Ruger bashing............

[Jeff Quinn]

Something that really confuses me, is why some folks feel the urgent need to badmouth every new product introduced by Ruger. Every man has a right to his opinion, but the formation of that opinion might better be reserved until after examination of the product upon which such opinion is based. Doing so beforehand is the definition of prejudice.

In recent memory,with Ruger's introduction of the .327 SP101, the SR-9, the LCP, the SR-556, and most recently, the SR-22 Rifle, some "shooters" want to bash the new gun before every touching it, much less waiting to pull the trigger on one. I would expect such from Nancy Polosi or Harry Reid, but such prejudice seems out of place on the Ruger Forum. Perhaps some of you chaps can help me to understand how one forms an opinion on a firearm that he has never touched nor seen?

Certainly everyone does not like every new firearm that is introduced, but it is like a man going to Baskin Robbins just to gripe about a new ice cream flavor that has been introduced this month. Makes no sense at all. Just go ahead and order vanilla, and don't worry about the new strawberry-mustard flavor of the month. However, if you try a little sample, you might like it. Bitching about a new gun without trying it also makes no sense.

I think that some folks who post here never pull the trigger on anything, but are just sitting in their Mama's basement, wearing her panties, and hammering away on the keyboard.

Every new gun that I come across, I try to at least give it a chance. If it works as intended and is accurate for the purpose for which it was designed, even if it is not for me, it just might be the ideal gun for someone else. I think that the more choices we have, the better off we all are as shooters.

Last time I checked, Ruger makes 43 versions of the 10/22, including this latest one. The SR-22 Rifle will be a hot seller, as is the LCP and the SR-556. The government does not require that everyone go out and buy a new SR-22 Rifle. In fact, most in our government would prefer that we do not. However, there seems to me to be no purpose in badmouthing a new rifle that is as accurate as a $1500 Anschutz, readily accepts a wide variety of aftermarket accessories, is based upon the most popular .22 rifle in the world, replicates the balance and feel of the most popular centerfire rifle in our nation, and is made by Americans in the USA.

Just my opinion.

 

[don44]

I agree with you.

 

[flatgate]

+1 Jeff.

flatgate

 

[reakin]

Well said Jeff. I think some people complain about the new offerings because it isn't the gun that they wish Ruger would offer. Even on this website, you have some strong minded cliques, and they aren't interested in anything besides their area of interest. It seems most of the folks here on Ruger Forum are single action guys, and most of them old models at that. Bring up a new fangled "whatever", and they will complain because it isn't yet another variation of a single action. Hop onto the Semi-auto threads and you will see the same thing.

I'm just glad Ruger is trying different things to stay active in the market place. Surely a company of this size does market research and knows what the shooting public may be interested in. No, they may not interview the 100 or so active posters here on Ruger Forum for their opinion, but I'm sure they talked to someone. Each offering will not interest everyone, but Ruger must feel they will interest enough people to make some money on it.

In the mean time, I sit patiently waiting for a new DA .22lr revolver to be offered up.

reakin

 

[Snake45]

In the mean time, I sit patiently waiting for a new DA .22lr revolver to be offered up.

reakin

I think this might be the source of some of the griping about new stuff. Many of us can think of all kinds of cool new stuff that Ruger is uniquely situated to manufacture, and could do so with minimal investment, that we get upset when they jump into a "me-too" market that's already saturated with "more of the same."

Jeff, I suspect you had me (among others) in mind with your original post. I've been posting (not here, but elsewhere) that trying to make a 10/22 into a fake AR clone is a silly idea for years. That's my opinion, and it hasn't changed just because Ruger is doing it at the factory, not just a guy in his garage with a screwdriver.

Your point about trying new stuff is well-taken, though. For several years, I read what a POS the Remington 597 was on Rimfirecentral. Then a friend of mine showed up at my club with one and let me shoot it. I found it (much to my surprise) to be a solid-feeling, nice-handling, accurate, reliable rifle. Didn't rush out and buy one and have no plans to, but if someone ever offers me one at a killer price, I won't walk away from it.

Another product that gets a bad rap from people who have never used it is Remington Golden Bullets. Again, I read all kinds of horror stories about them and when I finally tried them myself, found them to be accurate, reliable, and clean-shooting in several of my guns.

 

[gunman42782]

Very true, Jeff, and I am guilty of doing it myself. I think that a lot of us old Ruger guys kind of resent the fact that Bill is dead, his son no longer runs the company, and pretty much no one is left that helped start the company. When they took Sturms name off of everything really pissed me off too! However, even though I am in large measure a traditionalist when it comes to guns, I do see that the market has shifted to so-called "tactical" guns, that all the younger generation of shooters like the semi-auto, AR looking guns. The new LCR, LCP, SR-556, SR-9, and the little SR-22 shows that the guys at Ruger are trying to stay in the race, which is what it is all about. As much as I wish Ruger would stick to what made them great in the first place, I do understand that it is a business, and you have to stay competitive and make money in a business. I sometimes think that old Bill is rolling over in his grave, but I do understand, and I think Bill would too, that you have to be competitive.

