It is not every day that the ideas of one man can grow into a viable product and brand that can stand the test of time. Bill Ruger’s first firearm, the Ruger Standard, was introduced in 1949. At that moment Sturm, Ruger & Company was born and ever since, Ruger has had a keen sense of what the market wanted, developed innovative manufacturing processes, and passed the product and the savings onto millions of its customers. In 2024, Ruger marks its 75th anniversary with several commemorative models for you to choose from.
Sturm, Ruger & Company is celebrating 75 years in the business. [Sturm, Ruger & Co.]“Ruger has come a long way in 75 years,” CEO Chris Killoy opined. “From humble beginnings in the Red Barn in Connecticut to three powerhouse manufacturing operations in Arizona, New Hampshire, and North Carolina – and with more support facilities throughout the United States – Ruger has made its name by providing top-quality firearms that represent a great value to the shooting public. On behalf of our almost 2,000 dedicated associates, I thank our customers for making our first 75 years such a success!”
The 75th Anniversary commemorative of the Ruger Standard is a fitting tribute to the handgun that started it all. [Sturm, Ruger & Co.]To mark its anniversary, Ruger has introduced commemorative versions of the timeless Standard Mk. IV pistol and 10/22 rifle as well as the recent concealed-carry heavy hitter, the LCP Max.
The Ruger Standard Mk. IV in .22 LR has the same Nambu-like lines and handling that made it a best-seller at the start of the Ruger experiment. The new commemorative model is the new easy-to-disassemble Mk. IV model with a 6-inch tapered barrel and infinitely pointable 60-degree aluminum grip frame. The pistol comes with a 75th Anniversary commemorative logo laser engraved on the bolt and receiver. The package is completed with a pair of handsome, checkered rosewood grips.
The famed Ruger 10/22 commemorative is available with two different stock finishes. [Sturm, Ruger & Co.]The Ruger 10/22 Sporter 75th Anniversary edition comes with two different stock options: walnut-stained hardwood or a natural finish with black checkering. Either version comes with the commemorative logo on the bolt face but is otherwise the same solid sporter model of the 10/22 semiautomatic rifle that shooters have come to trust. It features a carefree stainless-steel 18.5-inch barrel and a matte-finished aluminum receiver tapped for a Weaver base for easy mounting of the optic of your choice.
Ruger brought the .380 ACP cartridge back into the mainstream and the LCP Max is among the best pocket .380s out there. [Sturm, Ruger & Co.]The micro-compact LCP Max in .380 ACP that originally debuted with an all-black oxide finish is getting a makeover for Ruger’s 75th Anniversary. The stainless-steel slide is cut for forward and rearward cocking serrations, and it is left in the white to contrast with the black polymer frame. The commemorative logo is embossed on the top of the slide. The aluminum trigger shoe is also left in the white, giving the Max a unique two-toned appearance. But overall, it is the same 12-ounce .380 that concealed-carriers have flocked to and Ruger has continued to perfect with excellent sights and a healthy 10- or 12-round capacity.
These fine additions to Ruger’s catalog have an MSRP of $599, $399, $479 for the Mk. IV Standard, 10/22, and LCP Max, respectively.
Terril is an economic historian with a penchant for all things firearm related. Originally a pot hunter hailing from south Louisiana, he currently covers firearms and reloading topics in print and on his All Outdoors YouTube page. When he isn't delving into rimfire ballistics, pocket pistols, and colonial arms, Terril can be found perfecting his fire-starting techniques, photographing wildlife, and getting lost in the archives.
