Ruger American Predator safety noise

[RegionRat]

I was wondering if this ground has been plowed before?

The safety on the Ruger American is a design I am not familiar with.

It makes a racket when manipulated to the point where it would be a liability in the field when hunting in close range of coyotes. It is way too loud.

Does anyone have any experience reducing the noise of the Ruger American safety?

 

[JB10]

Only if operated slow with some pressure on it. When im hunting coyotes the safty is off before the caller is turned on. Several times ive been out with someone i have heard them switch safty off. Every time i have had this happen the coyotes stop in their tracks and look straight at that persons direction. Has made easy shots for me though!!.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

That's one reason that I hate safeties. Another is the Marlin 22magnum that I had that fired when the safety came off. The 3rd is the reliance that guys place on loaded rifles with the safety on. I prefer the bolt lifted.

On a slight change...I read a story some while ago that African hunters hate push feed rifles, as the round popping out of the magazine alerts game, as there are no natural metallic noises in their environment.

 

[RegionRat]

I prefer the bolt lifted.

I also thought about this and when I tested, this design allows the firing pin to release. In other words, the design will fire if the trigger is depressed unless the bolt is opened so far that it isn't "started" into the lugs at all. The feed is not "smooth" and bolt manipulation is clunky and loud.

I should also mention up front, most of the folks who will be using these rifles are very inexperienced at being silent, or running a rifle much at all.

Several times ive been out with someone i have heard them switch safty off. Every time i have had this happen the coyotes stop in their tracks and look straight at that persons direction. Has made easy shots for me though!!.

Same here, which is why I think the design is way too loud.

We typically hunt in pairs, one with shotgun and one with rifle. I have seen them stop in their tracks when my partners slips off their safety even at distances beyond 75 yards out. The shots in my context are usually way closer than this due to cover and obstructions, so typically less than 50 yards and they will hear this click for sure.

On the other rifles, I have detailed the safety switches to silence or greatly reduce the noise, and remind folks to try and be stealthy on the shift.

We would normally be discussing an AR15 safety or a Rem 700 Clone with a Jewel trigger, but my friends have gone out and purchased these Ruger American Predators to dedicate to certain farm trucks and irrigated orchards using no-lead bullets (Barnes 50gr VG) per CA regulations and to avoid pass-throughs.

With the Ruger American safety being on the tang, it will be a challenge unless there are some tweaks to the design, so I was just wondering out loud if anyone has already solved this cause I know it is going to be a problem.

 

[Hotshot]

Close the bolt but leave the handle up. Best safety you can get on a bolt action rifle.

 

[RegionRat]

Close the bolt but leave the handle up. Best safety you can get on a bolt action rifle.

I appreciate the suggestion but...
On this receiver design, if you try to hook the lugs even a little, and pull on the trigger, the gun can go off.

It isn't like a Rem700 at all in this respect. I was shocked at how far you can be open with the bolt, pull the trigger and it releases the firing pin.

 

[SSL]

Mine might be the exception rather than the rule and I certainly don't doubt your word, but the safety on my Ruger American Predator makes very little sound. It did at first, but working it back and forth for awhile and then lightly lubing the surfaces with Hobo Oil, the sound level is a very faint "click". Maybe audible to a coyote, but my hyper-alert Rat Terrier barely flicks an ear at 10 feet.

 

[RegionRat]

Mine might be the exception rather than the rule and I certainly don't doubt your word, but the safety on my Ruger American Predator makes very little sound. It did at first, but working it back and forth for awhile and then lightly lubing the surfaces with Hobo Oil, the sound level is a very faint "click". Maybe audible to a coyote, but my hyper-alert Rat Terrier barely flicks an ear at 10 feet.

Thanks SSL.
Well, then before I talk them into selling these and going with something else, I will give that a try.

I've only momentarily taken them out of the stocks to double check everything and I took a quick look at the safety when I examined the trigger pull adjustments. I'll pull them apart and try that to see if we can quiet them down.

If the Hobo oil works I'll try to find something that is less volatile. Coyotes have a hell of a nose and seem to pick up on gun solvents and lubes like me when I smell bacon and coffee......

 

[SSL]

If the Hobo oil works I'll try to find something that is less volatile. Coyotes have a hell of a nose and seem to pick up on gun solvents and lubes like me when I smell bacon and coffee......

Hmmm...very good point. The odor could truly be an issue. Perhaps a cold-resistant light grease with low odor qualities? Interesting problem to address.

 

[RegionRat]

Hmmm...very good point. The odor could truly be an issue. Perhaps a cold-resistant light grease with low odor qualities? Interesting problem to address.

I used to deal with weapon lubrication. Stuff on aircraft can get pretty cold, so if all it takes to fix these is playing with lubrication, it is covered.

I've started with cleaning up the bolts. Never seen this much swarf, chips, and filth come out of a new bolt. Ugh, terrible.