Ruger American Gen 1 223 with Rotary Mags Question

FireFlyFishing

FireFlyFishing

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Hello All,

I inherited a Ruger as described in the subject line from my late father. I've heard nothing but bad regarding the rotary mags and the rubber stock, but the rifles aren't bad to shoot. So...is there an aftermarket option as far as stocks equipped with AICS 223 mags that is a viable option?

I've scoured the web looking for answers and unfortunately, it doesn't look like they work well with after market options. I called Magpul yesterday and inquired on their Hunter stock. Tech support said it would work. When I referenced questions answered on their site, there was more than one response from Magpul that their stock and mag does not work with my rifle. Hmmmm....
I also called MDT and asked regarding their XRS chassis and they said it would definitely work with that rifle if I used their metal 223 AICS mags.

Does anyone have experience upgrading one of these? I wouldn't mind keeping the rifle, but I'm not going to pull my hair out with headaches to make it better. I can run down to any LGS and pick up a tikka, thread the barrel, throw it in a chassis, and I know will work.

The purpose of this rifle will be a yote rig that will attach to a tripod via ARCA. Hence the chassis route.
 
FireFlyFishing said:
Hello All,

I inherited a Ruger as described in the subject line from my late father. I've heard nothing but bad regarding the rotary mags and the rubber stock, but the rifles aren't bad to shoot. So...is there an aftermarket option as far as stocks equipped with AICS 223 mags that is a viable option?

I've scoured the web looking for answers and unfortunately, it doesn't look like they work well with after market options. I called Magpul yesterday and inquired on their Hunter stock. Tech support said it would work. When I referenced questions answered on their site, there was more than one response from Magpul that their stock and mag does not work with my rifle. Hmmmm....
I also called MDT and asked regarding their XRS chassis and they said it would definitely work with that rifle if I used their metal 223 AICS mags.

Does anyone have experience upgrading one of these? I wouldn't mind keeping the rifle, but I'm not going to pull my hair out with headaches to make it better. I can run down to any LGS and pick up a tikka, thread the barrel, throw it in a chassis, and I know will work.

The purpose of this rifle will be a yote rig that will attach to a tripod via ARCA. Hence the chassis route.
Click to expand...
Ruger has a kit to convert their rotary mag to AICS in their 308 win size rifles. I'm pretty sure the .223 is the same action so I'd call their tech support to see if it would work. Stocky's also has a kit for their stock to use AICS mags. I cannot see why a magpul wouldn't work. I installed one for a customer in a 6.5 creedmoor. But I think a XRS chassis would accept an ARCA rail easier.
 
There are YT videos on the Ruger conversion. The can be some fitting of the mags to make it feed. So i think since you're going to mount it on a tripod the XRS would be your best option. Good luck!
 
xsn10s said:
Ruger has a kit to convert their rotary mag to AICS in their 308 win size rifles. I'm pretty sure the .223 is the same action so I'd call their tech support to see if it would work. Stocky's also has a kit for their stock to use AICS mags. I cannot see why a magpul wouldn't work. I installed one for a customer in a 6.5 creedmoor. But I think a XRS chassis would accept an ARCA rail easier.
Click to expand...
I did see Ruger had a conversion part for the AICS mags. I do have a question into them via email as I couldn't get them on the phone this morning. If I went this route, I'd have to keep the gumby stock and mount an ARCA underneath. It certainly could work, but less that ideal.
 
FireFlyFishing said:
Does anyone have experience upgrading one of these? I wouldn't mind keeping the rifle, but I'm not going to pull my hair out with headaches to make it better. I can run down to any LGS and pick up a tikka, thread the barrel, throw it in a chassis, and I know will work.
Click to expand...
The tikka is certainly an option. But if you're going to load the heavies the one plus is you can get a 1-7" twist barrel and just install it on your Ruger American. Now I'm excited to see what you come up with.
 
xsn10s said:
The tikka is certainly an option. But if you're going to load the heavies the one plus is you can get a 1-7" twist barrel and just install it on your Ruger American. Now I'm excited to see what you come up with.
Click to expand...
Yep, tracking. I believe the Ruger has a 1:8. That's ok for now as I have a metric crap ton of 77 SMKs and TMKs.

I have seen that you can basically remage a new barrel on the Ruger American with an aftermarket barrel. I would be interested in the heavies down the road going this route...if I keep the rifle.
 
FWIW, I bought a Gen 2 Ranch in 5.56 earlier this year. I contacted Ruger and told them I wanted to buy their AICS bottom plastic for it.

Although the guy I spoke to couldn't understand why anyone would want an AICS magazine for a .223/5.56, he did sell me one for less than $30 shipped.

It's a simple swap that has worked flawlessly with every bullet weight and style I've tried.

The Gen 1 Americans can be converted the same way.
 
I had a Gen 1 RA in 243 that had (and still has) the rotary magazine. I never had a problem with it. I gifted that rifle to the son of the guy who does our dozer work at our property and he still uses it to great effect and hasn't had a problem with it either. I wouldn't over think it.

I also have a Gen 1 RA in 6.5 Grendel that uses the AR mags. That is another option for your .223 as all it takes is to swap out that mag well portion of the stock. The only problem I have with that is that the smallest mag that they make still has a 10-round body. I ended up chopping a couple down to make them easier to use in the field. They still hold 5 rounds, but are about half the length.
 
The earliest Ruger Americans had a different profile on the bolt body and also, I believe, the bottom of the action itself. They can not be switched over to the Ruger triggerguard module that accepts AR mags, but I have switched one of the old ones in .223 over to utilize AICS mags using their kit for that type of mag.

Feeding on mine is not perfect when using plastic mags like Magpuls and MDT's, some rounds nosedive at the front and some hang up on the chamber mouth. Steel mags...I think the ones I have are Accurate Mag...work perfectly.
 
I spoke with a fells from KRG yesterday. He told me the Bravo will absolutely work with my rifle. Some minor magazine tweaking/fitting mat be needed for consistent feeding though.

HandgunHTR said:
I wouldn't over think it.
Click to expand...
I'm trying not to overthink it. However, I'm trying to measure twice and cut once as I'm sure I want to ditch the stock and those silly mags. I can run a much longer COAL with an AICS mag unlike the rotary that limits me to SAAMI-ish COAL.
 

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