M77 - Original Tang Safety Model Rifle
(Manufactured from 1985 to 1992)
Calibers: 22-250 Rem, 223, 220 Swift, 6mm Rem., 65mm, 243, 257, 25-06 Rem, 250/3000, 264 Win, 270 Win, 280, 284 Win, 7x57, 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm-08 Rem, 30-06 Sprg, 300 Win Mag, 308 Win, 338 Win, 350 Rem, 35 Whelan, 358 Win Mag, 416 Taylor, 458 Win Mag, 458 Rem Mag
Beginning Serial Number: Years of Production:
79-78671 1985
770-12293 1986
770-31006 1987
771-32711 1988
771-94356 1989
772-67360 1990
773-20200 1991
773-27997 1992

The above chart shows the approximate first serial number shipped for the indicated year. This number should be used as a point of reference only. It is not necessarily the very first serial number shipped, but it can be used to determine the approximate year your Ruger firearm was shipped.

Ruger does not necessarily produce firearms in serial number order. There are occasions when blocks of serial numbers have been manufactured out of sequence, sometimes years later. Also, within a model family the same serial number prefix may be used to produce a variety of different models, all in the same block of serial numbers. And in some cases, firearms may be stored for a length of time before they are shipped.

For details on your specific serial number you may contact our Service Department: 336-949-5200

For serial numbers manufactured prior to our electronic records, or for an official letter confirming the details on your firearm please download and mail in the Request for Letter of Authenticity form.