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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950123-04-004835.txt : 20040420
<SEC-HEADER>0000950123-04-004835.hdr.sgml : 20040420
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040420141757
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950123-04-004835
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040419
ITEM INFORMATION:		
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040420

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STURM RUGER & CO INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000095029
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ORDNANCE & ACCESSORIES, (NO VEHICLES/GUIDED MISSILES) [3480]
		IRS NUMBER:				060633559
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10435
		FILM NUMBER:		04742520

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1 LACEY PLACE
		CITY:			SOUTHPORT
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06490
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2032597843

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 2:		1 LACEY PLACE
		CITY:			SOUTHPORT
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06490
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>y96432e8vk.txt
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 8-K
<TEXT>
<PAGE>

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED)
                                 APRIL 19, 2004

                          STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>                        <C>
          DELAWARE                    001-10435                 06-0633559
(State or Other Jurisdiction   (Commission File Number)        (IRS Employer
      of Incorporation)                                   Identification Number)
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<S>                                                       <C>
           ONE LACEY PLACE, SOUTHPORT, CONNECTICUT          06890
          (Address of Principal Executive Offices)        (Zip Code)
</TABLE>

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code (203) 259-7843

                                       N/A

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)


                                   Page 1 of 9
<PAGE>
ITEM 12. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

      On April 19, 2004, the Company issued a press release to stockholders and
other interested parties regarding financial results for the first quarter ended
March 31, 2004. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this
Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

      The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K and the Exhibit
attached hereto shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") or otherwise subject to the
liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in
any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as
expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

                                   SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

                                       STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.


                                       By: /S/ THOMAS A. DINEEN
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Name:  Thomas A. Dineen
                                           Title: Principal Financial Officer,
                                                  Treasurer and Chief Financial
                                                  Officer

Dated: April 19, 2004


                                       2
<PAGE>
                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NUMBER                            DESCRIPTION
- --------------                            -----------
<S>               <C>
     99.1         Press release of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc., dated April 19,
                  2004, reporting the financial results for the first quarter
                  ended March 31, 2004.
</TABLE>


                                       3

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>y96432exv99w1.txt
<DESCRIPTION>PRESS RELEASE
<TEXT>
<PAGE>
                                                                               .
                                                                               .
                                                                               .
                        [STURM, RUGER & CO., INC. LOGO]
SOUTHPORT, CONNECTICUT 06890 U.S.A.

                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For further information contact:
<TABLE>
<S>                    <C>
William B. Ruger, Jr.  603-863-3300
Stephen L. Sanetti     203-259-7843
Thomas A. Dineen       203-259-7843
</TABLE>

                      STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC. REPORTS
                             FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS

      SOUTHPORT, CONNECTICUT, April 19, 2004--Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.
(NYSE-RGR), today reported first quarter 2004 net sales of $40.2 million
compared to $41.1 million in the first quarter of 2003, and net income of $3.9
million or $0.14 per share compared to $4.5 million or $0.17 per share in the
first quarter of 2003.

      Chairman William B. Ruger, Jr. commented on the firearms results, "While
firearm shipments were consistent with the prior year, the commencement of
shipments of many of our highly-demanded new models during the latter portion of
the quarter is quite encouraging. Among these new models, all chambered for the
new .204 Ruger cartridge, the highest velocity centerfire cartridge in
commercial use, were the Ruger Number 1 Standard Rifle, the Ruger Number 1
Stainless Varminter Rifle, the Ruger All-Weather Ultra Light M77 Mark II Rifle,
and the Ruger Target Grey Model M77 Mark II Target Rifle. The New Ruger 10/22
Rifle, the first major restyling of the Ruger 10/22 in 40 years, also debuted in
the first quarter, as did shipments of our much-anticipated Ruger Gold Label
side-by-side Double Shotgun."


                                                                          (MORE)


                                       4
<PAGE>
Sturm, Ruger Earnings page 2


      Mr. Ruger reiterated the Company's ongoing commitment to firearms
innovation, "Last week at the NRA Show in Pittsburgh, we introduced even more
new product offerings for this year. Three new Mark III rimfire pistols,
featuring the Ruger Mark III Standard model, a redesigned Ruger Mark III 22/45
pistol, and a .17 Mach 2 rimfire pistol, all were met with tremendous
enthusiasm. Additional new firearm models are also scheduled for introduction
later in 2004, which bodes well for the year. This will be our strongest year of
new product introductions in quite some time."

      Mr. Ruger also remarked on the Company's investment castings business,
"Although our castings sales decreased 12% from the prior year, we are committed
to this technology as our castings expertise is instrumental to our ability to
continue to meet the steady demand for new firearm products."

      Mr. Ruger was encouraged by the strength of the Company's balance sheet,
"We remain financially solid. At March 31, 2004, we remain debt free, with $51
million of cash and short-term investments."

      Stephen Sanetti, President and Chief Operating Officer, commented on the
Company's continuing success in the courtroom, "Although the fight is not yet
over, I am happy to report that we are winning the battle against those that
want to hold this lawful industry responsible for the illegal acts of violent
criminals. Newark's municipal lawsuit was the latest such case to be dismissed
on March 10, 2004. While we were pleased to obtain yet another dismissal of
these baseless and costly municipal lawsuits, their only genuine resolution will
be the enactment of federal preemptive legislation to prevent the filing of such
lawsuits arising out of the criminal misuse of lawfully sold, non-defective
products. Clearly, such legislation has widespread


                                                                          (MORE)



                                       5
<PAGE>
Sturm, Ruger Earnings page 3


bipartisan popular support, and likely would have passed the U.S. Senate
recently but for being loaded down with amendments that have nothing to do with
its merits. We trust that, at the appropriate time, similar Federal legislation
will be reconsidered."

