Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Ruger Sales & Earnings down

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE:RGR) reports net sales of $153.7 million and fully diluted earnings of $1.12 per share, compared with net sales of $179.5 million and fully diluted earnings of $1.63 per share in the second quarter of 2013, a drop of 14%. Ruger CEO Michael O. Fifer attributed the drop in earnings to a "drop in demand for firearms and accessories."

Clearly Obama needs to threaten some new bans to get things going again.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news...-all-records-due-obamas-gun-co/?page=all

Or Ruger could get into the .22lr ammo market.

They can't sell guns if there isn't ammo available.

Jim

Sometimes the lack of common sense analysis in these reports just amazes me.

If the record sales of the past few years is panic driven, meaning people are buying more than usual for fear of future restrictions, only an idiot would assume that it would continue indefinitely.

In other words, a lot of folks have "shot their wad", and are taking a breath.

I would be willing to bet, (safely, as there are no accurate figures) that used gun sales, especially of potential ban items is up, as the speculators clear out their stocks. Certainly, the prices should be down, as new stock at regular prices is plentiful.

I visited the Ruger plant in Arizona in February, and they told me then they were already seeing a little slow-down in demand, which they attributed to Obama Panic II finally starting to ease a little, as all panics eventually do.

It will be interesting to see what happens in this fall's elections. If the Republicans make significant gains, especially in the Senate, then the panic will ease even more. If not....

John,
What was the demand softening for? Handguns? Their AR type rifle? Or everything across the board?

If they make what we want we will continue buying. In the last few years we bought a left hand Scout, a Shopkeeper and two 327's. When the Single seven hits Lipsey's we'll buy another.
The limited version of the 77-22 with the full-length stock looks good - wish it was a Hornet...

Single Seven?

The highest demand for the last couple years has been for handguns (especially semiautos) and AR-type rifles--and that's where the demand has slipped. Apparently those who wanted one (or two or three) have gotten what they wanted.

Which should say something to the folks that think CCI & Friends should be building new rimfire plants to meet the "demand", but probably won't.

Stainless Single Six with seven holes in the cylinder, chambered for .327 Fed. Magnum. Special run by Lipsey's.

Just saw it. Pretty slick. Probably almost as heavy as my L frame, which is why I sold my last Single Six (along with the price and availability of .22 mag ammo.)

If i would have known that i could have been your unpaid taxi cab driver. My house is about ten minutes from the plant at the airport. Pretty sure you went to gunsite, my aunt owned all that land along the entrance to gunsite. Lot's of interesting gun people still around up there.

^^^This^^^ I'd be willing to bet that immediately after the Sandy Hook tragedy, that more AR's were sold that year than had been sold in the previous 3 years together.
Another words, just about ANYONE who didn't have one, rushed out and bought an AR-15

Local Gun Stores in N. Texas shelves are FULL of AR's now. Including the big stores like Cabela's, Bass Pro, Gander Mountain, and Academy Sports.

If the Republicans can re-take the Senate during Mid-Term Elections, with the House all ready under Republican control, just MAYBE the Mfg's will finally catch up on .22 Rimfire ammo production.

Drop in demand, eh?

I attribute it to sticking an ugly muzzle break on a lot of their bolt action rifles. That, and discontinuing some of the models that made the most sense.

its sobering to realize just how small these gun companies are. It would not take a lot to put them out of business.

I've purchased 3 rugers, all new, since February...........so, I'm doing my part.

If they would offer more LH guns , like the New American their sales would increase.

Gasman,

Ruger's sales figures are just a reflection of the overall gun industry--which isn't in any sort of depression.

The number of BATFE background checks for gun sales started upward quickly as soon as Obama was reelected, then zoomed even higher after Sandy Hook. They kept rising (though not as fast) until January 2014, and have been dropping slowly since--though they're still higher than they were before Obama's reelection.

Everybody I know in the gun industry (which includes people in firearm, ammo, and reloading component manufacturing) has been predicting a drop in demand for a while now, so aren't surprised to see it. Most have been a little surprised by the length of this panic, but it's the same pattern that been repeated in EVERY firearms buying-panic since the Clinton assault-rifle ban back in the 1990's: Shooters think the Feds are going to take away their guns and ammo so start "stocking up."

