Ruger

Sturm, Ruger & Co. is one of the largest American firearms manufacturers, publicly traded on the NYSE (RGR), producing over two million firearms annually. Founded in 1949 by William B. Ruger and Alexander McCormick Sturm in Southport, Connecticut, the company manufactures pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns across virtually every category.

Bill Ruger had a genius for designing guns that worked reliably and could be manufactured affordably. His investment casting process revolutionized how firearms are made -- you can create complex internal shapes that would be impossible or expensive with traditional machining. That's why Ruger can sell you a GP100 revolver that's built like a tank for $750 while other companies charge twice that.

Ruger covers more bases for less money than any other manufacturer -- they make the gun most people actually buy in every major category, not the fancy one most people can't afford.

The company went through some rough patches. Alex Sturm died in 1951 at just 28 years old, leaving Ruger to run things solo. Then in the 1990s, Bill Ruger supported magazine capacity limits, which led to boycotts from the gun community. After Ruger died in 2002, new leadership rebuilt those relationships. Today Ruger operates factories in New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Arizona.

• •Ruger's complete product line structure across four main categories

The 10/22 and Mark IV series are what built Ruger's reputation. The 10/22 launched in 1964 and became one of the most successful rifles ever made. Not because it was revolutionary -- because it was simple, reliable, and affordable. Ruger got the basics right: a rotary magazine that feeds .22 LR reliably, a modular design that's easy to manufacture and modify, and a price point that makes it accessible.

The Mark IV finally solved the biggest problem with Ruger .22 pistols -- takedown. The Mark I, II, and III were notorious for being nearly impossible to reassemble after cleaning. You needed a degree in mechanical engineering and the patience of Job.

The Mark IV's one-button takedown fixed that completely.

Ruger's centerfire pistol lineup covers the practical bases without trying to be everything to everyone. The Security-9 competes with Glock and Smith & Wesson at a lower price point. The MAX-9 is their answer to the Sig P365 micro-compact trend.

The Ruger-57 deserves special mention -- it brings 5.7x28mm to a much lower price point than FN's pistols. Whether you need that cartridge is debatable, but if you want it, Ruger makes it affordable.

This is where Ruger really shines. Bill Ruger overbuilt his revolvers because he understood that people expect them to last forever. The GP100 has a reputation for being indestructible -- you'll see guys at the range with GP100s that have 50,000+ rounds through them and still run perfectly.

The LCR is interesting -- it uses a polymer frame to cut weight but keeps the fire control parts traditional. The result is the smoothest double-action trigger in its price range. Most people expect lightweight revolvers to have terrible triggers, but Ruger figured out how to make it work.

Ruger's rifle lineup spans from budget hunting rifles to precision chassis guns. The American Rifle might be the most underrated hunting rifle made today -- for around $500, you get an adjustable trigger and accuracy that competes with rifles costing twice as much.

The Ruger Precision Rifle (RPR) deserves credit for democratizing precision shooting. Before the RPR, getting into PRS-style competition meant spending $3,000+ on a custom rifle. Ruger brought that down to under $1,500 without sacrificing the features that matter -- adjustable stock, good trigger, accurate barrel, modular chassis.

The Mini-14 is love-it-or-hate-it. Some rifles shoot great, others are mediocre. It's the AR-15 alternative for states with restrictions, but quality control can be inconsistent.

Ruger's real innovation isn't in individual gun designs -- it's in manufacturing processes that let them build reliable firearms at lower costs.

• •How Ruger's investment casting process reduces costs while improving strength

Investment casting was Ruger's breakthrough technology. Instead of machining parts from solid steel bars, you pour molten steel into precise molds. This creates complex internal geometries that would be impossible to machine, while using less material and labor. That's why a GP100 has such a robust internal frame -- those curved reinforcements would cost a fortune to machine traditionally.

