ruger NINETY-SIX User Guide

INSTRUCTION

MANUAL

FOR

RUGER

MODEL NINETY-SIX

LEVER ACTION RIFLES

For Product Service on This Model Please Call:

(603) 865-2442 (See p. 29)

STURM, RUGER & Company, Inc.

Southport, Connecticut 06890 U.S.A.

THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL SHOULD ALWAYS ACCOMPANY THIS FIREARM AND BE

TRANSFERRED WITH IT UPON CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP, OR WHEN THE FIREARM IS LOANED OR

PRESENTED TO ANOTHER PERSON.

L 10/02 R3

READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS IN THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM

BLUED

STEEL

CALIBERS

.17HMR, .22 LR,

.22 MAGNUM,

& .44 MAGNUM

WARNING

“Children are attracted to and can operate firearms that can cause severe injuries or death. Prevent child access by always keeping guns locked away and unloaded when not in use. If you keep a loaded firearm where a child obtains and improperly uses it, you can be fined or sent to prison.”

ADVERTENCIA

State-By-State Warnings

Certain states require by law that their own specified warning notices in larger-than-normal type be conspicuously included by the manufacturer, distributor, or retail dealer with firearms sold in that state. Sturm, Ruger sells its products in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Because our products may be sold in these states, we include the following:

California:

“A los niños los atraen las armas de fuego y las pueden hacer funcionar. Ellos pueden causarses lesions graves y la muerte. Evite que los niños tengan accesso a las armas de fuego guardándolas siempre con llave y descargadas cuando no las esté utilizando. Si usted tiene un arma de fuego cargada en un lugar en que un niño tiene acceso a ella y la usa indebidamente, le pueden dar una multa o enviarlo a la carcel.”

Connecticut:

“UNLAWFUL STORAGE OF A LOADED FIREARM MAY RESULT IN IMPRISONMENT OR FINE.”

Florida:

“IT IS UNLAWFUL, AND PUNISHABLE BY IMPRISONMENT AND FINE, FOR ANY ADULT TO STORE OR LEAVE A FIREARM IN ANY PLACE WITHIN THE REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE OR TO KNOWINGLY SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OR POSSESSION OF A FIREARM TO A MINOR OR A PERSON OF UNSOUND MIND.”

Maine:

“ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD IS A CRIME. IF YOU LEAVE A FIREARM AND AMMUNITION WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD, YOU MAY BE SUBJECT TO FINE, IMPRISONMENT OR BOTH. KEEP FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION SEPARATE. KEEP FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION LOCKED UP. USE TRIGGER LOCKS.”

Maryland:

“WARNING: Children can operate firearms which may cause death or serious injury. It is a cr

ime to store or leave a loaded firearm in any location where an individual knew or should have known that an unsupervised minor would gain access to the firearm. Store your firearm responsibly!”

Massachusetts:

“WARNING FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEY GENERAL: This handgun is not equipped with a device that fully blocks use by unauthorized users. More than 200,000 firearms like this one are stolen from their owners every year in the United States. In addition, there are more than a thousand suicides each year by younger children and teenagers who get access to firearms. Hundreds more die from accidental discharge. It is likely that many more children sustain serious wounds, or inflict such wounds accidentally on others. In order to limit the chance of such misuse, it is imperative that you keep this weapon locked in a secure place and take other steps necessary to limit the possibility of theft or accident. Failure to take reasonable preventive steps may result in innocent lives being lost, and in some circumstances may result in your liability for these deaths.”

“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE OR KEEP A FIREARM, RIFLE, SHOTGUN OR MACHINE GUN IN ANY PLACE UNLESS THAT WEAPON IS EQUIPPED WITH A TAMPER-RESISTANT SAFETY DEVICE OR IS STORED OR KEPT IN A SECURELY LOCKED CONTAINER.”

New Jersey:

“IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE TO LEAVE A LOADED FIREARM WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR.”

New York City:

“THE USE OF A LOCKING DEVICE OR SAFETY LOCK IS ONLY ONE ASPECT OF RESPONSIBLE WEAPONS STORAGE. ALL WEAPONS SHOULD BE STORED UNLOADED AND LOCKED IN A LOCATION THAT IS BOTH SEPARATE FROM THEIR AMMUNITION AND INACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN AND ANY OTHER UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS.”

North Carolina:

“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE OR LEAVE A FIREARM THAT CAN BE DISCHARGED IN A MANNER THAT A REASONABLE PERSON SHOULD KNOW IS ACCESSIBLE TO A MINOR.”

exas:

“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE, TRANSPORT, OR ABANDON AN UNSECURED FIREARM IN A PLACE WHERE CHILDREN ARE LIKELY TO BE AND CAN OBTAIN ACCESS TO THE FIREARM.”

