Pre-Warning Ruger M77 Tang Safety 26″ .220 Swift Bolt Action Rifle, 1977

SOLD FOR: $1,028.03

WOA#: WY240516CE008

Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.

Model: M77

Serial Number: 72-49645

Year of Manufacture: 1977 (RUGER Serial Number Lookup)

Caliber: .220 Swift

Action Type: Internal Magazine-Fed Bolt-Action Rifle

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “STURM, RUGER & CO. INC., SOUTHPORT, CONN U.S.A.”. The left side of the barrel is marked “220 SWIFT” and a Ruger proof mark. The left side of the receiver is marked “72-49645”, and “RUGER M77®”. The bolt is serial matching, and hand-scribed “49645”. The grip cap and buttpad are marked with a Ruger phoenix logo.

Barrel Length: 26” Heavy Barrel with Recessed Crown

Sights/Optics: There is a pair of drilled, tapped and filled holes on the barrel toward the rear. The top of the chamber ring is drilled, tapped and filled. The top of the chamber ring and bridge have integral bases for Ruger rings. A set of 1″ Ruger Low rings is included.

Stock Configuration and Condition: The stock is a one-piece checkered walnut with capped pistol grip, straight comb, orange rubber Ruger buttpad and sling studs front and rear. The stock has no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 5/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the pad. The pad has light wear and some stubborn residue. Overall, the stock is in Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork and Accessories: This rifle comes with a set of 1″ Ruger Low rings.

Our Assessment: The Ruger M77 is a robust Bolt-Action rifle designed in 1968 by L. James Sullivan during his short three-years of work with Ruger. Intended to be a modernized Mauser 98, and featured simplified ejector updates and a newly designed safety system. This rifle dates back to 1977, several years before the first major M77 re-tooling in 1991—the major indicator is the original grip tang safety. It retains a classic Ruger look. Chambered for .220 Swift, this will make for an excellent varmint rifle. In Excellent condition, this rifle shows little sing of use and comes with a set of rings. This firearm is quickly becoming a classic, don’t sleep on it, drop a bid. Good luck and happy bidding!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud