Ruger Introduces the New Ruger 10/22® Rifle

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR), the nation's largest firearms manufacturer, announced today the inroduction of the new Ruger 10/22 Rifle. Based upon the popular Ruger 10/22 Carbine first introduced in 1964, the Ruger 10/22 Rifle features an entirely new stock design, a twenty-inch tapered barrel with a new front sight ramp and an improved scope base adapter. The 10/22 Rifle will appeal to those who appreciate the outstanding performance and value found in all Ruger 10/22's, but prefer the look and feel of a rifle rather than a carbine.

The Ruger 10/22 Rifle features a restyled stock that shoulders quickly and is light and easy to handle. The new stock is slimmer, with an increased length of pull and a tapered forend consistent with rifle styling. A flat, synthetic buttpad replaces the curved carbine-style buttpad found on the Ruger 10/22 Carbine, and the barrel band featured on Carbine models has been eliminated on the 10/22 Rifle.

The Ruger 10/22 Rifle includes a twenty-inch tapered barrel that features a sleek new blade front sight blade designed for easy target acquisition. For shooters who prefer today's advanced optical sights, the 10/22 Rifle includes a new combination scope base adapter that accepts both .22 tip-off and Weaverstyle accessory mounts.

"The new Ruger 10/22 Rifle is specifically designed to appeal to the shooter who wants the proven features and performance found in our Ruger 10/22 Carbines but prefers the look and feel of a rifle. Those familiar with the Ruger 10/22 will enjoy the handling characteristics of the Ruger 10/22 Rifle as well as its new styling," said Sturm, Ruger & Company President, Stephen L. Sanetti.

Introduced in 1964 as "the ultimate in logical design," the 10/22 is the standard by which all other rimfire rifles are judged. Ruger 10/22's have a legendary reputation for their innovative rotary magazine design, excellent reliability, and outstanding value. With over four million sold to date, the Ruger 10/22 is one of the most enduring firearm designs ever created.

The Ruger 10/22 Rifle will be available to customers beginning in late March 2004.