As regular readers of this blog know, TFB visited the IWA trade show in Germany earlier this year, as well as various factories in Europe: Beretta, Benelli, Fiocchi, Sig, CZ, Steyr, and Chiappa. As it turns out, we missed one very important factory: Ruger! Luckily, they’ve made their own factory tour video.

The Ruger factory looks to be just as high-tech and automated as Benelli – I am reminded of the production of the Vinci shotgun, which is completely automated, from processing of raw materials to final packaging. The amount of thought and care put into Ruger’s product at the Austrian factory, however, at least matches the artisans at Beretta, who create beautifully engraved shotguns. I’m not sure if it’s at the level of the Steyr engraver, also located in Austria, but that level of craftsmanship is truly something to aspire to.

Chiappa’s product line is heavily influenced by history, as are, obviously, the Ruger products. Compared to CZ’s massive factory – the largest small arms factory in the world – the Ruger factory does not look as large. Like the CZ factory, though, the Ruger factory produces goods other than firearms. The Ruger factory is located not far from the Ruger bakery, which is located on a lake – similar to Sig’s Baltic Sea factory, though the lake in Austria is probably a more beautiful setting.

But I’m digressing. The video is very impressive. And I would be very interested in a thorough test and evaluation of their product.