Ruger has created a series of videos showcasing Metallic Silhouette, IDPA, SCSA (Steel Challenge), and USPSA shooting events. Log on to Ruger’s Beginner’s Guide to Shooting Competitions webpage to see informative videos on each of these popular sports. Below you can find the Video on Metallic Silhouette and the Video on SCSA Steel Challenge pistol competition. Silhouette is a great family sport and the Steel Challenge is the ultimate pistol speed-shooting event.
INTRO to RIMFIRE RIFLE METALLIC SILHOUETTE Competition
INTRO to STEEL CHALLENGE Pistol Competition
Ruger also offers many other cool videos, both on its Video Webpage and on Ruger’s YouTube Channel. On YouTube, you’ll find a great four-part Tactical Carbine video series, hosted by Dave Spaulding, winner of the 2010 Trainer of the Year award by Law Officer Magazine. Spaulding also hosts a set of Ruger videos on defensive handgun use. For novice handgunners, Ruger offers Beginner Shooting Tips with video segments covering each of these topics:
Introduction
Firearm Safety Rules
Pistol Functionality
Body Position Stance
Dominant Eye
Gripping the Handgun
Sight Picture
Aiming
Trigger Control
Loading and Unloading
Range Basics
Ready Position
Shooting Pairs
Shooting to Slidelock
CDNN Investments has just released its new Summer 2012 Catalog. As usual, the Catalog contains impressive deals on handguns, rifles, shotguns, scopes, magazines, gun parts, and shooting accessories. CDNN acquires, at low prices, overstock and discontinued items from major manufacturers such as HK, Ruger, Sig-Sauer, and Smith & Wesson. CDNN then can sell this merchandise for well below typical retail prices. You can either view the CDNN Summer 2012 Catalog online or download a PDF version to your hard drive.
Great Deals on Hunting Rifles and Big-Name Handguns
Heavy-barrel Howa 1500 rifles in .223 Rem, 22-250, or .204 Ruger are priced at just $389.00. And you can get a Ruger American Rifle in .30-06 for just $339.99. That’s a bargain for a modern hunting rifle with many nice features, including side bolt release and rotary magazine. Among the discounted handguns are Sig-Sauer 22X models, the popular HK P30s and USPs, and a wide selection of budget-priced Springfield Armory XD-Series pistols, and the hard-to-find Ruger LC9 for just $329.99. CDNN also acquired a shipment of Doug Turnbull Single-Action Revolvers with exquisite color case-hardening, and partial engraving. There are scores of AR15 type rifles at deep discounts, plus Para-Ordnance AR15 bare lower receivers for just $119.99.
Ernie Paull from California was an active competition shooter for many years. However, his eyesight has declined so he has turned his attention to providing components for shooters and gunsmiths. Through his Ernie the Gunsmith website, Paull sells a variety of useful products including gun trigger springs, pillar-bedding kits, Accu-Risers, and pillar installation tools. This Bulletin post focuses on Ernie’s trigger springs. Ernie offers springs for a wide variety of rifles: Browning (A-Bolt, A-Bolt 22, X-Bolt), CZ (m452), Kimber, Remington (XR100, XCR, 7, 700, 722, 788, 7600 and more), Ruger (77, 77-22, LC6), Tikka (T-3), Weatherby (MK-V), and Winchester (M-70).
Springs start at just $6.95. Ernie also sells springs for the Rem-compatible Shilen Benchrest trigger, as well as Rem 700 ejector springs and trigger alignment springs. For Rem 700 rifles, Paull makes a spring that fits all Remington M-7 and M-700 triggers including the 2007-vintage X Mark-PRO trigger (but not the newer X Mark-PRO trigger introduced in 2009). Ernie says: “on average, installation of his Model-700 spring will reduce factory triggers’ weight of pull by 1½ to 2½ lbs with no other changes. The exact amount of creep, over-travel, and weight of pull are dependent upon the type and amount of tuning accomplished by your gunsmith.”
We often hear requests from Tikka T-3 owners asking how they can reduce their trigger pull weight. Paull offers a Tikka T-3 varmint trigger spring which can reduce the pull weight significantly. The photo at left shows the Tikka T-3 trigger assembly.
