When William B. Ruger shipped the first Standard pistols on October 6, 1949, he was certain the rimfire would be a hit with American shooters. Ruger received capital from Alexander Sturm to start manufacturing in Southport, Connecticut. With Ruger running day-­to-­day operations and overseeing new firearm designs, Sturm, Ruger & Company was on its way to becoming one of America’s largest and most historically significant firearm manufacturers. Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024, Ruger has released several commemorative-­edition models that denote this occasion. Each iconic model was tastefully embellished with the Ruger 75th Anniversary markings and priced for the “average, working American citizen to afford,” a phrase that remains from Ruger’s vision.

Mark IV

Manufactured in Prescott, Arizona, the Mark IV is the current evolution of the Standard pistol. The Standard established Ruger as a gunmaker in 1949. It featured a blowback design, cylindrical receiver, and a grip that was formed from two welded halves. Though it looked like a World War II veteran’s P.08 Luger bring-­back pistol, it was mechanically inspired by the Japanese Nambu.

Ruger’s partner, Alexander Sturm, passed away in 1951. To honor his friend, Ruger changed the color of the heraldic eagle logo from red to black. The Standard model evolved into the Mark I in 1950, Mark II series in 1982, Mark III in 2004, Mark III 22/45 in 2012, and the Mark IV series in 2016. The Mark IV is a striking blend of the previous eras’ achievements.

The 75th Anniversary logo is laser engraved on the receiver and back of the bolt, and it is packaged in a throwback-­styled, 75th Anniversary printed box with a decal. Being a Mark IV means that it features the simple, one-­button takedown for quick and easy disassembly and access for chamber-­to-­muzzle cleaning of the barrel. A departure from the manufacturing methods used to make the Standard pistol affordable in 1949, the Mark IV sports a one-­piece, precision CNC-­machined grip frame, cold hammer-­forged tapered target barrel and precise rifling for target-­quality accuracy. The Mark IV has an easy-­to-­use bolt stock, and a comfortable grip with checkered, laminate-wood panels. Target sights are classic and adjustable, but the receiver is drilled and tapped to accept an optic mount, if desired. The manual safety is ambidextrous and can be converted to left-side only. The Mark IV maintains the magazine disconnect feature that disables the pistol from being fired with the magazine removed, and magazines drop free from the conveniently located push-button release. Two 10-­round magazines are included. In retrospect, each of these features are improvements borrowed from each Mark’s evolution.

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Ruger 75th Anniversary Mark IV 

• Type: Blowback operated, semiautomatic
• Cartridge: .22 LR
• Capacity: 10+1 rds.
• Barrel: 6.88 in., tapered target, steel alloy, 1:16-in. twist
• Overall Length: 11 in.
• Height: 5.58 in. 
• Weight: 2 lbs., .8 oz.
• Grip: Wood laminate, checkered
• Finish: Blue (Steel)
• Sights: Partridge, fixed (front); notch, adjustable (rear)
• MSRP: $599.
• Manufacturer: Sturm, Ruger & Co., 336-949-5200, ruger.com

10/22 Sporter

Ruger’s 10/22 rifles are manufactured in Newport, New Hampshire. More than 7 million have been sold — as of 2024 — since its introduction in 1964.

The 10/22 wasn’t Ruger’s first autoloading rifle. That was the .44 Magnum Carbine released in 1960. However, it would become a more popular model. Resembling an M1 helped its reception among World War II and Korean War veterans.

The receiver was made from investment-cast aluminum, a manufacturing process Ruger pioneered for this industry. The genius may have been the 10-­round rotary magazine. Fast to load, it simply worked. The 10/22 hasn’t changed much, though there are a plethora of factory configurations created and aftermarket support.

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Two models of 10/22 75th Anniversary guns are available featuring the 75th Anniversary logo laser engraved on the bolt, with printed Anniversary packaging. Offering a walnut-­stained hardwood stock and a natural-­finish hardwood stock option, these are classic versions of the ubiquitous rimfire autoloader. The action is the same as current production, accepting Ruger’s 10-­round rotary magazine. The cold-­hammer-­forged barrel is secured to the receiver by two screws and a V-­block design. Both have a gold bead front sight and adjustable rear, while the 18½-­inch barrel is made of stainless steel. The receiver and stock are classicly styled.

Like many kids, my first rifle was a 10/22. I was a kid when John “Chief AJ” Huffer broke a world record in 1987 by shooting 40,060 2½-­inch wooden blocks out of the air using a 10/22. I still have the gun that Dad gave me, and I’ll never part with it.

