The coveted Ranger 1 in all its glory .

[OV-1D]

Seems I can't send pictures on e-mail replies , FIGURES !!! These dam machines sure don't like working together in preforming any acts . These are for RangerJim's personal viewing , everyone else close your eyes to save the anguish ,thanks . Ha ,Ha .

[Rick_Jorgenson]

That is a beauty OV!

Thanks for posting it!

[RangerJim]

Seems I can't send pictures on e-mail replies , FIGURES !!! These dam machines sure don't like working together in preforming any acts . These are for RangerJim's personal viewing , everyone else close your eyes to save the anguish ,thanks . Ha ,Ha .

Absolutely beautiful, OV!  Thanks for posting ...  I'm out right now, but will send another message to you later today.  Thanks again!

[Dinadan]

These are for RangerJim's personal viewing , everyone else close your eyes to save the anguish ,thanks . Ha ,Ha .

Call me Peeping Tom - I looked! It may not be against the law to post something like that, but it sure puts a lot of strain on the nervous system of folks with with weak will power.

[Uncle_Lee]

I snuck a look too.
Pretty !!

[OV-1D]

   Me Too you guys , Ha . That's whats great with pictures you don't have to yank out all the stuff from the safes to admire your war chest .

[burncycle]

That's awesome, I loved the Ranger 1 design but never warmed up to the Ranger 2

[mrmurl]

That's awesome, I loved the Ranger 1 design but never warmed up to the Ranger 2

I am like you.  Just can't make myself like the design of the Ranger 2.  If there were decent prices on the Ranger 1 or they brought it back out at the regular price I would buy one.  I just do not care for the design of the 2 and frankly I don't think they would be safe.  If you shove that into a holster or into your pocket it could very easily push the top release back and let the front fold down and put it out of commission.  I don't want one bad enough to pay 5 times the original price for one, sorry.

[bleak_window]

You guys are crazy.  I wouldn't trade my BW for a Ranger I, II, or XVII.  IMO, they ruined the elegant lines for no good reason.  Complicated a simple, strong design by hanging various complicated geegaws on it, and for what?  So it can sit in a shoe box.

[Dinadan]

You guys are crazy.  I wouldn't trade my BW for a Ranger I, II, or XVII.  IMO, they ruined the elegant lines for no good reason.  Complicated a simple, strong design by hanging various complicated geegaws on it, and for what?  So it can sit in a shoe box.

You make a good point, Bleak. I am kind of hankering for a Ranger, but there is a lot to be said for your viewpoint.

[OV-1D]

 A lot of years have gone by before this unique piece has come along , myself I'd like to see other gun makers come out with their versions of the same piece . Top-breaks are by far the easiest cylinder loaders that's ever been made not alone the cartridge ejector also on this NAA . Why buy a Honda instead of a Mercedes ? Oh that's right its the price , I can understand that .

[RangerJim]

A lot of years have gone by before this unique piece has come along , myself I'd like to see other gun makers come out with their versions of the same piece . Top-breaks are by far the easiest cylinder loaders that's ever been made not alone the cartridge ejector also on this NAA . Why buy a Honda instead of a Mercedes ? Oh that's right its the price , I can understand that .

I agree, OV!  I love the original Ranger ...  So beautiful, well-designed, and precisely-tuned--like a fine Swiss watch!   

[cfsharry]

My opinion, the Ranger II is the better looking pistol. Truer to the heritage of the guns Minis are patterned on.

[bearcatter]

You guys have to remember, the Ranger 1 proved to be too difficult to manufacture at a good price. NAA was losing money on them. And bleak_window, the Ranger is a break-top, so it can't have the simple, strong design like a BW, but I think NAA has stayed true to making it as simple and elegant as possible.

[RICKS PLACE]

Having never held/seen a Ranger One in person, I can only go by the photos.  The locking device "looks" on the "one" as if you pull up on the rear of the device to unlock the barrel/cylinder.  On my "two", you pull back on the device to unlock.  There is no doubt that the "one" has a better device if I am correct on this.  I have practiced over and over cocking the "two" in a hurry and my fat thumb sometimes hits the unlocking device.  However, I can see how the "one" would be more expensive to make.  So, as I can't afford a "one", I will simply keep with practice. As I wouldn't trade my B/W for a Ranger, I simply have one of each.  P.S. I own 2 Honda's, an older CRV and a new HRV, so don't need a Mercedes. 

[CavScout]

My opinion, the Ranger II is the better looking pistol. Truer to the heritage of the guns Minis are patterned on.

Revisiting this thread, because I'm thinking about Selling my Unfired (Since the Factory) As-NIB Ranger I.
I was just waiting to see how the Collector Value settles out, since the Introduction of the Ranger II?

****

But, to the quoted cfsharry posting...

The Ranger I is Truer to the Heritage of the Single-Action, Spur-Trigger Top-Break Pocket Revolvers... Starting with the Smith&Wesson Model 1 1/2 32 SA (Single Action)... And Continued with later 38's and 44's. (First Photo)

The familiar Rocky Mountain Arms, Freedom Arms, North American Arms Mini-Revolvers Share Much of their Visual Style to the Early S&W .22 Pocket Revolvers... Other than the loading Process.... And Solid Frame. (Second Photo)

The Ranger II more closely follows the Schofield Patent Modified S&W American Top-Break .44... In .45 Schofield (Calibre, .45) (Third Photo)

[OV-1D]

  Those are some fine looking pistola's .

