Bill Ruger?

[wutzu]

I've been hearing stuff here and there about Bill Ruger screwing gun owners, or doing something else that is vague but bad like that. What's the story?

[wutzu]

OK, so I googled Bill Ruger, and my questions were answered. For those reading this thread who don't know (I didn't until two minutes ago):

Bill Ruger was the first person to suggest a ban on "high-capacity" magazines. He figured that no-one would ban his cash cows (mini 14/30, 10/22) if he could preempt them by banning high-caps. This guy was a tremendous douche and he screwed us over for money.

Someone should crap on his grave marker, after ingesting popcorn and beer.

http://www.thegunzone.com/rkba/papabill.html

[glen avon]

he refused to ever apologize. but feeling guilty before he died, he donated $1 million to the NRA museum in his own name.

what an a-hole. none of it went to politics, just to the ruger museum.

don't forget his refusal to sell his GB series semi-autos to the unwashed masses, or the good hicap mags. the 20s he reluctantly agreed to sell are lower quality than the 30s he restricted to LEOs.

[Stanze]

It's been discussed here: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=32866&highlight=bill+ruger

[Paltik.45acp]

That's one of the main reasons I'm not buying any Ruger Firearms anymore!!!

[whatever]

Bill Ruger is dead. Someone else is running the company now.

[glen avon]

did you boycott them out of principle while he was still alive?

[Stanze]

Bill Ruger is dead. Someone else is running the company now.

But, his civvie policy on mags still lives on right?

[LeoC]

Bill Ruger is dead. Someone else is running the company now.
That may be, but until the company officially renounces what Bill Ruger did to gun owners and the gun industry as a whole, I will never buy a Ruger product. Bill Ruger's death doesn't tell us what the next head of the company's views on RKBA are. So unless given reason to think otherwise, my view of Ruger as a company is the same as when Bill pushed for the magazine restriction.

[VeryCoolCat]

At least ruger firearms are exceedingly cheap... I feel Ronnie Barrett is a good man who stands up for his principals but I couldn't afford anything that came from his company anytime soon.

[bu-bye]

At least ruger firearms are exceedingly cheap... I feel Ronnie Barrett is a good man who stands up for his principals but I couldn't afford anything that came from his company anytime soon.

There are other better guns in the same price range. I will never buy or own a ruger. Bill f-ed up and his company should pay for it. The only gun I have had second thoughts about owning was the 10/22 but it only took 5 seconds for me to remember why I don't buy ruger.:mad:

[HillBilly]

At least ruger firearms are exceedingly cheap... I feel Ronnie Barrett is a good man who stands up for his principals but I couldn't afford anything that came from his company anytime soon.


I feel that Ronnie Barrett has more to lose, thus elevating him to RKBA hero status IMO. Barrett has a niche market, and his bread and butter is from police and military contracts. Telling them to *F* off based on political differences is ballsy and costly. He did it anyway.

Ruger's sells something for everyone, and they sell plenty. They aren't hurt if a few gun "nuts" are offended. I like some of their products, but would only buy them on the used market.

[kantstudien]

But, his civvie policy on mags still lives on right?

Your damn right it lives on. Try calling Ruger for a follower or floorplate for your old 20s and 30s and see what they say. Screw 'em.

[glen avon]

That may be, but until the company officially renounces what Bill Ruger did to gun owners and the gun industry as a whole, I will never buy a Ruger product....

ruger rolled over preemptively. couldn't wait to sell us out.

S&W sold out, too, to save their business.

however, S&W apologized, pulled their head out, and is back on the righteous path.

until ruger does the same, I have no choice but to believe ruger and continues his anti-citizen elitist policies.

the sooner ruger goes to Hell the sooner I will like it.

[gmcem50]

Unfortunately, I found out about Mr. Ruger's antics AFTER I bought my 10/22, Mini14, & SP101. I will NEVER spend another cent on a Ruger anything. When I saw his face on the cover of the NRA Magazine I almost puked.

[maxicon]

Regardless of what you feel about Bill Ruger Sr's gun policies, he was one of the greatest and most influential gun designers of the second half of the 20th century. He was a bonafide, undisputed genius of firearm design, and made Ruger the largest American gun company.

He was, by all reports, a testy, cranky, opinionated curmudgeon. I have no doubt he was convinced he was right.

I'm not trying to defend his decisions, just pointing out that he was a major contributor to America's gun industry in the last century. This legacy is diminished by his naive approach to magazine capacity limits, but he still towers.

max

[Stanze]

ruger rolled over preemptively. couldn't wait to sell us out.

