Fear and Loading: Ruger Sales Up in Third Quarter

by
posted on November 1, 2018
** 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. **
ruger_logo.jpg

Ruger has issued its third quarter report [PDF] for 2018, and for the period it had net sales of $114.9 million—$10.1 million more than the same timeframe in 2017. “In the third quarter of 2018, net sales increased 10% from the third quarter of 2017.”

Although the first half of the year began slow compared to last year, “The estimated unit sell-through of the Company’s products from the independent retailers increased 1% in the first nine months of 2018 compared to the prior year period. For the same period, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (“NICS”) background checks (as adjusted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation…) decreased 5%.”

A big part of that success at a time when other companies are weathering lethargic consumer interest is innovation. “Sales of new products, including the Pistol Caliber Carbine, the Mark IV pistol, the LCP II pistol, the ED9s pistol, the Security-9 pistol, and the Precision Rimfire Rifle, represented $112.7 million or 30% of firearm sales in the first nine months of 2018.” For the purposes of the statement, firearms introduced in the past two years are included.

The report also said the safety bulletin issued earlier this month for a few Ruger American Pistols is anticipated to cost the company $1 million. All charges associated with the upgrade, which is limited to certain 9 mm versions, are being underwritten by the company.

Although the report may indicate that the last three months signal a modest move from the “new norm,” in new gun purchases, overall sales for the 2018 compared to 2017 are still down. “For the nine months ended September 29, 2018, net sales were $374.5 million and diluted earnings were $2.19 per share,” it explains. “For the corresponding period in 2017, net sales were $404.0 million and diluted earnings were $2.32 per share.”   

Latest

NOAA Small
NOAA Small

FEMA Notes Decline In Disaster Preparedness

A recent report from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) noted a decline in local government preparedness for natural disasters, putting increased pressure on individuals to prepare themselves for emergencies.

Army Announces Type Classification Of New Infantry Rifle, Machine Gun

In May 2025, the U.S. Army’s Soldier Lethality Project at the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey announced the official type classification of SIG Sauer’s M7 rifle and M250 automatic rifle, previously known as the XM7 and the XM250, respectively.

RXR22: Savage Arms Redefines The Budget Rimfire Rifle

Savage Arms has a long history of producing affordable and accurate rimfire rifles, but with its RXR22, the company is bringing a new level of affordability and modularity to rimfire rifle fans.

SARCO: A Lifetime Covered Up With Surplus Firearm Parts

When it comes to selling gun parts and gun-related military surplus, Charles “Cholly” Steen has been at it for longer than almost anyone. It all started when, as a 5-year-old, he began stashing odds and ends in the drawers of his clothes dresser.

Gun Of The Week: TriStar Arms Raptor II

For this week's range session, we’ve got a 20-ga. semi-automatic shotgun from TriStar Arms. And this latest iteration of the Raptor is sure to impress.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 3, 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.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.