Then, a few months or a couple years later they have plenty of guns and ammo, and maybe a high credit-card balance as well. They not only quit buying but may even sell some of their guns and ammo to pay the mortgage--which floods the market and lessens demand from manufacturers.

In late 2009 the market was flooded with cheap AR-15's that people bought after the first Obama election. The price went as high as $2000 in the months after the election, but dropped to $600-$800 by the next fall. Why? The panic was over and demand was down--and the Feds hadn't passed a law banning AR-15's.

This panic has been deeper, both because people thought there was no way Obama would be reelected, and because Sandy Hook kept politicians talking about new gun laws for a long time, though almost nothing happened on a national level.

But ALL the gun-buying panics of the past couple decades have died down again, which is why Ruger isn't sweating it (they're still making PLENTY of money) and .22 ammo companies haven't been doubling their manufacturing capacity. They have seen it happen before, and it's always the same pattern: a big jump in sales, and then a drop-off to more normal levels.

Which is why it has nothing to do with muzzle brakes or anything else the marketing geniuses of the Campfire can come up with. And my bet is that Ruger will indeed be offering more left-handed American Rifles, now that demand for semiauto handguns is finally dropping off enough so they can make other stuff.

I'm just making a general comment and it is not specific to Ruger although it does affect them. I've been a gun nut for a long time but I haven't bought a rifle for the last couple years purely due to the ammo and reloading components shortages. Nor have I been able to enjoy taking my kids out to shoot for the same reasons. Myself as well as many of my friends don't shoot our rim fires because it's such a hassle to replace the ammo. My favorite 22-250 factory ammo by Hornady I haven't seen on a store shelf in over two years. I would really like to buy a new Ruger 77 Hawkeye Predator in 6.5 Creedmore, but have any of you tried to find 6.5 bullets the last year or two? So no point in buying what I can't shoot. Heck I never thought I'd do this, but I've all but hung up my guns and have been wearing out my fishing poles. It keeps me out doors without all the hassle...and this from a guy that rarely thought about anything other than hunting and shooting for the last 40 years.

Don't know where you're looking, but right now Midway lists 23 different 6.5mm bullets as "available" for ordering, everything from basic hunting bullets to long-range to super-premiums. The brands include Barnes, Berger, Hornady, Lapua, North Fork, Nosler, Sierra, Speer and Woodliegh.

I've also bought quite a bit of rimfire ammo at "normal" prices over the past several months, both on the Internet and from local stores. Right now one local store has a pile of bricks of .22 Short hollow-points for sale, but I have plenty already.

Generally, the firearms industry, like the airlines, are one-horse games; they are not diversified. Any downturn in sales can not be offset by sales in another sector. Ruger (and S&W) do take in outside work to use their machinery and, design and material expertise, thus giving a limited amount of diversification.

John, I looked for 6.5 bullets in Great Falls at Scheels, Big Bear, and BigR. Then also checked Sportsmans Warehouse in Helena. When I was in Billings 6 months ago I tried Cabelas, they didn't have squat for anything. I was in Utah last week and checked the mega-sized Scheels and Sportsmans warehouse down there. Couldn't find the 6mm or 6.5 bullets I wanted. As for Hornady Superformance 22-250 I have not seen it on a shelf anywhere for 2 years. I'm not a big fan of the mail order thing but may have to compromise.

That's interesting about the Helena SW. I picked up two boxes of 6mm 95-grain Ballistic Silvertips (the black-and-silver version of the legendary 95-grain Ballistic Tip) earlier this month. But then I am probably in there more often.

I got a bit of R-22 today in Helena-- nothing to do with Ruger. I did look at several Ruger American rifles that were on sale for a steal, but I am a lefty, and I can't see buying another rh gun, especially in a light, fast-handling rifle. I hope they do start tooling up some lefty Americans soon.

You do have to be a little more creative these days, but there is stuff out there; maybe not exactly what you want, but enough to keep you going. Online is definitely the place to start looking and saves you time and gas.

I've bought bullets, brass, and powder for my new .243. Bullets were purchased locally and from Grafs; powder, locally; brass from Amazon and Grafs. I've got a brick of RWS .22 LR SSHPs on the way right now.

I have not seen it myself, and my newest gun is a Hawkeye that is a work of art, but my last gun shop visit the owner mentioned a drop in the quality of Ruger's interior fit and finish.