While there is more to a good trigger job (in most cases) than just a spring swap, you need to have the proper rate spring when adjusting trigger pull weight downwards. NOTE: For safety reasons, we recommend you consult a competent gunsmith before modifying factory triggers. We stress the word competent…
Ernie has observed that some gunsmiths try to lighten trigger pulls by modifying factory springs in questionable ways: “I have worked with gunsmiths in the past who, when the subject turned to trigger springs, preferred to clip them, grind them, heat them, bend them, smash them, or simply back out the weight of pull screw until there was no or almost no pressure on the spring. With any of these methods, you get a spring whose rate is rapidly rising as the trigger is pulled. As the trigger is released, the spring rate rapidly decreases as it approaches full or near-full extension. A more uniform weight of pull will be achieved when the trigger spring is compressed within its normal working range throughout the entire movement of the trigger. In the long run, the benefits of saved time, plus more uniform and reliable results, will more than offset the cost of these [replacement] springs. If you want a lighter trigger pull, you need a lighter trigger spring.”
The new Ruger Inside & Out TV program debuts tonight (June 25) at 9:00 pm EST on the Sportsman Channel. The show gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the product development process at Ruger, Hornady, Zeiss and other major manufacturers in the gun/hunting industry. Ken Jorgensen, Ruger’s Media Relations Director, explained the show’s concept: “Ruger Inside & Out tells the story of how products come to be. We talk with designers, engineers, manufacturing staff, and many others that are part of the process that brings products from concept to customer. Viewers will hear these stories and see what goes on in the factory, not only at Ruger, but also with show partners such as Hornady and Zeiss. We’ll also head out on hunts, to training classes, and to other venues where we can put these excellent products to use.”
Here Are Summaries of the First Three Episodes:
Episode 1:
The premiere episode features the .375 Ruger cartridge. The show covers the .375 Ruger’s development and field capabilities, and producers travel to Alaska to see how it fares against grizzly, moose, and bighorn sheep. Plus, Steve Hornady talks about the origins of the Ruger family of cartridges, and get advice from Zeiss about picking the right dangerous game scope.
Episode 2:
This week’s episode covers Ruger’s SR22™ semi-auto .22 LR pistol: how it’s made, and how it shoots. This episode also features “Straight Talk” on how to pick the right size, weight, and caliber handgun for personal and home defense, plus a look at the developmental history of Hornady’s brand-new .17 Hornet cartridge.
Episode 3:
Behind-the-scenes information on how the new Ruger American Rifle™ was designed and manufactured, and how it fares in the field. You’ll get more “Straight Talk” for the armed citizen from veteran law enforcement officers Dave Spaulding & Jason Teague, and take a look at Zeiss’ new Rapid-Z® reticle for Hornady® Superformance® ammo.
As conceived, the show will provide “how to” information to viewers: “Whether it is choosing the right optics for an upcoming hunt or the best ammunition for your personal protection firearms, show hosts and guests will discuss the products that will work best for you and why.” Ruger Inside & Out premieres June 25th at 9:00 PM EST during the Sportsman Channel’s Monday Night “Lock & Load” primetime block.
Our Comment: This show contains some interesting technical info, and the hunting footage shot on location is impressive. However, the “product placement” is heavy-handed and at times the show becomes little more than an “infomercial” for Ruger and Hornady.
The good news continues for Sturm, Ruger & Co. (Ruger) which has seen huge gains in its stock price over that past couple of years. Ruger recently reported that first-quarter sales were up 49% compared to the same period in the previous year. That announcement has caused Ruger shares to rise over 6% just today! (Many of us now wish we’d bought some Ruger stock in 2010 — Ruger shares are trading today at 49.38, up from 16.93 two years ago.)
New products such as the Ruger 10/22 Takedown rifle, the Ruger SR22 pistol and the Ruger American Rifle are driving sales growth. Said CEO Michael Fifer, “New product introductions were a significant component of our sales growth as new product sales represented $40.8 million or 37% of sales in the first quarter of 2012.” Ruger’s results again beat Wall Street expectations. Ruger has beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last seven quarters.
