Owners and Collectors

[Big Old Boy]

Many here are indeed collectors but many more are like myself not a collector but someone that enjoys and uses Ruger firearms. I have owned and sold many Rugers and have no interest in ever being a collector. That said I believe displays should be anything Ruger related the enjoyment for me is learning as much as I can and sharing that with others. Here in my home town I'm known as Ruger guy I usually wear a Ruger hat shirt or both as a conversation starter. I will do my first display at Huntsville and no I won't win anything but hopefully I will help other non collectors realize you don't have to have the rarest or oldest to display.

[Coogs]

+1000................................great! Good for you!

[Charlie1022]

Greetings Big Old Boy! You bring up a very good point on enjoying your Ruger firearms. Not everyone can afford or even has an interest in collecting firearms. I enjoy both aspects of the hobby. I bought my first Ruger which was a 10/22 back in 1970 and still shoot it today along with several other 10/22's set up for different kinds of shooting. I also have several other Ruger rifles and handguns that I enjoy shooting. I also an known as the RUGER guy at several gun shows where I set up at or just attended where people would come up to me and ask a question about a specific Ruger. This is something I enjoy anytime I can talk Ruger and even other makes of guns. The fun in sharing information to help educate or even learn more about my hobby is very rewarding.
I am looking forward to meet you and others at the show as this is the first time for me at this show. It is a great way to make new contacts for shooting and collecting I sure hope it is not real cold out then! I am headed to Florida after the first of the year and will have almost a 9 hour drive back up to the show.

See you at the show.
Charlie1022

[gunman42782]

For 7 years that I worked in a gun shop I was known as the "Ruger guy". Nice to know I was in good company! I flirted with the idea of being a collector, but in all honesty never had the funds to really be one. I prefer to call myself an accumulator! Never could have a gun and not shoot it.

[Charlie1022]

Like title reads we are the Ruger Owners and Collectors Society which opens up for members to just bring out what they like and do shoot. I find it fun to talk to people and hear about their favorite Ruger that they shoot. I find it very interesting to learn what they might have done to make there gun shoot better for there needs. Some are old gun while others maybe something new. I learn from others with what they like or dislike about a model.Like they say about the guy that only has one gun and knows how to make it shoot very well. I know that I have several different 10/22's set up for different types of shooting.

So let hear more from members who just enjoy shooting Rugers!

Charlie1022

[zebra55]

I can't say when I went from a Ruger owner to a Ruger collector. Like Big Old Boy, I just had guns to shoot and hunt with. Then I needed a specific gun to hunt a specific animal or for a specific situation. Excuses to not to have to face up to the truth. However, once the gun safe was full and I still kept getting more and more Rugers, I finally had to start to being honest and admit my addiction as a collector.

[Coogs]

I got a little more time right now, so.............I started collecting Rugers in 1978. I was then, and kinda still am, of the mindset that I want to have a "complete" collection, so...............I started with what I had already the most of, SA's, more specifically, "Warning Model" SA's. My first display was about 1985, a single example, and a few consecutive pairs of each center fire "Warning Model" SA, each caliber offered at the time, each barrel length, each finish and convertables. No variations, per say, that were known. I got hammered in judging. All them "Old Model" guys just didn't have the time of day fer the "New Models" I was some what disappointed in the attitude......but stuck it out. Encouragement came in the way of two people, DK Hummel and Steve Vogel. Both were great as far as, well, just about anything involved with collecting and displaying. Steve always reminded me that I was on the proverbial "ground floor"of collecting Rugers. He told me that I was discovering variations as they were made and sold, all NIB. This I felt was one way I would be able to get a "complete" collection. He also reminded me how hard it was going to be 30 years from now, meaning 1985, to find what I already had NIB. How many of you Old Model guys wish you were around, or had the foresight to buy each model of Flattop as they came out and have them squirreled away today NIB? I think you may get my point. Just look at the Maximum..........no wonder I have 53 of them. But, I think my main point here is, encouragement of new collectors. No matter what they have, what they display, you talking about someone that has most probably but their heart and soul into that display as well as a few $$. I don't get to as many shows as I used to, as I would like to. I won Masters class one year down in Harrisburg, had my 15 minutes of fame and that is why I went to non-judged. Let the new guys get the laurels, they deserve it for all their effort...................just my 2 cents, Coogs.

[O M CRAZY]

Coogs,

I agree with what you said, and I too started collecting the same way you did. One of each was my goal, and then it started to grow. I didn't have the money to buy new guns at that time, had a family. But your point is well taken, and new (or old) collectors should consider some of the new products Ruger is comming out with to start, or add, a new collection. I have an extensive collectoin of "Old Model" Blackhawks, Flat-Tops, and Supers. There is very little I can add and that's no fun if you can't go out and find something new. So I started a new collection, the Ruger SR1911 .45cal. All NIB and about 98% of what Ruger has produced, and I display them at our shows. I can tell you that a lot more of todays public stop and look my SR's and the other new model guns on display than they do at the "Old Model" guns.

As for displaying and the judging I can tell you that "things have changed". Displays of "New" model guns are welcome and encouraged, as well as displays of the guns you hunt with and or shoot with. Our judging rules, classification, and point system have all been updated and display guide lines have been posted. (click on the SHOW tab for more info) Having the oldest or rarest gun does not make you a winner, it's the quality of your display, 1 gun or 100. I would like to invite you to come to one of our display shows and set up a display, come to our dinner and auction, I'll bet you see a change and have a good time.

O M CRAZY
aka Vince

[Coogs]

I know things have changed...........Guess I was just talking a walk down memory lane of the 80's. I took a little hiatus, 'bout 18 years, until I started back at Harrisburg in 2008..........did all those shows till the last one there.......haven't made OGCA or Tulsa yet, too many things on my plate....................Next OGCA looks promising. I don't know if I can take another auction though, the Radical one got me into some GJ and I bought things at the auction I didn't know I bought until I got home Sunday night! Coogs.

[O M CRAZY]

I think we all get a little carried away with the auction and spend a little more than we want to. The GJ, and the Crown for me, seem to boost our ego a little and we do get a little carried away! But keep in mind it is for a good cause and really the only way ROCS can raise money to surport these shows and our Digest. Hope to see you at the next OGCA/ROCS show. Try to bring a display, I think your "Maxies" would be great.

O M CRAZY