Ruger Standard
Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. · Pistol · Discontinued · 1949
Also known as: Ruger Standard Model, Ruger Mk1 Standard, Red Eagle
Overview
The Ruger Standard is a blowback-operated, semi-automatic rimfire pistol chambered in .22 Long Rifle, introduced in 1949 as the first product of Sturm, Ruger & Co. Designed by company co-founder William B. Ruger, it broke from the conventional Browning-style slide by using a cylindrical bolt cycling inside a tubular receiver, giving the pistol its distinctive Luger-like profile, low bore axis, and reputation for simplicity, accuracy, and durability. Sold at a $37.50 retail price and famed for its five-second takedown, the Standard and its Mark-series successors became the best-selling .22 semi-automatic pistols ever produced.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1021 g (36.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 222 mm (8.74") |
| Barrel Length | 121 mm (4.76") |
| Height | 140 mm (5.51") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 9 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 330 m/s (1083 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 141 J (104 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 406 mm (15.98") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Checkered Hard Rubber |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .22 Long Rifle · primary — also known as .22 LR, 22 LR, 5.6x15mmR
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Thumb Safety
- Features: Tubular Bolt Receiver, Fixed Sights, Tapered Barrel, Five Second Takedown
Variants
- Ruger Mark I - Target Model
Production
Production years: 1949-1982
The original Standard model was produced for 33 years; the Standard and its Mark-series descendants together exceed 2 million units, making them the most-sold .22 semi-automatic pistols ever produced. About 27,000 early 'Red Eagle' Standards were made 1949-1952.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: William B. Ruger
Discontinued: 1982
Notes
Original 1949-1952 examples carry a red eagle grip medallion ('Red Eagle' models, roughly 27,000 made) honoring co-founder Alexander Sturm; after Sturm's death in 1951 the medallion was changed to black. The Standard was succeeded by the heavier-barreled, adjustable-sight Mark I target model and later the Mark II, III and IV series.
Background
The Ruger Standard launched Sturm, Ruger & Co. on a $50,000 investment from Alex Sturm. William B. Ruger reverse-engineered the bolt design after studying two captured WWII Japanese Nambu pistols, and the resulting tubular-receiver layout gave the company an instant commercial hit that funded its growth into one of America's largest firearms makers.