The transfer bar safety system appears in all Ruger revolvers. It prevents accidental discharge if the gun is dropped, while maintaining the traditional single-action and double-action operation. You get modern safety with classic revolver feel.

Ruger occupies a unique position -- they're the manufacturer that serious shooters recommend to new shooters, even if those same serious shooters own fancier guns themselves.

Walk into any gun store and ask about a first .22 rifle. Nine times out of ten, they'll point you toward a 10/22. Not because it's fancy -- because it works, it's affordable, and if you want to upgrade later, there's an aftermarket ecosystem that rivals the AR-15. You can turn a basic 10/22 into a precision trainer, a suppressor host, or a competition rifle.

The revolver community treats GP100s and SP101s as the standard for durability. These aren't collector pieces or safe queens -- they're the revolvers you actually shoot. A lot. The GP100 in particular has a reputation for digesting unlimited amounts of .357 Magnum without loosening up.

Ruger's customer service gets consistent praise. They actually answer the phone, they fix things quickly, and they don't charge for repairs on manufacturing defects. In an industry where some companies treat customer service as an afterthought, Ruger makes it a priority.

• •They actually answer the phone
• •They fix things quickly
• •They don't charge for manufacturing defects

Nobody's perfect, and Ruger has some consistent weak points. Fit and finish is utilitarian -- you'll see tool marks and rough edges on budget models that more expensive manufacturers would polish out. If you want Wilson Combat-level refinement, you're looking at the wrong company.

• •Tool marks visible on budget models
• •Rough edges that competitors would polish
• •Utilitarian rather than refined appearance

Factory triggers range from adequate to good, but rarely great. The RPR trigger is an exception -- it's genuinely excellent. Most Ruger triggers will benefit from aftermarket upgrades or professional work.

The Mini-14 has accuracy consistency issues. Some shoot sub-MOA, others struggle to hit 2-3 MOA. It's a lottery, and for the price, that's frustrating.

Some old-timers still hold grudges over Bill Ruger's 1990s comments supporting magazine capacity limits. The current company has moved away from those positions, but memories are long in the gun community.

Ruger is the safe choice in almost every category -- you're getting proven reliability at a fair price, even if you're not getting the absolute fanciest option available.

For your first rifle, get a 10/22. For your first .22 pistol, get a Mark IV. For budget hunting, get an American Rifle. For an indestructible revolver, get a GP100. For budget precision shooting, get an RPR. These aren't exotic choices -- they're default recommendations because they work.

If you can only own guns from one manufacturer, Ruger covers more bases than anyone else. You could build a complete battery -- rimfire trainer, hunting rifle, precision rifle, carry gun, home defense revolver -- entirely from Ruger products and never feel undergunned.

• •Decision tree for choosing your first Ruger firearm by intended use

Ruger is the Toyota of the gun world, and I mean that as high praise. They build reliable, affordable, well-engineered firearms that regular people can actually afford. The 10/22 has taught more Americans to shoot than any other rifle. The GP100 is the revolver that just won't quit. The American Rifle punches way above its price point for hunters on a budget.

Gun snobs dismiss Ruger because they don't make the fanciest anything. But they make the smartest version of almost everything at the price where normal people buy.

When someone asks me what gun to get for [insert purpose here], the answer is often a Ruger -- not because it's the absolute apex of that category, but because it's the right combination of reliability, capability, and value.

The aftermarket support for Ruger products is incredible. The 10/22 has more accessories available than most AR-15s. You can buy a basic 10/22 for $280 and gradually upgrade it into whatever you want -- target rifle, survival gun, suppressor host, competition machine. Few manufacturers inspire that kind of ecosystem.

Ruger's customer service actually works. They answer the phone, they fix things fast, and they don't charge you for their mistakes. In 2024, that's noteworthy.

If you want to impress people at the fancy gun club, buy something else. If you want guns that work when you need them to work, buy Ruger.

• •See Also: 10/22 Modifications, Revolver Fundamentals, Budget Hunting Rifles