Disappointed in Ruger folks

[contender]

Yes,, it's true,, I'm disappointed in Ruger folks.

Now,, to explain WHY I'm disappointed.

This past weekend,, I attended and displayed at the OGCA/ROCS show in Ohio. Putting aside the fact we've had (2) members pass away in the past year who always put together excellent displays,, Mike Womble (aks; mike722 here,) and Jim Schafer we had too few displays. WAY TOO FEW DISPLAYERS!!!!!! We need MORE folks to display.

I read story after story here by many different people who have Rugers,, who are proud of them, and show off pictures & such.

Yet,, I'm very saddened by the fact we have so few folks who will actually do a display of the very same things at a ROCS show.

There are NO excuses for NOT doing a display. In fact,, I've never found any negative things that can be proven when someone says; "I can't do a display because,,,,,,,,,,,,!"
Some say; "My guns aren't good enough to display!" BS times 10!!!!!!!
Some say; "My guns aren't rare enough: THEY DO NOT HAVE TO BE RARE TO BE USED IN A DISPLAY.
Some say; "I don't have a complete set of XYZ,, so I can't display." BS as VERY few displays can actually say they are 100% complete.
Some say; "I'd be embarrassed to put out my guns against the other displayers." If you embarrass that easily,, you've never met any of the other folks who do display. We ALL,, and yes,, ALL of us WANT to see new folks get involved in displaying. We help, we encourage, we share, we coach, and do all we can to encourage you!
Some say; "I can't compete against those other displays." Again BS times 10! We have different levels of displayers. Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Masters. YOU AREN'T COMPETING AGAINST ANYBODY EXCEPT THOSE IN YOUR CLASS.
And guess what,, the "winners" title is just a bit of bragging rights. At ROCS we try & make the awards fair for ALL displayers.
Some people say; "I live too far away." We have folks from North Dakota, Alabama, & other places that put forth the effort & time to do it. I call BS again.

And then let's look at other benefits of doing a display show.

At OGCA,, our displays are center show, highlighted, and the first thing people see when they enter. If a show attendee has something to sell, GUESS WHERE THEY GO FIRST???? Yep,, to those of us along the 2 aisles we have set up. I was able to purchase a few goodies at prices that many would say I should have worn a mask to get them. In fact,, I bought 2 items at 1/3rd of their value, one item at 1/2 value, all because I was right there and the first ones they saw.

And don't forget the education you get by doing a display. And that education allows for a lot of fun, or just enlightenment.
We had fun discussing the "dealer" in the show, advertising an "Old Model .30 Carbine Flattop." And he argued with one of us who gently tried to show him the difference. or the guy advertising a "Ruger Valero" revolver.
But more often,, in doing a display,, you can LEARN a lot more about many different aspects of unusual or rare Ruger stuff.

And our Saturday night banquet, fellowship, silent auction, live auction, awards, guest speakers, (Sometimes from Ruger) all make for a way for us to just relax & build friendships.

But to me,, the BEST part about doing displays,, is sharing with the public. In 2022 I had an older gentleman who stopped by, and shared a story of his OM .357 Blackhawk,, with a brass grip frame. I heavily suggested he spend the $10 for the letter to verify it. In 2023,, he came back,, JUST TO SEE ME,,, and showed me a picture of his letter. His gun DID letter as a factory Brassie!!!! Thrilled this gentleman and he came to THANK me. And Saturday,, he came back,, and I immediately recognized him, and he was proud & humbled by the fact I remembered HIM!
His story is but one of the many we displayers have enjoyed.

So,, I'm disappointed in Ruger folks.
We enjoy our beloved Rugers.
We share them here.
We want them to appreciate in value. Yet don't do anything outside here or maybe family to encourage OTHERS to learn about them or appreciate them as we do.

But mostly,, I'm hugely disappointed in how FEW actually are willing to do a display.

I have a great friend,, whom I first met via this Forum. We talked here and I strongly said; "JUST DO IT!" He has & now,, not only has our friendship grown, our wives enjoy getting together,, (His wife snitched on my Friday to my Miss Penny) and he has developed a lot MORE friendships because of doing displays.

So,, here's my challenge;

I CHALLENGE all of y'all here to look hard at becoming a member of ROCS,, and doing a display. No matter how few Rugers you may have, no matter what you think you DON"t have,, or whatever excuse you may try & use,,

JUST DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If we don't get more folks into displaying,, shows will cease to exist. Then interest in Rugers goes down, and then we could eventually lose them forever. And if interest goes down,, so does the values of our guns.

 

[hittman]

It's damn expensive.

