Ruger history

The pistol was a success and the company enjoyed the good life until the fall of 1951, when Alex was hospitalized with hepatitis and passed away shortly thereafter.

In 1953, Ruger developed the Ruger Single-Six.

In 1960, Sturm, Ruger moved beyond handguns for the first time, introducing a semiautomatic hunting rifle, the Ruger .44 Magnum Carbine.

In 1963, the company, which had been subcontracting its casting work to other foundries, opened its own foundry, called Pine Tree Castings, also in Newport.

The following year, Ruger's son, William Ruger, Jr., a Harvard graduate who had joined the company in 1964, was named the company's president.

Sturm, Ruger went public in 1969, in part to ease the company's entry into the law enforcement market with the introduction of .38 and .357 Magnum revolvers.

1970: one millionth “Old Model” single-action revolver (17 years)

While revenues continued to rise, jumping to $33.8 million in 1975, Sturm, Ruger found itself the focus of growing numbers of lawsuits.

1978: one millionth 10/22 semi-automatic rifle (14 years)

By 1979 – the company’s 30th anniversary – Ruger had seen tremendous success and growth.

It was then auctioned to the highest bidder in connection with the 1980 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, with proceeds going to the International Shooter Development Fund.

1982: one millionth Security-Six double-action revolver (10 years)

Sturm, Ruger built on its existing capacity with the acquisition of Manchester, New Hampshire's American Metals and Alloys, Inc. for $3 million in 1985, adding, as the Uni-Cast Division, aluminum casting to the company's Pine Tree ferrous casting capability.

1987: one millionth Model 77 bolt-action rifle (19 years)

The company's own revenues had slipped through much of the decade, but by 1990, sales had begun to climb again, reaching $122 million.

Sales reached $192.5 million in 1995, including $36.8 million from the company's casting business.

Sales for 1996 were $223.3 million, for a net income of $34.4 million.

It wasn’t until 1999 and the celebration of the Ruger Standard’s 50th anniversary that the logo would return to red.

Just two years later, Bill Ruger died in 2002, having spent 53 years involved in the operations of the company he helped found.

The 26th Edition of the Blue Book of Gun Values says it perfectly: “He is remembered for his visionary efforts in firearms manufacturing and marketing, exceptional design skills, and his philanthropic donations in support of the firearms industry.” (2006)

2007: five millionth 10/22 semi-automatic rifle (29 years)

Currently, the company is run by Michael Fifer who was appointed CEO in 2008.

Today Ruger sells 20- and 30-round capacity magazines and has entered the AR-15 platform market with its SR-556, introduced in 2009.

In May 2011 Ruger launched a fundraising project to benefit the NRA. Under CEO Fifer, the goal was to sell 1 million firearms during one year with one dollar from each sale going to the NRA Institute of Legislative Action, the group’s lobbying arm.

In 2012 Sturm, Ruger and Co. was named No.

According to the Wall Street Cheat Sheet, Sturm, Ruger and Co. reported net sales of $141.8 million for the fourth-quarter in 2013, which increased by 52 percent from $93.2 million a year earlier.

Sturm, Ruger, & Company turned 70 in 2019.