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Is Bill Ruger getting Attention?

NighthawkNighthawk Member Posts: 12,022 ✭✭✭
edited July 2002 in General Discussion
The death of Bill Ruger was shocking to me.But it doesnt seem as if the death of one of Americas biggest fire arms manufacturers is getting the attention it deserves.He was well known for his top quality manufacture of Hand guns as well as long guns.He strived to make sure his designs were faultless before ever offering them to the public.Bill took on several projects that were never released to the public,because he could not perfect them. He wanted to be known for making affordable top quality fire arms.If he could not make a product to his specs he would work to do so,and if not rather than sale junk to his customers he would take a huge investment loss and scrap the project.Several people all have their opinions of him,and that is fine.But I havent read about his death in any news paper I read.Nor have I seen it on TV,as you would if it were Sarah Brady or someone else known for their cause.Every one I have ask with the exception of a few,if they knew of his death were shocked.I know all the Gun Magazines will pay him tribute.But it will be a month or so as they print a couple months ahead any way.It just seems like it would have made a larger Impact on the Gun world.He was one of the few Privately owned Gun makers.And I truly hope his company continues with his standards.

Rugster
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Comments

  • robsgunsrobsguns Member Posts: 4,581 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Seems like the NRA could maybe do a little more to let the world know that someone so important in their world has passed, doesnt it? This is a perfect example of how the media controls what is deemed important enough for the news. They dont want any good press for the gun world, so they're not going to extoll their praises on the man at his passing. It would probalby give him the status of martyr in the antis eyes, ya know, cant have that. I'm surprised they're missing the chance to mention how this great man in the gun world believed in the high capacity mag ban, even though he was a major gun manufacturer. God I hate the media!!

    SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC
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  • NighthawkNighthawk Member Posts: 12,022 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You said it Srgt.by the way, WE ALL THANK you for wearing that uniform and standing for what it represents.I caught the first part of full metal jacket the other night.Id seen it before but It made me prouder to be American,and That Title Marine says it all.Thumbs up!


    Best!!

    Rugster

    Edited by - rugster on 07/11/2002 15:56:33
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  • dads-freeholddads-freehold Member Posts: 1,361 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    greetings, i agree ruger has not the proper respect he deserves, even before his death. along the patriotic theme, has anybody seen the new toby keith video? really raises the little hairs on your neck. respt submitted dads-freehold

    rodney colson
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  • robsgunsrobsguns Member Posts: 4,581 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Toby Keith has himself an immortal song there, it'll end up like Lee Greenwood's song, God Bless the USA.

    SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC
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  • bullelkbullelk Member Posts: 679 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    How about if we send a couple of e-mails to some cable media, such as Fox News. I think guys like Shawn Hannity and Bill O'Reilly might give it some sort of attention if it was brought up to them. Maybe even Rush Limbaugh. Even it was little, it would show some respect.
    The general has no problems putting scumbags in the spotlight, I don't know why they don't have the courtesy to mention that a decent man like Bill Ruger has passed away.
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  • Warpig883Warpig883 Member Posts: 6,459
    edited November -1
    While he had nowhere near the impact on the firearms world that John Browning, or Mauser did he did definatley have a place in the mass production of arms for the American sportsman and collector. He will be missed.



    Edited by - warpig883 on 07/12/2002 13:52:49
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  • idsman75idsman75 Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Okay, I've been out of the loop a bit. When did Bill Ruger die?
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  • The LawThe Law Member Posts: 2,287 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    ...Dude or Dudette...you may have always been out...of the loop...

    "Don't mistake my honesty for weakness...If I think your phony...I'll flame you in a heartbeat"...
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  • bullelkbullelk Member Posts: 679 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    idsman,
    He passed away last Saturday.
    RugerNiner has a post on 7-08-02 with all the details. Titled; Sturm Ruger Founder William Ruger Dies.

