Choosing the firearm that's best for you can be a daunting and overwhelming task. The first step is to identify its purpose and then which Ruger models are most suited to your needs.
ALERT: Should Obama Have More Control Over Guns? Vote Now
Handguns: Typically, handguns are used for competition, home defense, concealed carry, enjoyment and collectability.
Gun Digest reports that the Ruger models SR40 and SR40C are an excellent choice. The SR40, a striker-fired handgun that offers a host of unique features, exceptional reliability, great ergonomics and excellent accuracy.
Affordably priced, the SR40 and SR40c were recently introduced in the super-popular .40 Smith & Wesson cartridge. These handguns have a trigger safety lever that prevents firing unless the trigger is completely pulled. There also is an ambidextrous manual safety at the rear of the slide to prevent firing and lock the slide.
Pistols: While the general stopping power of a pistol is measurably low compared to almost any long gun, you want to make an informed choice to give you the best advantage. Smaller calibers, such as .380 and 9mm, usually result in a higher bullet velocity, reduced recoil and higher velocity bullets.
VOTE NOW: Do You Support a Ban on All Fully Automatic Rifles?
Large calibers, such as the venerable .45, feature slower bullets with increased overall diameter. The heavier bullets and generally high muzzle energies increase recoil, resulting in slower follow-up shots and the larger diameter of the cartridges means lower capacity magazines.
Ruger Rimfire pistols are rugged, affordable, simple and reliable. Perhaps the single most popular Ruger rimfire pistol is the Mark IIITM. Its design has stood the test of time (57 years and counting), which makes them a great value for the sportsman, plinker (informal target shooter) or serious target shooter.
Ruger Centerfire pistols range from the .204 Ruger to the most powerful magnums. These pistols are a popular choice for large game hunting, personal defense, police and military, action shooting and law enforcement. Available in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 auto calibers, all models are rugged, dependable and reasonable.
Other Ruger pistols include:
- Ruger .22 Charger: equipped with rotary magazine
- Ruger Mark III: .22 caliber: simple and reasonably priced
- Ruger 22/45 Mark III: likened to the 1911 pistol
Revolvers: Revolvers are a popular firearm choice. These Ruger models let you fire between four and eight rounds in succession without reloading. Ammunition is stored in a round piece of metal called a "cylinder" that rotates when the hammer is cocked or the trigger is pulled (depending on the "action" of the revolver).
Ruger revolvers are single or double action and are perfect for cowboy wannabees. Single action Ruger models are those where the trigger performs the single action of firing the gun after the hammer is cocked manually. Double action revolvers can be fired in single- or double-action mode. Double-action mode requires pulling the trigger through a longer arc that cocks the hammer before firing the revolver. Double-action revolvers also are quicker to shoot and reload.
Single action revolvers are available in 22 and .17 caliber, .30 Carbine, .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum, and .45 Colt. Double action models come in .357 and .44 magnum.
This article does not constitute legal advice. Check the current gun laws before purchasing or traveling with a firearm.
URGENT: Do You Support Obama's Plans for Stricter Gun Control? Vote Now
Related Stories:
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.