Ruger 75th Anniversary 10/22 Sporter Specs

• Type: Blowback operated, semiautomatic
• Cartridge: .22 LR
• Capacity: 10+1 rds.
• Barrel: 18.5 in., stainless steel, 1:16-in twist
• Overall Length: 37 in.
• Weight: 5 lbs., 6 oz.
• Stock: Hardwood
• Finish: Natural or walnut stained (wood); matte (steel)
• Sights: Gold bead (front);adjustable (rear)
• MSRP: $399
• Manufacturer: Sturm, Ruger & Co., 336-949-5200, ruger.com

LCP Max

The LCP Max is manufactured in Mayodan, North Carolina. It is an evolution of the Lightweight Compact Pistol (LCP), a thin, 10-­ounce handgun that transformed everyday carry (EDC) when it was introduced in 2008. The LCP was developed in response to the positive changes made to concealed carry laws throughout the U.S. during the early ­2000s. The concealed-carry lifestyle created a demand for compact carry revolvers and pistols, spurring Ruger to also introduce the LCR revolver in 2009. The LCP, however, transformed from a six-­round .380 pocket auto to the 9mm LC9 in 2011, to the LCP II in 2016, and became the ultimate EDC pocket pistol as the LCP Max in 2021. The Ruger 75th Anniversary LCP Max is a nod to those who depend on the brand for personal defense.

The 75th Anniversary LCP Max features the laser-­engraved logo on top of the slide, and it is packaged in the throwback-­style printed box with decal. The slide is finished in matte stainless steel with polished sides and tactile cocking serrations. The LCP Max carries 10 rounds in its magazine with a flush floorplate installed, but the pistol will accept Ruger’s 12-­round LCP magazine with finger extension, also. At the front of the slide is a tritium-­filled night sight with a white outline that’s easy to see. The rear is a serrated U-­notch for quick, instinctive alignment. Both the front and rear sights are secured in dovetails. The rear sight was also designed with a front face that can be used for one-­handed cocking. The magazine release is reversible, making the LCP Max a friendly option for all shooters. A soft pocket holster and magazine loader are included. Ammunition is all that’s needed to start benefiting from its defensive reliability.

Ruger 75th Anniversary LCP Max Specs

• Type: Blowback operated, semiautomatic
• Cartridge: .380 ACP
• Capacity: 10+1 rds. or 12+1 rds.
• Barrel: 2.8 in., steel alloy
• Overall Length: 5.17 in.
• Height: 4.12 in. 
• Width: .81 in.
• Weight: 10.6 oz.
• Sights: Tritium, white ring (front); notch, drift adj. (rear)
• MSRP: $479
• Manufacturer: Sturm, Ruger & Co., 336-949-5200, ruger.com

More to Come

In addition to these 75th-anniversary announcements, Ruger will continue releasing models through the remainder of 2024. The list includes the limited-production SR1911 ($1,799) and American Rifle Generation II. 

The SR1911 was introduced in 2011 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Government Model 1911. The 5-­inch-barreled model evolved to include Commander and Officer-­types, as well as a Target version designed by the Ruger Custom Shop in 2017. For 2024, only 750 Anniversary SR1911s will be produced. All will be Government Model .45s, distinguished by relief engraving on the stainless-­steel slide, and wood stocks and complete with a special “R75” serial-number prefix.

Also introduced for 2024, the Ruger American Rifle Gen II enhances the feature set of its predecessor with splatter-­pattern stocks, Cerakote finishes, and spiral-­fluted barrels. The most noteworthy improvement, in my opinion, is the addition of a three-­position safety that allows the rifle to be unloaded and loaded with the safety engaged. The American Rifle set a new standard of quality and performance when it was introduced in 2012; the Gen II models add to that reputation. The Ruger 75th Anniversary American Rifle Generation II was developed to celebrate both Ruger and Hornady — both founded in 1949. The brands collaborated to create a limited-­edition rifle based on Ruger’s latest bolt-action rifle that evolved from the Ruger American Rifle. Each rifle wears a serial number with the range of “75VIP-­001” to “75VIP-­075”. The action is set in a custom red-­ and black-­splatter stock, and has a spiral-­fluted barrel with muzzlebrake. The barreled action is finished in FX Cosmic Cerakote. It is only chambered in Hornady’s .204 Ruger cartridge, and the product was limited to 75 examples. Unfortunately, these sold out immediately after being announced.

Before December 31, 2024, I’d expect the anniversary celebration to continue with additional releases. I would like to see 75th Anniversary models for the Blackhawk, Redhawk, Single-­Six, GP100 and SFAR. Of course, what anniversary would be complete without a limited-­edition Ruger No. 1 in a Ruger cartridge such as .204, .300, .338, 375 or .416?

Every Ruger has contributed to American culture. Ruger is now one of the most important brands in firearm history. It would be impossible to devote coverage to every noteworthy Ruger firearm, but the table below includes a list of notable platforms and year of introduction.

Bill Ruger died on July 6, 2002. What many of us forget is that his namesake company has carried on for more than 20 years since his passing. It remains in good hands. His legacy and principles of design, engineering, and business have been safely stewarded by chief executives including William B. Ruger, Jr., Michael O. Fifer, Christopher J. Killoy, and a board of directors. What interests me most will be what comes from Ruger in the next 25 years. Onward and upward!