Ruger
Ruger grips
Sturm, Ruger & Company (commonly known as Ruger), one of America's largest firearm manufacturers, was founded in 1949 by William B. Ruger and Alexander McCormick Sturm
William B. Ruger, a talented designer inspired by the Japanese Nambu pistol post-WWII, created a reliable, affordable .22 LR semi-automatic pistol (later the Ruger Standard or Mark I) blending Luger and Colt Woodsman aesthetics. Lacking capital after an earlier venture failed, he partnered with Alexander Sturm — a Yale-educated artist, firearm enthusiast, and heir — who invested $50,000
They started in a rented red barn machine shop in Southport, Connecticut, with six employees. The Standard Model launched in 1949 at $37.50, praised by American Rifleman for quality, accuracy, and value — quickly repaying the investment and selling over 1.2 million units historically
Sturm designed the iconic red eagle logo (based on heraldry; changed to black after his sudden death from hepatitis in 1951 at age 28). Ruger took full control, expanding to revolvers (Single-Six 1953, Blackhawk 1955) and the revolutionary 10/22 rifle in 1964
The company went public in 1969, grew facilities (New Hampshire, North Carolina, Arizona), acquired Marlin in 2020, and became renowned for innovative, durable firearms like the Mini-14, GP100, and concealed-carry models (LCP 2008 onward)
Ruger's focus on quality, affordability, and American manufacturing solidified its legacy as a top U.S. gun maker
