Here is a word for word email exchange I had with the "letter to the CEO". Directly copied and pasted from my email. His direct email is also included. Long read but entertaining to say the least. Pretty much speaks for itself:
Here is my letter sent today, and his reply:
I am writing regarding new products in your catalog. First of all, as a left handed shooter, left handed rifles are very important to me, and I look to your company when looking for something new. However, I am extremely disappointed that the only left hand rifles of a desirable configuration were released as limited runs to Davidson's without any announcement from your company, and without cataloging those same guns. These limited stainless lefty runs have all sold very well, and have all been in high demand. So, why not catalog them???? Also, I am an active member of three major internet forums, and I have seen absolutely no interest in the new models you have cataloged. Added a muzzle break to your rifles was a major mistake. This alone is keeping numerous buyers from buying your guns. I have not heard of ONE person who views the muzzle break addition as favorable or an incentive to buy the rifle. Many are saying they will never buy the guns with a muzzlebreak. Also,
> the new Guide gun looks terrible, and has become a source of internet mockery. Remove the muzzle break from it, and put a standard laminate stock on it without the adjustable pad, and call it an "Alaskan 2" or something like that. If you want to do something favorable for recoil reduction, use Kick eeze or Pachmayr decelerator pads on your guns. I changed the pad on every Ruger I buy because the stock pads are so terrible.
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Dear Mr. Cline,
The very favorable reaction to our new rifle at the various hunting shows this January, as well as the strong orders from retailers, contradicts and balances out the negative opinions you report. Certainly some people do not like muzzle brakes, but many, many others do like them. And that includes professional hunters from Africa who like the thought of their clients showing up with a lot of practice (typically unusual for large calibers). And they like the ability to swap out the brake for the weight and not lose the point of impact. And they like the adjustable length of pull (that was a specific request from PH's who more often now need to supply the guns in camp as fewer hunters want to go through the hassles of traveling with a firearm).
And for those truly in need of the former look, putting the thread cap on and swapping out the stock for a aftermarket one is quite easy.
Best regards,
Mike Fifer
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I replied:
Thank you for your reply. I guess only time and sales numbers will tell. I'm just going by what I have heard from the buyers and hunters that hunt and shoot here in the states. I have to believe that this is the majority of your buying market. Wholesale numbers are not really a bottom line that can be looked at.
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Dear Mr. Cline,
At the end of my Alaskan hunt last September, I had 3-1/2 boxes of 270 gr. 375 Ruger ammo left over. And we were next to the 400 yd wide Alsek river, which had many small icebergs floating rapidly downstream. The outfitter said it would be fun practice to try to hit the rapidly moving (and bobbing up and down) icebergs about 200 yards out. So my daughter and I used those 60+ magnum rounds in less than 30 minutes and had a great time. Neither of us could have done that without a muzzle brake on our Guide Rifles.
Best regards,
Mike Fifer
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might be good to really barrage him with emails from several members (lefty and right hand) Bricktop would probably be a good start!!!
His direct email is:
Mike.Fifer
ruger.com