For all the Ruger bashers out there.

[DustyVermonter]

As to the comments regarding gun mags and other publications being biased based on the money they receive from the gun manufacturers, last I knew Glock was making an annual donation of $1,000,000 to the NRA, and I can't remember the last time I flipped through an American Rifleman and saw an ad for Glock. Not that it has much to do with anything, just struck me as odd.

Now, as far as Ruger having terrible customer service as opposed to Colt, I have very consistantly heard quite the contrary, matter of fact, I heard a story just this morning pertaining to this subject.

I was at the local recycling center and struck up a conversation with the manager and he was telling me that he was having an issue with one of his old Colt peacemakers, he calls Colt inquiring about a part and long story short, they tell him to go have at it with himself in so many words.

Now Ruger on the other hand, fixed him right up no questions asked, in and around the same time he was having trouble with his Colt, he experienced some issues with his Ruger Security Six.
So he drives right down to Ruger to find out about some parts to get it fixed, he goes into the office and ask's who he needs to talk to about gettin parts to fix his Ruger, the man inside tells him there coffee in the coffee pot and to have a cup and he'd be right back.

20 minutes later the man comes back out with his Ruger all fixed up and re-blued. He asked the man "what do I owe ya"? And the man replies "you don't owe me anything, we take care of our guns".

Long story I know but it just goes to show ya Ruger is leaps and bounds better in the customer service department than others I could mention.....LIKE COLT OR H&K.....lol...great guns no doubt, crappy CS.

My grandfather in-law also worked at Ruger as a pistol smith for 25 years and he can't count how many pistols he reworked on the comp. That is all, carry on

 

[BamAlmighty]

great, than Ruger can replace my carrier tilt infected SR-556.

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

Have you ever even picked up both a Glock and an SR9C ?

slightly more comfy in the hand takes a back seat to quality and reliability.

 

[DustyVermonter]

BamAlmighty, Well I'm sure if you called them you could find out about that, I called Colt to see about getting a manual for a Colt Challenger I had and never even spoke with a human being.

 

[DustyVermonter]

Whenever I tried to contact Colt's customer service I just imagined the movie Coneheads and "The Red Phone".

 

[DustyVermonter]

I don't really see that the SR9c is a G26 copy. The SR9c looks like a sub-compact Ruger and the G26 looks like a sub-compact Glock.

After about 10,000 different models of guns, it probably gets hard to stray outside the norm so manufacturers can't help but get a little repetitve considering market trends and the fact that the Gun manufacturers are trying to live up to the standards we set.

Especially when they're are so many haters out there. I mean, look how much people who love Glock's love their G26's, and now the guys who don't care for Glock and love Ruger can have a nice compact carry pistol that they can justify buying because they "love" Rugers.

People have very different taste's and I think ruger went about it the right way, I don't really care for the SR9 but I like the way the SR9c looks, like I said...different strokes for different folks.

 

[Kentucky_Rifleman]

the magnum 10/22 is off the website last week when I looked.

The 10/22 Magnum is out of production, and has been for a little while. I don't know if the gun had performance issues or just didn't sell enough, but it was dropped from the catalog a few years back, IIRC.

They fetch a premium on Gunbroker and other sites now.

I would have loved to see them release the 10/22 mag beefed up for .22 Hornet. Now that would have been something

KR

 

[Kentucky_Rifleman]

As far as design innovation goes, there hasn't been much in the way of radical design improvements in firearms in a long time. Even the relatively modern Glocks borrow elements of much older designs, like their plunger/striker firing system which is remarkably similar to the older FN .380 hammerless pocket pistols.

Customer service - these days at least - is a Ruger strength. I've ordered parts from them on a couple of occasions, and they were always wonderful to deal with; reasonably priced and friendly. I even sent them an ancient Mk 1 for re-bluing, which they did for the very reasonable sum of 80.00.

All in all, I'm glad Ruger is around.

I'm a fan of DA revolvers. Earlier I asked who besides Smith and Ruger was producing quality domestic DA revolvers. No one has answered that yet. The fact that Ruger is out there still making some of the less-popular guns means someone is competing with Smith besides the imported Tauruses, Rossis, etc. Competition is good and the quality of Ruger DAs is competitive with Smith these days.

KR

KR

 

[ljnowell]

20 minutes later the man comes back out with his Ruger all fixed up and re-blued. He asked the man "what do I owe ya"? And the man replies "you don't owe me anything, we take care of our guns".

They are pretty darned fast then. I dont think a person could take apart a double action revolver and reassemble it in 20 minutes, much less prep all the surfaces and re-blue it.

 

[Deanimator]

I hate Ruger's double-action autos, but I hate pretty much everybody's double-action autos.

The SR9 seems like a decent gun, although having two 9x19mm carry guns, I'm not in a hurry to buy another one.

