Why Ruger is my favorite handgun maker

Status
Not open for further replies.

Riomouse911

Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2013
Messages
11,788
Location
Ca.
While I was fishing out the SRH to take a pic for Snake Plisskin’s thread on his new GP, I noticed that Ruger products reside in my safe in greater numbers than any other manufacturer’s guns.

I think it’s a combination of several things:

Ruger products are affordable. If you look through their catalog there are some guns that go for $1,200 and up, but for the most part the prices of new Ruger guns is within reach of a huge amount of the market.

They’re tough. There are lots of “Ruger only” loads for No. 1 rifles and DA/SA handguns for a reason, most other guns just can’t take these heavy loads in the numbers Rugers can. If something g does go wrong, the service is about as good as you’ll find in the industry.

Finally, Ruger offers a wider variety of firearms than any other manufacturer I can think of, with the possible exception of CZ (CZ offers a lot of shotguns, which Ruger quit making.) Rifles in bolt, semi and single shot, centerfire and rimfire; revolvers in DA and SA, rimfire and centerfire; pistols in rimfire and centerfire, 1911, Mark IV and other in-house designs; hybrids like “10/22 Chargers”, a new 5.7x28, etc. I even have a now-discontinued 28 ga Red Label, my only Ruger shotgun.

DA big bores:
04BFEABE-4D75-4D4A-AA58-3D4BCBA18D77.jpeg B6ACBAE2-2848-49D2-9274-7CB406507B8C.jpeg F0208E0D-63AD-4A82-B7B3-8533FBD0AD66.jpeg C06E99FB-9D97-4EF2-90F2-8F75D2FCE674.jpeg

A.454/.45Colt SRH, a .41 RH with a V-bead set of sights and a GP in .44 Spl.

SA revolvers:
4392F7EC-D7A3-40D1-B192-F0FC8C50D8FF.jpeg
0B739210-A8A4-440D-8F72-F6D35A939D98.jpeg E303804F-4A07-47A1-B409-151320716C51.jpeg 514787AB-FD87-428E-AC02-7B708E1EB3E4.jpeg

A .45 Colt old Vaquero, a 6.5” Single Six .22M-.22LR and a black Wrangler (The last two with Altamont grips).

I’ll post more with the last groups, I’ve almost maxed out the photo limit.

Stay safe.
 
Here are my Ruger compact carry guns:

BC59D8DE-6E66-4B03-898A-89F18D7C36EF.jpeg FB058A0F-1935-4914-8C0F-2524C869EA82.jpeg 4B0EA149-1468-4E22-89BE-8AC3AA1823F3.jpeg F95852CF-1BFC-4F19-A68C-FC91C6B950E6.jpeg 0F2CFE6F-F204-48F8-B69F-F201C5FA9564.jpeg
An SP 101 .38, an NRA LC-9 and a LCP and LCP II in .380.

And my .22 rimfire and sole Ruger 1911 .45 Commander-sized pistols: 4D4B7388-FC01-4185-A461-1E6FC578FCE8.jpeg 392809AD-1974-471A-8285-B78D43160FAE.jpeg 23FD2160-F3F8-4C45-A1E5-ABF805A1479A.jpeg 45DCDFEF-F9E7-47DD-8FEB-A5BFD2FDE41E.jpeg 96D2E6EC-4D48-4E22-82F2-A045891767EF.jpeg
The Standard was rescued from a flood, the outside was a rusty mess but the interior and bore were fine. It was bead blasted and cerakoted to cover the rust pitting. Ruger sent me all of the interior springs gratis to bring it back to life.

The Mk II is a Govt Target 6.5”, and the 10” MK IV I just got and haven’t even fired yet.

The SR 1911 shoots better for me than my 5” Springfield Loaded 1911 does, it’s very accurate and 100% reliable to date.

Stay safe.
 
I started my collection years ago hardcore Ruger. I love their old stuff especially. Old Single Sixes and Blackhawks. I feel like in the past few years that affordability gap in the guns I'm interested in has closed. The difference between a GP and a 686 dollar for dollar is too close now, for instance.

As an example, I paid $750 for a brand new Stainless 686+ last week.

The equivalent GP-100 is $722 at Buds.

Mini-14's for $875+?

An S&W Victory in stainless which shoots amazing, with fiber optic front sight for $370. Stainless mark IV starting north of $500.

For me, the value is no longer there for the money. Still have a boat load! And you have a nice collection.

Edited to add, I have a variety, but quite a few Colt's.
 
I like most of their revolvers quite well. The GP100 and discontinued Speed Six and Service Six revolvers are as good as anyone ever made. I like the New Model Vaquero a lot, but find the oversize frame on the Blackhawk unappealing. And while I appreciate the toughness of the Redhawk and Super Redhawk I just prefer a smaller gun like the Smith 29/629 if I want a big bore.

