Wanted Stock Ruger RSM 375 H&H

275r7x57

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I am new here and need some help.

1. Can someone please explain in detail what is the same and what is different between the Ruger RSM generations 1, 2 and 3.

2. Please explain the 3 serial number prefixes and the start and stop dates of the prefixes. NOTE: Here is a link to Ruger on the RSM serial number prefixes and they only show prefix 750. Am I missing something? Please explain.


3. I am looking for a stock Ruger RSM in 375 H&H. I would like it to be NIB or as close to new as possible. NOTE: I believe that I want a generation 3 do to the lighter rifle, thinner stock and shorter barrel. I may be wrong on this, because I do not know all of the ends and outs of the generations. That is why I am asking.

Also please be patient with me I am old school and do not know what I doing on AH or on computers for that matter. Thank you for the help and info.

Thanks,
275r7x57
 

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Hi 275r7x57 and welcome to AH.
I can’t help you with all the details, but I may be able to fill in a few of the blanks.
Gen 1 RSM’s had a 24” barrel and the front sling swivel stud/barrel band was located further back and protruded through the fore end of the stock as opposed to having the barrel band and sling swivel stud in front of the fore end where it should be.
Not 100% sure of the details on Gen 2.
Gen 3 have 23” barrel, barrel band ahead of the fore end in the proper location.
The extractor was also changed and allows smoother and more reliable feeding from the magazine. I believe this was on the Gen 3 only, but not certain.
As far as I know, serial number prefix 750- was used on the RSM and prefix 780- was used on it’s little brother, the “Express”. Although, 780- may have been used on a few of the earlier Gen 1 RSM’s as well.
All above is just from memory, and I stand to be corrected by others who may have better knowledge. @sierraone may also be able to help, he knows quite a bit about RSM’s.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I am new here and need some help.

1. Can someone please explain in detail what is the same and what is different between the Ruger RSM generations 1, 2 and 3.

2. Please explain the 3 serial number prefixes and the start and stop dates of the prefixes. NOTE: Here is a link to Ruger on the RSM serial number prefixes and they only show prefix 750. Am I missing something? Please explain.


3. I am looking for a stock Ruger RSM in 375 H&H . I would like it to be NIB or as close to new as possible. NOTE: I believe that I want a generation 3 do to the lighter rifle, thinner stock and shorter barrel. I may be wrong on this, because I do not know all of the ends and outs of the generations. That is why I am asking.

Also please be patient with me I am old school and do not know what I doing on AH or on computers for that matter. Thank you for the help and info.

Thanks,
275r7x57
I have quite a few of those Ruger RSM 375 H&H in my collection.They have different serial number prefix. Made different times of the span. They all have heavy barrels. I have not seen one with thinner barrel.
How ever I will double check and post my findings here with pictures.
May take a little time.
Krish
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi 275r7x57 and welcome to AH.
I can’t help you with all the details, but I may be able to fill in a few of the blanks.
Gen 1 RSM’s had a 24” barrel and the front sling swivel stud/barrel band was located further back and protruded through the fore end of the stock as opposed to having the barrel band and sling swivel stud in front of the fore end where it should be.
Not 100% sure of the details on Gen 2.
Gen 3 have 23” barrel, barrel band ahead of the fore end in the proper location.
The extractor was also changed and allows smoother and more reliable feeding from the magazine. I believe this was on the Gen 3 only, but not certain.
As far as I know, serial number prefix 750- was used on the RSM and prefix 780- was used on it’s little brother, the “Express”. Although, 780- may have been used on a few of the earlier Gen 1 RSM’s as well.
All above is just from memory, and I stand to be corrected by others who may have better knowledge. @sierraone may also be able to help, he knows quite a bit about RSM’s.
Thank you for the help and info.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I have quite a few of those Ruger RSM 375 H&H in my collection.They have different serial number prefix. Made different times of the span. They all have heavy barrels. I have not seen one with thinner barrel.
How ever I will double check and post my findings here with pictures.
May take a little time.
Krish
I would really appreciate that and like to see what you find out. I have been told that the Gen 3 in only 375 H&H have a thinner barrel taper, but not the 416 or 458. Also do the Gen 3 have a thinner and trimmed down stock?

I am look for the best 375 with I think is going to be the Gen 3.

Thanks for all the help.
 