The major American gun-makers are the darlings of Wall Street right now. Smith & Wesson (SWHC) recently traded at $8.60 per share, a 52-week high, up from a 52-week low of $2.29. That’s a whopping 376% increase in stock price in one year! (Current SWHC price is $8.32.) Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. (RGR) traded today as high as $51.87, up from a 52-week low of $18.65 per share. That represents a 278% gain since this time last year. If you had invested in either S&W or Ruger a year ago, you would be sitting pretty right now. Check out SWHC’s stock price trends for the past 52 weeks:
Election-Year Fears Drive Gun Sales
What is driving the rising prices of gun-maker equities? Experts say the main factor is fear — Americans are afraid that, if President Obama is re-elected, he will force through tough new gun laws. That, in turn, is driving increased gun sales, which is good for the gun makers. With increased gun sales, revenues are up and profits are up — and that’s what Wall Street likes to see. S&W got a boost recently when a Wedbush stock analyst Rommel Dionisio re-confirmed S&W’s “Outperform” stock rating, and raised the target price from $7.00 to $10.00. Mr. Dioniso explained that gun sales are starting to rise dramatically because Americans are worried that President Obama will tighten gun laws if he earns a second term.
Other Wall Street “experts” are singing the same tune. Writing on the Motley Fool website, Wall Street reporter Bobbie Johnson opined: “The sales of handguns and ammunition has been on the slow rise over the last few years but the last few months have shown much higher sales. Retailers say it’s due to the upcoming presidential election while others speculate that it is simply the massive uncertainty rippling across our country and others. The industry saw an uptick in sales in the months prior to President Obama’s election in 2008 which was based on the presumption of tougher gun regulations. The general consensus is that more regulations will come into play should the President be re-elected.”
Ruger just announced its new Ruger 10/22 Takedown rifle. This lightweight rimfire rifle comes apart into two sub-assemblies in a matter of seconds. The 4.67-pound Ruger 10/22 Takedown is 37″ long when assembled; each sub-assembly is less than 20 1/4″ long when disassembled. Ruger even supplies a handy storage case to hold the disassembled Ruger 10/22 Takedown.
The barrel and fore-end of the Ruger 10/22 Takedown are easily separated from the action and buttstock by pushing a recessed lever, twisting the sub-assemblies, and pulling them apart. Reassembly is the reverse of takedown. The friction-fit lockup of the assembly joint can be adjusted, but Ruger says it should rarely need re-setting after initial assembly. Ruger claims that “the lockup is secure and repeatable, ensuring an accurate return to zero, even when receiver-mounted optics are used.”
The Ruger 10/22 Takedown is shipped in a ballistic nylon backpack-style case with internal sleeves to hold the sub-assemblies. External pockets with MOLLE webbing provide storage for magazines, ammunition, and other accessories. Multiple attachment points for the padded, single shoulder strap offer different carrying options.
MSRP is $389.00 with Storage Case
Utilizing the standard 10/22 action and 10-round rotary magazine (one magazine is provided), the Ruger 10/22 Takedown represents a reliable, compact, and portable package at an affordable price. MSRP is $389.00 MSRP, and we expect “Street Price” to settle around $340.00. For more info on the new Ruger 10/22 Takedown visit Ruger.com or Facebook.com/Ruger. To find accessories for the Ruger 10/22 Takedown, such the 25-round Ruger BX-25 magazine, visit ShopRuger.com.
Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc. (Ruger) must be doing something right. Ruger’s manufacturing plants are running at full capacity, yet it still can’t keep up with demand for its pistols and rifles. Ruger recently announced that, for the first quarter 2012, the Company has received orders for more than one million units.. That will outstrip Ruger’s production capacity. Therefore, the Company has temporarily suspended the acceptance of new orders.
Chief Executive Officer Michael O. Fifer made the following comments:
• The Company’s Retailer Programs that were offered from January 1, 2012 through February 29, 2012 were very successful and generated significant orders from retailers to independent wholesale distributors for Ruger firearms.
• Year-to-date, the independent wholesale distributors placed orders with the Company for more than one million Ruger firearms.
• Despite the Company’s continuing successful efforts to increase production rates, the incoming order rate exceeds our capacity to rapidly fulfill these orders. Consequently, the Company has temporarily suspended the acceptance of new orders.
• The Company expects to resume the normal acceptance of orders by the end of May 2012.