 

[frustrated middle child]

I think that some folks who post here never pull the trigger on anything, but are just sitting in their Mama's basement, wearing her panties, and hammering away on the keyboard.

.

I think I may have a new favorite quote... lol. :lol: :lol:

 

[Jeff Quinn]

I really like the traditional stuff too. I would like to see Ruger produce a .480 Bisley. They would probably sell 1000 of them the first week, then probably another 500 over the next three years, before it being discontinued. However, during that same time period, they will sell 200,000 LCPs, and almost as many LCRs, so I am not holding my breath for a .480 Bisley. I still ask for it, but like asking the wife for certain things, it is not likely to happen as often as I ask.

Most likely the executives at Ruger have some sort of devious plan to turn a profit. I think the new SR-22 Rifle will be profitable.

 

[c.r.]

honestly, I'm suprised Ruger didn't release the SR-22 sooner. I think it will be a great product for Ruger and the consumer. I reckon its sales will exceed a lot of "our" favorites.

As mentioned above, the tactical gun (A/R and Glock) look is what kids/younger folks like today. No different than when cowboys and Indians movies were the rage on the silver screen and all the children wanted six shooters and lever actions. Our childhood still influences what "we" think a gun should look like. This is no different than me buying a marlin 39A. i bought the 39 because I like the way it looks.

If "window dressing" a 10-22 receiver helps keep people interested in shooting, so be it. If the sales from this gun help subsidize other Ruger products or new models (maybe a 480 bisley or a 327 single six, or a 44 special vaquero or making the 44 flattop a catologued item or BRING BACK THE 32 H&R single six w/ adjustable sights), then great.

Sometimes I think people just like to complain to hear themselves talk. kind of like me typing this post. :lol:
~c.r.

 

[BuckJM53]

As a sales and marketing guy for nearly 30 years, I can tell you from multiple experiences that one of the toughest challenges for every manufacturer is striking the delicate balance of maintaining an excellent relationship with your past and present customer base, while remaining forward thinking enough to continue to attract new and/or "next generation" customers. Many manufacturers in a wide range of industries have disappeared through the years by simply resisting the need for continual innovation. Bottom line IMHO ... if we want Ruger to continue to be around to take care of our particular firearm wants and needs (whatever they may be), we better hope that they continue to bring products to the market that stimulate the next generation of gun enthusiasts.

 

[I_Like_Pie]

It is wise these days for a company to release a 22lr version of every gun they own....it seems that is exactly what they are doing.

As far as the slamming opinions of just about anything "new"....sadly it is easier for people to criticize others rather than come up with something original of their own. This nasty slice of human nature is somewhat amplified by the ease and accessibility of the internet. The worst are car, motorcycle, and gun snobs.





/I still can make a strong case for the dislike of Windows Vista and Office 2008....sometimes the internet collective gets their opinions spot on

 

[Bigboreshooter]

I don't want, or buy, every firearm Ruger makes. But....I have owned Rugers of some variety for over 25 years, and I strongly believe that Ruger is the BEST firearms manufacturer in the U.S. Across their product line, Ruger offers the best combination of quality, reliability, and VALUE on the market.

Sure, they have their problems as demonstrated by the recent recalls. Please show me a gun company that produces anywhere near the number of different models Ruger does who hasn't had recalls. S&W, Browning, and Winchester have all had recalls, and so have a host of other companies.

Will I buy an SR-22.......probably not. I'm quite content with my 10/22 International. But then again, I don't own an AR-15. I have owned two of them, but I sold them both when I finally got a PC4. Likewise, I don't own a tricked out 22 LR Ruger pistol, but I know they are top quality guns.

I waited for over a year to get an LCP when I could have gotten a Kel-Tec anytime I wanted one. Why, because I wanted a company like Ruger to stand behind the gun I bought. Was it worth it? It was to me. I have now carried my LCP daily for two months, and I don't leave home without it. I've put enough rounds through it to know it is absolutely reliable, and accurate enough to perform the tasks it was designed for.

Congrats to Ruger on coming out with another model that I hope will be super successful. I would like to see Ruger thrive as a company for many decades to come.

 

[Snake45]

It is wise these days for a company to release a 22lr version of every gun they own....it seems that is exactly what they are doing.

Agree completely. I own .22 versions of as many of my centerfires as I can, or as close to them as I can get.

