← Ruger American Rifle reference page · This work order as JSON ·
Work order — Ruger American Rifle
Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification. Generated from the Pew-Takedown entry last updated 2026-10-29. Confidence: high.
| Work order # | |
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| Customer | |
| Model on the bench | |
| Serial number | |
| Finish / colour | |
| Received | |
| Technician |
Before you startEducational guide only. Some information comes from non-authoritative sources. Always consult your manufacturer's manual and a licensed gunsmith. Verify your firearm is unloaded before every procedure.
- This work order is written for the Ruger American Rifle. It is reported to cover Ruger American Predator; Ruger American Ranch; Ruger American Rifle Generation II — if the firearm on the bench is one of those, check the torque notes: values do not always carry over.
Shop difficulty: Tier 1 of 3
54 pieces, held by screws and pins, with a bolt that comes apart without a tool. The traps are small: the cocking piece falls off its cams if over-rotated, spring-loaded parts can jump, and the magazine latch goes back with a slave pin. None of it is timed. 50 parts (Complete rifle (50 line items, keys 1–50)). Pew-Takedown's rating, not the manufacturer's.
Bench time: strip ~30 min, rebuild ~45 min (estimate). Actual: strip ______ rebuild ______
Special tools:
- slave pin / assembly tool — Magazine latch reinstall
- 1/8 in punch — Magazine latch pin
- torque driver — Action screws
Watch for:
- Over-rotating the cocking piece when the bolt sleeve comes off drops it to the bottom of the dual cocking cams. Getting it back can take tools and real effort. (both; Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.)
- The safety selector, bolt stop and trigger are spring-and-plunger parts that jump when removed. Ruger forbids substitute springs if one is lost. (disassembly; Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.)
- The magazine latch and spring are reinstalled on a slave pin and assembly tool, which the pin then pushes out. (reassembly; Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.)
Tools
- Bore guide — Cleaning from the breech without damaging the throat or the crown.
- Hex key or screwdriver matching the action screws — Removing the barrelled action from the stock. Not needed for routine cleaning.
- Torque wrench — Reinstalling action screws to a consistent value, which is an accuracy variable on every bolt rifle.
1. Clear and make safe
- Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger.
- Place the safety in the on position.
- Lift the bolt handle and draw the bolt fully rearward, extracting and ejecting any chambered round.
- Remove the detachable magazine.
- Inspect the chamber and magazine well with a light and physically confirm the chamber is empty.
Warning: Look and feel. Both, every time. - Remove all live ammunition from the work area.
2. Disassemble
Manufacturer's video: Tech Tip - Ruger American® Rifle Disassembly & Reassembly (Ruger Firearms)
https://www.ruger.com/videos.html
Disassembly of a Ruger® American® Rifle with an AI/AR mag well Tech Tip (RugerFirearms)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8OaJWV9RcQ
Ruger American® Rifle Generation II Disassembly Tech Tip (RugerFirearms)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6foD6g8g0I
Field Strip
- Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure. Confirm the chamber and magazine are empty and remove the magazine.
- If the firing pin is cocked, put the safety in the SAFE position.
Tip: Note the direction: Ruger wants the safety ON for this, not off. Bolt rifles differ on this point and guessing is how people end up forcing a bolt that is simply locked. - Open the bolt and pull it to the rear while pressing on the rear of the bolt stop.
Tip: The bolt stop is on the left side of the receiver on right-handed rifles and on the right side on left-handed ones. - Clean the bore from the breech using a bore guide, and clean the bolt face, lugs, and chamber.
Remove the Barrelled Action from the Stock
- Read this before touching the cocking piece: if it is rotated too far in either direction it will fall to the bottom of the cocking cams, and getting it back into the correct cam notches takes significant effort and possibly tools.
Warning: This is the one place on this rifle where a careless quarter-turn creates a real job.
Tip: The cocking piece only rotates clockwise relative to the bolt body, viewed from the rear. There are dual cocking cams, so you may need to rotate it up the cams twice to return it to position. - Remove the bolt as described in the field strip.
- Grasp the outside of the bolt shroud and cocking piece and rotate approximately 30 degrees, so the cocking piece lobe aligns with the cam notch, following the manual's figures rather than feel.
