In production in 1971 and generally available by 1972, the revolver was offered in blue steel. Ruger designed this midsize revolver with an investment-cast frame to provide a strong and reliable but relatively lightweight service handgun at 34 ounces. The price was right-about half the cost of a new Colt Trooper and considerably less than a Smith & Wesson Combat Magnum. Ruger’s double-action revolvers were competing squarely against Smith & Wesson and Colt brands. It seems strange to say, but my grandfather was leery of the relatively new Ruger brand.
Almost 50 years ago I was ready to obtain my first.