I've had at least one example of most of their semi-auto pistols and can't really warm up to them. I find them serviceable, but I've always considered them a notch below most of the competition. The fact that they never keep any of them around for very long doesn't help. Since introducing the P85 almost 40 years ago they've dropped and introduced at least 1/2 dozen different models. But for someone looking for a decent SD pistol on a tight budget you could do worse.
 
Its always flabbergasted me why the steel frame P80- and P90- series of the 1990's didnt get more love. They were well built yet affordable, and even a little sexy. I've been interested at times in getting one in 45ACP as I already have a number of guns in smaller calibers. To me they are slightly reminiscent of S&W's 59- and 69- series and perhaps more ergonomically pleasing and tougher as well.

I have just two revolvers now, a Charter Arms bulldog and a Dan Wesson 15-2, both 357's....but Ive kind of vowed to make my next revolver an SP101.

I also have been eyeballing the new PC carbine.

Indeed, I do share the OP's respect for Ruger and wonder why so many people think that spending hundreds more neccesarily gaurantees a much better gun by any means. I belong to a number of gun forums but seldom post on any of them anymore because I just get tired of the fanbois snobbery!
 
You guy who are posting pictures of your guns might want to do something to hide the serial numbers on them.
Thats one nice thing about a low-res camera, lol.

Its always flabbergasted me why the steel frame P80- and P90- series of the 1990's didnt get more love. They were well built yet affordable, and even a little sexy. I've been interested at times in getting one in 45ACP as I already have a number of guns in smaller calibers. To me they are slightly reminiscent of S&W's 59- and 69- series and perhaps more ergonomically pleasing and tougher as well.

I have just two revolvers now, a Charter Arms bulldog and a Dan Wesson 15-2, both 357's....but Ive kind of vowed to make my next revolver an SP101.

I also have been eyeballing the new PC carbine.

Indeed, I do share the OP's respect for Ruger and wonder why so many people think that spending hundreds more neccesarily gaurantees a much better gun by any means. I belong to a number of gun forums but seldom post on any of them anymore because I just get tired of the fanbois snobbery!
The P90s are pretty sweet. I had a couple and had to sell em. Clean ones with original grips and extra magazines are getting hard to find, otherwise Id grab another one in a heartbeat.
 
I too have more Rugers in the safe than any other brand, lots of gun for the money as you have said. BTW Riomouse a fine collection of Rugers and Nighthlord40K a very nice set of S&W's!
 
I started my collection years ago hardcore Ruger. I love their old stuff especially. Old Single Sixes and Blackhawks. I feel like in the past few years that affordability gap in the guns I'm interested in has closed. The difference between a GP and a 686 dollar for dollar is too close now, for instance.

As an example, I paid $750 for a brand new Stainless 686+ last week.

The equivalent GP-100 is $722 at Buds.

Mini-14's for $875+?

An S&W Victory in stainless which shoots amazing, with fiber optic front sight for $370. Stainless mark IV starting north of $500.

For me, the value is no longer there for the money. Still have a boat load! And you have a nice collection.

Edited to add, I have a variety, but quite a few Colt's.
Ya, the Mini 14/30 prices are waaay up there...especially for guns with a history of mediocre accuracy, decades of limited accessory options for stocks and optics and pickiness regarding the magazines.

They are tough and reliable (with factory mags) but the plethora of high-mid and low dollar AR options (Including Rugers own AR versions) have made me wonder how they keep cataloging them. At the asking prices I don’t think they sell that many in Ca or other “evil looking gun-ban” States... but I certainly may be wrong. I have two older models (Mini 14 and 30), plus I issue lots of them at work, but had I not bought mine at the peak of the old Clinton gun ban era I probably wouldn’t have bought them.

Ruger has surely had its share of poor sellers and turkeys; 256 Win Mag single-shot and .357 Maximum Blackhawk-based SA’s, the now discontinued SR 9/40, among a few others, but as a whole they seem to have a pretty darn good track record of putting out guns folks buy.

Stay safe.
 
I like their revolvers, but with the exception of my MkI, I’ve never been fond of their self loaders.

They did have an interim hybrid steel/plastic hybrid line (SR, or was that S&W's budget entry?)....I wasnt real fond of those. But I think the P-series was way underrated. I guess Ruger has really stuck to metal frames and many people have simply passed that off as unaccepable. My only plastic guns are a Shield and a KelTec P11. Only the Shield of those two really walks with me these days. I might surmise that most people who don't go for Ruger semi autos reject them because Ruger still hasn't jumped on the Plastic Fantastic bandwagon to date. They just don't put much R&D into that genre of firearms engineering. When it comes to semi-deep concealment I really just bounce back and forth between a shield and a Makarov. the only other plastic guns that Ive really considered are full size M&P and some of the Steyrs, because they have those nice Euro-inspired ergos reminiscent of the Browning Hi Power or CZ75. To me, Glocks are ugly "unfinished" bricks uncomfortable to hold and I have no real intention of ever buying one.