3. Refinish
The components the procedures above separate. Coating, masking and cure are outside this database; follow your coating system's instructions. A part the manufacturer marks "factory fit" should not be swapped or reworked.
| Component separated | Out | Coated | Back in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolt |
| Component | Material | Factory finish | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receiver Model 46902 (.308 Win) — 'Material' is the sheet's general material line | Alloy Steel | — | [7] |
| Barrel Model 46902 | Alloy Steel | Gun Metal Gray Cerakote | [7] |
| Receiver Model 46902 | — | Cerakote | [7] |
| Bolt Gen II | stainless steel | — | [7] |
| Stock Model 46902 | — | Splatter | [7] |
The manufacturer's full parts list (50 parts) is on the reference page.
4. Reassemble
Manufacturer's video: Tech Tip - Ruger American® Rifle Disassembly & Reassembly (Ruger Firearms)
https://www.ruger.com/videos.html
Reassembly of the Ruger® American® Rifle with an AI/AR mag well Tech Tip (RugerFirearms)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Oneh75_6VI
The Ruger American® Rifle Generation II Reassembly Tech Tips (RugerFirearms)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24ePPpTpay4
Remove the Barrelled Action from the Stock
- Reverse the sequence to reassemble, checking the cocking piece lobe is seated in its notch before the bolt goes back in the rifle.
Reassembly
- Confirm the bolt is correctly assembled and the bolt head is properly oriented.
- Align the bolt with the receiver raceway and slide it forward into the action.
- Close the bolt handle and cycle the bolt several times to confirm smooth travel and correct cocking.
- Confirm the bolt release retains the bolt when the action is opened fully.
- Perform the function check.
5. Torque
| Fastener | Specification | Sequence | Source | Applied | Init. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedding (action) screws (2) Original Ruger American Rifle (before Generation II) |
60–80 in-lb 6.8–9 N·m · 5–6.7 ft-lb |
Loosely fit both screws first. Do not tighten one all the way and then the other: alternate, a partial turn at a time, so both come up equally. On modular stocks, refit the magazine well into the stock before the screws. | [1] p. 24 | ||
| Bedding (action) screws (2) Ruger American Rifle Generation II (modular stocks with removable magazine well; the same value is repeated for AI-style-magazine stocks) |
60–80 in-lb 6.8–9 N·m · 5–6.7 ft-lb |
Seat the barreled action so the two angled bedding blocks in the stock fit the receiver grooves; insert the magazine well; push the latch forward with a ball-end Allen wrench to reach the rear screw; loosely install both screws; do not tighten one all the way and then the other — alternately tighten each a partial turn at a time so both come up equally. | [2] p. 28 (PDF p. 27) | ||
| Factory Picatinny scope base screws (4, #6-48) Ruger American Rifle Generation II (receiver fitted with Picatinny base at the factory) |
18 in-lb 2 N·m · 1.5 ft-lb |
T-10 Torx driver. | [2] p. 43 (PDF p. 42) |
Reported by other sources — not the manufacturer
Not a manufacturer specificationConfirm with the manufacturer or a licensed gunsmith before use. Where these differ from a manufacturer value above, the manufacturer wins.
