Bill Ruger vs. John Moses Browning

[M29since14]

Both exhibited genius. But based on who was more productive, ingenious, and innovative....who would get the nod as most sucessful?
giz

Coming along late to this, but you're joking... right?

The poster who said this is not even a fair question has it right. Ruger's and Browning's accomplishments are not in the same field.

Browning was an inventor - a visionary and mechanical genius who, fortunately for us all, applied his gift to firearms. Ruger was a businessman.

In his field, Browning was incomparable. He virtually destroyed his competition whenever he chose to create. Sometimes, he was so advanced he had none. The business accomplishments of Ruger are fairly ordinary - though, of course, admirable.

 

[desi2358]

I have never had a complaint about the accuracy, reliability or the handling qualities of any of the ruger firearms I have owned since I bought my first standard model 22 back in the 70's. I can't say that about llama or taurus. Maybe they aren't as pretty as some others but they work just as well (or better!) and they keep working. Bill Ruger's greatest skill was in coming up with production methods that produced a sound reliable firearm that was affordable for the average guy. When buying used guns I am confident about a ruger working, other brands not so much. --Getting back to the original question though, I still state that no one can compare to John Browning as a firearms designer. Ruger was innnovative with production methods more than anything. Browning was far ahead of anyone in his time or now!

 

[2152hq]

I'd have to go with Browning. A true inventor in my way of thinking when it comes to firearms mechanisms. The shear number of designs and applications are astounding.

What Browning did have going for him was a number of large, very high quality manufacturers that were ready to bid for his designs.
The fact that FN, Remington, Winchester, Colt and the US Gov't saw his work as cutting edge at the time and were able to mass produce the same with quality was something Ruger has not been able to do,, and has never wanted to do.
Ruger kept his designs to himself for the most part and wanted to be both designer and mfr. Browning wanted only to design/redesign,,sell the mfg rights to it and move on.

 

[carmel10512]

That I know of, John Browning never advocated unconstitutional gun controls, nor did he ever pander to those who did.

+1 on that

 

[brucev]

Without question, Browning.

 

[ElToro]

The first shotgun Browning designed and built was a was a muzzle loader and his last was the A-5.

i think the superposed was his last shotgun design.

 

[gizamo]

I truly wonder if John Browning did all of this on his own. Colt had a design/engineering team and the tool room. Browning's designs would have to be prototyped and then tooled for. I think there was a good deal more people involved then just JMB...

giz

 

[Aussie44]

I truly wonder if John Browning did all of this on his own. Colt had a design/engineering team and the tool room. Browning's designs would have to be prototyped and then tooled for. I think there was a good deal more people involved then just JMB...

giz

Giz, Same could be said about Ruger.


Ken

 

[Gary]

I admire them both. The both made a lasting impact on the industry. During my lifetime Ruger has introduced more new and innovative firearms than most of the rest of the firearms companies combined. Think about it. The Standard Model, Blackhawk, Mini 14, Number One, and the Red Label shotgun were just a few of the firearms introduced. They were affordable, of decent quality, and available to the public. I love old world craftsmanship as well as the next guy but recognize that without modern production techniques we couldn't afford most of the firearms produced today.

 

[dennis40x]

The Standard Model, Blackhawk, Mini 14, Number One, and the Red Label shotgun were just a few of the firearms introduced.

I have to ask these questions. What was innovative? What was a totally new design principle of significance? Not meant to be rude or condescending. I see nothing ground breaking here.

 

[Jellybean]

...the Red Label shotgun... They were affordable, of decent quality, and available to the public.

I forgot all about the Red Label. We had several people come in and request them only to hear they were an allocated item and the backlog was about a year long. Usually the guys would change their mind and buy a Browning instead of waiting. This went on for a long time. Then one day I got a call from my distributor. She asked me how many Red Labels I wanted at a very low price! Ruger had apparently been holding them back to create a higher demand and to drive the price up. They must have quit selling and backed up the storeroom at the factory.

I love old world craftsmanship as well as the next guy but recognize that without modern production techniques we couldn't afford most of the firearms produced today.

I've heard this cliche so much it makes me sick. When these new production techniques came along it didn't make the guns any cheaper. And I never had a problem affording a new S&W when they were made the "old" way, so how did the cost of living affect the price of firearms all of a sudden. If you look at Rugers pricing history their handguns started off pretty low compared to S&Ws, then, after they started to gain in popularity, their price increases doubled S&Ws. Explain that one to me. Using all these improved techniques and materials to make them cheaper to produe, how did their costs increase so much over the labor intensive, useless old manufacturing process used by S&W? Just about every "modification" Ruger made to his firearms was to make it cheaper to produce, not to make it better.

I remember back in the 80s the firearms industry was in a world of hurt. Sales were down, some companies sold out or folded all together. We got an envelope from Ruger, it had a copy of an article from a business magazine talking about the firearms industry and how two manufacturers mangaged to get through. Marlin had invested in electronics and the profits from that industy was enough to keep the firearms alive. Ruger stated they eliminated the extra steps in their gun making process and had a major price increase. Basically they cut their quality and raised their prices, again. Yup, real genius at work there.

 

[Gary]

I have to ask these questions. What was innovative? What was a totally new design principle of significance? Not meant to be rude or condescending. I see nothing ground breaking here.

He built a successful major firearms company from scratch. Many others tried and failed. He had a knack for understanding what the customer wanted. Many of the firearms he produced were extremely successful. Consider the Standard Model .22, Blackhawk, Mini 14, 1022, M77 rifle, Red Label shotgun, and the list goes on. He was able to keep manufacturing costs low enough to sell a LOT of guns at a profit. This is innovation in my book. Modern manufacturing techniques were key to making Ruger as successful and profitable as it has been. Colt and Winchester struggled in the post WWII era to keep their costs in line. Remington did better with the introduction of their 721 rifle. This rifle (which evolved into the Model 700) made use of modern manufacturing techniques and proved to be a commercial success. The companies that were able to adapt were successful those that didn't faded.

 

[buckeyeshooter1]

Browning, his guns have stood the test of time, What has been more long lasting than the 1911 and ma deuce under millitary conditions?

 

[gizamo]

I think it would be pretty hard to argue that Bill Ruger was the most successful firearms designer/manufacturer of our time (past 60 years).

He is credited with saving the SA handguns after Colt was driving the final nails into that coffin. His autoloading 44 Carbine and the No.1 were his first two centerfire rifles, and the 10/22 with it's rotary magazine followed soon after. In recent years Sturm Ruger has carried as many as 300 different pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns in their catalog.

Even after his death, he left a company that was able to survive a downturn in the gun industry...and is currently leading through constant innovation.

His success is our success. We all have benefited either directly or indirectly from Bill Ruger's willingness to improve and innovate a industry that was in decline.

giz