What is Ruger Making Now?

Help Support Ruger Forum:

Joined
Dec 5, 2011
Messages
524
Location
FL
It's March 2021... does anyone know what guns Ruger is currently making on their assembly lines (emphasis on revolvers)? I was just wondering when we can expect to see availability.
 
Joined
Nov 5, 2007
Messages
9,675
Location
Dallas, TX
It's funny, while there does seem to be a shortage of firearms I see the same (brand new) guns for sale at different gun stores. For example, there are three local gun stores Ive been too lately, they all have Smith and Wesson Model 41's, and the Volquartsen 22's. And the Smith and Wesson MP15-22 pistol. I'm sure there are others, those come to mind right away.

I know I'm not answering your question, but it does make me wonder how companies make guns. They must do runs of a certain model, then switch to another model. Although now that I'm typing this, it seems obvious.

Oh, and I also see a lot of Rugers. The LCP ii and lots of 9mm models.
 

hittman

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jan 16, 2008
Messages
16,915
Location
Illinois
Local stores here have in stock now:

LCP in 22 and 380 including "tan".

LC9.

LCR in 38.

One has a 4 inch stainless GP too.
 

Thel

Blackhawk
Joined
Jun 22, 2010
Messages
639
Location
Pacific Northwest
Guns are made in batches. I thought the revolvers were made in the East and the semiautos in the West so one would think they must be making some revolvers. I have not seen any new Ruger revolvers at any of the stores out here in the West as of late. One shop did have a couple of new J frame Smiths and a Colt Cobra, though.
 

hittman

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jan 16, 2008
Messages
16,915
Location
Illinois
Speaking of Colt .... local dealer got in 2 of the new Python I think they were.

One even had last digits on s/n of 357! They honored their $2,000 price to the guy who had spoken for it and while there, his buddy shelled out $2,000 for the other one too.
 
Joined
Dec 5, 2011
Messages
524
Location
FL
I was just wondering since I saw a new 5.5" barrel Super Blackhawk on GB with the new black box it comes with, so I "thought" that maybe they're rolling out. It's hard to separate the new from the good condition old stuff that's being sold as "new old stock" condition at extortionate prices.
 
Joined
Dec 5, 2011
Messages
524
Location
FL
As an update, I called Ruger today to inquire about how I can purchase a new revolver, and the lady told me to just have my local dealer place the order with the distributor and they'll will, in turn, build the gun "to order" and said it would take six to eight weeks.
 

jimd441

Blackhawk
Joined
Feb 28, 2009
Messages
684
Location
NC
Very interesting feedback from Ruger seasterl - thanks for sharing. As mentioned in one of the posts, I always thought production guns were made in batches as make to stock items. I had no idea Ruger would do make to order.

Jim
 
Joined
Dec 5, 2011
Messages
524
Location
FL
jimd441 said:
Very interesting feedback from Ruger seasterl - thanks for sharing. As mentioned in one of the posts, I always thought production guns were made in batches as make to stock items. I had no idea Ruger would do make to order.

Jim

You're probably still correct about that, Jim. They would be terribly inefficient if they only reacted to individual orders. I'm thinking Lipsey's et al have standing orders plus runs to keep local stores stocked with things that sell.
 
Joined
May 14, 2010
Messages
1,781
Location
NH: LIVE FREE OR DIE
Last I checked, ruger has a backlog of distributor orders that will take over a year to clear...it is probably larger (and longer) now....

And they are very short of help in the Newport, NH plant...have weekly job fairs!

Patience will be necessary in order to get some of the less in-demand models, including probably most single action revolvers.
 

chet15

Hawkeye
Joined
Jan 22, 2001
Messages
5,993
Location
Dawson, Iowa
seasterl said:
It's March 2021... does anyone know what guns Ruger is currently making on their assembly lines (emphasis on revolvers)? I was just wondering when we can expect to see availability.

A good question. Found out they shipped exactly 1 NM flattop in 2020.
Chet15
 

Thel

Blackhawk
Joined
Jun 22, 2010
Messages
639
Location
Pacific Northwest
"You're probably still correct about that, Jim. They would be terribly inefficient if they only reacted to individual orders. I'm thinking Lipsey's et al have standing orders plus runs to keep local stores stocked with things that sell."

When building in batches there are changeover costs to the new model, i.e. clearing out previous inventory, fixtures, etc. and moving in the new stock, training on any new steps needed or that are different, setting up the machines, and getting up to speed (i.e. learning curve). These figure into cost of manufacture just as much as material, labor and overhead associated with the new model.

In talking to a local dealer he said he could contact the distributor but in the end it was up to the distributor to talk to Ruger.
 

Hondo44

Hawkeye
Joined
Apr 3, 2009
Messages
8,040
Location
People's Republik of California
Ruger does build common models by "production runs". These standard models have regular production runs intermittenly.

However slower moving models do not. Production runs for these are only scheduled when market demand, i.e., the volume of orders for those models by distributors justify another production run. There can be years between these scheduled runs.

Distributor exclusive special models usually have only one production run unless the distributor commits to another couple of thousand of a special model.
 
Joined
Dec 5, 2011
Messages
524
Location
FL
Hondo44 said:
Ruger does build common models by "production runs". These standard models have regular production runs intermittenly.

However slower moving models do not. Production runs for these are only scheduled when market demand, i.e., the volume of orders for those models by distributors justify another production run. There can be years between these scheduled runs.

Distributor exclusive special models usually have only one production run unless the distributor commits to another couple of thousand of a special model.

When I asked the lady at Ruger how I purchase the less-popular Super Blackhawk 10.5", she said the ask my local dealer to put in the order with a distributor and they'd build it in 6-8 weeks. I replied with "... so you won't wait until you have 'x' number of orders before you star building my gun?" and she replied "no" that they'll start building it without further delay. This was last week when I called. After thinking about it more, and reluctant to take a chance on having a down payment with my dealer for "x" months, I decided to help out a collector that was willing to sell his that he'd bought new and never shot. My dealer called me today saying they just received it. I guess I was thinking better to buy an older one when I knew quality was up and not risk a new one with questionable quality.
 
Joined
Jun 30, 2006
Messages
1,335
Location
Far West Valley, Phoenix Arizona
I returned a SBH 10mm in December of 2020 and was offered a replacement after it was determined to not be repairable. They allowed me to select a RH convertible 45 Colt / 45 ACP. I was told in early March that they were starting up the RH production line and would be making 44's first. They said replacement guns had to be built to order and I should expect a 6-8 week build time. I have had no word from Ruger since but I am going to contact they in May for an update. I do not mind the wait and consider their replacement offer to be most generous.

Bill
 

Latest posts

Top