Best Ruger Rifles, Handguns & Revolvers

Sturm, Ruger & Co., or Ruger for short, has been cranking out more guns than any other US manufacturer for quite a few years now.

You don’t become the number one firearms producer in America by putting out bad products.

Ruger has an absolutely stellar lineup of both handguns and rifles, but which ones truly stand out?

Since Ruger makes so many good guns, it was tough to narrow this list down. I am fortunate to have extensive experience with a large portion of their product line, which helped me pick some of the best they have to offer across three categories — pistols, revolvers, and rifles.

THE QUICK LIST

1. Best Rimfire Pistol

   Ruger Mark IV

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2. Best 9mm Pistol

   Ruger RXM

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3. Best Concealed Carry Pistol

   Ruger LCP Max

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4. Best Medium-Frame Revolver

   Ruger GP100

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5. Best Concealed Carry Revolver

   Ruger LCR 9mm

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6. Best Rimfire Revolver

   Ruger Wrangler

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7. Best Rimfire Rifle

   Ruger 10/22

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8. Best Bolt-Action

   Ruger American Ranch Rifle Gen II

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9. Best Pistol Caliber Carbine

   Ruger PC Carbine

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Best Ruger Guns Comparison Chart

	Caliber	Action	Capacity	Barrel Length	Weight	Price
Mark IV	.22LR	Semi-Auto, Blowback	10+1	4.4″ – 10″	25 oz – 53.5 oz	$337
RXM	9mm	Semi-Auto, Striker-Fired	15+1	4″	23.2 oz	$349
LCP Max	.380 ACP	Semi-Auto, Internal Hammer-Fired	10+1	2.8″	10.6 oz	$266
GP100	.22LR, .327 Federal, .357 Magnum, 10mm, .44 Special	DA/SA Revolver	5 (.44 Spl), 6 (.357 Mag, 10mm), 7 (.327 Fed, .357 Mag), 10 (.22LR)	2.5″ – 6″	36 oz – 45 oz	$659
LCR 9mm	9mm	DAO Revolver	5	1.87″	17.2 oz	$627
Wrangler	.22LR	Revolver, Single-Action Only	6	4.62″	30 oz	$178
10/22	.22LR	Semi-Auto, Blowback	10 (standard) – 110 (drum)	8″ – 22″	3.25 lbs – 6 lbs	$213
American Ranch Gen II	Various	Bolt-Action	3, 5, 10	16.1″ – 16.4″	5.8 lbs – 6.2 lbs	$539
Ruger PC Carbine	9mm	Semi-Auto, Blowback	17	16.12″	7.3 lbs	$719

How We Tested the Best Ruger Guns

We have hands-on reviews for almost every gun on this list, all of which have had a minimum of 500 rounds through them, with most of them having much more than that downrange. Although a few models don’t have written reviews, I own variants of each of those guns personally, many of which I have owned for years.

My picks are chosen based on features, ergonomics, reliability, accuracy, value, and how favorably they compare to guns from competing manufacturers. This article covers guns across various categories and use cases.

Accuracy & Reliability Testing

Every gun on this list has undergone testing to assess accuracy. This includes a minimum of 500 rounds of both practice FMJ and defense/hunting ammunition. Accuracy tests for handguns are conducted with five-round groups at 7 yards, and rifles are tested using three-to-five round groups at varying distances from 25 to 100 yards.

Any malfunctions or issues while shooting at the range are noted during testing.

Meet the Experts

This article was written by Pew Pew Tactical Editor & Senior Review Analyst Wyatt Sloan. Wyatt is an NRA-certified and USCCA-certified instructor, a former competitive shooter, and an avid hunter.

Wyatt has previous experience as a home-based FFL and personally owns over 200 firearms — including half the guns on this list. Between his different shooting disciplines and time reviewing firearms with Pew Pew Tactical, he has trigger time with every gun on this list.

His experience as an instructor, hunter, recreational shooter, and collector has given him unique insight when it comes to identifying the strengths and weaknesses across numerous firearm platforms.

