Anyone else impressed with Ruger's Handguns?

[DMK]

I've had a Single Six for years. a friend of mine has had a 22/45 just as long. My brother has one of their 9mm semi-autos (can't remember the model). This year I picked up an SP101 and a Vaquero. Now I'm considering a GP100.

I've never really given much thought to these guns that I had experience with. They don't stand out in a gun store or in a collection. They generally aren't especially sexy. Nobody brags about owning a Ruger like one may brag about a Colt, Sig or an S&W. They don't rise to the top for any specific quality (except that they seem to be over built). They don't have outstanding finishes or super smooth triggers, or some high tech feature. They just perform their yeoman's service without any complaint. They just work well, and seem to age well, taking hours of range time and sending thousands of rounds downrange in stride.

I gotta say, I'm very impressed with Ruger's guns.

 

[ArmedBear]

I shot a 20-year-old Redhawk a few weeks ago.

It was very pleasant to shoot. I was surprised. I also thought it was new. They do age well and work well.

It's funny, if you haven't shot one, you might not be attracted to it. But if you do shoot it, it comes off very well.

 

[Pilot]

I really like Rugers SA and DA revolvers. Hard to beat pistols like the Blackhawk, Vaquero, GP100, SP101, etc. I also like their .22 autoloaders and have three MK II's myself, each with varying degrees of modification which is easy to do.

Not a huge fan of their centerfire autoloaders but I'll admit they are great guns for the money, but I prefer CZ's in this niche.

 

[skud_dusty]

I've had my 10/22 since before 94. It was my first firearm, my dad bought it for me. It has lived a very hard life, but once you clean it and wipe it down other than a few blems on the stock you can't tell the beating it's gone through.

Still accurate, still reliable, still perfect. I <3 my Ruger.

 

[ruger45]

I have a P345 and I love it. I also feel like the P345 is one of the most under rated 45's on the market today. I have had it for a couple of years now and have had no prolblems at all. It's a great gun. The p series are very reasonable price guns and are great for a first gun newbies.

 

[joab]

The SP101 I own now seems to be a quality gun
MK I has always been exceptional for the past 20 years and the 10/22 is a tack driver
The SBH lost it's front sight on the first outing and the Bisley I bought new in 90 broke the transfer bar before I even shot it for the first time, took three months to get it fixed
I finally gave up on Ruger customer service and had a gunsmith friend order the part for me
MK II's barrel is loose in the frame but still shoots accurately

Rugre quality control and customer srvice ranks right with the complaints I have heard about Taurus, but personally i have had much better luck with Taurus

 

[BlkHawk73]

Not big on thier autos but then I'm not a big auto-pistol person anywasy. All but one I own are Hk's. The rest of thier handgun line-up though...Well gotta closet full of thier single action revolvers so yeah, I like 'em!

 

[nwilliams]

I've always been impressed with Ruger's complete line of firearms. My first semi-auto rifle was a 10/22 and I had that for many years. I've owned a 22/45, a P95 and a Super Blackhawk .44 over the years and I recently bought one of their new SR9's.

It seems the only problem I have with my Rugers is hanging on to them, they are so easy to stumble across I never had any problem selling one when I needed money for something else, I always figured I could buy another with no problem when the desire hit me. Looking back now I wish I had kept all of them because they were all great guns.

Ruger to me is a great company that builds quality guns at very reasonable prices and who treat their customers well. We are their biggest clients, not the military or the police but Joe public. Their guns are incredibly reliable and I've honestly never met anyone who didn't like their Ruger firearm. Honestly I'm honored to live a few minutes away from their factory here in Prescott and I know people who work there and they have nothing but great things to say about working for them as well.

 

[Just Jim]

I am not a fan of their single actions but I love their double actions and their 22 autos.

jj

 

[critter]

I have or have had:

GP 100
SP 101
M77 30-06 -old tang safety
Blackhawk Bisley in .45 Colt
Blackhawk Bisley hunter in .44 Mag
Redhawk .44 mag
Blackhawk .357 (old 3-screw)

So, I guess so, huh?

 

[CrawdaddyJim]

Impressive in a tractor way. Not sexy but you need one to insure food on the table.

 

[SaxonPig]

I knew that I would be in the minority. I like the 22 auto and have a pair of them but all Ruger DA revolvers are so ugly to my eye that I can't stand to look at them. Same with the center-fire autos. All that chunky and clunky investment casting is just plain ugly to me. The Blackhawk series uses cheap aluminum parts and after the "new model" design came out I absolutely hated them.

And let's not even bring up the safety warning debacle. Oh my God... who thought THAT was a good idea????

