Changes to Ruger's 2011 lineup

[chet15]

Looks like Ruger has made a running production change in the blue M77 Hawkeye rifle. All will now be coming with a "blue" finish. So apparently Ruger has received negative feedback on their matte finish???

Gone in the Hawkeye completely are the 6.8SPC and 7.62 x 39. Also gone is the "R" model in 6.5 Creedmoor and the stainless RFP model in .338 Federal.

The 2011 catalog will also list some interesting new calibers in the Hawkeye African. These include a rifle in .223 (which has already been talked about a little here on RF), .338 Win Mag., .300 Win Mag. and another caliber I've not heard of till now....the 9.3 x 62.

For 10/22's, gone are the K10/22RPF and K10/22T as well as the recnetly introduced K10/22RPB.

The P90 and K90 are also gone as are the P944 and KP944.

Chet15

 

[BlkHawk73]

I'd heard about the African chamberings but not the 9.3x62. Did notice Hornady introduced it though so figured it would show in either the Hawkeye or #1 line-up.
The Creedmore and 338 going away aren't a surprise really. decent cartridges just didn't get a sizeable following.
The 10/22 models going away...nothing really gathering a huge market so make way for others.
Not surprising the P series are gone either. just had to make way and production resources for the "SR" models - makes sense.

Now...with the elimination of the P90, that leaves a void of .45 caliber auto-pistols using the current line-up. Hmmmm...what could be on the horizon? ;)

 

[mrbumps]

A local shop just received a couple of Hawkeye's in 338 Federal, and while the finish was still "matte", it was much blacker and richer looking that what I have seen in the past.

 

[JFB]

so chances are good a new .223 will join the 1V, 77V & the Mini's :D

 

[mattsbox99]

Now...with the elimination of the P90, that leaves a void of .45 caliber auto-pistols using the current line-up. Hmmmm...what could be on the horizon? ;)

They still make the P345. They have also had the No. 1 in 9.3x62 for a while.

 

[BlkHawk73]

Now...with the elimination of the P90, that leaves a void of .45 caliber auto-pistols using the current line-up. Hmmmm...what could be on the horizon? ;)

They still make the P345. They have also had the No. 1 in 9.3x62 for a while.

They do have the P345 but just one .45 cal auto-pistol leaves a void compared to other manufacturers. hence the "on the horizon" remark. ;) \
That would be the 9.3x74R not the 9.3x62 in the #1 wouldn't it?

 

[gunman42782]

Glad to are going back to real bluing. That matte finish looks awful on a wood stocked gun. Sorry to hear they are no longer going to make the P90. That is a great shooting .45.

 

[mattsbox99]

Ruger has a bunch of voids when it comes to a .45 ACP pistol, namely a 1911, but also a compact, and an SR45.

I see that it is a 9.3x74R and not a 9.3x62 in the No. 1. All I know is it'll be a niche cartridge offering, like a few other recent offerings.

---

If they go back to a high polish blue, I hope a few scope manufacturers do too. All the new scopes are matte finish.

 

[sp]

Apparently the 9.3X62 is a real oldie and I have heard that it is/was popular in Africa, it is a .366 bullet launcher. Of interest is the new .370 Sako mag a 9.3X 65, 66 or 67? something that can launch a 286 grain bullet about 100-150 fps faster than the 9.3X62 and fit into a standard 06 action with standard bolt face. How close will that be to the famous .375 H&H -- probably not that close.

The .223 sounds interesting.

Ruger, for the most part, quietly improves their products year to year. I never liked the matte finished blued barrels. Possibly Ruger has improved the quality of wood in their stocks.

 

[Al James]

Sad to see the P90 and P94 going to pasture. I linked a copy of this post in the SA section for those who are interested in the P guns. Pout :cry:

 

[almostfree]

CZ makes the CZ 550 full stock in 9.3x62. It isn't the power level of a .375 H&H, but my understanding is that it is still a heck of a cartridge.

 

[wunbe]

What changes have ben made in the #1 line?

I hear that they are dropping the 1B entirely.

wunbe

 

[Donaldjr1969]

Sad to see the P90 and P94 going to pasture. I linked a copy of this post in the SA section for those who are interested in the P guns. Pout :cry:

Wow, this is a shock to me. I am glad I got my P90 in May of this year. Not that I would have been unhappy with a P345. In fact, I was having a hard time deciding between the two.

Any possible reasoning for canning the P90? Was it to save costs by going to a poly-framed pistol? Was it the lack of a rail that did it in? Was it the lack of the internal lock, loaded chamber indicator, and magazine disconnect?

 

[pistolpete]

I hope Ruger doesn't decide to give up on the entire P-series line up. I like DA/SA hammer fired pistols.