S&W sold out, too, to save their business.

however, S&W apologized, pulled their head out, and is back on the righteous path.



When S&W was owned by a British firm they sold us out, but have since returned to American owners since 2001 who are working hard to conduct damage control done by the previous owners. Many people who are uninformed still boycott S & W.

[50 Freak]

Only Rugers I buy are used. No way will I buy new stuff from them. Too bad a sellout company like that makes good products.

[PanzerAce]

ruger rolled over preemptively. couldn't wait to sell us out.

S&W sold out, too, to save their business.

however, S&W apologized, pulled their head out, and is back on the righteous path.

until ruger does the same, I have no choice but to believe ruger and continues his anti-citizen elitist policies.

the sooner ruger goes to Hell the sooner I will like it.


could you explain how SW sold out? I wasnt into guns I guess when that happened...

[461]

When one of you gives as much money to the NRA as Bill Ruger did then you'll have a right to *****, until then your opinions are worthless. In reality you may be allowed to own the guns you have today because of this man you all seem to hate so much.

[Creeping Incrementalism]

When one of you gives as much money to the NRA as Bill Ruger did then you'll have a right to *****, until then your opinions are worthless. In reality you may be allowed to own the guns you have today because of this man you all seem to hate so much.

Bill Sr. didn't give a cent to NRA-ILA, from what I understand. And I don't know where you get this attitude that our opinions are "worthless".

Ruger didn't save squat with his call for a >10 round mag ban. He was attempting to save his Mini-14, but as M1As and Kel-Tecs are still legal in California, he didn't even do his "little rifle" that much good. All he really accomplished was to encourage the mag ban.

[Creeping Incrementalism]

could you explain how SW sold out? I wasnt into guns I guess when that happened...

They made some deal with the Clinton administration to avoid gun-industry lawsuits by only selling their goods at shops that sold neutered guns and complied with various other extra-legel requirements, but it never really panned out.

I'm sure with a web search you could read more about it.

[461]

"As an individual, Ruger was as strong a supporter of the NRA as I can think of," said Jim Baker, former director of the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action and a close personal friend. "Many people are aware of Ruger's generous support of the NRA Museum, but not many are aware of the active interest he had in the issues that faced the NRA and his willingness to contribute his personal time to help us resolve those issues."
In very recent years Bill's support of efforts to promote our shooting traditions and firearms freedoms took on an international scope as he asked Ted Rowe, his long-time friend and current director of marketing for Sturm, Ruger, to lead an effort to better communicate with United Nations representatives and related international agencies on international issues regarding firearms.
Baker commented that, "It was always encouraging to me, in my position as head of the ILA, to know that an individual with Bill Ruger's stature and judgment was willing to take the time and to take whatever personal action might be necessary to help ensure our firearms freedoms."
Our shooting sports heritage and our firearms freedoms are that much stronger and more secure today because of that personal commitment.


From the head of the ILA- Took about as long to find it as the negative crap that was dredged up. When you take a mans life and narrow it down to one act that you probably don't even fully understand you show yourselves to be truly narrowminded individuals. I stand by my convictions that Bill Ruger did more for firearms ownership in this country than any man who's ever posted on CalGuns.net and proudly buy and shoot Ruger products. I'm done with it.

[Creeping Incrementalism]

When you take a mans life and narrow it down to one act

He sold us out. You can never make up for that. What do people remember Benedict Arnold for? Vidkun Quisling? And deservedly so.

The OLLs from CalGuns.net alone are a greater contribution to RKBA than what Ruger did for the NRA.

The Mini sucks anyway.

[paradox]

Well, Bill Ruger may have stabbed us in the back, but he was friends with people who didn't, and he was nice enough to build a museum so our grandchildren can see what a real gun looks like after our rights finally get chipped away into dust.

I just don't understand why folks don't see how great he was.....

[glen avon]

When one of you gives as much money to the NRA as Bill Ruger did then you'll have a right to *****,...

he gave a million dollars IN HIS OWN NAME to a freakin' MUSEUM.

he's not buying me off, and certainly not tricking me into forgiving his political sins by throwing money through the NRA back to his own aggrandizement.

[glen avon]

could you explain how SW sold out? I wasnt into guns I guess when that happened...

S&W was told by the clinton administration that there would be no more federal contracts and many less state and local contracts for S&W products unless they did as told.

so, to keep in business, they did. I think they should not have, but they did and I understand why.