[redhawk4]

Having owned a Ranger I and a Ranger II, there is a big difference in the feel between the two, although a lot of that probably comes from the fact the Ranger I's were very much hand built with a lot of care in limited numbers with a view to them becoming a production model. I too am not a fan of the "mechanics" of the Ranger II in comparison, but realize that economics and production costs play a part in what can be brought to market profitably, versus what we might like to have - but wouldn't be prepared to pay for. Somehow the Ranger II just doesn't quite have the solid feel of the Ranger I, however that doesn't make it bad in itself and I'm sure has greater appeal to those who never experienced the original.

[Uncle_Lee]

Hey Scout,
Thanks for the beautiful pictures.  WOW !!!!!

[redhawk4]

My opinion on the Rangers is that the original Break Top Ranger was a fantastic little piece of engineering. I was very happy with mine until "silly season" started when they didn't go into production and they became valuable. Suddenly it was viable for me to carry and shoot such an expensive piece and so I sold it and bought I think 3 other guns I had my eye on including a nice S&W 29. Every time I see a picture of an original, I question whether I should have kept mine, but always come back to how much I enjoy the guns that replaced it, despite the pictures here that are plain gorgeous.

With the Ranger II, I was a little disappointed in the revolver, in part because of unrealistic expectations from the original and there are design factors, that I just don't like, the way the cylinder is retained for one. However that aside, I bought a 22lr/22 mag combination thinking it would be fun to plink with and have some SD carry uses as well. What I found is that as a range gun it's  not all that practical as it gets hot too quickly and then you have some frustration with case extraction and so forth and for carry purposes I honestly feel a Pug or the like is a better option in terms of keeping it simple. So the Ranger II is a nice little firearm, but more of a collector's piece and a curio than something you use regularly.

[CavScout]

OK... Here's My Ranger I... #BT0035x

[grayelky]

For the aesthetics, I'll pick the original Ranger, hands down. For the price difference, i would go with the Ranger II. What little I have shot one, it was ok.

[burncycle]

Definitely Ranger I, wasn't interested in the II at all. 

[Uncle_Lee]

Ranger I is prettier I think.

[RangerJim]

Hey, CavScout:
I might be interested in your Ranger 1—if I can find an FFL who's currently open.  What are you asking?


- Jim

[RangerJim]

...oh, and Unc ...  I'm happy to buy yours as well.   

[Uncle_Lee]

...oh, and Unc ...  I'm happy to buy yours as well.   

$3,000.00 plus shipping and transfer for the pair.

That is for the pair with consecutive serial numbers.

I have never even put a cartridge in either of them.

Haven't been played with or dry fired. Just pictures taken of them right after I got them then put in the shoe box.

[kingt]

I have four Ranger 1s, two plain and two engraved collectors.  They have never been fired.  I always wondered what they would be worth after the Ranger 2s came out.  Have they been diminished?  Someone help me out. 

[Canoeal]

The only suggestion I have is look on the auction sites and see what they actually sell for.

[Uncle_Lee]

I have four Ranger 1s, two plain and two engraved collectors.  They have never been fired.  I always wondered what they would be worth after the Ranger 2s came out.  Have they been diminished?  Someone help me out.

Before the Ranger II came out it was not unusual to see them go for $2,000.00.
Since then I have seen them not sell for $1,200.00.
The auction would have to start at $1.00 to find out what they are selling for now.
Right now I figure it would be not much more than a Ranger II except to a serious collector. Finding one of them is the problem.

[heyjoe]

I have four Ranger 1s, two plain and two engraved collectors.  They have never been fired.  I always wondered what they would be worth after the Ranger 2s came out.  Have they been diminished?  Someone help me out.

Before the Ranger II came out it was not unusual to see them go for $2,000.00.
Since then I have seen them not sell for $1,200.00.
The auction would have to start at $1.00 to find out what they are selling for now.
Right now I figure it would be not much more than a Ranger II except to a serious collector. Finding on of them is the problem.

the ship has sailed on the high value of the  Ranger 1.

[Wumbey Goomba]

So what did the Ranger 1 sell
for originally?

[kingt]

I am not the original owner of the four Ranger 1s.  At the time I acquired them, the plain ones were going for approx. $2000 and the presentation engraved ones for approx. $2500.  Maybe I'll just start shooting the plain ones and have some fun.  I'm 77 and won't live forever.  With COVID19 I might have one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel.  One never knows---does one?

[CavScout]

the ship has sailed on the high value of the  Ranger 1.

"Collector Value" is an Elusive Thing.

Back in the 2005-2008 Recession I sold some of my 19th Century Morgan Dollars... I couldn't break $20. 

At the same time, "Certified" Morgan Dollars were selling for $120 or more... in no better condition than my coins.

I checked with a local Coin Dealer to see what it took to get my coins Certified... $50, and Their Say-So! 

I kept the remainder of my Morgan Dollars. 

-----

The Ranger I SHOULD  have a Premium Collector Value over the Ranger II... Just for the 1 of 500 Rarity.
Those of us with Both can tell the Difference in Build Quality and Mechanical Uniqueness.

However, that means NOTHING to somebody just looking for Breaktop Mini for "Practical" purposes.

Just as somebody pointed out in my "Miss-packaged Ranger II" thread... "Collectors" will pay Huge Sums for Manufacturer "Mistakes".

I bought my Ranger I at the end of Distributor Availability... So I paid a Premium for an "In-Stock" New Product.

I would be foolish to let it go for what I paid, or less, that many years ago.
But I too am in my 70's, and don't know how long I can wait for a possible Collector Market Resurgence.

Sadly, My Descendants will probably Sell my "Collections" for Make-an-Offer Deals. 

I will end up Shooting it IF it Truly isn't Worth More than a "Shooter". 

[CavScout]

Hey, CavScout:
I might be interested in your Ranger 1—if I can find an FFL who's currently open.  What are you asking?


- Jim

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