Best Ruger Pistols

1. Mark IV – Best Rimfire Pistol

Specs

• Caliber: .22LR
• Action: Semi-Auto, Blowback
• Capacity: 10+1
• Barrel Length: 4.4″ – 10″
• Weight: 25 oz – 53.5 oz

Starting this list off strong is the ever-present Ruger Mark IV.

The original Ruger Standard pistol design dates back to 1949 and has evolved over the years into the gun we know today. I own an original Ruger Standard and a Ruger Mark I, both of which still serve me well to this day.

These guns have a simple, elegant blowback design that has earned them a reputation for reliability, accuracy, and being easy to suppress.

Its long tenure and huge following have created a massive aftermarket for the Ruger Mark IV. While these guns are amazing to shoot bone stock, you can modify them to your heart’s content — even turning them into full-fledged competition pistols.

The Mark IV is quite possibly the best large-scale production rimfire pistol ever made.

Check out our full review of the Ruger Mark IV 22/45!

2. RXM – Best 9mm Pistol

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Action: Semi-Auto, Striker-Fired
• Capacity: 15+1
• Barrel Length: 4″
• Weight: 23.2 oz

You know what they say, better late than never.

In 2024, Ruger partnered with Magpul to create their very own Glock-compatible pistol — the RXM. What’s more, the RXM also features a modular chassis for even further customization possibilities.

Where most Glock clones or do-it-yourself kits often fall short is in quality control and tolerance stacking. Many of them simply never run well or shoot as accurately as a stock Glock.

But between Ruger’s massive manufacturing and design capabilities and Magpul’s extensive knowledge of polymer engineering, they were able to create a modular pistol that accepts Gen 3 Glock parts and accessories, and it actually works.

These are great for people who want Glock compatibility at a better price but don’t want to sacrifice reliability.

Take a peek at our hands-on review of the Ruger RXM!

3. LCP Max – Best Concealed Carry Pistol

Specs

• Caliber: .380 ACP
• Action: Semi-Auto, Internal Hammer-Fired
• Capacity: 10+1
• Barrel Length: 2.8″
• Width: 0.94″
• Weight: 10.6 oz

Before the brand new Smith & Wesson Bodyguard took the .380 ACP world by storm, there was the Ruger LCP Max.

Sometimes, even something as small as a Sig P365 can be tough to conceal depending on the situation, and 9mm in a gun that small can definitely be a bit much for some folks.

That is where the ultra-compact Ruger LCP Max slots in. The LCP Max is noticeably smaller than guns like the Sig P365, Springfield Hellcat, or S&W Shield, yet still retains an excellent 10+1 capacity.

Although these guns are tiny, the .380 ACP chambering makes them easier to shoot and control under recoil than 9mm pistols around the same size. But keep in mind it is still a fairly snappy pistol due to how small it is.

As a smaller person who pocket carries semi-frequently with a few different guns, I can confidently say that LCP Max is a gun you can actually fit in your pocket without looking like you have a gun in there.

And best of all, there is no compromise in capacity. You just get a solid gun that is convenient to carry. These remain popular for that exact reason.

Be sure to check out our CEO and Founder, Eric Hung’s write-up after three years of carrying the LCP Max.

Best Ruger Revolvers

4. GP100 – Best Medium-Frame Revolver

Specs

• Caliber: .22LR, .327 Federal, .357 Magnum, 10mm, .44 Special
• Action: DA/SA Revolver
• Capacity: 5 (.44 Spl), 6 (.357 Mag, 10mm), 7 (.327 Fed, .357 Mag), 10 (.22LR)
• Barrel Length: 2.5″ – 6″
• Weight: 36 oz – 45 oz

I am a huge revolver guy. So much so that I have 20 of them, many of which are Ruger revolvers.

Among those I own is the mighty GP100. I bought my GP100 for the same reason everyone should — it’s an absolute tank that shoots well.

The GP100 is a medium-frame revolver that can handle a steady diet of stout magnum loads forever without batting an eye. While they may not feel as svelte as a Smith & Wesson 686, they have it where it counts.

You still get a nice trigger, a beefy frame, and a solid sideplate for increased durability, along with a smooth action.