A result of being busy, or a drop in standards due to bean counting, or just one man's opinion?

Just his dumbass opinion. I have several Model 77 Hawkeyes ranging from very late production to first year for that iteration and Model 77 MKIIs from the last year of production going to 20 years old. If there's a "difference" in quality, I'd like to hear some specifics.

This guy sells a lot of guns, I think he was talking about the semi auto pistols.

Even then, it's still anecdotal information; i.e, his dumbass opinion.

I saw a stainless synthetic mini 14 on the shelf of a LGS this week for $1k. Dont know if that is the dealer trying to gouge or just his standard mark up on what Ruger is charging for a mini these days. If that is reflective of Rugers cost, their sales could be down due to superior AR's flooding the market at substantially lower prices.

My Hawkeye predator, while not the slickest rifle I have, is neatly inletted, has a nice 2-stage trigger, and using ammo loaded for something else, grouped very nicely. I haven't touched a thing yet. I am very satisfied. A little moly grease slicked it up quite a bit, and when I get around to pulling it apart, I will do a little polishing.

The population is growing slowly and only a portion of it hunts/shoots. Unless the rest of us keep buying lots of guns, the downward trend will continue.

I will tell you I have done my part to increase the stock
I love Colts and Smiths

But I am sure I shoot Rugers (and buy many) more than anything

Hank

Ah, old ruger slut again.

Actually other than politics and a run at a long range rifle that sucked for accuracy, not all that bad.

But the last 2 hawkeyes friends have bought were NOT good in the accuracy department at all. Around 2 inches or so at 100 yards. There is no denying the 2 at our deer lease were not up to par at all on the accuracy side. Which is a shame, I've seen some fairly accurate rugers over the years.

RE fit and finish was not bad at all though, very acceptable as far as I was concerned.

Most folks can only have so many guns

Then they stop for a while...

Now Ammo

You tend to burn that up

Snake

At some point things have to level off. Over the past couple of years I've picked up more Rugers (new) than other makes. They came out with 3 models that I really liked:

SP101 4.2" .357
SP101 4.2" .22
77/357

Ruger has a knack for making products that fit folks' desires/needs, are unique, and still have the ability to sell beyond a niche market. That's a tough thing to do.

They're about the only game in town for an affordable left-handed CRF rifle. I have less tied up in each of my re-barreled Model 77s (a Mark II in 6.5x55mm and a Hawkeye in .257 Roberts, each with a 24-inch Krieger barrel and pillar bedded) than most knuckleheads want for a plain vanilla left-handed Model 70 Winchester in .270 WCF/.30-06 Springfield.

My other Rugers have served me well, too, so I suppose I'll keep buying them.

John,
You have posted this several times in the past few months. If you wouldn't mind, the next time you see the .22 long rifle rimfire ammo at "normal" prices, and you have all you want/need and are not afraid someone will buy it all, please post a link. Many here would like to see that website as we have heard so much about it.

Never had much use for .22 short hollow-points so that's a non-issue.

Thanks,
Geo

They're also the only company I'm aware of that has a "talk to the CEO" feature on their website - and a CEO that reads every one. They had a survey asking what folks would like to see to improve the Hawkeye and a second one asking what products Ruger should concentrate on next with a big list of choices - AR styles, 1911's, revolvers, shotguns, etc.

Actually asking people what they want - what a concept!

Gunbot shows quite a bit of in stock .22lr for .09-.12 per round. While that is not the <$3 per 50 everyone seems to be thinking "should" be available, the combination of general inflation and rising prices in general of metallic component prices make that nearly impossible any longer.
Cabela's still has CCI available but they are only eking out 1 box per order at 4.99 bx for the time being.

http://www.gunbot.net/ammo/rimfire/22lr/

Hope this helps out if anyone is interested.

If one box at $4.99 with about what, $8 to ship.. Not much of a bargain.

I appreciate the help and the link but I want to see where MD if finding his stuff at "normal" prices.

Geo

Likely not online. I've been paying normal prices for rimfire as well, buying locally, but I shop a lot and am not desperate for ammo. The only rimfire I buy online is Lapua and Eley match ammo, and that's been relatively easy to find as it doesn't get bought up by plinkers and speculators.