Wisconsin:

“IF YOU LEAVE A LOADED FIREARM WITHIN THE REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD YOU MAY BE FINED OR IMPRISONED OR BOTH IF THE CHILD IMPROPERLY DISCHARGES, POSSESSES, OR EXHIBITS THE FIREARM.”

***************** *****

Please check with your licensed retailer or state police for additional warnings which may be required by local law or regulation. Such regulations change constantly, and local authorities are in the best position to advise you on such legal matters.

This firearm was originally sold with a key-operated locking device. While it can help provide secure storage for your unloaded firearm, any locking device can fail. All guns are designed to fire if they are loaded and the trigger is pulled. Therefore, never install

the locking device inside the trigger guard or in any way that it can possibly pull the trigger! Do

not leave the keys in the lock.

The ultimate responsibility for secure storage of any firearm must depend upon its owner and his or her individual circumstances. Guns should be

securely stored unloaded, in a secure location, separate from their ammunition.

See “Storage Warning”, page 26.

NEVER INSTALL

LOCKING DEVICE

INSIDE TRIGGER GUARD

WARNING – LOCKING DEVICES

DO NOT INSTALL

INSIDE TRIGGER GUARD

INSTALL LOCK

AS SHOWN HERE

FIREARMS SAFETY-YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

SAFETY MUST BE THE FIRST AND CONSTANT

CONSIDERATION OF EVERY PERSON WHO

HANDLES FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION.

This Instruction Manual is designed to assist you in learning how to use and care for your RUGER

MODEL NINETY-SIX properly. Please contact us if you

have any questions about it.

Only when you are certain you fully understand the Manual and can properly carry out its instructions should you practice loading, etc., with live ammunition. If you have any doubts about your ability to handle or use a particular type of gun safely, then you should seek supervised instruction. Such personalized instruction is often available from gun dealers, gun clubs or police departments. If none of these sources can help you, write to the National Rifle Association, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-7400. They will assist you.

The person possessing a gun has a full-time job. You cannot guess; you cannot forget. You must know how to use your firearm safely. Do not use any firearm

without having a complete understanding of its particular characteristics and safe use. Remember: There is no such thing as a foolproof gun.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

State-By-State Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Operation of Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Operation of Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Ammunition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

To Load and Fire (With Magazine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

To Load and Fire (Without Magazine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

To Unload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

To Extract and Eject a Chambered Cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

To Clear a Malfunction (“Jam”) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

To Minimize Malfunctions (“Jams”) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

To Disassemble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Reassembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Magazine Inspection and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Care and Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Attaching Scope Base Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Attaching Ruger Scope Rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Sight Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Service and Parts Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Parts Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36, 37 & 38

The Basic Rules of Safe Firearms Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

“RUGER®” is a registered U.S. trademark.

“Ruger Model Ninety-Six” is a Sturm, Ruger trademark.

WARNING–ALTERATIONS

This product was designed to function properly in its original condition. Alterations can make it unsafe. Do not alter any part or add or substitute parts or accessories not made by Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc.

DO NOT ALTER ANY GUN

FIREARMS ARE DANGEROUS WEAPONS–

READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS

IN THIS MANUAL THOROUGHLY AND

CAREFULLY BEFORE USING.

GENERAL INFORMATION

AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The RUGER®MODEL NINETY-SIX is a manually operated lever action rifle available in models chambered for the .44 Magnum, .22 WMR, .22 Long Rifle, or .17 HMR cartridge. It uses a 4, 9 or 10-shot rotary magazine, depending upon caliber. When the underlever is fully lowered, it opens the bolt and cocks the internal hammer. When the lever is raised shut, it closes the bolt and, if a loaded magazine is in place, strips a cartridge from the magazine and chambers the cartridge. The bolt is securely locked closed by its rear portion tilting upward into a reinforced recess in the receiver when the lever is fully shut.

Pulling the trigger releases the hammer, which strikes the firing pin. The firing pin indents the cartridge case rim or primer and ignites the priming compound. This ignites the powder in the cartridge case and instantly generates a great volume of gas, which acts on the interior of the cartridge case in all directions.

WARNINGS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE ARE FOUND ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES:

Locking Devices 6 Unloading 17 Alterations 8 Malfunctions 20 Manual Safety 10 Disassembly 21 Ammunition 13 Lubrication 25 Lead Exposure 13 Storage 26 Firing 16 Parts Purchasers 30 Handling 16

OTHER CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS APPEAR

THROUGHOUT THE MANUAL.

Because the bullet offers the least resistance, it moves out of the cartridge case and exits the muzzle. When the lever is operated by lowering it fully, the bolt moves rearward, extracting and ejecting the fired cartridge case, and cocking the internal hammer as described above. Once the lever is closed, the rifle is ready to fire again.

Each time the lever is opened and closed, the same cycle is repeated until there are no more cartridges in the magazine or in the chamber.