 

[peachhead]

Where are the shows? I don't think I've ever been aware of anything like that closer to me. Gun shows, sure, but I don't know of any collectors putting out displays.

 

[hittman]

Where you located?

 

[bigbillyboy]

Some folks chose to show off their collections to neighbors , relatives, friends , people they know and trust . Who's to say some thief won't "shadow" you on your return trip home , stop and think about it

 

[Xrayist]

Well, in my case, my wife is extremely ill and she cannot make a trip any longer than about 8 hours total, including travel time. So, being in Colorado, that sort of negates the possibility of attending many, many collector shows such as those dedicated to Ruger, Colt and Smith and Wesson, plus some others. So there ARE excuses for not doing a display or visiting a show....some of us JUST CAN'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[krw]

A LOT has changed in 32 years.

 

[RoninPA]

I will second what Contender said in his post. Plus I'll add a few things.

Shows - There are several ROCS and Ruger shows across the country (and we're always trying to get invited to more):
ROCS gets invited to the OGCA show which is a little north and east of Cincinnati (July time frame)
ROCS gets invited to a show at Huntsville, AL (Late January time frame)
ROCS gets invited to the Wanemacher Arms show in Tulsa, AL (Mid November time frame) THIS IS THE LARGEST GUN SHOW IN THE US
There is a Ruger Collectors show in Boise, ID (actually in Nampa, ID) (Earlier in January)
I thought there was one in the PNW but not sure
and I'm probably missing a few more

When I started displaying my Rugers in 2013 I was about as naive as you could get. But I had a mentor (the OP) who told me in no uncertain terms "Ron, Just Do It". I put together a display and after the judging, I asked both the judges and the other displayers what I could do to make my display better. ALL of those I approached gave me tips and tricks. The judges told me why they gave me the scores they did. Not one Ruger displayer turned down my request for info. I get those questions from the displayers now because I am the head judge for the ROCS shows and I also want to help those new to displaying to make their displays as good a possible to show Rugers to people who want to learn about the guns Ruger made in the past and now makes.

When I display, and I think I can say the same about the other displayers, we do displays to get the onlookers to ask questions so we can teach/inform them about Rugers, the Ruger history, and anything else they may have questions about. We don't do it for our ego ("See this very rare Ruger I own" or "See how many of this type/style I own"). We want to educate people about Ruger Firearms. BTW, displayers also don't just get questions about Rugers; we get all kinds of firearm related questions from gun people that just are not sure of things in the firearms arena. You don't have to display a lot of guns, we have had displays of 1 single gun that have stopped a lot of people in their tracks to look at and ask questions about it. I have done displays of 4 guns up to 28 guns. I try to show "common" Ruger firearms that onlookers might never have seen and that gets them to start asking questions, or in some cases to reminisce about guns they use to own or use in their line of work.

I don't know a displayer who has ever said that displaying is too hard, too much work, you have to have a lot of Rugers, it's too far, it's too expensive, yada, yada, yada. What I do hear during and after the shows is what a GREAT time we had showing our guns, meeting up again, commenting on the new guns that they see, commenting on each others display, interacting with the people coming to the shows, what we might be looking for or have bought at the show. NEVER, have I heard any disparaging remarks.

I have to address this: ALL the shows have security - To say "Who's to say some thief won't "shadow" you on your return trip home" - well the thief would have to stay around and wait until my display was taken down, stored, taken to my truck, and then follow me and try to do something. Nothing on my vehicle says "Hey, I'm loaded down with a whole bunch of guns". Security is on the job at all gun shows I have ever been at (and not just inside the building but patrolling the parking areas also) until the last person leaves. Also, do you think I am just blissfully unaware of what is going on around me when I am taking my guns back to my vehicle and returning home? When I travel to, from a show with that many firearms do you not think I take precautions, even when I have to stop for a night while travelling? I drive from central PA to Tulsa and Huntsville (2 day trip for me) every year and have never had any problems.

For the naysayers, that's fine, displaying your guns might not be for you and that is your right, but others of us have "been there, done that, enjoyed it, and will do it again".

 

[RoninPA]

Well, in my case, my wife is extremely ill and she cannot make a trip any longer than about 8 hours total, including travel time. So, being in Colorado, that sort of negates the possibility of attending many, many collector shows such as those dedicated to Ruger, Colt and Smith and Wesson, plus some others. So there ARE excuses for not doing a display or visiting a show....some of us JUST CAN'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT, there are factors that just cannot be mitigated that would allow people to do a display and we understand that and we understand your reasons, our answers are not directed to those folks.

