Ruger?
 

Anyone heard of Ruger? This company seems to make several luger-like and one or two types of Luger "clones". http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/images/Products/231L.gif

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by BlackVenom:
<strong>Anyone heard of Ruger? This company seems to make several luger-like and one or two types of Luger "clones". http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/images/Products/231L.gif</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">I don't mean to be a total jerk, but that's like asking if anyone's heard of Ford Motor Company.

The Ruger .22 auto pictured is one of the best designed and executed .22 autos ever made. I have had at least one at all times for the last forty years. I've got one now that I bought ten years ago and shoot all the time. I've never cleaned it other than a swab and wipedown and it's never jammed or misfired.

I believe that I read in an NRA article several years ago that some aspects of the pistol's form were inspired by the Luger.

Josh,
It is obvious that your interest in firearms is a relatively recent thing... may I suggest that you visit your public library and check out several books on modern firearms and their history... I am sure you will find your library a wealth of information on your newfound interest. Your next stop should be the National Rifle Association website http://www.NRA.org and you should join and subscribe to their magazines... you will find endless hours of enjoyment.

In answer to your question, as George has so aptly pointed out, the Ruger .22 Automatic Pistol has been around since the late 1940's or early 1950's.

I have also owned one myself for decades. Mine sports the 6 inch barrel. A fine example of American craftsmanship and ingenuity. While the grip shape and angle are very similar to the Luger pistol, and may have been inspired by the Luger design, that is the only similarity.

And the name was happenstance. Wiliiam (Bill) Ruger and Mr. Sturm started the entire Ruger factory via the .22 pictured above. I sold mine years ago, a drastic mistake and I will fix that at the next gun show.

It is funny, my grandfather had one and I was inspired this last week to re-aquire this pistol when visiting relatives, and was reminded that grandfather had one.

Ed

Ed I know where there are a couple of these... let me know what configuration you are looking for and I will check on their availability... It has been a couple of weeks since I saw them locally under the gunshop counter glass.

Thanks, but unless cheap, probably find some here in Colorado, without shipping costs, :D

<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

Ed

BlackVenom,
Just so you know, the LugerForum is inhabited by some of the most knowledgeable and highly respected collectors in the world (I am certainly NOT one of them, but a recent newcomer like yourself). These guys have forgotten more about collectable pistols than you and I will ever know. I post on gun boards all over the internet, but these guys are at the top of the food chain.

That being said, the Ruger is indeed an absolute classic. After World War II, many skilled laborers came from Europe to the US. Colt and other manufacturers were producing pistols of extremely high quality. Even the "low end" models (like the Colt Challenger .22 (1950) pictured below) were of very high quality and not inexpensive in their day. Ruger designed a pistol that could be produced more economically, with a lower level of finish but similar performance. His pistol was very successful and filled a niche for economical/accurate pistols to be carried afield and to the range. His design has withstood the test of time and continues to enjoy robust sales. The "Ruger" (nothing to do with Luger except grip design and a rhyming name) is truly an American classic.

Jack

http://members.aol.com/jacklawman/bpics/ColtChal.jpg

Don't forget...when a Luger is poorly refinished and buffed so much the sharp edges get rounded off...a past LF member had joked that the Luger has now become a Ruger... :D

It was a sad day for me, when Mr. Ruger past away a short time back. I've owned several of his rifles, and I respected his achievements. I thought it was sad that so much of the news media never mentioned his passing...

Guys,

You never mentioned to Josh that Ruger made (makes) .22, .357, .41, .44 mag. and .45 single action revolvers; .357, .44 and .480 double action revolvers; .22, 9 mm, .40 and .45 semi auto handguns, the mini 14 .223 semi auto rifle, most centerfire caliber hunting rifles (bolt and lever guns) abd even an over-under shotgun. Also, I'm sure they make a bunch of others I've forgotten about. I have a few of these great guns.

Hi Josh,

The Ruger .22 you picture is outstanding. It has the same grip angle as the Luger, and for a .22, is outstanding. My first Ruger was given to me by my Grand-dad for pay working for him for the summer when I was 14 years old. I still have it - and wouldn't sell it for the world. In fact, I saved $8.20 that summer, and ordered a set of wood grips, as an "accessory" from Ruger - and still have both sets, and the wood, Ruger emblemed grips are still attached.

If you do get one - you can use it from anything from plinking to bullseye, depending on which model. They are fine pistols....

My Best to you,

John D.