The vast majority of Ruger owners seem to love their guns and if they're happy then I'm happy for them but most Rugers are not for me.

I know that I talked about my own likes and dislikes a lot in this post but he asked for my opinion. Sorry it was "all about me."

 

[Tom C.]

I have Redhawks, Super Redhawks, GP-100, Blackhawks, Bearcats, MK IIs and III, 10/22 and Mine-14. I like the simplicity and elegance of the designs, which translates into lower parts counts, and more rugged parts. And that translates into inhanced durability.

 

[armed85]

I have owned a blued GP100 4", stainless GP100 6", and a 10/22.

My GP100s had "ok" double action triggers from the factory. However, the single action trigger was very usable on both revolvers. I did a poor mans trigger job on my GP100 6" by replacing the springs with a set from Wolff. That improved the double action trigger feel, but I'm sure a gunsmith could do a better job.

I really like the design of the GP100. A Smith & Wesson K or L frame with the side plate and screws seems outdated in comparison. Even if a Smith & Wesson L frame is just as up to the task, The GP100 and other Ruger revolvers just look stronger with all that beefy steel.

Ruger builds handguns like I build furniture or anything wood working related: overengineered

My 10/22 on the other hand was not built to the same rugged standards as the GP100. Old 10/22s had a very durable anodized aluminum receiver. Ruger just paints the 10/22 receiver on new 10/22s and this paint is not at all durable. The cheap paint job on my 10/22 is chipping away with normal use.

Nevertheless, despite the chipping paint, my 10/22 is a very fun rifle to shoot. It provides hours of entertainment and is very reliable.

Like nwilliams, I have trouble hanging on to them as well. I sold all my Rugers when lured in by another siren song.

I have no doubt that Ruger will receive some more of my money one day on one of their fine products.

 

[MountainBear]

Ruger revolvers fall just below smith and wessons with me. Their semi-autos have been steadily losing weight for the last several years and are just getting better...

 

[the pistolero]

Four Ruger defensive sidearms have lived in my safe since I've had guns, a GP100 and SP101, as well as a P89 and P90. They're not guns to brag on like a Sig or a good 1911, but they do what a gun was designed to do and they do it but good. The Ruger sidearms that aren't in my safe anymore I had to sell because I neded money -- and they will be replaced at the earliest opportunity.
Am I impressed with Ruger's handguns? You can wager your donkey on that one.

 

[19-3Ben]

I can't say enough good things about my SP101. I bet my life on it every day when I carry it, and every night when it lays at my bedside.

 

[Magnum.35744]

Heck Yes!

It was the first brand of Magnum revolvers I was first introduced to. First it was the Blackhawk .41 Magnum. Then my Gramps beautiful Security Six which is my all time favorite!!! All products coming from that factory are built like tanks, and will last generations . They are no doubt #1 in my mind, when it comes to good quality firearms.

Forgot to mention that they are just now starting to add locks onto some of there products. That is very deppressing for me .

 

[Richmond]

like em

I like em - I currently have two of the original Standard Model .22 from the 70s, a stainless Mark II Government Model, a newly acquired "old" model Vaquero Bird's Head - and a 10-22 to boot, that I purchased in 1974.

 

[Green Lantern]

You forgot the "Won't ever find out unless the company "disowns" the late Bill's stance on keeping 'high-caps' out of the hands of civvies" option. :\

 

[shamus]

I'm a fan of the Mark II and the SP101, and the Security Six.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Hmmm. I currently have:

• An All-weather M77/22M in .22 Magnum -- which is a minute of angle rifle with ammo it likes.
  
• Two M77s (MKIs with the shotgun safety), one in .30-06 and one in 7mm Rem Mag.
  
• A Standard Model Automatic MKII.
  
• Two Blackhawks in .45 Colt, one with 5 1/2" barrel and one with the 7 1/2" barrel.

So, yeah, I guess you could say I like Rugers.

 

[Richard.Howe]

I voted a strong "yes" as long as you're talking revos. Totally different opinion when you get off into Ruger bottom-feeder land.

 

[RyanM]

I had to vote "eh." I have an SP-101 and a Mk.II. Both are good guns, work fine. Excellent quality for the price. I appreciate the fact that the MK.II is one of the few .22s that can be dry-fired until the cows come home. But they're not particularly outstanding. Ruger isn't a brand I get worked up over, either way.

 

[searcher451]

Not so much the pistols, but I own four Bearcats, including two of the so-called old models. The new ones are great shooters; they frequently make the trip to the range for regular workouts. You owe it to yourself to give them a try.