With all that said (whew! ) I just like to point out to you that right now on GunBroker there's a whole bunch of P90 magazines for about 30 bucks or under. With the exception of the most popular classic or modern Firearms I wouldn't expect to find much else at my local gun store except by chance. I refuse to be railroaded into purchasing modern pop culture guns that I don't particularly like just because the local gun stores have fed the corporate bandwagon the way they did. if I really like a gun and it's a good gun and by just driving a mile further I can get what I need for it....I'll do it. I refuse to be railroaded by the modern Market like some consumer sheep!
 
They did have an interim hybrid steel/plastic hybrid line (SR, or was that S&W's budget entry?)....I wasnt real fond of those. But I think the P-series was way underrated. I guess Ruger has really stuck to metal frames and many people have simply passed that off as unaccepable. My only plastic guns are a Shield and a KelTec P11. Only the Shield of those two really walks with me these days. I might surmise that most people who don't go for Ruger semi autos reject them because Ruger still hasn't jumped on the Plastic Fantastic bandwagon to date. They just don't put much R&D into that genre of firearms engineering. When it comes to semi-deep concealment I really just bounce back and forth between a shield and a Makarov. the only other plastic guns that Ive really considered are full size M&P and some of the Steyrs, because they have those nice Euro-inspired ergos reminiscent of the Browning Hi Power or CZ75. To me, Glocks are ugly "unfinished" bricks uncomfortable to hold and I have no real intention of ever buying one.

With all that said (whew! ) I just like to point out to you that right now on GunBroker there's a whole bunch of P90 magazines for about 30 bucks or under. With the exception of the most popular classic or modern Firearms I wouldn't expect to find much else at my local gun store except by chance. I refuse to be railroaded into purchasing modern pop culture guns that I don't particularly like just because the local gun stores have fed the corporate bandwagon the way they did. if I really like a gun and it's a good gun and by just driving a mile further I can get what I need for it....I'll do it. I refuse to be railroaded by the modern Market like some consumer sheep!
Ruger have been making so called plastic guns for some time now. The P series are no longer made.
 
Ruger accounts for the second-highest-represented maker in my safe. I have a 1022, P95, two Mk-II pistols (one Standard, and one Target), a NM Single Six, and a Police Service Six. I want a Vaquero.

The most-represented maker here is actually Taurus, at nine guns. It's not necessarily that they're my favorite or not; it's just played out that way.
 
For buying brand new DA revolvers, Ruger is a much bigger player than they were 20 years ago and they would be the first maker I looked at if I were wanting a new one of those. For used DA revolvers, I generally still buy S&W from the pre lock era.

They have a virtual monopoly on the more affordable SA revolvers.

I’m not too interested in any of their CF semi auto pistols.

The one Ruger I have currently happens to be a MKII Target. Pretty nice gun but had I found an equivalent Buckmark I would have rather had it.

So as far as handguns go, I definitely end up with Rugers often enough (probably for many of the same reasons some people seek them out) but I really never have a great want for any of them.
 
I only have 2 rugers, but there are a few more I would like to have. The problem is that they are good and affordable, but there is something I prefer for a similar price. 10/22? No I got a marlin 60 as my first gun and because of that I prefer the 60 because it just feels right. Gp100? No I got burnt by a duo of bad barrels in the time period where Ruger was outsourcing barrels, and I prefer a L frame because I’m more used to the cylinder release. #1? I have a contender and I can buy barrels all day long for 1/2 the price of a #1. Totally different guns, but both fit the bill of a premium single shot. Their single actions are untouchable for price and purpose, and I recently all but pulled the trigger on a 45 convertible Blackhawk. I will buy a sr1911 10mm and a 22/45 in the next couple years.

What I do have are a 9” single six convertible and a AR-556. The AR seems solid as can be, and I traded into it. Seems a good value for the price they bring. The single six is unbelievable with 22 mag, just like the short barreled one I sold to get the 9”.

I really really want to like Ruger and love that they are into 327fm, and listen to their customer base, but I just can’t get excited about most of their products.

Who has the bulk of my safe? Marlin?. 3 model 60s, a 795, 336, 62 in 30 carbine. S&W? 3 top breaks, model 10, 30-1, contender.
 
I'm more a fan of S&W revolvers than Rugers but I do have my share of Rugers. I have some examples in a Redhawk, Blackhawks, GP100's and SP101's. My Rugers tend to be in some cartridge or configuration not available in an S&W revolver.

Ruger double action revolvers look frumpy to me and the large bore single action revolvers tend to wrap my knuckles.

