One of America’s best-known revolver makers is stepping back from a big share of its revolver catalog. As first reported by American Rifleman on October 14, Sturm, Ruger & Co. has stopped production of several current-generation product families right away and will wrap up others when its 2026 production runs are finished.
For many of our readers, a Ruger wheelgun was the first handgun they ever owned, the gun they carried in the woods, or the one they handed down to a son or daughter. So this news lands closer to home than the usual product shuffle.
What stopped, and what is winding down
According to American Rifleman, production of the LCR, SP101, GP100 and Bearcat revolvers ended immediately. NRA’s American Hunter, which also covered the move, reported that Ruger told distributors in an October 13 memo and that pending orders for those four models were cancelled.
A second group of guns will finish out their final 2026 runs. On the handgun side, that list includes the Redhawk, Super Redhawk, Blackhawk, Super Blackhawk, the Single-Series revolvers and the Vaquero, along with the SR1911 and the LC Charger and PC Charger pistols. Several long guns are on the same list, including the No. 1, the 77-Series, the Hawkeye and the Ruger Precision Rifle, plus the PC and LC carbines.
Ruger has not published model-by-model end dates or how many guns remain in those final runs.
What Ruger is keeping
The company’s 2027 handgun lineup, as reported by American Rifleman, centers on its semi-automatics: the LCP family, RXM, MAX-9, Security-380, Security-9, Ruger-5.7, Mark IV and 22 Charger. On the revolver side, only the Wrangler and Super Wrangler single-actions continue. Rifles staying in the line include the American Rifle and American Rimfire families, the Ruger Precision Rimfire, Harrier, 10/22 and Mini-14.
Why Ruger says it is doing this
Abbey Clary, Ruger’s director of media, advertising and public relations, told American Rifleman the changes are part of the company’s “Ruger 2030” plan. The company cited consumer demand, shifting market preferences, manufacturing complexity and long-term profitability, and said it wants to free up capacity for new products and modernized manufacturing.
Importantly, Clary said, “This does not necessarily mean these product families are permanently discontinued.” She indicated some names could return in new forms, but Ruger has no specific plans or timelines to share. American Hunter noted Ruger has paused guns before and later brought them back, pointing to the Red Label shotgun, and observed that revolvers are among the most labor-intensive firearms to build.
The Firearm Blog, which also covered the announcement, made a practical point worth repeating: a model being “suspended” is not the same as one being sold out, so buyers should talk with their dealer before assuming another production run is on the way.
What this means for you
If you already own one: Your revolver does not stop working because the factory stopped building it. None of the reports we read said anything about parts or service ending, and we did not find a Ruger statement on that question. If it matters to you, contact Ruger customer service directly.
If you have been planning to buy: New-in-box GP100s, SP101s and LCRs are now limited to whatever is already in the supply chain. Expect shelf stock to thin out, and possibly prices to rise. Blackhawk and Vaquero shoppers have a bit more time while 2026 runs finish, but no one can promise how long those will last.
For carry and woods guns: Holster, grip and speedloader makers support these models in huge numbers, so accessories should be around for years. Still, if you rely on a specific holster fit, it may be wise to pick up a spare.
GUN Crusade’s take: A double-action revolver is still one of the simplest, most forgiving handguns a new shooter, an older shooter or a hunter can own. Ruger’s semi-autos clearly sell, and a business has to follow its customers. But if a GP100 or Blackhawk has been on your wish list, or you hoped to buy one for a family member’s milestone, this is a good week to visit your local gun shop and see what is still on the shelf.