Their double-action revolvers are decent. I wish they'd at least offer you an option of a half lug on the 4" GP100s. The only revolvers that look right with a full lug are Pythons, Diamondbacks and Dan Wessons. If I didn't already have two S&W Model 29-2s, I'd get 4" and 6" Redhawks.

 

[stchman]

Whoever says Ruger has lousy customer service has never called them.

I have a Mini-14 I bought new. The black hand guard had a small chip in it (nothing to detract from the ability to shoot the rifle), and Ruger sent me one out ASAP. The gal did not even think twice.

After that she said if I ever have a problem with any Ruger firearm to call them and they will make it right.

Excellent customer service.

 

[MinnMooney]

from O.P. :

I maintain that Ruger builds a darn good pistol or rifle for a fair price.

It's tough to argue with something that has been proven over and over again. Ruger firearms are solid performers, fairly priced and stood behind by their manufacturer 100%.

How is this arguable???

 

[HGUNHNTR]

I'm not arguing that fact, I just don't like the poor ergos, and atrocious looks. Not to mention heavy, gritty triggers, and the plethora of lawyer inspired "features".

Thats mainly a complaint of the pistols, I rather like their revolvers though.

 

[DustyVermonter]

They are pretty darned fast then. I dont think a person could take apart a double action revolver and reassemble it in 20 minutes, much less prep all the surfaces and re-blue it.

I am just realying the information he told me, but the bottom line is that he was pleased enough to make that statement.

For the record, I really don't think it would take that long for a new ejector rod and a re-blue but if you want to be really technical ill phone my granfather and ask if that is a realistic time frame, maybe it takes 30 minutes who knows.

 

[TriTone]

Looks more like a list of the most hyped pistols of the year.

EDIT: Industry Hyped...

 

[gym]

I have owned rugers and I am not against the company. I just think that if you are going to come out with a new product, that it should fill a gap in some way, not just be a copy or clone of another gun that is already produced. I did hold the sr9c, and bought the glock 26 anyway very recentlly. You have to give the edge to a pistol that has been in use for so many years with the stellar record that the 26 and the 19, and a few others have. I just trust my life to the Glock. I won't take a chance on a cheaper weapon or a more expensive one if I don't feel 100%, or as close as I can to 100% about it. The LCR's have been showing up on some websites with problems, "which is common in new guns", I would feel safe buying an lcp now, but it takes a few years to get the "issues" cleared up with any firearm. I was really wanting a Kimber, but saw too many stories about problems on new guns that cost a bundle and refuse to go there again. I have got rid of more guns over the years, than new shooters will ever have. I just don't believe in messing with a firearm anymore, "been there", If it doesn't fire after a few hundred rounds it gets traded in on something else. I don't have the patience or inclanation to be mailing things accross the country and waiting to see if they work when they get back. Ruger should make a new 22 auto, the design is antiquated, no one wants to clean them, and that is a strong market for them, maybe a 22 magnum auto pistol that breaks down easy and will compete with the keltek 22 mag, perhaps with an option for a laser sight. I would buy one of those. Or get that darn 10/22 in magnum working, "it can't be that hard". I wish them luck, never want to see an american company get outsold by a foreign one, they just need to get their ears to the ground a bit.

 

[ljnowell]

I am just realying the information he told me, but the bottom line is that he was pleased enough to make that statement.

For the record, I really don't think it would take that long for a new ejector rod and a re-blue but if you want to be really technical ill phone my granfather and ask if that is a realistic time frame, maybe it takes 30 minutes who knows.
__________________

A reblue takes considerable more time than 20 minutes. You couldnt get the surfaces prepped in that much time.

I'm sure your friend was really pleased, and possible exaggerated it, and thats cool. We all do it from time to time. I have had lots of cars that get faster as the years and beers go by!!

The bottom line is Ruger took care of him, because they are a top notch company that does the right thing by the customer. I agree with that, no matter how long it took to fix his gun.

 

[ljnowell]

I have owned rugers and I am not against the company. I just think that if you are going to come out with a new product, that it should fill a gap in some way, not just be a copy or clone of another gun that is already produced. I did hold the sr9c, and bought the glock 26 anyway very recentlly. You have to give the edge to a pistol that has been in use for so many years with the stellar record that the 26 and the 19, and a few others have. I just trust my life to the Glock. I won't take a chance on a cheaper weapon or a more expensive one if I don't feel 100%, or as close as I can to 100% about it. The LCR's have been showing up on some websites with problems, "which is common in new guns", I would feel safe buying an lcp now, but it takes a few years to get the "issues" cleared up with any firearm. I was really wanting a Kimber, but saw too many stories about problems on new guns that cost a bundle and refuse to go there again. I have got rid of more guns over the years, than new shooters will ever have. I just don't believe in messing with a firearm anymore, "been there", If it doesn't fire after a few hundred rounds it gets traded in on something else. I don't have the patience or inclanation to be mailing things accross the country and waiting to see if they work when they get back. Ruger should make a new 22 auto, the design is antiquated, no one wants to clean them, and that is a strong market for them, maybe a 22 magnum auto pistol that breaks down easy and will compete with the keltek 22 mag, perhaps with an option for a laser sight. I would buy one of those. Or get that darn 10/22 in magnum working, "it can't be that hard". I wish them luck, never want to see an american company get outsold by a foreign one, they just need to get their ears to the ground a bit.