[glen avon]

"In very recent years Bill's support of efforts to promote our shooting traditions and firearms freedoms took on an international scope as he asked Ted Rowe, his long-time friend and current director of marketing for Sturm, Ruger, to lead an effort to better communicate with United Nations representatives and related international agencies on international issues regarding firearms.

shooting traditions. heh. this has algore and an O/U shotgun written all over it. wonder who makes those....

[radioactivelego]

I sit in the hotel room, waiting. I’m very good at that, waiting. I got the call two days before, telling me I was to head to New York and interview a gun designer that is willing to help get the Brady Bill in effect. I was informed of neither the company nor the person. Being the ever obedient lobbyist that I am I headed straight to Washington D.C. from the small regions of Los Angeles. A far distance I know, but I don’t pay, the politicians do. Still, only two hours ago was I told of who I was interviewing, it gives the whole thing a spontaneous feel. That’s what differs me from other lobbyists. It’s not planned, I go with the flow and whatever question pops into my head. The door opens and in walks a bulky male with short hair, not the male I’m waiting for.

"Are you Sarah Brady?" His voice is gruff and harsh, but what else did I expect. All minders are the same. All brawn, and though they may possess some, very little brain.

"Yes, I am." I know that I keep my tongue in check here, or I may just lose my job. The male nods and stands aside letting the male I am awaiting enter. He smiles and I smile back.

"Bill Ruger." He extends his hand, although he needs no introduction.

"Sarah Brady, pleasure to meet you." Bill smiles at me again and turns to the beef.

"It’s okay, I doubt she’s gonna jump me." I laugh inwardly at that, if only he knew my thoughts before he walked in. The minder nods and leaves, closing the door behind him. I motion for Bill to sit in the seat opposite me and he does. I take in his appearance as I find I can judge a character by the clothes the person wears. His loose blue jumper top and casual beige pants give me the hint that he is here for a casual interview and I know what I can get away with in the question department. He sits back in the chair with his legs relaxed and straight out. I know that he is relaxed and in the mood for the interview, must’ve been a good morning. He notices me taking him in and smirks.

"Analysing my choice in clothes?" He asks still sitting back.

"Analysing your mood, Mr Ruger." I assure him. He waves a hand in the air dismissively.

"Please call me Bill." I nod, it’s certainly a relaxed interview, with no demand of a certain brand of bottled water or for the seating to be changed for the lighting, those who are partially opposed to the Brady Bill tend to demand things in my experience but this one seems content on just sitting there in all his glory and beauty.

"Okay, Bill, shall we begin?"

"Fire away." I smile and nod hitting the button on my tape recorder, there’s only so much a girl can write, and I like to focus on my subjects, especially when they come with a fire hazard warning.
"First of all I think we should start with the magazine limit, preferably your ‘Mini-14’ and law-enforcement only magazines, just how did you go about this?" I sit forward listening to his answer.

Two hours are followed by jokes, questions, answers and on both parts a small bit of flirting. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m like any other girl here. Sitting in a hotel room, with a recently separated Bill Ruger, with no one with another key to the room and a queen-size bed to my right. Of course I’m going to flirt, who wouldn’t? And since he’s not threatening me with a restraining order I take it he’s in the mood for the harmless fun. I’m suddenly glad I hadn’t done my washing. Sitting in my neat suit and woven gown, I thank the Lord for my looks. I don’t brag much, but I am well proportioned in all the right areas, my sun kissed skin and dirty brunette hair set the city girl look and I can usually dazzle anyone with my brilliant smile and gleaming blue eyes. To be honest I’m a more stylish and less fake Barbie doll. Without the cheesy after thoughts please. Bill finishes telling me about the off scene jokes and the factory laughs at Sturm Ruger, Inc. just before the tape stops.

"Looks like my times up." I pick up my tape recorder put it in my shoulder sling bag and stand as Bill does.

"Thank you for your time, Mr Ruger. It was a pleasure." I notice his eyes darken and he smirks again. Those brilliant white teeth gleaming.

"Not at all, and it’s Bill." He extends his hand once more and I take it, thinking he’ll shake it and leave. To my utter surprise, and utter happiness, he pulls me towards him and lowers his mouth to mine. I have to wonder if that’s how he thanks all his interviewers, and if it is there must be a few lobbyists out there who had to seek medical help afterwards. His lips against mine are soft yet firm and gentle but demanding, I’m telling you, if I had a heart condition I would’ve been dead right there.