But, Rugers have an excellent reputation for reliability.

I won't give them up.
 
Ruger is my absolute favorite for double action revolvers, no doubt about it. Not going to bash their 2 main competitors but I will simply say that I've had less than ideal results from the less expensive of the two and downright pitiful complications with the highly regarded and most expensive brand (of the 3 mentioned).

Rugers single actions are good as they come from the factory typically, I can't say they're my favorite because anyone with sense would choose a freedom arms or BFR over a ruger but it's not a fair comparison due to the difference in cost. Ruger makes the best single action revolver under $1000 msrp, I doubt anyone would argue that unless they're arguing for looks alone.

Rugers rifles are fair - excellent depending on the model. Ruger #1 & #3 rifles are legendary, some folks report poor accuracy with individual samples but the ones I shot were exceptional (keep in mind I'm not much of a rifle guy), smooth, accurate and seemingly indestructible. The 10/22 isn't for me, ergonomically it's just wrong and for whatever reason every time I've bought one I end up selling it in under a year. Right as the kung flu struck I picked up a 77/357 that I sadly haven't shot yet but as long as it's soup can at 50 yards accurate , I will like it. The fit & finish , machining and form factor of the 77/357 (I imagine the others in the line are the same) is fantastic, exactly what I was looking for - camp rifle & plinker to pair with my 6" gp100 for a tough as nails pair of guns for outdoor weekend excursions in the Midwest. I can't speak to any other ruger rifles - but I wouldn't be worried at all to buy one.

Rugers semi autos are not my favorite with the exception of the mark family of pistols. I've had a couple mk3s (you know, the least desirable of the line) that I liked a lot ( still have a mk3 competion target , it's great). The rest of them are perfectly useable and good quality guns, just not what I'm looking for, but that could change. I am interested in the improved lcp, I shot an original lcp years ago and it was compact and accurate , the trigger was not good - I heard that has been addressed , so I may be interested in one of those.
Rugers shotguns were excellent for the price (keep in mind I'm not much of a shotgun guy) , I've handled and shot some red label (?) Doubles that I thought were fantastic. They likely don't tickle the same guy who prefers perazzi shotguns but for a common man, I think they're great.
It all boils down to ruger makes reliable rugged firearms for common people that are high quality and attainable. Back that up with first rate customer service and it's a simple choice for many, including me. I've had a couple issues with rugers, it's inevitable with mass produced complex mechanisms but they were resolved quick, free and correct.

Some people bash the ruger double actions as clunky boat anchors but the truth is they weigh virtually the same as their S&W counterparts but will digest mountains of ammunition that would send chunks of S&W into a low earth orbit, that isn't an opinion. It's also not meant as an insult to S&W, they make fine revolvers but they're of a less durable design and not intended for misuse (how was that for polite?). Depends on what you value, you can fix a heavy trigger but you can't make an N frame hold up to 50,000+ psi loads, the ruger can take decades of use with hot loads no problem, again- not an opinion .

I too have more rugers in my safe than any other brand, they just work for me.
If ruger would get into the lever action market, that would be great. Re-release the Deerfield rifle would be nice. Make a 41 mag gp100, a 45 colt gp100, remake the old model vaquero , and a few other things they'd get my money again. Ruger makes such a variety that anyone that's a ruger hater I say good, more rugers for me (& you ). Hope they continue to be an excellent company into the future .

---holy wall of text, sorry - got on a rant..............
 
Ive got more Brownings than any other firearms, and prefer the Abolt, and the Buckmark to anything ruger offers in similar form.
Other than that I really, really like rugers, and usually will look there before other manufacturers unless I cant afford rugers version, or they dont make what I want.
Now I may still choose another Maker, but Rugers always in the running.
 
Y'all may have just made me fall in love with Ruger, Those are absolutely stunning. I would like a Revolver any pointers?

Sorry or hijacking the thread.
Cant go wrong with a Security Six or GP100 for double-action. If its more of a Cowboy-style your looking for, then a Blackhawk, Single Six, or even the new Wrangler are all solid choices depending on your budget.
 
IMG_0307.JPG IMG_1990 (2).JPG Six out of my eleven revolvers are Rugers, three are S&W, one Dan Wesson and one Colt. I like each for what they are and what makes them different from the rest. My Ruger DAs are like my Chevy 2500HD work truck. Tough, reliable, everything I need and nothing I don't. My two Smith model 10s and model 64 K frames were LE trade ins, good shooters and cost me a total of $900. I like the Dan Wesson 15-2 for it's innovation(easy barrel change), exceptional blued finish and extreme accuracy. IMG_0792.JPG View attachment 918695 IMG_0861 (2).JPG IMG_0349_LI (5).jpg I can't really say I have a favorite manufacturer.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top