| Fastener | Reported value | Sequence | Source | Applied | Init. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Action screws (2), 1/4-28 socket head cap screws Ruger American short action in a Magpul Hunter American stock (MAG931 / MAG1207) Reported by Magpul Industries (secondary) — not the manufacturer |
60–80 in-lb 6.8–9 N·m · 5–6.7 ft-lb |
Place the two Mounting Blocks into the Bedding Block, seat the receiver on them with the screw path aligned, insert the screws and tighten with a 3/16" hex. 'Caution: DO NOT overtighten the action screws as this may cause damage to the action and/or the stock.' | [3] PDF p. 1 (PDF p. 1) | ||
| Take down bolts (action screws), front and rear Ruger American Centerfire in a Boyds stock Reported by Boyds Gunstocks (secondary) — not the manufacturer |
30–35 in-lb 3.4–4 N·m · 2.5–2.9 ft-lb |
Verify the action and barrel are centered in the inlet with barrel clearance; tighten starting with the rear screw (F) and then the front screw (E), alternating back and forth evenly until both reach 30-35 inch pounds. Boyds requires bedding the front and rear lugs during final assembly. | [4] PDF p. 4 (PDF p. 4) | ||
| Take down screws (with AI-style floor plate kit) Ruger American Centerfire short action in a Boyds stock retro-fitted with the AI-style floor plate (kit PN A09158) Reported by Boyds Gunstocks (secondary) — not the manufacturer |
30–35 in-lb 3.4–4 N·m · 2.5–2.9 ft-lb |
[5] PDF p. 1 (PDF p. 1) | |||
| Action screws Ruger American Rifle Reported by Fix It Sticks (compiled reference list) (tertiary) — not the manufacturer |
60–80 in-lb 6.8–9 N·m · 5–6.7 ft-lb |
[6] | |||
| Action screws (front and rear) Ruger American SA/LA in an MDT Oryx chassis (replace bolt stop pin with supplied 20 mm pin first) Reported by MDT Sporting Goods Ltd. (Modular Driven Technologies, MDT) (secondary) — not the manufacturer |
60–65 in-lb 6.8–7.3 N·m · 5–5.4 ft-lb |
Push the action rearward against the recoil lug and torque the front action screw first, then the rear (manual p. 1: 'first torquing the front then the rear action screw'). | [8] PDF p. 2 (inlet-specific torque table) (PDF p. 2) | ||
| Action screws (1/4-28 FHCS front, 1/4-28 BHCS rear) Ruger American Short Action with MDT Core Bottom Metal in an MDT TIMBR Core stock Reported by MDT Sporting Goods Ltd. (Modular Driven Technologies, MDT) (secondary) — not the manufacturer |
65 in-lb 7.3 N·m · 5.4 ft-lb |
Fit spacers in the action-screw holes; push the bottom metal forward for alignment before torquing. | [9] PDF p. 1, step 7 (PDF p. 1) | ||
| Bottom metal retaining screw (#8-15 x 0.5” flat head thread-forming screw) Ruger American Short Action with MDT Core Bottom Metal in an MDT TIMBR Core stock Reported by MDT Sporting Goods Ltd. (Modular Driven Technologies, MDT) (secondary) — not the manufacturer |
15 in-lb 1.7 N·m · 1.2 ft-lb |
Only torque once you have confirmed a magazine can be inserted. Maker also allows 'hand tight'. | [9] PDF p. 1, step 9 (PDF p. 1) | ||
| Action screws (front and rear) Ruger American in a KRG Ruger American Bravo chassis Reported by Kinetic Research Group (KRG) (secondary) — not the manufacturer |
65 in-lb 7.3 N·m · 5.4 ft-lb |
Tighten alternately front/rear in increments until full torque is reached. | [10] PDF p. 2 (PDF p. 2) | ||
| Action screws (barreled action to UMC) Ruger American (Gen 2 and most Gen 1) in a Grayboe stock with Universal Mini Chassis (UMC) Reported by Grayboe (secondary) — not the manufacturer |
45 in-lb 5.1 N·m · 3.7 ft-lb |
For Ruger American the barreled action goes into the UMC first, then the trigger bow, then the UMC into the stock (UMC-to-stock screws 60 in-lb). | [11] p. Section 'Ruger American', Step 2 | ||
| Rear trigger guard woodscrew (L, PN 100-923) Ruger American / Ranch / Predator centerfire short action in a Boyds stock with Boyds AR-style magazine conversion floorplate Reported by Boyds Gunstocks (secondary) — not the manufacturer |
30 in-lb 3.4 N·m · 2.5 ft-lb |
Install the assembled magazine conversion floorplate, then the rear woodscrew; take-down bolts are then alternated to 30-35 in-lb (already recorded). | [12] PDF p. 4 (PDF p. 4) |
Notes: The original Ruger American Rifle manual and the Generation II manual both give 60–80 in-lb for the bedding screws; both are shown, each with the manual it came from. The scope-base value is from the Generation II manual. Ruger also lists the bedding screws first among its accuracy checks, before cleaning the bore or checking scope mounts.
Fit or check on rebuild
- Cocking piece in correct cam notch — If it has dropped, the bolt will not cock or assemble.
- Action screw torque — Affects zero.
- Re-zero sights or scope — Sights and optics come off for coating, and point of impact must be re-confirmed. This is a standard check, so no source.
6. Function check
- Verify the rifle is unloaded and the magazine is empty before each check.
- Cycle the bolt and confirm it cocks and closes fully into battery.
