Ruger subscription guns

[eveled]

Just curious how these work. Who was offered subscriptions? Did they choose their own number? Did they have to buy every new one that came out? Are they still available? Did other manufacturers ever offer subscriptions? Pretty neat stuff.


Are the subscriptions the reason so many Ruger collectors are "into" serial numbers? From what I have seen on other gun forums most people could care less about their serial numbers. Indeed it seems the only Ruger guys care about serial numbers at all! Some are obsessed with them.

I have a s&w revolver for that I've had for 20 yrs and only recently noticed the serial number is my fathers birthday! I mean how did I miss that?

 

[radicalrod]

Well who says RUGER COLLECTORS are OBSESSED with NUMBERS.....maybe we/Ruger collectors are just more observant about such things than collectors of other brands :lol: :lol: :lol: I saw a 3 digit Colt Python sell on an auction site that wasn't all that mint but the Colt guys seemed almost Rugerish in their zeal at bidding :roll: :roll: :roll: UHMMM for the record I am still searching for 2 44 FT's to finish off my NUMBERS......need a 24xxx and a 25xxx in a 6 1/2 inch gun....OK I will admit that sometimes I get a LITTLE excited about a serial number :!: :!: :!: I will try to hide it better.....RR.

 

[single action]

We would have never guessed!!!! Radical

 

[eveled]

I didn't say there was anything wrong with the serial number obsession. I'm just trying to figure out the subscription guns, and it makes me wonder if the subscriptions triggered the sometimes obsessive interest in Ruger serial numbers. ED

 

[El Numero Uno]

This may not be the answer to your question, but I don't feel like the Program contributed to or caused the the interest in serial numbers, or low serial #'s per se.
In the earliest years of Sturm, Ruger & Co., the Low Number Program was for Employees, some major Distributor owners and the notable Gun Writers of the time. The numbers assigned were generally 2 digit numbers. Obviously there were a handful of single digit numbers involved here and a few low 3 digit numbers. Over the years, as these early, low numbered Ruger owners passed away, or just decided to cash in before they did, some collectors purchased their collections and were able to continue receiving the number.
I would not think the Program available to just anyone who might want in, but if you bought the "collection" from someone on the list, it might be possible for you to continue to get their number.
The original interest was in the low serial numbered Rugers, or in the notoriety of the original owners- not the program itself.
I recall well in my early years(late '70's) of collecting, the obsession of trying to find a 2 digit No.1; there were very few around at the time!

 

[eveled]

Thanks Uno. Pretty interesting information. Did the people who had the subscriptions have to buy every gun with that number or just the ones they wanted?

 

[SteveRuger]

Thanks Uno. Pretty interesting information. Did the people who had the subscriptions have to buy every gun with that number or just the ones they wanted?

You have to purchase every gun that comes with that Number.

 

[chet15]

There's a two part article on subscription guns in the last two issues of Red Eagle News Exchange.
Chet15

 

[flatgate]

I just can't imagine why folks get all wound up on silly little numbers..... :D

It's probably some sort of rash.... :roll:

flatgate

PS Anybody know a good "rash" Doctor?

 

[contender]

Rash doctors are in short supply around here,,,! Besides,, the only time mine itches is when I see certain numbers,,,! I think RR has the worst case of it,, & he seems just fine!

 

[radicalrod]

NO RASHES HERE :!: :!: :!: BUT I sometimes have a few leaks unexpectedly :roll: :roll: :roll: it really "DEPENDS" on the numbers I find :lol: :lol: :lol: see ya RR.

 

[Coogs]

And how much GJ I get poured into ya!! :shock: :wink: :shock: :wink: :roll: :roll: :roll: Love ya RR, Coogs.

 

[Ruger168]

I had a serial number collection until they sold my hand picked Gold Label serial number gun to Jerry's Sport Center. They then agreed to a D marked number but never followed through, That did it for me, dropped the subscription. After working there for 12 years and knowing how easy it is for them to do a special gun when they want to I felt pretty dumped on.

 

[chet15]

I had a serial number collection until they sold my hand picked Gold Label serial number gun to Jerry's Sport Center. They then agreed to a D marked number but never followed through, That did it for me, dropped the subscription. After working there for 12 years and knowing how easy it is for them to do a special gun when they want to I felt pretty dumped on.

Yes, I've heard similar stories of why subscription collections were dropped. There were times when Ruger would wait to send three or four guns at a time instead of doling them out as they were produced. Of course with the amount of funds needed immediately, that turned a few folks off.
There were also a lot of folks (mainly writers or friends of WBR) who would have their subscription guns sent to them on orders from WBR at "no charge". Pretty good PR if you ask me as that type of business always put those individuals in your corner when you needed something (great press etc.). But after the Ruger days, that practice came to a halt (I can see both sides of it!!), and quite a few subscribers decided to call it quits at that time.
Chet15