      March 19, 2004, marked the first anniversary of the Company's
state-of-the-art website at www.ruger.com. This website has met with an
overwhelming response, attracting 3 million visitors in its first year.
Up-to-the-minute information about the Company, our products, firearm
accessories, safety offerings, and financial statements await site visitors.

      Mr. Ruger affirmed the Company's commitment to its 100% American
workforce, "Despite the current global political turbulence, shifting
operations and jobs offshore seem to be the norm for many U.S. companies.
Rest assured that that will not happen at Sturm, Ruger.  We remain
confident in the ingenuity and pride of American craftsmanship that made
this company the largest U.S. firearms manufacturer."

      Sturm, Ruger was founded in 1949. Since 1950 it has never failed to show
an annual profit and has never required financing from outside sources. The
Company's business segments are engaged in the manufacture of the world famous
RUGER(R) brand of sporting and law enforcement firearms and titanium and steel
investment castings for a wide variety of customers and end uses. Plants are
located in Newport, New Hampshire and Prescott, Arizona. Corporate headquarters
is located in Southport, Connecticut.

      The Company may, from time to time, make forward-looking statements and
projections concerning future expectations. Such statements are based on current
expectations and are subject to certain qualifying risks and uncertainties, such
as market demand, sales levels of firearms,


                                                                          (MORE)

                                       6
<PAGE>
Sturm, Ruger Earnings page 4


anticipated castings sales and earnings, the need for external financing for
operations or capital expenditures, the results of pending litigation against
the Company including lawsuits filed by mayors, attorneys general and other
governmental entities and membership organizations, and the impact of future
firearms control and environmental legislation, any one or more of which could
cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which
speak only as of the date made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publish
revised forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the
date such forward-looking statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of
subsequent unanticipated events.


                                                                          (MORE)

                                       7
<PAGE>
                          STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.
             Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
                    (in thousands, except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Three Months Ended
                                                           March 31,
                                                           ---------
                                         2004            %           2003            %
                                       --------      --------      --------      --------
<S>                                    <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Firearms sales .....................   $ 36,138          89.8      $ 36,483          88.7
Castings sales .....................      4,099          10.2         4,649          11.3
                                       --------      --------      --------      --------
       Net sales ...................     40,237         100.0        41,132         100.0
Cost of products sold ..............     28,026          69.7        28,695          69.8
                                       --------      --------      --------      --------
       Gross profit ................     12,211          30.3        12,437          30.2
Expenses:
       Selling .....................      4,150          10.2         3,897           9.5
       General and administrative ..      1,676           4.2         1,375           3.3
                                       --------      --------      --------      --------
                                          5,826          14.4         5,272          12.8
                                       --------      --------      --------      --------
       Operating income ............      6,385          15.9         7,165          17.4

Other income-net ...................         90           0.2           392           1.0
                                       --------      --------      --------      --------
       Income before income taxes ..      6,475          16.1         7,557          18.4

Income taxes .......................      2,596           6.5         3,030           7.4
                                       --------      --------      --------      --------
       Net income ..................   $  3,879           9.6      $  4,527          11.0
                                       ========      ========      ========      ========

Earnings per share
       Basic .......................   $   0.14                    $   0.17
       Diluted .....................   $   0.14                    $   0.17

Cash dividends per share ...........   $   0.20                    $   0.20

Average shares outstanding
       Basic .......................     26,911                      26,911
       Diluted .....................     27,008                      26,911
</TABLE>


                                                                          (MORE)

                                       8
<PAGE>
                          STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.
                Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited)
                                 (in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       March 31,
                                                                         2004
                                                                       ---------
<S>                                                                    <C>
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents ..........................................   $   2,861
Short-term investments .............................................      48,091
Trade receivables, net .............................................      16,851
Inventories ........................................................      48,533
Deferred income taxes ..............................................       7,523
Prepaid expenses and other assets ..................................       1,624
                                                                       ---------
    Total current assets ...........................................     125,483

Property, plant and equipment ......................................     156,839
    Less depreciation ..............................................    (129,940)
                                                                       ---------
                                                                          26,899

Deferred income taxes ..............................................       7,907
Other assets .......................................................       9,989
                                                                       ---------
Total ..............................................................   $ 170,278
                                                                       =========

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Trade accounts payable and
    accrued expenses ...............................................   $   5,004
Product liability ..................................................       4,000
Employee compensation ..............................................       6,601
Workers' compensation ..............................................       6,007
Income taxes .......................................................       2,386
                                                                       ---------
    Total current liabilities ......................................      23,998

Accrued pension liability ..........................................       4,738
Deferred income taxes ..............................................       7,645
Product liability accrual ..........................................       1,760

Stockholders' equity ...............................................     132,137
                                                                       ---------
Total ..............................................................   $ 170,278
                                                                       =========
</TABLE>


                                   # # # # # #

                                       9

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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