IIRC, there used to be a show, in Denver I think, that was a really good show that Ruger people routinely displayed at but I don't know what might have happened to it.

 

[Kevin]

Some folks chose to show off their collections to neighbors , relatives, friends , people they know and trust . Who's to say some thief won't "shadow" you on your return trip home , stop and think about it

Sure, anything is possible, but there is a slim chance of something like this happening.

 

[peachhead]

Where you located?

Middle GA

 

[Hvymax]

Having active clubs would be the key. A club that could amass a significant representation. I suppose there are collectors who have significant brand examples. My Frankenized 10-22 and we'll patina'd LCP and Max9 really wouldn't make much of a Ruger display.
Besides what is the last significant advancement from Ruger anyway? It's kinda like a 50's car show.

 

[Papalote]

Are their any shows in Texas? Louisiana border is 300 miles from me and besides Mexico that is the closest way to get out of state.

 

[Watertender]

I missed the OGCA show this year but have attended several times and displayed twice. I don't have anything rare or very special except to me. I am a member of the ROCS and proud of it. I have been the auctioneer and stand-up comedian at the banquet and had a great time doing it.

This year family illness and work prevented me from being able to be there. I am hoping that next year is more kind in regards to the family and work.

Contender and Ron are both great people and friends who are some of the best Ruger minded guys you will ever find.

 

[gnappi]

I'd love to go to them all, but I have lots of excuses, many have already been noted but as reinforcing statements...

At 74 (this October) I'm getting too old for a long distance drive (16h @ 1142 mi) in a truck and it's too far and I'd get sleepy necessitating an over night stay someplace that accepts a large dog. It would be OK on my bike but I'd have to kennel Sherry (gads talk about separation anxiety) and going through a deep blue state I'd likely be detained for having a firearm (I'm aware of Volkmer FOPA) my well used mostly unboxed "collection" is large by some measures, woefully lacking by others

I think I covered it all.

Hang on, I didn't even mention the expenses involved in a trip. While certainly not exorbitant, they're still something to think about for many.

Now if Y'all had a roving show in more convenient eastern seaboard or south central locations like Orlando, Atlanta, Columbia, New Orleans etc. I'll believe that they'd be door busters, that is if they were reasonably well publicized in advance.

 

[mr.deerstalker]

I flew in from Alaska to go, great show, good to see old faces. and put a face in the ones I have not yet met...remember, you can't line your casket with 100 bills, so enjoy the travels, bring the wife, and a gun show is worth it for all us gun guys...

 

[Fox Mike]

I personally was planning on displaying my many Bearcats some years ago when sudden health issues popped up. I no longer have the physical strength to design a display, travel to the location, set up a display, and be there all the time for a couple days. If someone would like to visit me, design a display, carry the 'cats' to the display, throw them on a table, and then bring them back shoot me a PM

 

[RoninPA]

Having active clubs would be the key. A club that could amass a significant representation. I suppose there are collectors who have significant brand examples. My Frankenized 10-22 and we'll patina'd LCP and Max9 really wouldn't make much of a Ruger display.
Besides what is the last significant advancement from Ruger anyway? It's kinda like a 50's car show.

Guess what, I believe you could put together a good display with those Ruger's showing/telling people what those guns have go through over the years, why you "Frankenized" your 10/22 and you would get a lot of show goers asking questions. How did they perform, did you have any problems customizing your 10/22, and a lot of other things. We show to get people interested in Rugers. Having Rugers that are being used/have been used and not just stored away to look at is a great discussion waiting to happen. Most all of my display guns are not NIB, I have a few and it is annotated on their description card and I can then answer their questions about how I ended up with it, why it is NIB, etc. etc. I personally did that at an OGCA show where the exhibitors in the aisle next to us was the American Thompson Association. A guy had PROTOTYPES of the machine guns. I asked him how the H#ll did he find and get them. It was a great story of his research, finding the people to talk to, the friends he made, etc. That is what we try to do with the folks that ask us questions, it might just lead them to buying their first Ruger or enjoying the ones they might own even more.

My focus is Rugers but I will ask - What is the last significant advancement from Colt, Smith & Wesson, Remington, Winchester, Browning, Taurus, Glock, Springfield, Armory, HK, SIG, Beretta, Walther, Savage, et al.

 

[Randyzzz]

I would love to make a display of my accumulation. I have designed and built displays for my wife's photography, so I have no problem coming up with something that I think would be enjoyable to look at.

But……..

There are reasons why I don't think the chances of my having a display are good.