I have also never seen any RSM with a thin barrel.

The RSM's in 375 are pussycats to shoot.
 
Hi 275r7x57 and welcome to AH.
I can’t help you with all the details, but I may be able to fill in a few of the blanks.
Gen 1 RSM’s had a 24” barrel and the front sling swivel stud/barrel band was located further back and protruded through the fore end of the stock as opposed to having the barrel band and sling swivel stud in front of the fore end where it should be.
Not 100% sure of the details on Gen 2.
Gen 3 have 23” barrel, barrel band ahead of the fore end in the proper location.
The extractor was also changed and allows smoother and more reliable feeding from the magazine. I believe this was on the Gen 3 only, but not certain.
As far as I know, serial number prefix 750- was used on the RSM and prefix 780- was used on it’s little brother, the “Express”. Although, 780- may have been used on a few of the earlier Gen 1 RSM’s as well.
All above is just from memory, and I stand to be corrected by others who may have better knowledge. @sierraone may also be able to help, he knows quite a bit about RSM’s.
I will contact @sierraone and see if he can help out. Again Thanks.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ruger 3 digit prefix of serial numbers on RSMs and Ruger Express. 750 are most of them. These rifles have the the barrel ring forward of the forearm. 780 is for the first years of manufacture 90-91. sling attachment is under the forearm. 760 is for the Ruger Express rifle, a smaller version of the RSM. Only made for a few years, came in calibers of 25-06 through .338 Win Mag. Barrel ring is forward of the fore arm and the rear sight only has one folding leaf instead of two. The RSMs only came in .375 HH, .416 Rigby and .458 Lott. Any other caliber for a RSM is a conversion such as my .404 J.
 
I would be interested in buying a Gen 3 RSM and also seeing what others have to say on the differences between the Gen's.

Please others join in.
 
Ruger 3 digit prefix of serial numbers on RSMs and Ruger Express. 750 are most of them. These rifles have the the barrel ring forward of the forearm. 780 is for the first years of manufacture 90-91. sling attachment is under the forearm. 760 is for the Ruger Express rifle, a smaller version of the RSM. Only made for a few years, came in calibers of 25-06 through .338 Win Mag. Barrel ring is forward of the fore arm and the rear sight only has one folding leaf instead of two. The RSMs only came in .375 HH, .416 Rigby and .458 Lott. Any other caliber for a RSM is a conversion such as my .404 J.
So is 780 the 1st Gen? And 750 2nd and 3rd Gen? If so when did the 2nd Gen end and the 3rd Gen start?

Thanks,
 
So is 780 the 1st Gen? And 750 2nd and 3rd Gen? If so when did the 2nd Gen end and the 3rd Gen start?

Thanks,
I guess what you are calling a first generation would be 90-91. The second generation would be 92-2010. The Ruger Express is not an RSM, but is similarly built of high grade components but in smaller calibers. I believe they were built only for a very few years in the late nineties or early 2000s.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I guess what you are calling a first generation would be 90-91. The second generation would be 92-2010. The Ruger Express is not an RSM, but is similarly built of high grade components but in smaller calibers. I believe they were built only for a very few years in the late nineties or early 2000s.
I have seen here on AH and other site that talk about 3 generation of RSM's. I am just trying to find out the most I can and what the truth really is with them. I do not know if there is 3 or 2 generations or not, that is what I am trying to find out.

I know that the Express in not and RSM and was only built a few years. Not really interested in them.

This is from what I have personally seen in pics and in person.
1. All prefix 780 that I have seen have the barrel ring through the stock.
2. All prefix 750 that I have seen in the last year or so have the barrel ring not through the stock.
3. I am almost sure that I have seen at least one 375 and one 416 a few years back that were prefix 750 and had the barrel band through the stock. If I am wrong on this please let me know.
 
I have helped you all I can. I suggest you maybe call Ruger Customer Service and see if they can help.
 
Some of the RSM's in 416 rights have through the stock barrel bands have 750 prefix. There is no steadfast rule among the generations. 458 lott's were introduced last. I have two of those 416's which were only issued to collectors and Rugers friends with notation SAVE. They are 750 prefix and serial numbers below 200. (Eg : 750-141). They were the first one's made. So 780 extra are later production.
Note the serial number starts with 205.
Any thing before 205 did not go to retail sales.
The all went to Ruger collectors.


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