Thanks everyone for the discussion. I like a good conversation.
And again, I’m not hating on Ruger. I actually had the unprompted thought that they might step in for Marlin before it was ever news! Now, I can’t remember where the though originated....probably thinking that they made more sense, being American, than a foreign Co. like FN. If Winchester were still in Connecticut, as an independent, not that would truly have made sense..... but alas, those days are gone forever.
Ruger makes solid rifles, with a great warranty. But I buy rifles based on accuracy, size/fit, and weight/function, in that order. And Ruger just fails at #1. Contrast that to Browning or Winchester rifles by FN. I’ve never seen one, or even heard of one that didn’t shoot great right out of the box, driving tacks before guaranteed 1moa was a thing.
And Remington’s of late had garbage, hot trash blue jobs, sticky bolts and the cheapest plastic stocks available,....but they would all shoot! Remingtons always shoot as good or better than more expensive guns, that I’ve seen. And ultimately that’s what is most important from a rifle.
The $20 question is, “ Does Ruger care”? The sell a lot of guns, and have a great profitability as a manufacturer. Like I’d said above, I don’t like their direction on long guns. An older Ruger M77 is world’s nicer than the newer stuff. I would hope that they “start” to care, especially now that they have Marlin.
I’m not their CEO, but if I were,... I’d invest in real craftsmanship workers and forgings, for a (combined) plant... to build the classic, even new model lever guns.... guns that would rival old highly collectible Winchesters... and ALSO, leverage that factory to build forged Rugers on the high end, as well as a Ruger shotgun or two!
Some of THE most expensive guns sold are fine doubles from Italy and Europe. Does Ruger not believe that there isn’t a huge market of untapped American buyers who are carrying Berettas, that wouldn’t buy a Ruger, if that gun were made to old world quality? The most desired gun for many guys in that world is the old Winchester double shottie! They only cost 25-150k now, lol...
But you can’t make classic “old” guns out of castings. So for me, that would be the plan. A line of cast lever guns for swampers and sledders, call them Rugers, even, and make the finest old world lever guns available in the new world today! Winchesters are still pretty nice, but they aren’t as nice as they were years ago. Its the fit and finish, the case hardening, the dimensions and weight that makes the old guns so desired.