    Warpig,
    Maybe he wasn't John Browning or Mauser, but he was Bill Ruger, he's done more for the gun industry than most men have. He was the innovator of manufacturing excellent quality guns at an affordable price. One of the first Rugers I bought was a 22 auto pistol for $37.50, and if I had it today it would be worth 200.00. I also bought a Blackhawk in 41 mag for $87.50, I still have it and I turned down 450.00 for it.
    Please give the Gentleman some credit for what he has done. May He Rest In Peace.
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  • competentonecompetentone Member Posts: 4,696 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ids,

    Bill Ruger died Saturday July, 6th.

    His death was not unexpected--he had been in poor health for some time.

    He had never been a significant public figure when he was alive (largely by his choice), so it is not surprising that there is no media comment on his passing.

    Most people would ask, "Bill Ruger? Who's that?" if the general media reported his passing.
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  • Warpig883Warpig883 Member Posts: 6,459
    edited November -1
    BullElk

    I do believe it was Stevens which was once the worlds largest gun factory that was the innovator of manufacturing excellent quality guns at an affordable price. And it is now Savage.

    I am sorry the firearms industry lost a man who was once a supporter but I really do not see the signifigance of his contributions.

    That .22 pistol you speak of which happens to be a blowback operated design which was an invention of John Browning.
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  • RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I f you build a better Mouse Trap, People will Flock to your Door.

    Mr. Ruger may not have Built the Mouse Trap, but he Built a Better Mouse Trap

    Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
    Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
    NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
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  • Warpig883Warpig883 Member Posts: 6,459
    edited November -1
    How so?

    Every single semi automatic pistol EVER made by Colt has been a Browning design. Ruger was just playing follow the leader. For every fan of the .22 Ruger pistol there is a Woodsman,Challenger,Medalist or Buckmark fan ready to outshoot them. Not to mention High Standard arguably some of the most accurate .22 pistols ever made (Olymics quality) The standard Ruger Target psitol the infamous mkII does not even come with adjustable sights.

    I am sure he made valuable contributions to the industry. i would agree that he was a marketing and manufacturing genious but as far as the inventing stuff that is WAY overblown.
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  • dads-freeholddads-freehold Member Posts: 1,361 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    greetings, oh kay he may not be john browning, sam colt,dan wesson,or any of the major arms makers, but just ask your self whose weapon can the average joe afford without morgaging the ranch and put his life on it consistently. just look at the prices out there and who's quality product is consistently a hundred or more less and still runs with the big dogs? he may not be any of those people but he is the "henry ford " of quality weapon; 10-22 ,what compares , mini 14,30 again what compares weapon twice or three times as much, blk hawk 44 or red hawk 44 consistently hot loads that tear the 629 apart, don't believe me fire 44 carbine in a 629 , it'll come apart, the p-series is every bit as reliable as the double priced sig's and the over priced glocks, and no american pistol compares. respt submitted dads-freehold

    rodney colson
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  • Warpig883Warpig883 Member Posts: 6,459
    edited November -1
    I do agree with that. Like I said he was a marketing and manufacturing genious. He took the place of Stevens.

    Actually Savage guns are just as good if not better quality and cheaper and more accurate, but Savage is only making a couple handgun models right now and only 1 shotgun.

