Kynoch
member
Modern industry is all about "make what the people want" and "make what has already been successful." ESPECIALLY if it is a larger company which answers to investors. That goes for movies, video games, TVs, cars and guns. Designing new things is expensive. If the design is a flops, a company can go belly up or lose investors. Innovations in the modern age come from small/independent/privately owned companies.
That has always been the case. Nothing specifically "modern" about it. I also don't think "make what has already been successful" is the rallying mantra of most successful companies.
But it really fascinating to look at Ruger. Billy did capitalize on existing product designs. He and his company did an excellent job of bringing manufacturing expertise and marketing/sales savvy to the BBQ. Ruger was also extremely astute in staying away from the manufacturing of guns that would have negatively impacted the image of his company.
He stayed away from all centerfire semi-auto pistols for a very long until his company could no longer wait to cash in. Even then Ruger stayed away from pocket pistols, cloning the M1911 or building their version of the AR-15.
The current Ruger management has capitalized by exploiting the very markets Ruger said he would never enter and they have done a superb job of it. From the LCP to the 25 round BX-25 10/22 magazine to the SR-556.