The first ruger

[starmac]

You learn something everyday.
I never knew that the first ruger was a converted M99 savage that Bill Ruger converted to a semi auto.

My wife got me the treasures of NRA national firearms museum book for christmas, and it is a great read.

[contender1]

But it wasn't a true Bill Ruger made gun.
Yes, he was working on a gun to hopefully get a military contract. Never happened.
Then he built some hand tools,,, and one of them, a drill, is a lot like the Standard Auto he introduced in 1949. The tool business failed, (1946-1948) & then he started in firearms.

[dilly]

I always thought the... 96 is it? The lever action from Ruger, I mean. I always thought it looked like the savage 99. As I write this it becomes apparent there is a lot to that story I am missing.

[contender1]

I'm about to head out to a deer stand, but if nobody else chimes in,, I'll post a bit of Ruger history tomorrow.

[starmac]

Here is a link to his first rifle, a converted savage gave him his start in designing guns.
http://home.nra.org/history/video/first-ruger-rifle/list/treasure-collection-3

My buddy is a certified ruger nut, and runs down my savages, so I will be having some fun with this little tidbit.

[WILCO]

The lever action from Ruger, I mean. I always thought it looked like the savage 99.

Yep. I thought so too.

[starmac]

I always thought the lever action ruger was just a make over converted 10/22. nothing about it reminds me of a model 99.

[Thumbcocker]

I thought his first gun was a machine gun that ultimately got him a job with Thompson 'auto ordinance.

[richhodg66]

Why in the world would anybody do that to a perfectly good Savage 99?

[starmac]

Why in the world would anybody do that to a perfectly good Savage 99?

I suppose he wanted to start out on the classy side.