New Products For Ruger?

S

Slyster

New member
Does anyone know of any new products that Ruger may come out with this year? I love Ruger Revolvers, but I just wish they'd come out with a little more variety of stuff. Like a 7 shot capacity, or a totally concealed hammer. Why does the Ruger product selection lack compared to S&W and Taurus?

Thoughts?
 
If you check out their respective websites you'll see that Ruger has a very strong bent towards hunting and big bore revolvers. Their selection of SA revolvers is BIG! Their Vaquero line is about as "old west" as you can get without going to black powder. Ruger has a lot to offer if their "thing" is your "thing". Sometimes a guy's taste in handguns just does not match up well with what a particular company wants to sell.
 
If you pay attention, you will note that Ruger is REDUCING what it offers. Calibers, models, features and fewer options seem to be the future for Ruger. They only make what they know they will sell. You won't see anything reinvented, innovative or created by Ruger anytime soon.
 
You won't see anything reinvented, innovative or created by Ruger anytime soon.
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Sir William my friend, I seldom disagree with anything you say. This is an exception though. Ruger has a long history of doing the unexpected.

I see their current pulling back as a way of winding up for something bigger.
- Red Label
- Single shot
- Mini 14

All three of those came close on the heels of a "winding down" at the time by Ruger. Unlike Smth and Wesson and Colt,, and most of the other major firearms makers,,,Ruger is a financially healthy company. They don't take many risks that aren't thought out before hand. I have no idea what they are up to currently,,,and I don't even want to speculate.. whatever it is though, I'm sure it will be *interesting*.
 
Ruger has just come out with new Vaqueros, new .45 acp semi-auto, new MK III .22 rimfire pistol, new Alaskan revolver, new sXs shotgun, new caliber for varmint rifles...heck...what does a guy expect?
 
If you pay attention, you will note that Ruger is REDUCING what it offers. Calibers, models, features and fewer options seem to be the future for Ruger. They only make what they know they will sell. You won't see anything reinvented, innovative or created by Ruger anytime soon.
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Well, well, well who hasn’t been paying attention? I have got to talk to the S&W crew about not briefing their crew members properly before sending them into a Ruger discussion. Let’s list the models that Ruger has introduced in the last year.

Ruger Firearms introduced or reinvented in 2004

17HMR only Hunter Model Single Six Pistol
22lr/22mag Convertible Hunter Model Single Six Pistol
http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/News-01-16-2004A.html

17HMR 10/22 Rifle
http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/News-01-16-2004B.html

22 LR 10/22 Rifle
http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/News-01-16-2004C.html

22LR 22/45 Mark III Pistol
http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/News-04-16-2004D.html

.45ACP P345 Pistol
http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/News-04-16-2004B.html

22LR Mark III Pistol
http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/News-04-16-2004A.html

.17M2 77/17 Standard Rifle
.17M2 77/17 Target Rifle
http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/News-11-11-2004H.html

.22LR Mark III Hunter Pistol
http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/News-11-11-2004G.html

.357 Mag New Model Vaquero – Stainless Steel 4 5/8” Barrel
.357 Mag New Model Vaquero – Stainless Steel 5 1/2” Barrel
.45 Colt New Model Vaquero – Stainless Steel 4 5/8” Barrel
.45 Colt New Model Vaquero – Stainless Steel 5 1/2” Barrel
.45 Colt New Model Vaquero – Stainless Steel 7 1/2” Barrel
.357 Mag New Model Vaquero – Color-case Blued 4 5/8” Barrel
.357 Mag New Model Vaquero – Color-case Blued 5 1/2” Barrel
.45 Colt New Model Vaquero – Color-case Blued 4 5/8” Barrel
.45 Colt New Model Vaquero – Color-case Blued 5 1/2” Barrel
.45 Colt New Model Vaquero – Color-case Blued 7 1/2” Barrel
http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/News-11-11-2004F.html

7mm-08 M77 Mark II Frontier Rifle
.243 Win M77 Mark II Frontier Rifle
.308 Win M77 Mark II Frontier Rifle
.300 WSM M77 Mark II Frontier Rifle
http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/News-11-11-2004E.html

.45 ACP Blued Manuel Safety Model P345
.45 ACP Stainless decock-only Model P345
http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/News-11-11-2004D.html

.454 Super Redhawk Alaskan
.480 Super Redhawk Alaskan
http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/News-11-11-2004B.html

17M2/17HMR Convertible Hunter Model Single Six Pistol
http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/News-11-11-2004A.html

Now I could be wrong, not being a business major and all, but this kind of product introduction in a one year period does not seem like reduction in offerings. So I would surmise that our little friend needs to do a little more research before making such broad and blatantly incorrect statements.

Now in fairness to our little friend, Ruger did make changes to the Vaquero line that forced them to drop several calibers that the new frame was not strong enough to handle. Is this a specific marketing strategy? Not the caliber changes, but certainly the redesign of the Vaquero. SASS members have been begging Ruger for years to redesign the Vaquero to a size more like the Peacekeeper and Ruger finally listened. Does this signal the Mass reduction of calibers, models, features and options that our friend eluded to? I don’t think so. Although it does point to a strong market share in the Cowboy shooting industry for Ruger with their Vaquero. :)

Ruger is a healthy company currently trading at $8.70 a share, with Smith trading at $2.27 a share, both figures as of close of business today. As to the comments regarding Ruger supporting Gun Control, well I believe that people or companies should be judged by their actions, not their words. Smith and Wesson signed the infamous agreement to keep themselves out of lawsuits. Ruger has embraced and defended itself in every lawsuit to date, not giving in or up. So who is supporting Gun control? As far as Bill Ruger’s comments regarding the 10rd Magazine, wake up. This is a man who designed the Mark 1 pistol, a design he felt only needed a 9rd Magazine. Many years before any assault bans were around. Once again, with a little elbow grease, a Ruger fan gets the truth out. :)

.44mag
 
Bill Ruger actually pushed for a limit of 15rds with the AWB back in 94 not 10 like most people think.
 