Hate to say it, but most of the gaps have been filled by now. That and why make a niche item, when you can make something everyone wants, and make more money?

 

[gym]

Very true

 

[earthworm]

Rugers Suck!

But since I'm such a self-sacrificing guy I'll take in all them trashy Rugers just to save y'all from them.Particularly convertable Blackhawks,Bearcats & Security-Sixs.
Seriously,the only gripes I have are Ruger centerfire autos are overbuilt (is that possible?-just means it'll last longer) & chunky (this from a Glock guy*LOL*!),& the .22 is quite frustrating to reassemble. I've used their customer service twice without problem;only gripe I've heard was if you ship them a SA with a non-stock trigger or trigger job Ruger automatically puts a stock trigger in(can anyone vouch for this?).
I'd kinda like to see Ruger make a Schofield copy:bet it'd drive Umberti into the sea!

Years back I settled a debt with my brother by getting him one of the old model .44MAG carbines (he allowed as how this was acceptable in leiu of cash). Later I asked him how he liked it & he complained he couldn't shoot it:"Everytime I take it out everyone pesters me to to death to sell it to them!"

 

[CajunBass]

I don't know how many Rugers I've had over the years, but it's a few of them. I think I've got ten right now. I think they're pretty good guns. Not many others I've bothered to buy more than one or two of.

 

[TexasBill]

I bought a 10/22 thinking it would be a fun gun for casual plinking. It has indeed been a fun gun for casual plinking. I have owned a Ruger Blackhawk and thought it was a decent revolver for far less money than a Colt SAA. I have no use for the LCP, but it seems to be popular.

I own modern S&W revolvers with the locks, which have never caused me any problem.

As for as what the late Bill Ruger said or did, or what kind of deal Tompkins PLC, a former owner of Smith & Wesson, struck with the Clintons, I don't care. I am buying a firearm, not making a political statement.

 

[BamAlmighty]

BamAlmighty, Well I'm sure if you called them you could find out about that, I called Colt to see about getting a manual for a Colt Challenger I had and never even spoke with a human being.

I called them and they told me the SR-556 is a "limited carrier tilt gun", in other words: the carrier tilt will wear to a certain point, thing is mine keeps getting worse after each shooting session. Called them again and they said just keep an eye on it.

 

[mack]

I don't care for most Rugers because I do not personally find them to be aesthetically pleasing, especially their pistols - less so their revolvers. I like their 10/22 rifle.

I liked the Taurus and Kel-Tec that I have owned. But you can find negative opinions about any firearm made. Most of the "bashing" of Ruger and Smith & Wesson was related to their political decisions and not the overall quality of thier firearms.

The "Bash Scale" - this scale rates the specific reputation of the firearms generally and historically manufactured by a company and does not include negative comments related to company policy or politics - only the general reputation of the firearms manufactured.

Generally beloved gun manufacturers:

Smith & Wesson
Remington
Winchester
Browning
Colt

Generally respected but not beloved or treasured:

Ruger
Glock
Savage
Mossberg
Springfield

Generally thought of as second teir but generally sevicable:

Taurus
Kel-Tec (only saved by customer service)
H&R


Generally disrespected:

Jennings
Bryco
Charter Arms - (though some would put them higher and Kel-Tec lower)
Hi-Point


What I have found though is that often times it depends more on the specific gun and the specific design than it does soley on the manufacturer. I have seen such beautiful and accurate Remington rifles and yet I have also seen one they make that is a piece of crap by design. I have seen Kel-Tecs that shoot great for a pocket pistol and reliably but have heard the opposite from some. People tend to love S&W revolvers but think not so highly of older pistol designs or of the Sigma. Many people love to shoot or customize their 10/22 Rugers - but some say they have problems with theirs.

If one is concerned that their firearms of choice might be bashed or sneered at - then my advice would be to only buy firearms from Colt, Remington, Winchester, S&W, and Browning and only buy those of proven historical design and provenance - then you may be free from 99 percent of the "bashing" and you will even feel safe enough to bash all those other peoples choices in firearms.

Or you could just shoot what you like and what works for you.

 

[bannockburn]

Over the years I have tried a number of small compact 9's, including a S&W 469, Glock 26, Kel-Tec PF-9, and a Taurus PT-111 Mil-Pro. None of them felt as good in my hand as the Ruger SR9c does. I think Ruger continues to offer innovative as well as traditional products, and I find them to still be a good buy compared to a lot of other firearms out there. Now if only I could get them to reissue the Security Six.