Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. will proudly be displaying the very first Ruger firearm and the recently produced 25 millionth Ruger firearm at the 2011 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. The original Ruger Standard Pistol that founded Sturm, Ruger & Co. will sit next to the 25 millionth Ruger firearm – an SR9c™ compact pistol that has been embellished and engraved to commemorate this remarkable achievement. The dramatic differences between these two firearms serve as an illustration of the growth and development of Sturm, Ruger & Co. over the course of its 62-year history.
William B. Ruger and Alexander Sturm founded Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. in 1949 with a mere $50,000 investment and one unique firearm design. Bill Ruger had invented the Ruger .22 Standard Pistol, a rimfire autoloading pistol with a cylindrical bolt that moved inside a tubular receiver, creating a strong yet simple action. With a profile resembling the popular German Luger pistols, the .22 Standard Ruger (later to be known as the Mark I pistol) proved to be reliable, affordable and incredibly popular. Mark I pistols were produced until 1981, when they were replaced by the next generation Mark II™ pistols. This classic firearm is still produced today in the form of Ruger Mark III™ pistols and the similar, 1911-style inspired 22/45™ pistols.
The 25 millionth firearm is a highly polished stainless steel version of the popular, award winning SR9c compact pistol. The pistol is engraved with the words “25 Millionth” and an enlarged Ruger Eagle on the left side of the slide, while the right side has the words “Ruger SR9c” engraved into the slide serrations. The SR9c is a centerfire pistol with a glass-filled nylon frame and a slim, compact size that is perfect for discreet carry. This modern, high tech handgun represents well how the traditional Ruger company has developed into an innovative, cutting edge leader in the firearms industry.
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| Ruger SR9c 9mm Luger |
The Ruger booth at the SHOT Show is number 11740 and is located on the upper level in the firearms and ammunition section. Stop by to see the very first production Ruger Standard Pistol – serial number 0012 – and the embellished 25 millionth SR9c pistol, along with the entire line of Ruger firearms.