New Guns Have Been Well-Received
Ruger has seen its fortunes rise in the past few years with the successful introduction of small, compact self-loading pistols. These are very popular with Americans looking for a “carry” pistol for self defense. In addition, demand for rifles has increased with Ruger’s recent introduction of its value-priced Ruger American Rifle (RAR), a bolt gun with many modern features such as a barrel nut (like Savage) and side bolt release (like Tikka). With a street price of just $379.60, the basic, synthetic-stocked RAR is a value-leader in the market, just like the Ruger 10/22, which continues to sell in great numbers.
Ruger has introduced a modern bolt-gun, the Ruger American Rifle (RAR), that combines smart featurea of popular rifles made by Tikka, Browning, and Savage. The New Ruger American Rifle features a three-lug bolt with short 70° bolt lift. Dual cocking cams are used to lighten the bolt lifting force so the bolt can be manipulated easily. This rifle uses a barrel nut like a Savage, and it also has a safety trigger similar in appearance to the Savage Accutrigger, though the mechanics of the Ruger trigger are different. Currently the RAR is available in a comfortable yet somewhat flexy synthetic stock, with pillars and a deep channel to free-float the barrel.
We liked the beefy action, which has as positive tang safety along with a nice rotary magazine. This gun offers many good features considering the affordable price (under $500.00 without optics). We hope Ruger expands the RAR line-up to include a heavy-barreled varmint version with a longer stiffer stock. The RAR will be offered in both short-action and long-action versions.
If you’d invested in Ruger stock three years ago, you’d be sitting pretty right now. Sturm, Ruger & Co. (NYSE: RGR) has done exceptionally well since the 2008 Presidential election, despite the faltering economy. Ruger’s stock price is currently trading above $27.00 per share, up from a low of $5.18 per share in November 2008. That’s an increase of more than 500%. And during that period, Ruger also paid a modest dividend. Hard to beat a huge stock value increase with dividends to boot.
Is Ruger still a good investment, or has all the money already been made? We caution any potential investor that “what goes up must come down”. Still, Ruger has solid fundamentals and the company has made some smart decisions, moving into the concealed, carry gun market with huge success.
Motley Fool Takes Close Look At Sturm, Ruger & Co.
On July 30th, The Motley Fool, a popular investing website, spotlighted Sturm, Ruger & Co., analyzing the company’s performance over the last few years. Motley Fool noted that Ruger has zero debt, has shown 5-year dividend growth of 26.3%, and has delivered a 15% return on equity — all good things. On the other hand, Motley Fool was disappointed with Ruger’s slim 3.7% revenue growth over the past 12 months. But there are positive signs. Last week, Ruger issued a quarterly earning report showing a 32% jump in net income. Overall, The Motley Fool concluded: “Sturm, Ruger hasn’t grown as much as investors would like to see. But with a reasonable valuation, a decent and growing dividend, and good prospects for the future, Sturm, Ruger could get a lot closer to the 10 ring at some point.”
At the 20th Annual Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence awards (held last week in Kentucky), Larry Potterfield of Midway USA received the prestigious Shooting Industry Award for 2011. Potterfield was honored for his efforts to promote the shooting sports. In 2010, Potterfield donated more than $4,000,000 to youth shooting sports organizations and firearms training programs. We congratulate Mr. Potterfield. It’s great to see a successful businessman give back to the sport so generously.
After receiving the Shooting Industry Award, Potterfield stated: “This award is a great validation, from our peers, that Brenda and I are on the right track in supporting the youth shooting movement in the United States. Tomorrow’s leaders are in 4H, Boy Scouts, and the youth programs of the Key Conservation Groups; and they’re attending high schools and colleges. Our passion is to help fund programs that allow more kids to pull the trigger more times. The Scholastic Shooting Trust Fund, which provides funds for high school and college shooting teams, is our favorite charity.”
Hornady is Manufacturer of the Year
Hornady was named Manufacturer of the Year for service, support, and commitment to customers at all levels. Hornady’s new Superformance Varmint Ammo also earned “Ammunition of the Year” honors.
Ruger was a double winner as a gun-maker. Ruger’s new LC9 pistol was named “Handgun of the Year”, while the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle (M77-GS) received the coveted “Rifle of the Year” award.