Pssst... 44Mag, this is the revolver forum...

Two new models. The new Vaq only replaced the old Vaq.

Sometimes I want to give Rugers another chance. I wanted an Alaskan in 454 so I can have a 45LC snubnose. Then the 460 comes out... and you know a 4" will arrive.

I feel their DA wheels need variety. But I guess they keep costs down by limiting the number of models.

(shrug) lemme go back to the S&W dugout.
 
I limited my comments to revolvers. Ruger has really cut back on their offerings. I liked the run of 44-40 Vaqueros. I liked the 44 Magnums too. If you pay attention, Ruger is discontinuing calibers, models, gripframes and their best feature, strength. RIfles, shotguns, semi-autos and odd new calibers have little to no bearing on Rugers limited revolver line. I see no double action rimfires. I see no 32 H&R Magnum double action revolvers. The SP-101 is their only CCW revolver and the caliber choice is limited. The 41 Magnum and 44 Magnum are available in which single action models? Rugers can no longer stand up to RUGER ONLY loads. I see this as a trend.
 
What Hal said.

And I would say that Ruger is playing it safe at a time of economic uncertainty. If they have something groundbreaking in the works, they'll unveil it when they think the coast is clear.

It has struck me for awhile that companies like S&W for instance have far too great a number of different products and variations. It is one thing to have variety and products suited to particular uses; but another to produce a pile of differing models with their individual parts with the storage, cataloging etc and so many differing applicabilities.
 
If you pay attention, you will note that Ruger is REDUCING what it offers. Calibers, models, features and fewer options seem to be the future for Ruger. They only make what they know they will sell. You won't see anything reinvented, innovative or created by Ruger anytime soon.
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First let me thank SnWnMe for pointing out the obvious that I already knew since I only post in the revolver forum. Second, let's look at the above post, hmmm.. not a single word about revolvers. Looks like a very broad post regarding Ruger as a company and their future as such. That's what happens when you don't take the time to be specific.

Now let's move on to the new posts.....

The 41 Magnum and 44 Magnum are available in which single action models? Rugers can no longer stand up to RUGER ONLY loads.
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Ummmm... they still make the Super Blackhawk in both calibers and for Heavy .45 Colt Ruger and Freedom Arms only loads. Who says that Rugers can't stand up to Ruger Only loads? Please show us all the Ruger that could't stand up to the Ruger only loads. I keep hearing about these "weak" Rugers.. but it is only from S&W guys when they feel backed into a wall.. hmmm.. trend here?

http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdResults?function=famid&famid=15

I see no double action rimfires. I see no 32 H&R Magnum double action revolvers.
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Again, you have to research before you make such comments. Both 22LR and 32 H&R magnum are chambered in the SP101 line of DA revolvers.

http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdResults?function=famid&famid=9

Ruger is discontinuing calibers, models, gripframes and their best feature, strength.
Ruger has really cut back on their offerings. I liked the run of 44-40 Vaqueros. I liked the 44 Magnums too.
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Two new models. The new Vaq only replaced the old Vaq.
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So what we are talking about is the fact that Ruger has changed the Vaquero to fit the needs of the SASS crowd, a rather large buying power and there are people who are not happy about it. That's understandable. But I would point out that this is the first year of this new product, we cannot be sure what calibers it will expand to include. Surely the popular SASS calibers were kept in mind when designing this gun. I would expect to see the new Vaquero in other calibers next year, or even sooner knowing Ruger. Let's talk strength, this gun is built on the Blackhawk frame, with the exception of Heavy .45 Colt loads and .44 Magnums this frame will handle anything the original Blackhawk was designed for. So discontinuing strength? I don't think so. The blackhawk frame was never designed for the Heavy .45 Colt or .44magnums, that is why we have the Super Blackhawk. At the end of this conversation it all comes down to the fact that Ruger made a design change as requested by the large consumer base that "mainly" uses it's Vaquero product, this procluded the use of heavier calibers, non cowboy loaded calibers, and this has given some the impression that Ruger is cutting their product offerings. Having been around when the original Vaquero showed up, I remember that it was originally chambered in .45 Colt and did not have an option for a Bisley grip frame. Over the lifetime of this model it was tweaked, new calibers added, and new configurations added. That is the way of most product lines, you build it as it grows. That's smart business, I am sure Ruger will continue doing what they have done for many years with success. Again the data disproves that idle comments made with a hot head without backup are disproved with a few minutes of research. Everyone have a great day! (You guys in the S&W dugout too!)

.44mag

P.S.

Sir William,

Knowing your posting history and your affinity to S&W products, I have to wonder how you feel about the fact that S&W doesn't even make a single action only revolver. Seems like they lack an entire product category there. Just curious.
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I, for one, owning many Ruger revolvers right now, including some SP-101s, would be thrilled to see them produce a more concealable closed-frame DAO revolver like the Centennial or the Taurus 650 CIA. Making it more lightweight than the stock SP-101 would be a bonus.
 
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