other than the lack of iron sights the rifle is a very nice bolt action .22, Ruger builds good rifles that don't need aftermarket accessories to do their job.

[@coreypowell7523]

I'm with you mate, no iron sights on all these modern rifles is doing my head in. I actually have an medical eye issue when it comes to seeing through a scope and my eye starts to wig out, I get the same thing with modern LED spotlights and I have to pull over on the side of the road when oncoming cars come toward me with them. I can use a scope well enough for 100yds etc if I tolerate it, but beyond that I can't get much accuracy yet I can nail crap with iron sights out to crazy distances

[@RockIsland1913]

I can shoot with a scope as well as the average shooter, but I have always kept iron sights on any rifle I shoot. Nothing against scopes, but scopes can be damaged far easier than the basic iron sight, and there goes a day of shooting. I find I can acquire a sight picture far faster with iron sights than glass. I suppose it's possible to damage iron sights, or knock them out of alignment, but in 40 years of shooting I have never had that disaster happen. My eyesight been going to crap for years, I find some iron sights easier than others. Finnish M39, and the Soviet M91/30-M38-M44 top the list. Even a blind man could see the front sights on these rifles well enough to line up a minute of man shot. M1903-A3, US M1 rifle and carbine, a little harder with the thinner blade sight, but doable. Forget about Mauser, all of them, I might as well be using " the force" . British No4 MK1, and II, No5 carbine, I can still do OK with any of these as well as the US M1917, or British P1914. I have had scopes come undone on me, internal issues, fog, given these were cheaper scopes, but there is a limit to what I want to spend putting glass on a one or two hundred dollar rifle. These day the only rifles I have with glass are a few ,22's, and some Marlin lever actions. The only military surplus rifle I have with it is the Hungarian BM52 former North Vietnamese Army M91/30 PU sniper, and I never have that one at the range.

[@SA-dl9ox]

I got my first Ruger 77/22 in 1990 and it had no iron sights. I had a gunsmith mill the 3/8" rear dovetail slot and the front sight was drill & tap. Current scope *just* clears the bolt handle, the factory rings were high enough to keep most appropriately-sized scope out of the way. The rear sight needs to be a fold type (Lyman makes several) to let the scope clear. The iron sights are now almost identical geometry to a factory Ruger 10/22. I like having the option to remove the scope. Older, small Japanese-made Tasco or Nikon scopes are ideal.

[@oldschoolron8602]

I have the same rifle I order the rifle that way it comes with ruger rings . need a leupold rimfire 4 power perfect squirrel gun.

[@garyr2650]

They replaced it with the ruger american rimfire decent gun but not as nice as the older 77s

[@ruger.22]

Mines 2001. Bought it second hand 4 years ago for €400. The owner before me cut off the iron sights dunno why. great rifle anyway.

[@RockIsland1913]

Most 77/22's came with no iron sights from the factory, they were intended to be used with the scope only. That is the issue with mine, no iron sights, and no scope.

[@santafe402]

Why would your shoot a rifle of that quality with open sights?

[@RockIsland1913]

Because I am not making long distance shots with it, I have less than 100 yards on my range and I still have the eyesight to make hits at that distance with iron sights. None of my many .22 rifles is scoped as I just don't have the range available to take advantage of the extra reach.

[@ur_asian_milfoil]

Hey I'll buy it... is it for sale?

[@VirginianSpencer]

I bought the 77/22 because it was offered without iron sights. I have zero empathy for the original ignorant owner. Not much sympathy for you and your whining about sights either.

[@RockIsland1913]

Collector of military surplus bolt action rifles, and early black powder cartridge rifles. I stray into the M1 from time to time, what they all have in common is iron sights. Been shooting with iron sights for 45 years or more. I have all sorts of .22 rifles, including military training rifles from the USA and other countries. I don't go in for sporters much, but I do love my old Marlins and Winchester lever guns. What they all have in common is iron sights. I am used to taking a firearm out of the box and have it with everything it needs to hit the range already on it except ammo. Not a huge fan of glass on a weapon either, I had a fairly expensive scope crap out before, years back, I continued with the iron sights. Disappointing, but not disaster, I am OK with a scope on a sporter, but I like a backup. Don't recall asking for sympathy, despite the sights thing I still have a $700 or more rifle I paid a whole lot less than that for. With the current insanity I am sure it would bring over a grand if I wanted to get involved in that crap. I don't whine, I bitch, carp, and complain, big difference, and I mostly save that for politics, and the state of the nation, or the pandemic.

[@lawrencehawk5179]

Should sell the barrel on eBay, nice take - off barrel.

[@shanek6582]

I’ll buy it.

[@markhenderson2896]

Some had iron sites

[@RockIsland1913]

I know, this isn't one of them, one of these days I will get some correct mounts and scope it.

[@Queensryche1]

lost points with you? made some with me. ill take that problem off your hands

[@RockIsland1913]

I know these have a reputation for accuracy, it's what drives the high prices these fetch even when used. Pisses me off that I have to hunt for iron sights on a rifle that should come with this most basic of things found on even the most inexpensive single shot .22's I own. I don't care for scopes on .22's, never did. When the day comes I can't shoot a .22 at 100 yard target with open sights then it's time to hang it up and head for the retirement home. If your local for a face to face I might consider selling it, but it would be for current fair market value, and from what I see that's pretty high. These are based off the 10/22, a semi auto, and they gave that one sights, you would think it would be the other way around. Right now I am playing with some vintage Winchesters, including the Model 1890, but I will revisit this Ruger one day.

[@Queensryche1]

@@RockIsland1913like i said, i can take it off your hands.

[@flipdover]

This guy knows nothing about this gun Bad video