And while I am truly a Smith & Wesson guy at heart, I have to say that Ruger’s quality control on their revolvers has held up better than Smith’s has over the last 5-10 years. A brand-new GP100 is going to be just as good as one made 15 years ago.

There is a strong case to be made that the GP100 is the best do-it-all revolver you can get.

You can read more about why we consider this one of the best revolvers in our full hands-on review.

5. LCR 9mm – Best Concealed Carry Revolver

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Action: DAO Revolver
• Capacity: 5
• Barrel Length: 1.87″
• Weight: 17.2 oz

Snub-nosed revolvers usually suck to shoot and aren’t well-suited for beginners. However, the Ruger LCR is one of the better guns in that category.

When you use a revolver in a defensive situation, it is almost always going to be used in double-action mode. And the reality is that most double-action revolver triggers aren’t great. They typically have a very long and heavy pull.

The Ruger LCR alleviates this issue by using a patented friction-reducing cam that delivers an extremely smooth, non-stacking rolling break. It is the best double-action revolver trigger in a revolver this small.

I also like the LCR because it is one of the few concealed carry revolvers that comes chambered in 9mm. Although I am still a believer in .38 Special and .357 Magnum, both have gotten really expensive over the past five or so years.

Going with 9mm still gives you plenty of oomph for self-defense while also keeping recoil manageable and your wallet happier.

Not convinced yet? Check out our full review of the Ruger LCR 9mm to see why this gun rocks.

6. Wrangler – Best Rimfire Revolver

Specs

• Caliber: .22LR
• Action: Revolver, Single-Action Only
• Capacity: 6
• Barrel Length: 4.62″
• Weight: 30 oz

Sometimes you just want a gun for plain old fun.

And what is more fun than channeling your inner cowboy or cowgirl, and doing it on the cheap?

Enter the Ruger Wrangler. The Wrangler is an ultra-affordable .22LR revolver based on the old Colt Single-Action Army design.

Yes, they are slow to reload. Yes, you have to pull the hammer back every time you shoot. But damn, are they fun.

The slower rate of fire and lack of recoil also make these great for teaching younger shooters patience and good shooting fundamentals.

I bought one of these for my fiancée as a Christmas gift some years ago, and she absolutely loves it. They pair especially well with a nice .22LR lever-action rifle.

You can read more about the Wrangler in our full review!

Best Ruger Rifles

7. 10/22 – Best Rimfire Rifle

Specs

• Caliber: .22LR
• Action: Semi-Auto, Blowback
• Capacity: 10 (standard) – 110 (drum)
• Barrel Length: 8″ – 22″
• Weight: 3.25 lbs – 6 lbs

Ruger knows how to do rimfire. Like the MKIV, the 10/22 is the absolute gold standard when it comes to both rimfire rifles and guns for new shooters.

Again, there is a simple blowback design at work here that lends itself to outstanding accuracy and reliability.

The 10/22 is easy to manipulate, a pleasure to shoot, and it has one of the largest aftermarkets of any firearm on the planet, only behind the AR-15 and possibly Glock pistols.

My personal 10/22 was in its factory configuration for about the first four years of its life before I started adding upgrades. Before you know it, the only stock part left was the receiver.

But the end result? A .22LR rifle that I can shoot the staples off my target with at 25 yards.

The Ruger 10/22 is perfect for anyone looking for a fun plinker, a tool to teach a new shooter, or something to tinker with. Seriously, everyone should own one.

Learn more about all the different versions they offer in our article on the 8 Best Ruger 10/22 Models.

8. American Ranch Gen II – Best Bolt-Action

Specs

• Caliber: 5.56 NATO, .300 BLK, 22 ARC, 6mm ARC, 6.5 Grendel, 7.62x39mm, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, .350 Legend, .400 Legend, .450 Bushmaster
• Action: Bolt-Action
• Capacity: 3, 5, 10
• Barrel Length: 16.1″ – 16.4″
• Weight: 5.8 lbs – 6.2 lbs

Ruger made its mark on the bolt-action rifle world with their excellent controlled-feed Model 77.