He pulls back slightly and I inhale a much needed breath. All I can think: damn! I look up into his eyes and there it is the want, the lust. It’s dark and yet sparks, dangerous yet inviting. All I can do is run my hand through his loose hair and pull his head back down for the kiss that may kill me. If I die now, I die a happy woman in the arms of one of the sexiest men on the planet. Even at eighty he gets my heart beating faster, who cares if I’m a decade and a half younger? His tongue slipped into my mouth and I suckled on it eagerly. Exploring my mouth with this tongue his hands went on their own exploration. Moving from my waist to cup my buttocks. I gave a small yelp, which was lost in his mouth, when he squeezed my *** and pulled me against his body. His mouth leaves mine and trails down to my neck and into the hollow part on my collarbone. My head rolls back giving him better access and I moan lightly as he sucks playfully on the skin. He walks us back towards the bed, still not losing the heat from the body contact. I run my hands down his back and up his chest, feeling the muscle contract under my touch. Slowly and gently he leans me down onto the bed, and our mouths meet again in another searing kiss. He climbs over me, running his hands up my sides, to my face, cupping my chin he made me look at him. His chocolate eyes glinted and his smirk pulled at his mouth.

I felt the breath stop in my throat, he was unbelievable, and he knew it. His lips went to my neck and moved down. His rough hands went under my t-shirt and teased at my soft skin. His mouth left my skin and he pulled the cream clothing over my head throwing to the floor. I bit my lip when his tongue trailed down my throat, past my bra covered breasts, and he played with my navel piercing. Again his hands ran over my skin, cupping my breasts with his hands. He licked and nipped at my shoulders and collarbone as I wrap my arms around his neck. My legs wrap themselves around his waist and I pull myself tight against his firm body. He groans and unclasps my bra freeing my breasts from their confinement. The pads of his thumb run over my nipples and I arch my back up, moaning softly. He certainly knows four play. Maybe a little too much, I grind my hips against his groin and feel the erection there. I felt his lips pull into a smile against my chest, licking his way back to my breasts. I decided then that he had far too many clothes on. I ran my hands up under his jumper top, pulling it over his head and throwing it to the now growing pile of clothes at the side of the bed. He undoes the button on my jeans and kisses the skin of my stomach. Rolling my hips I maneuver us so that I’m straddling his hips. I grind against him and he groans louder this time. His hands are placed on my hips as I move, encouraging me. I smile down at him, my breath already uneven. My hands run down his chest to his stomach, it is now my turn to undo his pants. I kiss up his chest as he did to me and our lips meet at some point. His tongue slipped into my mouth and explored the wet cavern to no end. Moaning into his mouth as he pulled at my jeans. Roughly, he flipped us again, breaking the heated kiss. He pulled my jeans over my hips and down my legs leaving me in just my thong underneath his heavenly body. He smirked and kissed and nipped at my thigh, moving closer to my heated spot, where I desperately wanted him to go. He by passed it however and kissed up my chest again. I groaned in frustration, and then in pleasure as his hand cupped my *****. My back arched off the bed and I almost scream when his digits ran over the wet spot of my thong, teasing me to no end.

"Mhmm, oh God." His lips traveled to my neck and then to my breasts where he suckled on nipples. Two of his digits slipped past the fabric of my thong, my hands clutched his head to my breasts as I arched again. I had no idea if I was going to last much longer, he was pushing all my buttons and he knew it. Bill pulled his fingers off of my ***** and removed my thong. I pulled at his pants, desperately needing to get him out of his clothes. He noted my frustration and helped. He was quickly out of his pants and boxers with the protection applied and kissing up my thigh again. After what seemed like a lifetime of pleasure Bill’s lips were back on mine and our tongues were dueling. Bill pushed into me and I felt my world fall to pieces. I moaned uncontrollably as he moved in and out of my core.

"Mmm, harder Bill. Harder." He complied and hit home again and again. In seconds I was screaming his name while trying to muffle the noise against his skin, biting down slightly on his shoulder, as I came hard. He groaned as he came in the condom and kissed my chest as he pulled out, lying next to me on the bed. We lay there in silence for a few moments, catching our breath. And then I voiced something that I found amusing.

"Guess I really did get a one time only exclusive." Bill smirked at me propping himself up on his elbow.

"Who said anything about a one time only? You know there’s going to be more gun bills to enact during the Clinton administration!" I smiled back and he pulled me to his arms where I slept to regain some energy. This gorgeous acting God sure had made this lobbyist’s day, hell my whole week.

[FatKatMatt]

Dude, did you get that out of Penthouse?

[Vigilante]

hmm, that's pretty creepy.

[11Z50]

Gives me something to look forward too. When I'm an old dude maybe I'll take up lobbying.