    However when it comes to guns the working man can afford Ruger did fail miserably with the Gold Label Shotgun. Way too expensive!
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  • EVILDR235EVILDR235 Member Posts: 4,398 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The little ruger 22 auto is the most sucessful 22 ever made.Where are all the other ones today?The woodsman is long gone,too many different models that had little interchange of parts between it's models.Too expensive also.High Standard is another one with the same problems.Where is the new Colt 22 auto that came out a few years ago? Also gone.Where is the counterfeit AMT Lightning? Buckmarks seem to be popular.Time will tell.Sure some of them shot better than a stock Ruger,but who could afford to buy them.Try to get parts for some of the other brand autos.Ruger parts are cheap,and easy to get,and fit with little,or no fitting.More aftermarket parts than all the rest combind ever.I never saw Ruger go bankrupt.The late Jim Clark held a shooting record for 39 years with a Ruger 22 auto.Our armed forces use them for training our troops.The little 22 auto has been in production with improvements for 53 years.Lots of parts will interchange between the different years,and models.The little Ruger is the SB Chevy of guns.I have found all of mine to be well made,reliable,and just plain fun.For the rest of my life,every time i shoot one of my little Ruger 22 autos,i will remember Bill Ruger,and the joy he brought to millions of people.Dr.Evil
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  • robsgunsrobsguns Member Posts: 4,581 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Warpig,
    Now that is a definite blow it out your butt statement saying that Savage is as good or maybe better than Ruger. The quality control at Savage was layed off sometime before I started shooting guns, as is evident from the guns coming out of the factory. The only thing good about a Savage is the accuracy and that is it. I have 3 and neither will support your statement of them being anywhere near the gun Ruger makes.
    It actually sounds as if you just want to argue, because there is nothing to support your belief that Bill Ruger wasnt the man we all say he is/was.

    SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC
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  • idsman75idsman75 Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Law Dog--Well, you know....working 80 hours/week does lead to missing one or two things here or there.
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  • Warpig883Warpig883 Member Posts: 6,459
    edited November -1
    I stand by all my statements




    I am only really in disagreement with the statements that Bill Ruger was the inventive genious that you all claim. I have been waiting to hear of one of his inventions from you people but it has not happened yet. He did make new models of gun but they WERE ALL on systems that had already been invented. So why is he put in the same light as the original inventors?

    Come on guys twll me one Ruger invention that was revolutionary to the firearms world and try to change my mind.

    robsguns, why is it that if somebody does not agree with your opinion they just want to argue?
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  • robsgunsrobsguns Member Posts: 4,581 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:He weren't no John Browning, or Mauser


    The thread started out with a simple statement, that Bill wasnt getting the attention he deserved upon his death. Many of us agree with that, you just compared him to some other well known gun designers to try to degrade the importance his presence in the industry has been, or why else would you have said it? You want to argue.
    quote:I do believe it was Stevens which was once the worlds largest gun factory that was the innovator of manufacturing excellent quality guns at an affordable price. And it is now Savage.

    I am sorry the firearms industry lost a man who was once a supporter but I really do not see the signifigance of his contributions.


    I personally do not like Savage's quality, they shoot well, but that is all, I have 3 and have had more, and I know my experience as well as others. You state that you do not see the significance of his contributions. In the quote below though you are sure he made valuable contributions to the industry. So which is it? You want to argue.
    quote:I am sure he made valuable contributions to the industry. i would agree that he was a marketing and manufacturing genious but as far as the inventing stuff that is WAY overblown
    quote:Actually Savage guns are just as good if not better quality and cheaper and more accurate, but Savage is only making a couple handgun models right now and only 1 shotgun.

    However when it comes to guns the working man can afford Ruger did fail miserably with the Gold Label Shotgun. Way too expensive!

    I challenge you to find one person who thinks like you that Savage guns are just as good if not better. If that person exists, then tell me why this company that makes such good weapons why do they have such a limited line and such a small share of the market in the industry? The answer is that they are inferior in nearly every way to Ruger, except for the accuracy, they are accurate. So Ruger made the Gold Label, and the average working man cant afford it? It cost a lot less than any car, and the average working man can afford a car, where your priorities are has a lot to do with what you can afford. You want to argue.
    quote:Come on guys twll me one Ruger invention that was revolutionary to the firearms world and try to change my mind.
    Ok. I'm not sure about this, but I believe that any gun with a patent on it would fit the bill as a design different than any other. It may not be an invention, but then John Moses Browning didnt exactly invent the gun either, now did he? I'd say what he did with the Super Redhawks and the scope mounting system is just about as unique as it gets, and I may be wrong, but I dont think he copied it from anyone.