The rifle will fire if there is a cartridge in the chamber and the trigger is pulled, whether or not there is a magazine in place! Removing the magazine does not unload the rifle. Never assume the rifle is unloaded. Visually inspect the chamber and the magazine each time the rifle is handled to be certain there are no cartridges in either.

All models have the same basic operating mechanism and include the following features with which the gun user should be thoroughly familiar.

NOMENCLATURE

(Standard Model Shown)

Figure 1. In these illustrations the frequently used operating components are identified. Note that the safety is protruding fully from the right side of the trigger guard and is therefore in its “on” (safe) position.

Stock Receiver Bolt Rear Sight Barrel

Barrel Band Front Sight

Lever Assembly

Take Down

Trigger

Safety

Latch

(Shown "ON")

Magazine

Screw

Magazine

OPERATION OF SAFETY

The RUGER®MODEL NINETY-SIX has a cross-button safety which is located in the forward portion of the trigger guard (Figure 1, p. 9). The safety can be operated only when the hammer is cocked.

The safety is “on” when it protrudes fully from the right side (the bolt side) of the lever housing assembly, as shown in Figure 1, p. 9. In this position the sear is blocked, and the gun cannot be fired by a normal pull on the trigger.

The safety should always be in the “on” (safe) position except when the shooter is actually firing the gun. The safety should be moved to the “on” position whenever the shooter ceases firing, even temporarily.

The safety is “off” (fire) when it protrudes from the left side of the trigger guard assembly, as shown in Figure 2. When the safety is off, a red band shows on the safety button; but do not totally rely on the appearance of the red band to indicate that the safety is off. In poor light or if dirt is present, the red band may not be visible. If the safety is “off” and the trigger is pulled, the rifle will fire.

WARNING –MANUAL SAFETY

Figure 2. The underside of the trigger guard section of the rifle. In this illustration the safety is shown in the “off” (fire) position. The position of the safety and red band indicate the safety is “off.”

SAFETY IN "ON" (SAFE) POSITION

Keep the safety on unless actually firing. Always move the safety fully to its intended position and check it. The safety is not “ON” unless it is completely “ON”. Never depend on a safety mechanism or any other mechanical device to justify careless handling or permitting the rifle to point in an unsafe direction. The only “safe” rifle is one in which the bolt is open, the chamber is empty, and there is no magazine in the gun.

KNOW HOW TO USE THE SAFETY

The safety is held in its “on” or “off” position by a plunger that is under spring tension. When the safety is moved to either the “on” or “off” position, a distinct “click” should be heard. Frequently check the position of the safety to be certain the safety has not been inadvertently moved. If the safety seems to move too easily, or if the click is not heard when the safety is moved, stop using the rifle and return it to the Newport Service Department for repair (See p. 29).

OPERATION OF LEVER

TO OPEN AND CLOSE BOLT

The RUGER®MODEL NINETY-SIX is a lever-action rifle.

The bolt is operated by manually lowering and raising the lever located underneath the pistol grip of the stock. It should be operated briskly and fully in order to minimize the possibility of improper feeding, extraction, and ejection of cartridges, but it need not be “slammed” open or shut. The rifle normally will not fire unless the lever is fully shut; nevertheless, you should still take care to operate it correctly to its fully open and fully shut positions to properly actuate the bolt.

The lever should be fully lowered to open the bolt for inspection immediately upon picking up the rifle. When the bolt is fully open, the rifle is in the correct condition for inspection of the chamber, cleaning, etc. Do not close the lever

unless the rifle is pointed in a safe direction or you are ready to fire.

Lower Lever To Open Bolt Shut Lever To Close Bolt

Cocking Indicator: When the lever is operated, the internal hammer is

automatically cocked by the action of the bolt moving rearward. A small brasscolored pin will rise up and protrude about 1/16” above the rear of the rifle’s receiver whenever the internal hammer is cocked. This pin only indicates whether the hammer is cocked and does not indicate if a cartridge or fired case is in the chamber. If the the rifle is cocked and the bolt is closed, you must

assume a cartridge is in the chamber! This is because a cartridge cannot be

loaded into the chamber unless the bolt is first opened, thereby cocking the hammer. However, never assume that if the cocking indicator does not protrude

the chamber is empty -- the cocking indicator, like any mechanical device, might

malfunction, or a misfire may have occurred. Always operate the lever and

visually check to be sure whether a cartridge is in the chamber. Closing the lever

will chamber a cartridge if one is in the magazine, or ready the rifle for firing if a cartridge has been manually inserted into the chamber (see “To Load and Fire”, pp. 14 - 17).

To Operate Lever for Magazine Insertion or Removal: Note that the lever must be opened at least 1/2” for either insertion or removal of the magazine. This can be done either by manually operating the lever to an open position or by pushing up firmly on the magazine latch (located on the underside of the stock), which will open the lever slightly to the point where the magazine can be inserted or removed (see “To Load and Fire With Magazine”, pp. 14 - 17).