[bwiese]

For the record, the *new* S&W (essentially a different company, and completely different management and ownership) has completely repudiated their Clinton-era deal.

The senior S&W folks at the last two SHOT Shows and the 2002 Reno NRA convention/show were clearly quite proud to have washed their hands of that prior idiocy.

[The SoCal Gunner]

I'm going to start DROS on a Mini-14 tomorrow via PPT. I have a few standard caps that I need to put into use and the price is right for me at the moment.

I certainly do not like what he did but I have have also owned a few S&Ws, only a mod 67 remains.

[Mark in Eureka]

Maybe I am a little older than most here, but Bill Ruger was the leading edge of gun rights in the 70's and 80's. Did Bill have any help? Not the NRA, they were happy to run their matches. Colt did not care about firearms legislation as long as they had their M-16 contracts, S&W was happy with just their police and military sales and publicly stated the did not need civilian sales.. (I have refused to buy a Smith since the boycott of 1975.) The Rifle manufactures were not concerned because only hand guns were regulated to any extent at that time. The only firearms manufacturer I ever heard stand up for firearms rights was Bill Ruger.

In 1968 we were saddled with The Gun Control Act of 1968 because the NRA found it easier to compromise than to fight. We could have stopped it, but the NRA found it in their interest of compromise.

Now, while in ill health, he made a decision to protect his company, his product line and try to preserve firearms ownership in American. Thru Bill’s actions we got to keep a lot of firearms that were on the block. The Mag limits I remember being talked about were four to five rounds. We were also going to lose all semi Autos, lever actions, most pumps, and everything else they could grab. All across American firearms and Ammo were flying off the tables because everyone KNEW their days were limited, and very soon firearms would be illegal.

I remember that terrible day the AWB was passed. I remember us losing that fight by just one vote. We lost because we left a lot good people hanging in the wind for decades, and did not backing them up.

I remember the election of 1994 where every loser in the Congress/Senate was a Democrat.

Now everyone finds it P.C. to blame Bill Ruger. Well they are wrong, we all failed, but the newest kid on the firearms manufacturing block gave it a good fight for decades, before they wore him down. But Bill Ruger fought the fight and now we are continuing his fight. It is my belief that if it had not been for Bill Ruger gun ownership in America would have almost died during the Clinton Years. We survived Bill Clinton, and are moving on. One of the reasons for this is Bill Ruger. I am a proud owner of Ruger firearms.

[dondo]

uhh yeah...whatever...but that little story about Bill Ruger humping some chick in a hotel room just made me vomit in my own mouth.

[DedEye]

Guess I'll be buying a used 10/22 instead of a new one.

[DSA_FAL]

uhh yeah...whatever...but that little story about Bill Ruger humping some chick in a hotel room just made me vomit in my own mouth.

That wasn't some chick, it was Sarah Brady! [shudders violently]

[NIB]

Bill Ruger went before congress to urge a ban on magazines over 15 rounds. He didn't do it for our safety or anyone else.....he did it to put a halt to the success of another gun company. One that had a pistol with a hi-cap mag that held 17 rds and was killing Ruger handgun sales. Why else would he suggest a ban on mags over 15 rds when the only pistols that held more than 15 rds were the Glock 17, Styer GB and one other that escapes my mind, but none of his handguns would have been affected by the ban.

But alas congress decided to go a step further and make the ban on any mag holding over 10 rds.

Good job Bill Ruger, Yeaaaaa! *sarcastic clap*

[xenophobe]

For the record, the *new* S&W (essentially a different company, and completely different management and ownership) has completely repudiated their Clinton-era deal.

The senior S&W folks at the last two SHOT Shows and the 2002 Reno NRA convention/show were clearly quite proud to have washed their hands of that prior idiocy.


Absolutely. Look at their stance on "Assault Weapons" and high capacity mags. The M&P-15's are open to the market, and their sales figures must be impressive. They're getting close, if not surpassing 10,000 rifles sold in 2006.

[Pulsar]

For the record, the *new* S&W (essentially a different company, and completely different management and ownership) has completely repudiated their Clinton-era deal.

The senior S&W folks at the last two SHOT Shows and the 2002 Reno NRA convention/show were clearly quite proud to have washed their hands of that prior idiocy.


S&W guns also increased in quality considerably when the new owners took over. Though they still can't build a decent auto pistol, the revolvers are about as good as it gets.

[grammaton76]

I remember the article in American Rifleman, about how the S&W 500 was the first handgun to have been exclusively prototyped, simulator test-fired, and everything using physics simulators. By the time they did the first real-metal, physical prototype, it was pretty much the same as the finished product.