1st is cost. I'm on a fixed income, retired, and like so many I planned for a retirement at per-covid costs. Plus I lost well over 100k when the current administration was elected and the market went in the toilet. So- I have minimal discretionary income, and most of that is spent before I even get it. Yes, I buy guns and parts. I buy on credit and then pay it off as I can.

2nd is logistics. I live in Southern Oregon. My wife still works from home, and we have a hard time finding even a couple of days to go to the coast. I doubt it would go over well if I said "I'm taking a week to display my guns, have fun working." Yeah, I'd probably have lots of free time to do displays if I ever said that- and even less funding!

3rd and lastly, we own horses, have 2 special needs dogs, and live in a high fire area. So- taking care of the horses is a team effort- and we have yet to find anyone to be willing to take over for more than a day or at most two. Our dogs cannot be boarded, so that makes travel a bit difficult. And, with the fire danger in our area, we pretty much don't leave for more than overnight once the temps get up- so all summer. We are pretty much home-bound all summer.

Well, maybe some day I'll be able to make it out. I'd sure enjoy meeting you all. Fingers crossed.

 

[contender]

To address a few things.

"It's damn expensive."

Well, let's see what I just spent. I drove about 8 hours each way. I spent a bit over $100 for gas. My motel, 2 nights, was about $305.00. And the food I ate cost me less than $100 for the weekend. (That includes the Saturday night banquet.)
A bit over $500. But how much each person spends can be a little different depending upon where you travel from.
My display cost me JUST MY TIME to build it. AND this time,, ALL displayers received $100 to more than cover our table rent.
But,, while there,, I mentioned I made a few deals. I purchased a beautiful Ruger Red Label, 12 ga O/U for $950.00. That's about half of the current value.
I purchased a pair of Ruger Single-Six cylinders for $50.00. That's about 1/3rd of the value.
I bought 1700 primers for $80.00
I bought a Ruger Blackhawk cylinder in .9mm for $75. That's close to 1/2 of the current values.

I consider the expense of the trip was well offset by what I purchased.

Next; "Where are the shows?"
EASY to find one. Look up the ROCS website. Join the ROCS. But we have shows in Tulsa Ok, Wilmington Oh, and Huntsville Alabama.
peachhead; You can get with a buddy,,, or another collector & come up from Ga. It happens a lot.

I like this one; "Some folks chose to show off their collections to neighbors , relatives, friends , people they know and trust . Who's to say some thief won't "shadow" you on your return trip home , stop and think about it"

I live far enough away to where a person shadowing me for my display of 6 guns or so to be far fetched. Sharing with people local to me is actually been proven to be more dangerous. Locals talk, and local thieves THEN find you.

This reason has a certain validity; "Well, in my case, my wife is extremely ill"
However, a NOVICE displayer was at our show this past weekend. And his wife is also ill, but he figured out a way to be there. He lives about 2 hours drive away. He left a little early Saturday,, and a few of us covered his display when the show closed. Next year,, a longtime displayer has shared he won't be available next year due to his wife's health, and trying to care for her & his dogs etc. But he's done it for a LONG time,, and has been a SUPER STRONG Founding member & supporter.

Here's one I enjoyed;
"My Frankenized 10-22 and we'll patina'd LCP and Max9 really wouldn't make much of a Ruger display."
WRONG!!!!!!! We've had others do a display JUST LIKE THAT. They do make a fun & interesting display. And one of the nicer looking displays was all about the Super Blackhawks,, and included a .454 & the .480 Supers. Significant new stuff from Ruger.

gnappi; What deep blue state would you travel through? Florida, Ga., Tenn, Ky., and Ohio aren't deep blue.

FM & a few others have mentioned age & health issues. True enough. But those who want to have often found a way. last year,, Mike Womble,, even while fighting throat cancer & could not speak, using a mark & wipe board,, did a display. He died in November, a week before Tulsa,, AND he was scheduled to be there. All the way from Florida.
Jim Schafer was at last year's show. Some of his family brought him to the show. And even though wheelchair bound,, he was there. He passed away a few months ago.
Health issues may be a strong enough reason for many,, as well as not having family or friends to assist in such an endeavor.

I will give a pass to those who choose to not display for health reasons,, as I do not know how bad they may be.

But we do have enough "older" people who can do displays. But more importantly than that,, we need YOUNGER people to do it.

I want everyone to look at it from a different viewpoint.
What would we do if we got censored (like I see you-boob is doing) to where we no longer share or communicate? What would we do if we stopped going to gun shows and display shows (all ROCS display shows are in with a gun show.) ???
But most importantly,, what will we lose if we do not get younger people involved in such things?