AMMUNITION

The RUGER®MODEL NINETY-SIX rifles are chambered for either the .44 Magnum, .22 WMR, .22 Long Rifle, or .17 HMR cartridges. The particular caliber for each rifle is rollmarked on the barrel. Use cartridges only of the designated caliber that is marked on the barrel.

Rifles chambered for the .44 Magnum cartridge should not be used with any other .44 caliber ammunition. Most .44 Magnum ammunition factory loaded to U.S. industry specifications is suitable for use. However, “Medium Velocity” non-jacketed ammunition may not give optimum accuracy and is not recommended.

The .22 Magnum rifles are chambered for .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire cartridge only, both jacketed and hollow point. Do not use any other .22 caliber ammunition in this rifle as burst cases and the release of hot powder gases can result, possibly causing injury.

The .22 Long Rifle version is chambered for, and designed to properly function with only the .22 caliber Long Rifle rimfire cartridge, standard, high velocity, or hypervelocity, manufactured to U.S. industry standards.

The .17 HMR rifles are chambered for the .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire cartridge only. Do not use any other rimfire ammunition in this rifle. Use only ammunition that functions correctly in your rifle. See “Malfunction Warning”, p. 20.

WARNING: SOME TYPES OF LONG RIFLE CARTRIDGES HAVE BLUNT-NOSE OR SHARP-SHOULDER BULLETS WHICH CAN

INTERFERE WITH SMOOTH AND RELIABLE FEEDING FROM MAGAZINE TO CHAMBER. SUCH CARTRIDGES SHOULD NOT BE USED BECAUSE THEY MAY DISCHARGE BEFORE BEING FULLY CHAMBERED AND THEREBY POSSIBLY INJURE THE SHOOTER AND THOSE NEARBY. THE SHOOTER MUST BE ALERT TO THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD AT ONCE DISCONTINUE THE USE OF ANY CARTRIDGE WHICH APPEARS TO BE THE CAUSE OF FEEDING PROBLEMS OR JAMMING.

WARNING –AMMUNITION

Death, serious injury, and damage can result from the use of wrong ammunition, bore obstructions, powder overloads, or incorrect cartridge components. .22 cases are very thin and sometimes split when fired. Always wear shooting glasses and hearing protectors.

IMPROPER AMMUNITION

DESTROYS GUNS

WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LOAD .22 SHORT, .22 LONG, .22 SHOT OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF .22 CALIBER CARTRIDGE

(OTHER THAN THE .22 LONG RIFLE) INTO THE MAGAZINE OF THE 96/22 RIFLE. THE USE OF OTHER CARTRIDGES IN THE MAGAZINE CAN CAUSE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS JAMS AND MALFUNCTIONS RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE FIREARM AND INJURY TO THE SHOOTER AND OTHER PERSONS. TAKE CARE TO USE THE CORRECT CARTRIDGES. DO

NOT FIRE .17 HMR CARTRIDGES IN .22 MAGNUM RIFLES!

WARNING –LEAD EXPOSURE

Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms, or handling ammunition may result in exposure to lead and other substances known to the state of California to cause birth defects, reproductive harm, and other serious physical injury. Have adequate ventilation at all times. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure.

SHOOTING OR CLEANING GUNS

MAY EXPOSE YOU TO LEAD

TO LOAD AND FIRE (WITH MAGAZINE)

Practice this important aspect of gun handling (with an unloaded rifle) until you can perform each of the steps described below with skill and confidence. But before you do anything with the rifle, please first read completely through this manual.

1. Keep the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction. (See Rule 2, p. 39).

2. Put the safety “on” (fully protruding from the right side of the lever housing

assembly). (See Figure 1, p. 9).

3. Open the lever. Check the chamber to be certain it is empty.

4. Note that the lever must be at least 1/2” open in order to either remove or insert a magazine. To remove the magazine, use thumb to depress magazine latch and at the same time grasp the magazine between thumb and forefinger of the same hand to draw it out of the magazine well. (See Figure 3).

Figure 3. The lever should be open and the safety should be “on” when the magazine is being removed or inserted. When the forward section of the magazine latch is pushed in (pivoted upward), the magazine is released. Depress the latch with the thumb and at the same time grasp the magazine between the thumb and forefinger and draw it out of the rifle.

Removing Magazine (Safety “On”)

5. Load the magazine by sliding cartridges (up to 10 in the .22 LR magazine, 9 in the .22 WMR or .17 HMR magazine, or 4 in the .44 magnum magazine) into the magazine throat-opening. (See Figure 4, p. 15). The Ruger Model 96 is designed to function properly only with standard Ruger rotary magazines loaded with cartridges of the correct type and caliber.

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