 

[GhosT]

Although never owned one.....
Hearing the P90 discontinued saddens me.

They brought in an expert to design the barrel...
There are countless P90's out there that are WAY more accurate then the Price paid for!

I own a P91.....Basically a P90 in .40SW.....
Snatched it up when they discontinued that model a decade +ago.

As much as I love my P91,the P90 is better,slightly more accurate.

If ya own a P90, don't sell or trade it away!

JMHO...of course! ;)

 

[P90]

I have 2-KP97DC's. Looks like I need to get another KP90DC to go with the one I already have. All metal guns are going to be a thing of the past, except as a specialty item, and then cost a fortune. :cry:

 

[mbresortguy]

I, too, am sorry to see the P90 go, but at least I have mine tucked safely away in my gun cabinet, along with my P345.

I would be interested to see if Ruger comes out with an SR45 followed by an SR45c... even tho they're plastics, they could still be fun! After all, I really enjoy my SR9c... not too bad for a 9mm!!

Cheers!

 

[chet15]

What changes have ben made in the #1 line?

I hear that they are dropping the 1B entirely.

wunbe

Yes....the 1B is gone...for now at least. I can't imagine the mainstay of the #1 Rifle lineup ever since 1967 is going to disappear forever though. Sure, there's interest in the lightweight barreled #1's with sights lately, but most of that interest is due to the interesting new calibers that are for the most part distributor exclusives.

In the 1B's place are NEW 1A cataloged chamberings of .30-06, 6.5 Creedmore and .308!!! Of course the 1A in .303 is also a cataloged version for 2011.
The .458 Lott in a 1H will also be back in the 2011 catalog as well as a 1V in 6.5 Creedmoor, a 1S in .300 Win and a 1RSI in .300 RCM, this last one doesn't make much sense to me at all (niche caliber in a same-size barreled action instead of a weight saving action like what Ruger did in the M77 Hawkeye with the RCM calibers....will probably be a great model to throw in the safe!!).
Chet15

 

[wunbe]

Chet15,

The 1V in the Creedmore is the only one that I would buy. My anti-AH leanings and preference for standard models at work, the Ruger 1 line is now almost devoid of interest for me. Let's hope Lipseys and other distributors step in with the vision Ruger lacks.

My current 1Bs, off the top of my head, include -- a 22 Hornet, 204 Ruger, 6mm rem, 257 Bob, 25.06, 6.5 WM, 7mm -08, 7x57, 280 Rem, 2 7mm RMs, .270, 30-006, 308, .300 H&H*,.300 RM, 338-06*, .338 Federa*l, 9.3x62*, and .405 Winchester. That'll have to do.

wunbe (nowunbes?)

* = custom rifles

 

[Leucoandro]

In the 1B's place are NEW 1A cataloged chamberings of .30-06, 6.5 Creedmore and .308!!! Of course the 1A in .303 is also a cataloged version for 2011.

I sure would be interested in a Ruger RSI in 308 or 7mm-08.


Charlie

 

[mattsbox99]

That is a shocking move on the 1B... I have one in .25/06 that I enjoy. I could see them getting rid of the 1V, but the B surprises me.

 

[Ray Newman]

Maybe Ruger figured out just how many firearms in what configuration will sell each year and those that do not/will not sell. And leaves the non-catalogued, unusual or obsolete calibres, etc., to limited production runs for the distributors.

The result is that Ruger sells the entire lot -- no inventory to pay taxes on or later sell at a loss to a clearinghouse, the distributor sells off the lot as consumers realize the run is limited and probably will not be repeated. Or, if and when Ruger comes out with a “new” design, the shooting public will ‘snatch ‘em up’ not knowing how long they will be manufactured. Think of the Accusport Bisleys, the Lipsey No. 1’s and .44 Specials, Browning M1886 and 1892, etc.

 

[Woodsloafer]

In reviewing the listings of Ruger models on the Lipsey's website, it appears that all of the 77 RSI's have been discontinued with no replacements as with other models (for example, matte "blue" finish versions discontinued with blue models replacing them). In addition, the "order button" is not shown for the 308 and 30-06 77 RSI models on the Ruger website, also suggesting they are "gone". I hope that is not the case, the 77 RSI's are one of my favorites.

 

[chet15]

In reviewing the listings of Ruger models on the Lipsey's website, it appears that all of the 77 RSI's have been discontinued with no replacements as with other models (for example, matte "blue" finish versions discontinued with blue models replacing them). In addition, the "order button" is not shown for the 308 and 30-06 77 RSI models on the Ruger website, also suggesting they are "gone". I hope that is not the case, the 77 RSI's are one of my favorites.