 

[martyj]

I think the sr-22 is a good idea alot of people convert them somehow themselves anyway so why not sell them what they want.
As for the sr-556 I would just love to have one. We have alot of AR-15 people around here and would like to show them what a quality design one could do.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

The statement above about single actions and lever actions in the Golden Age of the TV westerns influencing what we older shootists like rings true.

Or automatics from the days of the cop/spy era into the current one.

This new SR22 is not for me. Frankly, I think it looks silly. Then again, I always thought a tricked out tacticool 10/22 looked pretty silly. I like the classic walnut sporter 10/22 look. But that's just me.

I can't buy all of them and there is certainly going to be an immediate market for this new SR22 if the other shootemup22ARlookalikes are any indication. Possibly a big one. And it won't be just the under 35 crowd either.

Makes you wonder, can a factory Glock 22LR be far behind? (do not care, I don't like them anyway :twisted: )

 

[contender]

Ahh Jeff, a refreshing post that actually reflects what I've said so often. When the LCR was introduced,, I was at the SHOT Show,, and the pics of it just didn't do it justice. But I handled it, looked at it,, and while I wasn't able to shoot one right away,, I felt it would be a good gun. I came here & posted my exact same thoughts,, try it before you bash it.
I have since watched many folks who wisely waited to judge until they handled & bought one to post their comments. I smiled at their positive comments.
All in all Jeff, I couldn't agree with you more,,!!!!!!!! And I like FMC's way of thinking too!
BTW; If I haven't mentioned it in awhile,, Jeff, Thanks again for GunBlast! You & Boge do a great job.

 

[redsouthpaw]

I think the sr-22 is a good idea alot of people convert them somehow themselves anyway so why not sell them what they want.

Absolutely agree and I hope they sell as well as the other new firearms that Ruger has put out. The issue I have is the price. One of the reasons for the popularity of the 10/22 is because it is inexpensive. I would love to have one of the sr-22's, but when S&W has a dedicated .22 AR that is almost $200 cheaper I'll hold off on the Ruger.

 

[wixedmords]

I think the SR22 is a great marketing move JQ. NO doubt about that.

It will bring more non-traditional Ruger enthusiasts into the fold.

But, I would expect traditional Ruger enthusiasts to poo-poo it as I don't weight the traditional Ruger enthusiast as having "tatical" at the top of their list of important things. I would even expect this forum to take a harder stance on anything "tactical", as there is very little AR talk here, and not a ton of Mini talk when you compare it to other Ruger firearms.

IMO, there is a little fantasy attached to the AR. Hence the "Mall Ninja" ribbing. Rarely do you see any posting about keeping an AR stock. For me, I have kept mine stock. I like them that way. That is the way I want my AR's. I don't want them to look too much like plastic or like a ray gun.

But, Ruger cannot build just for the traditional Ruger enthusiast. Like has been mentioned, this practice would leave them out of many markets.

It is silly that Ruger has been out of the AR market. How much money would they have made if they were 2 years earlier to the AR market?

My major issue with both AR type offerings has been price point. If you want to play with the big boys with these offerings, you have to under price them. Otherwise, why would someone buy the Ruger offering?

Now if Ruger was really smart, they would get heavily into AR accessories.

 

[Snake45]

For me, I have kept mine stock. I like them that way. That is the way I want my AR's. I don't want them to look too much like plastic or like a ray gun.

I'm with you. My ARs don't have any BOSAJ* on them. :wink:

*Bolt On Silly-Ass Junk

 

[revhigh]

the formation of that opinion might better be reserved until after examination of the product upon which such opinion is based.

I think one reason could be the very poor quality that Ruger has demonstrated recently with their new releases. The P345 was a disaster, people lost their brand new guns for months while pallets of 345's sat in the factory waiting for repair for the 'click no bang' syndrome. I know ... I was tangled up in the mess trying to get a non-345 repaired at that time. I called every 4 weeks or so and was told that there were rows of pallets of 345's waiting for repair, and mine was behind them. NEXT was the LCP, the recall, the failure to feed certain bullets, etc, etc. NEXT was the SR9 - the recall, the peening, the breakage. The crappy trigger, and the peening and breakage issues persist if you read the first 10 posts or so of the semi-auto forum.

I think people are just waiting and anticipating a recall of the LCR, assuming it will happen. I'm not saying anything about either rifle released recently, I hope they're OK, but i know I'd stay FAR away from anything in the new semi-auto category or the innovative new technology area (think LCR) for at least a few years from introduction.

THis may have something to do with the negativity for Ruger new releases. If people are complaining just because it's not the gun that 'THEY' wanted, that's just silly. To be wary because of past demonstrated performance is intelligent choice.

REV