    Sir, I dont have anything against you, really, but I will defend a dead mans legacy when its sure as heck worth defending. I almost can say I feel as if I know the man when I hold one of his guns in my hands. What you and I think of his guns is really irrelevant, I just dont like seeing his name, a God like name in the industry, being frivelously(?)thrown around like he was no one to us gun owners. I admired the mans guns, I didnt agree with him on all his opinions, but I admired what he had to say, and how he lived his life. There is not a man in the world that can argue well enough to change my mind of him. I think you just want to argue, because from where I sit, you're wrong for what you have to say about him, and you even contradicted yourself once, which only happens when someone is unsure of what they are saying.

    SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC

    Edited by - robsguns on 07/12/2002 12:11:46
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  • Warpig883Warpig883 Member Posts: 6,459
    edited November -1
    robsguns, I can see where my first post on this subject could be taken as arguementative therefore I have edited it to be more civil however I still stand by my statements.


    Like I have said I am sure he is deserving of praise for the things that he did do in the Firearms industry. I am only disputing the God like effigy that is endowed upon him. He is always being compared to the great firearms inventors of the past and I am just asking why? He was not a great inventor.

    I put him more in line with the founders of countless other firearms companies. They all did their part and thank them for that. But to try to infuse upon those of us that are seeing with our eyes open that Bill Ruger is a GOD and that all his guns are the holy grail of gun inventions is a blindness that is only suffering upon those who spew its vile discourse.

    I know of several people who do not care for Ruger rifles or pistols but this has nothing to do with the arguement. I only made the referances to the other manufactures having good or better guns to put Bill Ruger in the company that he is equal to.

    I am afraid to tell you that there are also different opinions of the quality of the Rugers. The rifles and semi auto hanguns I have shot and been around were only good for shooting around corners as shooting the bullet in a straight line was out of the question. With the exception of the 10-22 when it does not jam. The over under shotgun with its tendacy to fire both barrels at once makes it a displeasure to shoot. I really cannot find fault with Ruger revolvers and I do enjoy them however just so you know Ruger did not invent them.

    There is a reason the customer service at Ruger is so good. It has to be. I cannot count how many times I have heard of people telling how their gun was repaired by Ruger so quick and for free. I do remember how many times I have heard people say they had to send in a gun to one of the other manufacturers--very miniscule.

    Now that you have used your attack upon my opinion of Bill Rugers place in the halls of dead firearms company owners/founders to turn this thread into a display that masks its original purpose. I think I will now keep quite on the subject. However if you feel the need to infuse Bill Rugers name into the minds of American gun affendicios as the greatest of the great then I can only hope that one day you will expand your horizans to realize there are several other fine men who WERE INVENTORS that set the stage for Bill Ruger to walk upon during his hallowed time on earth with us.

    My opinion
    If you don't like it to bad, you are entitled to yours but I did not attack you for it.



    Ruger is just another gun company. It is not the only one and it is argueably not the best one.

    It was a spirited debate




    Edited by - warpig883 on 07/12/2002 13:58:03

    Edited by - warpig883 on 07/12/2002 14:03:33
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  • john wjohn w Member Posts: 4,104
    edited November -1
    It finally hit the Cleveland Plain Dealer obit's today friday
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  • robsgunsrobsguns Member Posts: 4,581 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Warpig,
    That was a civil discussion, its agreed to disagree.

    SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC
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  • 218Beekeep218Beekeep Member Posts: 3,033
    edited November -1
    Since this turned into Ruger VS Savage,
    check out these 2 little known facts:

    Bill Ruger was a Savage fan,his first
    gun project was to take one of his personal
    99s in 250 Savage,and turn it into a semi auto.
    He showed it to Savage,but Savage wasn`t interested.

    Bill ruger`s real success came when he hired
    longtime Savage designer Nicholas Brewer out of
    retirement,Brewer went on to do design some important
    stuff for Ruger.

    If I`m not mistaken,Brewer,who designed tyhe 340,and 110
    probably designed the 77

    The 110 is a great rifle...Savage just offers too
    many cheap versions of it..and it hurts their reputation.

    .218
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