Ruger’s CEO Mike Fifer Picks His Favorite Rugers–SHOT Show 2015

The GunsAmerica team has the special privilege of getting a personal tour of the new Ruger product line from none other than Mike Fifer, CEO. The original plan was for Mike to pick out his three favorite  guns. Being a good company man, he managed to expand the number to five and a half while we were distracted by all the new stuff. Tricky guy, that Mike.

Ruger LC9s Pro

The new LC9s pistols have a much-improved triggers. I tried one at the show to check out the difference on my own. It’s got about ⅜” travel with a bit of stacking, followed by a crisp break. It’s a major improvement over the original LC9 system in my opinion.

The LC9s Pro offers most of the same features of the striker-fired LC9s introduced last summer but adds two new ones. It’s offered without the thumb-operated external manual safety and magazine disconnect. The relative importance of both features or lack thereof, tend to cause serious debate among serious concealed carriers.

According to Ruger, “The all-new Pro version is designed to meet law enforcement specifications as a back-up gun for high-stress situations when there may not be time to deactivate an external manual safety. The absence of a magazine disconnect safety also is a benefit for tactical reloads that allow the user to engage a target with one round remaining in the chamber and the magazine out of the gun for reloading.”

The LC9s Pro models are identical on the outside and use all the same holster and accessories. Capacity is still 7+1.

Ruger American Rifle Ranch Model 300 Blackout

This is a sweet handling rifle at just 34.75-inches overall length. It includes a threaded barrel with cap. It does not include a muzzle brake or flash suppressor – by design. Ruger assumes, correctly I believe, that everyone who buys one of these will put a silencer on it. Adding a flash hider or muzzle brake would simply drive the cost up for a “temporary” part. If you want one, they’re easy to come by.

The adjustable trigger is nice. It’s got a face safety lever and feels great. I estimated about a ⅜” travel with light, crisp break. A tang safety, composite stock and rotary magazine round out the package. I can’t wait to get my hands on this one and stick a SilencerCo Specwar 762 suppressor on it. Can you hear me (shoot) now?

Street price will be in the $350 or less range, and according to Mike, these are flying off the shelves.

Ruger Charger Takedown

Remember the Charger? That neat little 10/22-like rifle-pistol with a bipod up front? The ultimate portable varmint handler? It’s been re-engineered and re-introduced. Better yet, it’s also offered in a new takedown model.

Just like the 10/22 Takedown rifle, the new Charger Takedown model features the same quick disconnect system. The barrel and forend pop right off with a lever-push followed by a twist. The bipod stays mounted on the front section. When broken down, the overall length of the sections is somewhere in the neighborhood of eight inches. The Charger Takedown would make a great addition to the backpack for some plinking or small game dinner acquisition while out and about in the wild.

One other difference you’ll immediately notice is that the Charger now uses a standard A2 pistol grip. That’s right, choose your favorite aftermarket grip and go to town. A Picatinny rail is pre-installed up top and ready for optic of your choice.

Hawkeye FTW Predator

The new Hawkeye FTW Predator combines popular features of the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle and Hawkeye Predator. Designed in partnership with the FTW Shooting School in Barksdale, TX, the new rifle uses the Hawkeye two-stage target trigger and action and the adjustable butt stock of the Gunsite Scout model. Three rubber spacers allow customization of length of pull to account for different shooters and seasonal clothing changes.

The combination of green laminate stock and stainless metal makes for a nifty look too. Right now, this one is available in .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor chambering.

Collector Series 10/22

The 10/22 is now 50 years old, and Ruger is marking the occasion with the introduction of the Ruger Collector’s Series 10/22 Carbine Rifle. Ruger is only making 25,000 of these, which sounds like a lot, until you consider the fact that millions of 10/22s are out there. My future campaign slogan is “a Ruger 10/22 in every home, and maybe two.” and I’m sticking to it.

The anniversary model features a 50th Anniversary bolt marking, 1964 – 2014 receiver marking, and both a BX-1 and BX-25 magazine. The package is rounded out with a lot of bling, but the most interesting addition is a limited edition Ruger Collector’s Series street sign.

Oh, by the way, the half was the Ruger AR-556, Ruger’s direct impingement AR rifle offering. Mike couldn’t resist calling it out on the way to see the Charger Takedown.