Ruger: a buyer's guide
Ruger made more guns than any other American company in 2024. It started with a single .22 pistol in a Connecticut machine shop and now builds everything from the 10/22 rimfire rifle to Marlin lever-actions.
A short history
William B. Ruger and Alexander McCormick Sturm founded Sturm, Ruger & Co. in 1949 in a rented machine shop in Southport, Connecticut. Their first product, the Ruger Standard .22 semi-automatic pistol, sold well enough to build a company on. Sturm died in 1951; Bill Ruger led the company until his death in 2002.
Ruger has been publicly traded since 1969 and trades on the New York Stock Exchange as RGR. It makes guns in the U.S. at plants including Newport, New Hampshire; Prescott, Arizona; and Mayodan, North Carolina. In September 2020 it bought Marlin Firearms out of Remington's bankruptcy and brought the Marlin lever-action back a year later.
By volume, Ruger is America's largest gun maker: 1,356,710 firearms in 2024 per ATF's manufacturing report, and the most rifles of any company (see the full ranking).
Ruger's best-known guns
- 10/22: the .22 LR semi-auto rifle that taught generations to shoot, with a huge aftermarket.
- Mini-14: a ranch rifle in 5.56/.223 based on the M14's action.
- LCP, LCP II and LCP MAX: pocket-size .380 pistols.
- Security-9 and the Ruger American Pistol: affordable 9mm pistols for home defense and carry.
- GP100 and SP101: tough stainless double-action revolvers in .357 Magnum and other calibers.
- Ruger Precision Rifle and Ruger American rifles: bolt-actions for long-range shooting and hunting.
- Marlin lever-actions: including the Model 1895, the first Ruger-made Marlin.
Why buyers pick Ruger
Rugers have a reputation for being overbuilt, especially the revolvers, and priced for working people. Because so many are made, parts, magazines and holsters are easy to find. A 10/22 is still one of the best first guns you can buy for a new shooter.
Buying a used Ruger
- Revolvers: check cylinder timing and lockup, and look at the forcing cone for erosion on heavily shot .357s.
- 10/22s: many are customized. Ask what's been changed and whether the original parts come with it.
- Recalls: Ruger posts safety recalls on its website. Check the serial number if you're buying an older model.
Ruger at Trademark Guns
We don't have any Ruger items on the rack right now. Ask us about the model you want, or buy it online and have it shipped to us for a $25 FFL transfer.
Common questions
- Where are Ruger guns made?
- In the United States. Ruger has manufacturing plants in Newport, New Hampshire; Prescott, Arizona; and Mayodan, North Carolina, among others.
- Is Ruger the biggest gun maker in the U.S.?
- By number of guns made, yes. ATF's 2024 report counts 1,356,710 Ruger firearms, the most of any U.S. manufacturer.
- Does Ruger own Marlin?
- Yes. Ruger bought Marlin in September 2020 and makes Marlin lever-action rifles today.
Sources
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