Ruger Hard at Work Building Guns in North Carolina

by
posted on May 31, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
W9278-51761.jpg

Earlier this week I attended an open house at the new Ruger factory in Mayodan, N.C., and  what I saw is clearly a home run for Ruger and for the local economy. Furthermore, I believe Ruger’s innovative operations indicate a bullish future in the firearms business, and perhaps more importantly hint at a comeback for American manufacturing in general.

Ruger CEO Mike Fifer explained that in recent years the company has increased production several times over and nearly doubled employees while maxing out capacity at its factories in New Hampshire and Arizona. In order to introduce new products while keeping up with demand for old ones, Ruger explored expansion in present and new locations before deciding to acquire an abandoned textile mill in north-central North Carolina. “We wanted an existing facility in an area that would welcome our business and we would find qualified workers,” said Fifer. “And so in finalist locations we conducted ‘job fairs’ to gauge local interest-but also to flush out anti-gun sentiment. Here we got a phenomenal response all the way. Good area and facility in a good state with a good governor. It’s where we want to be.”

The new plant encompasses 220,000 square feet and has ample available power and water resources. The local economy collapsed in the 1990s when the textile and furniture industies moved offshore, and so skilled workers-who also happen to be shooters and hunter-are keen to come to work for a company they know and respect. “The workforce is great for Ruger,” said plant manager Mickey Wilson. “This area and this plant are ripe for future growth with infrastructure that’s now in place.

For more on Ruger’s bold move to North Carolina, check out this insider tour of one of America’s most progressive manufacturing facilities.

Latest

Gotw Wilson Combat Divison 77 Project 1 Web
Gotw Wilson Combat Divison 77 Project 1 Web

Gun Of The Week: Wilson Combat Division 77 Project 1

Join American Rifleman staff on the range in this video to get a closer look at Wilson Combat’s somewhat cryptically named “Division 77 Project 1.” 

The Armed Citizen® July 18, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Review: POF-USA LMR BASE Rifle

The Patriot Ordnance Factory LMR Base offers a .308 Win. chambering in a lightweight, AR-15-size package, which makes it a capable platform for today's new gun owner. And it comes at a fair price.

2025 Accessory Of The Year: Wyoming Sight Drifter

For each of the past 23 years, the editors of American Rifleman have convened to select our top picks for the past year’s best and most innovative products. Here are the most recent winners.

Henry Donates Rifles To Support Young Leukemia Victim

Henry Repeating Arms has donated a limited run of 50 “Team Keane” Golden Boy .22 lever-action rifles to support 13-year-old Keane Rhodes of Universal City, Texas, who is currently undergoing aggressive treatment for ALL T-cell leukemia.

Rifleman Review: Springfield Armory Echelon

Springfield Armory introduced its Echelon in 2023, bringing a modernized, chassis-style, striker-fired handgun to the market that has since seen several notable line extensions.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.