But the Model 77 is an older, more expensive design. Ruger recognized this and introduced the American bolt-action rifles in 2011.

While there is a wide variety of Ruger Americans to choose from, I like the Ruger American Ranch Gen II the best.

The Ranch series of rifles all feature shorter 16-inch barrels and are fed using box magazines.

Most models use standard AR-15 magazines, while the larger-caliber models use either AICS-pattern magazines or caliber-specific magazines.

All American Ranch rifles feature a muzzle brake, Ruger Marksman adjustable trigger, factory-installed Picatinny scope bases, and adjustable length-of-pull stocks.

These rifles are compact, handy, accurate, and soft-recoiling. They make for great brush guns, all-purpose hunting rifles, and, as the name implies, great ranch rifles. Best of all, they are reasonably priced.

9. Ruger PC Carbine (M-LOK) – Best Pistol Caliber Carbine

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Action: Semi-Auto, Blowback
• Capacity: 17
• Barrel Length: 16.12″
• Weight: 7.3 lbs

Pistol-caliber carbines (PCCs) are all the rage these days. Everyone wants to shoot the cheap and low-recoiling 9mm cartridge in a big, easy-to-shoot gun.

We get it, and so does Ruger. In a world where many of the “good” PCCs cost $ 1,000 or more, the Ruger PC Carbine stands out as an extremely high-quality option for notably less money.

I particularly like their takedown model with the pistol grip and M-LOK handguard, which comes in around $700-800.

While this is a direct-blowback gun, it is one of the softer-shooting ones on the market. It accepts Ruger Security-9 magazines and also comes with a magwell adapter that allows it to accept Glock magazines.

Being a takedown model, you can quickly split this gun into two parts for easy storage or transportation.

An adjustable stock, a full M-LOK forend, and a threaded barrel make this gun easy to customize and accessorize to fit you and your needs.

Peep our full video review and written review of the Ruger PC Carbine to learn more.

Honorable Mentions

Ruger knows how to make firearms, and this list is already long. It pains me to have to leave out some of my absolute favorite guns, many of which I own myself.

So here is a short list of superb offerings from Ruger that just barely missed the cut:

Ruger Precision Rimfire: This is one of the best out-of-the-box precision rimfire target rifles you can buy for the money. They are a complete blast to shoot.

Ruger AR-556: Ruger’s entries into the AR-15 world have been solid ones. Their AR-15s are solid entry-level rifles that have a great performance-to-value ratio.

Mini-14: Ahh, the classic .223 ranch rifle. This is a timeless design that is essentially a scaled-down version of the military M14. They are fun, intuitive, handy rifles. I love my A-Team inspired Mini-14, even if the design is a bit dated.

Blackhawk: The Ruger Blackhawk is the ultimate evolution of the single-action revolver. They are exceptionally durable, feature-rich, and available in some seriously cool calibers. My .41 Magnum Super Blackhawk Hunter is my go-to for handgun hunting.

SP101: The SP101 is a small-frame revolver that is the perfect “Goldilocks” size for many shooters. It’s not too big, but not too small either; it’s just right. My 3-inch .327 Federal SP101 is one of my favorite revolvers of all time.

M77: These controlled-feed Mauser-style action bolt rifles have stood the test of time. I own three of them because I know I can count on their rugged design to work in any conditions and put food in the freezer.

Ruger No. 1:  This is the ultimate gentleman’s single-shot hunting rifle. They are hellbent for stout, accurate, and cooler than the other side of the pillow. I have three for a reason.

Final Thoughts

If you made it through this article, you are a champ. Ruger makes so many outstanding guns that it is hard to narrow down the best ones to just a few.

They are a company that has proven themselves as a manufacturer you can trust and one where you can buy their products with confidence. And it always helps that they have a little something for just about everyone.

What did you think of this list? Are there any Ruger products that you like the best? Let us know in the comments below! Interested in more Ruger products? Be sure to take a look at some of our other Ruger gun reviews!

Latest Updates

December 2025: Complete re-write of the article with new models and updated information.