Sturm, Ruger & Co.

Sturm, Ruger, & Co., more commonly referred to as Ruger, is an American company that produces and manufactures firearms.  While the company is based in Connecticut, there are also manufacturing sites in New Hampshire, Arizona, and North Carolina. Many gun aficionados are quite familiar with the Ruger name, although they may not be aware of the company’s humble beginnings. Read below to learn about the beginning of the Ruger company and where it stands today. 

Beginnings

The company was started by William Ruger and Alexander Sturm in 1949.  Their first location was in a small machine shop in Connecticut where they produced their first commercially produced firearm, the .22 caliber pistol, known as the Ruger Standard. This model was originally created by Ruger with influences from the German 9mm Luger and the American Colt Woodsman. This initial weapon was so successful that it launched the company into a thriving business. 

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Present

Now, Ruger produces all types of firearms: bolt action, semi-automatic, and single shot rifles, shotguns, semi-automatic pistols, and single and double action revolvers. Sturm, Ruger & Co. is currently in the top five of the largest firearm manufacturers in the United States. The most popular Ruger firearm is the Ruger 10/22 semiautomatic rifle. It is so popular because it has a reputation for being a high quality firearm for an affordable price, as well as for having a wide range of accessories and aftermarket parts for customizing. 

Another firearm that Ruger is known for is the .22 rimfire semi-automatic pistol. The Ruger MK II and Ruger MK III models are recent models of the original Ruger Standard pistol that brought Sturm, Ruger & Co. their initial success. These models also have a wide variety of accessories to increase sales and promote customizability. 

Besides their most popular models, like those mentioned above, Ruger offers more than 800 variations of more than 40 product lines. These firearms are made for competition, hunting, or personal security. In addition to this variety, they also have many accessories that are made specifically for the many different types of firearms that they have. 

Currently, Ruger is famous for staffing its company with avid shooters and hunters.  The company prides itself on having employees that believe in the product and can easily connect with the customers and products. The long-standing Ruger philosophy, that all firearms be built “to a standard so I would want one even if it was made by our competitors,” is still followed today.  Truly, the amazing quality of Sturm, Ruger, & Co. firearms is its claim to fame, in addition to the fact that all of their products are designed and built by Americans, in American factories. 

Production

As previously stated, there are four factories that manufacture Ruger firearms.  The first is located in Southport, Connecticut, where the company originated. This factory now deals with international sales and exports only.  The remaining three factories, located in Newport, New Hampshire, Prescott, Arizona, and Mayodan, North Carolina, deal with the manufacturing and distribution of domestic sales. 

Sales

The sales of Ruger firearms and accessories takes place primarily at their website, Ruger.com. The website is organized so that you can find what you need quickly and easily, or so that you can browse to find what is interesting to you. Categories in the menu bar are labelled for general firearm type, with subcategories for different models. Shopping for accessories can be done through its own category in the menu bar, or on the individual page for the firearm model you are considering. If purchasing a firearm online, it must be shipped to a licensed firearm dealer near you and picked up there following your background check.

The most unique category on the website is the link to the custom shop.  Sturm, Ruger & Co. offers custom firearms that have been designed by a team of expert firearm engineers and professional shooters and hunters. This team works together to create the highest quality and innovative firearms to be used for competition, hunting, defense, or just collecting. Custom firearms offer more stylish designs with sleek and refined details for a more exclusive category of weapon. 

If you would rather see a Ruger weapon in person before buying, there are multiple sporting goods stores that carry them. For example, Cabela’s has a wide range of Ruger firearms and accessories to purchase at their stores. Going into the store allows you to hold the weapon before buying.  This might be a good idea for first time Ruger buyers so that they can feel a few different firearms before choosing what to purchase. 

Customer Service

One of the most highly regarded aspects of Sturm, Ruger & Co. is their customer service. There are countless positive reviews online from satisfied customers who have had to work with customer service for one reason or another.  Each factory has their own customer service department, so there is not just one department struggling to take on all the issues.  This means that wait times are shorter and the representatives have more time to take care of you properly. Additionally, a customer can call, email, or submit a question online at their web form.

Future

As you can see Sturm, Ruger & Co. is currently flourishing.  It is consistently one of the most popular producers of firearms in the country, and has been for many years. The future for the company is bright as it continues to produce durable, American made, high quality firearms for reasonable prices.