On Oct. 13 Ruger issued a memo to distributors informing them that after an exhaustive internal review of its product portfolio—that weighed demand, manufacturing expense and complexity—production of four revolvers has been halted. Pending orders were cancelled. Affected guns include the Bearcat, GP100, LCR and SP101.
“Ruger announced changes to several current-generation product families yesterday as part of our ongoing Ruger 2030 strategy,” Abbey Clary—Ruger’s director of media, advertising and public relations—told NRA’s American Rifleman magazine. “This does not necessarily mean these product families are permanently discontinued.”
In addition, production of Redhawk, Super Redhawk, Blackhawk, Super Blackhawk, Single-Series and Vaquero revolvers stop at the end of 2026. SR1911s, LC Carbines, LC Chargers, PC Chargers, PC Carbines, No. 1s, 77-Series rifles, Hawkeyes and Ruger Precision Rifles are also subject to the New Year’s Eve halt.
Gun owner preferences change and trends shift. Ruger hasn’t thrived since 1949 by ignoring them. The company has paused production in some models in the past and returned to making them when the market was hungry for their return. The Red Label is an example.
Despite the unfounded speculation it fuels, the legendary firm has also halted production in others while quietly making improvements or adding customer requested features. That was the case with its Precision Rifle.
“These decisions reflect our review of consumer demand, evolving market preferences, manufacturing complexity and the long-term profitability of each product family,” Clary said. “The goal is to focus our resources on the products consumers want most today while creating capacity for future product development and manufacturing modernization.”
Revolvers—widely acknowledged as one of the most labor-intensive firearms to manufacture—that will remain in Ruger’s 2027 lineup include Wrangler and Super Wrangler models. In rifles it will be American Rifles, American Rimfires, Ruger Precision Rimfires, Harriers, Mini-14s and, of course, the legendary 10/22s. Semi-auto pistols will include LCPs, RXMs, MAX-9s, Security-380s, Security-9s, Ruger 5.7s, Mark IVs and 22 Chargers.