- With the action cocked, engage the safety and press the trigger. The firing pin must not release.
- Disengage the safety without touching the trigger. The firing pin must not release.
- Press the trigger and confirm the firing pin releases cleanly.
- Confirm the bolt release retains the bolt.
- Load dummy rounds and confirm they feed from the magazine and eject cleanly.
If any check fails, the firearm is not safe to fire. Stop and see a licensed gunsmith.
If it won't go back together
| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The bolt will not come out of the receiver. | The safety is off. Ruger specifies the safety ON if the firing pin is cocked. | Put the safety in the SAFE position, open the bolt, and press the rear of the bolt stop — on the left of the receiver for a right-handed rifle, the right for a left-handed one. |
Sources
- Instruction Manual for Ruger American Rifle — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. primary
https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/_manuals/americanRifle.pdf - Instruction Manual for Ruger American Rifle Generation II — Sturm, Ruger & Co. primary
https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/_manuals/RAR-GenerationII.pdf - Hunter American Stock (MAG931 / MAG1207) Installation Instructions, 072-0126-B — Magpul Industries secondary
https://magpul.com/media/wysiwyg/Instructions/MAG931-MAG1207_Hunter_American_Stock_INSRT.pdf - Assembly Instructions for ONLY Ruger American Centerfire Boyds Stocks — Boyds Gunstocks secondary
https://www.boydsgunstocks.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/assembly-instructions-ruger-american-series.pdf?sfvrsn=2ea2656d_2 - Addendum (6/24/19) to Instructions for Ruger American Centerfire Boyds Stocks with AI Style floor plate — Boyds Gunstocks secondary
https://www.boydsgunstocks.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/assembly-instructions-ruger-acf-ai-style.pdf?sfvrsn=c1a2656d_0 - Torque Specs (Torque Specs by Brand — Ruger American Rifle) — Fix It Sticks (compiled reference list) tertiary
https://store.fixitsticks.com/pages/torque-specs - Ruger American Rifle Generation II Standard Bolt-Action Rifle — Specifications (model 46902) — Sturm, Ruger & Co. primary
https://ruger.com/products/americanRifleGenII/specSheets/46902.html - MDT Oryx Chassis System — User Manual (13694, Version 07.14.26), attached to MDT help-centre article 'ORYX Chassis Installation Guides' — MDT Sporting Goods Ltd. (Modular Driven Technologies, MDT) secondary
https://support.mdttac.com/hc/article_attachments/51468856863892 - MDT TIMBR Core & Core Bottom Metal — Ruger American Short Action — User Manual (Version 04.28.25), attached to MDT help-centre article 'Core Bottom Metal Installation' — MDT Sporting Goods Ltd. (Modular Driven Technologies, MDT) secondary
https://support.mdttac.com/hc/article_attachments/47356433181076 - KRG Ruger American Bravo Chassis — Installation Instructions (INST-BRV-RUG) — Kinetic Research Group (KRG) secondary
https://kineticresearchgroup.com/download/67002/ - Grayboe — UMC (Universal Mini Chassis) Installation Instructions (web page) — Grayboe secondary
https://www.grayboe.com/pages/umc-installation-instructions - Boyds — Ruger American Centerfire Boyds Stocks with AR style floor plate — assembly instructions — Boyds Gunstocks secondary
https://www.boydsgunstocks.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/ruger-acf-predator-ranch-ar-mag-assembly.pdf?sfvrsn=7c1b2f6a_2 - Ruger Patents — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. primary
https://ruger.com/micros/Patents/index.html
| Reassembled and function-checked by | Date |
|---|
Educational guide only. Some information comes from non-authoritative sources. Always consult your manufacturer's manual and a licensed gunsmith. Verify your firearm is unloaded before every procedure. Full disclaimer: https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown
Legal notice: this material is third-party information compiled from sources of varying reliability and is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not gunsmithing, technical, safety or legal advice, it is not verified or endorsed by any manufacturer, and it must not be taken as fact. Any work on a firearm beyond the routine field stripping described in its own owner's manual should be performed only by a licensed and insured gunsmith. You use this material entirely at your own risk. Fundamental Build LLC and the project's contributors make no warranty of any kind and accept no liability for death, injury, damage or loss arising from its use. Full terms: LEGAL.md.