A dose of quality control?

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adelbridge

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I see this as good news

Gun makers Smith & Wesson (SWHC) and Sturm Ruger (RGR) have reportedly expressed interest in acquiring Freedom Group, which makes the Remington and Bushmaster brands. The Wall Street Journal says Freedom could be valued at around a billion dollars. Defense contractor Alliant Techsystems (ATK) may also consider a bid.
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If Ruger bought them, they would essentially own almost all their competition. I can't really say I'd approve of it, though, because it would inevitably reduce Ruger's stellar customer service and quality.
 
Ruger has stellar quality? Did I step into a parallel universe?

ATK would seem to make the most sense, apart from the overlap in ammunition. For S&W or Ruger it would hugely expand their size and market share, which isn't always a good thing.

There's a Cerberus guy who is supposedly a true RKBA supporter, I would think it would make the most sense for him to take the Freedom Group outside of Cerberus but as a stand-alone company.
 
Geez, people already complain that the Freedom Group has too much of the firearm industry under one umbrella. If Ruger or S&W bought it, there would be no end to the whining.

I personally think FN should grab it up. They could expand in a market where they don't have nearly as much representation.
 
Z-Michigan said:
Ruger has stellar quality? Did I step into a parallel universe?
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What parallel universe did you come from where they have poor quality? I've heard plenty of complaints that their guns maybe aren't as refined or as finely polished as the competition, but Ruger is a top company when it comes to reliability, function and customer service.

I could see a potential antitrust issue of either Ruger or S&W bought the Freedom Group. That would be a huge chink of market share under one roof. I'd probably rather the individual companies in the Freedom Group were sold separately and hopefully some of the smaller independent gun makers could pick up some market share. That should be a win for variety and consumer choice in the market.
 
at one point in time I read that taurus had interest in it. but that might be just spreading internet rumor.
 
Ruger hasn't been able to introduce a new handgun without a recall in something like 7 years now. To me that's not quality. Also their rifles tend to have mediocre barrels and triggers. In general they make Ford/Chevy grade products, not "stellar quality." I derive this not only from their reputation (well known) but from having owned something like 10 of their products in the last decade. I would compare their quality to Remington and Savage, which is neither awful nor stellar.

Now, FNH-USA, they know how to make quality... and they have outstanding customer service as well. (I'm not arguing that Ruger doesn't have good service.)
 
Reading the article in The Wall Street journal today, I get that they (Crapberus) are using Ruger and S&W to set the value in a future auction scenario. Speculation abounds in the area of 1 billion so far.
 
Z-Michigan said:
Now, FNH-USA, they know how to make quality... and they have outstanding customer service as well. (I'm not arguing that Ruger doesn't have good service.)
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Actually FN has had some problems with the FNP....and Glock with the Gen 4, and Smith and Wesson with the Sigma, and the T/C Venture.

Problems happen.....

All of the Rugers I own are rock solid
 
While I don't like seeing products recalled, I can appreciate the company's stance on the issue. Ruger has had several recalls. This does not bother me a bit as it shows that Ruger is aware of an issue and is willing to fix it.

I love Ruger and S&W, but I don't think I would want either of them to own Freedom Group.
 
at one point in time I read that taurus had interest in it. but that might be just spreading internet rumor.
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God, I hope not. Only half the guns would actually work. But they'd have great warranty service...
 
In some areas of the company, ATK has a very good quality initiative going. If they were to make the acquisition, it might be a good thing.
 
Z-Michigan said:
Ruger has stellar quality? Did I step into a parallel universe?

ATK would seem to make the most sense, apart from the overlap in ammunition. For S&W or Ruger it would hugely expand their size and market share, which isn't always a good thing.

There's a Cerberus guy who is supposedly a true RKBA supporter, I would think it would make the most sense for him to take the Freedom Group outside of Cerberus but as a stand-alone company.
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Ruger has always stood by their products and in my shooting career I have never had issues that were not my fault with their guns.

When issues arose, I sent my arms back to Ruger with full admission that I USED MOSTLY ALL RELOADS in my guns and they repaired the guns and shipped thm back to me at ZERO COST TO ME.

Not withstanding Bill Rugers back door dealings to keep his beloved Mini program alive, these guns have given me and my boys so much entertainment and pride of ownership that I had to write a rebuttal.

I know others can have issues I could not even imagine, but I have trouble shot a few guns in my time only to find, Maddi AK RPK with clocked gas blocks one after the other in a lot related failure finally admitted to by the warehouse, S&W Model 29 with over rotated barrel straight from the factory, S&W Model 66 with a LOOSE BARREL amongst others.

Carry on.
 
I own one Ruger.I bought it in 2005.Its a M77,laminated stock,stainless 16 1/2 inch barrel .243 cal.Two purposes for it.I take part in deer drives on private land with crop damage and brushy mountainsides.Its an easy carry and I use it in wet conditions to save my old Win. model 70.Also I have grandsons starting to shoot.I am happy with the accuracy at 100 yds and have taken two deer with it.
 
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