Is true. The M77 RSI Hawkeye will apparently not be in the 2011 catalog.
Interesting revelation there, especially with the 1RSI continuing to be cataloged. Personally I like both rifle styles, but dropping the M77 RSI leaves me a little bewildered.
Chet15

 

[chet15]

Maybe Ruger figured out just how many firearms in what configuration will sell each year and those that do not/will not sell. And leaves the non-catalogued, unusual or obsolete calibres, etc., to limited production runs for the distributors.

The result is that Ruger sells the entire lot -- no inventory to pay taxes on or later sell at a loss to a clearinghouse, the distributor sells off the lot as consumers realize the run is limited and probably will not be repeated. Or, if and when Ruger comes out with a “new” design, the shooting public will ‘snatch ‘em up’ not knowing how long they will be manufactured. Think of the Accusport Bisleys, the Lipsey No. 1’s and .44 Specials, Browning M1886 and 1892, etc.

Maybe. But I.M.O., it doesn't cost much to continue advertising a model that's been around forever, and has been the mainstay of the #1 since 1967.
As far as buyer trends, surely Ruger keeps track of this. But then again, maybe we're seeing another phase of Number 1 history....the special issues with sights have been so popular (250- gun runs of certain calibers :roll: which honestly I don't call all that popular), that maybe we can again speculate that the #1 is on its last leg??? Yup....prices are getting up there and it is easy to see why there would be a lot fewer folks wanting to spend hard to come by cash on a single shot rifle in these times?
And 1A's outselling 1B's??? Something just doesn't seem to add up there, but obviously the execs at Ruger know a lot more about the market trends than we do.
Chet15

 

[Woodsloafer]

In reviewing the listings of Ruger models on the Lipsey's website, it appears that all of the 77 RSI's have been discontinued with no replacements as with other models (for example, matte "blue" finish versions discontinued with blue models replacing them). In addition, the "order button" is not shown for the 308 and 30-06 77 RSI models on the Ruger website, also suggesting they are "gone". I hope that is not the case, the 77 RSI's are one of my favorites.

Is true. The M77 RSI Hawkeye will apparently not be in the 2011 catalog.
Interesting revelation there, especially with the 1RSI continuing to be cataloged. Personally I like both rifle styles, but dropping the M77 RSI leaves me a little bewildered.
Chet15

I agree, especially since they appear to be adding to the 1RSI lineup with the 300 RCM chambering.

 

[RCT(V)]

Maybe. But I.M.O., it doesn't cost much to continue advertising a model that's been around forever . . .

Chet, I am following this thread via the LINK from the pistol forum. I am primarily interested in the "P-series" pistols.

I agree it would not cost much to continue advertising a particular model. Even if not advertised through the press/media, the cost would be insignificant of simply including these (to be "retired") models, in the Ruger brochure/price lists.

Their retention within the Ruger line-up would be justified - probably enhanced - if they were regarded and promoted as part of a "Classic" range . . . only "made-to-order", etc.. After all, the tooling and machinery/jigs are there, and will all have been paid for!

As far as buyer trends, surely Ruger keeps track of this . . .

You would hope so, but there is every indication of a "production", "lean manufacturing", type person getting hold of the statistical figures, and interpreting them for his own narrow ends.

. . . obviously the execs at Ruger know a lot more about the market trends than we do.

We can only hope that more sensible, wise, "sales & marketing" opinions will prevail and that the metal pistols; and, your "long-bang-sticks"; will continue to be available, even if this means with longer production/delivery times.


NOTE: Does anyone have a <LINK> to the original source of the information/press release. I've looked all over the Ruger web site. It does say the 2011 brochure should be available this month (November), but I cannot find it!

RCT(V)

 

[GaryVA]

Chet15,

Are you a Ruger employee with inside information? I could neither find a press release from Ruger nor a release from the gun industry on the 2011 lineup reference this info. What's the source and how is it verified?

My interest is the 9.3x62 in the M77 Hawkeye lineup.

Thanks:)

 

[GaryVA]

Okay, I called my source in NH and did confirm that the matte Hawkeye finish is gone with a switch to a polished finish in both blue and in stainless models. Not a single person within that department had knowledge of the model changes. Was told that SOP was to keep that info close to the chest and not release until the public release of the production catalog. He said that was due for release in December.

I would still like to know if the m77 9.3x62 was verified.

Thanks:)

 

[Brad]

The matte finish on the Stainless and Blue rifles was the best thing Ruger did recently, especially in the far-too-shiny stainless rifles... dropping a matte or satin finish in favor of gloss is a huge mistake.

I'll not buy a Ruger in a shiny SS finish as it's a game-spooking abomination...