Leupold also won two awards. The Leupold VX-R 3-9x40mm riflescope was named Optic of the Year and Leupold’s RX-1000i TBR Laser Rangefinder was named Hunting Product of the Year.
Awards were determined by the votes of the 500-member Academy of Excellence, which includes manufacturers, distributors, executives, storefront dealers and outdoor writers. “Each award recipient and nominee deserves accolades for their commitment to excellence in design and service,” said Randy Molde, Academy director.
Ruger has introduced a 10-shot version of its popular single-action rimfire revolver. The new “Single-Ten” will augment the venerable Single-Six, one of Ruger’s best sellers over the years. The Single-Ten features a ten-shot cylinder (chambered for .22LR) and is constructed from satin-finished stainless steel. The Single Ten comes with a 5.5″-long, 6-groove, 1:14″-twist barrel and is fitted with Williams™ adjustable hi-viz fiber optic sights. Single-Ten™ models feature smooth, walnut “Gunfighter”-style grips. The gun weighs 38 ounces, and is 11.00 inches overall. MSRP is $619.00.
Editor’s Commentary: I like the idea of Ruger’s Single Ten. I personally think every shooter should have a quality rimfire revolver for training, plinking, and general outdoor use. I’ve put hundreds of rounds through a six-shot S&W m63 “Kit Gun”, and I currently own a Smith & Wesson Model 617 10-shot rimfire revolver. Rimfire revolvers are great — they are simple, accurate, and inexpensive to shoot. Based on my experience with the S&W Kit Gun and m617, I can say that ten shots really do beat six. You spend less time loading/unloading and more time shooting. Most 50-round factory ammo packs have five-round rows, so it’s logical to load 10 rounds in a cylinder. And, being able to shoot 10 rounds between reloads is a definite advantage in some gun games. So, overall, I think it’s great that Ruger now offers 10-round capacity in its single-action revolver.
Ruger Should Offer a Modern Grip Option
I’m disappointed that Ruger is not offering a Bisley-style grip or a normal full-length target grip as an option for the new Single Ten. The short “Gunfighter-style” grips were developed for heavy-recoiling big-bore revolvers, shot one-handed. The short length is designed to allow the gun to rotate backwards on recoil (with your little finger UNDER the base of the grip). The rotation assists with cocking the hammer for the next round. Well, rimfire revolvers don’t work that way. Except for children and women with small hands, the Gunfighter grip is basically too short to allow a comfortable grip with all fingers on the gun. And the grip is likewise poorly shaped for a two-handed hold. We understand Ruger wanted the Single-10 to look like a vintage Colt SAA. However, for target work, it would be much better to have a longer grip that permits shooters to: 1) hold the gun comfortably with ALL the fingers of one hand; and, 2) use the gun with a modern, two-handed hold.
Ruger has created a series of videos showcasing Metallic Silhouette, IDPA, SCSA (Steel Challenge), and USPSA shooting events. Log on to Ruger’s Beginner’s Guide to Shooting Competitions webpage to see informative videos on each of these popular sports. Below you can find the Video on Metallic Silhouette and the Video on SCSA Steel Challenge pistol competition. Silhouette is a great family sport and the Steel Challenge is the ultimate pistol speed-shooting event.
Ernie Paull from California was an active competition shooter for many years. However, his eyesight has declined so he has turned his attention to providing components for shooters and gunsmiths. Through his 
We often hear requests from Tikka T-3 owners asking how they can reduce their trigger pull weight. Paull offers a Tikka T-3 varmint trigger spring which can reduce the pull weight significantly. The photo at left shows the Tikka T-3 trigger assembly.
The good news continues for Sturm, Ruger & Co. (Ruger) which has seen huge gains in its stock price over that past couple of years. Ruger recently reported that first-quarter sales were up 49% compared to the same period in the previous year. That announcement has caused Ruger shares to rise over 6% just today! (Many of us now wish we’d bought some Ruger stock in 2010 — Ruger shares are trading today at 49.38, up from 16.93 two years ago.)
Ruger just announced its new 
At the 20th Annual Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence awards (held last week in Kentucky), Larry Potterfield of 
