Your Privacy Choices
Armscor, a gun manufacturer in the Philippines, have been manufacturing Ruger 10/22 clones for a while now, as have many other companies in the USA and around the world. Most, if not all, US clone makers are targeting the high-end semi-custom/custom market, while the Armscor M22 targets the same market as the Ruger 10/22 but at a much lower price. Rock Island Armory (RIA) began importing the Armscor M22 sometime last year and the guns have been retailing for around $160. The Ruger 10/22 Carbine with wood stock has a MSRP of $279.
This all came to a stop earlier this month when Ruger filed a lawsuit against Armscor and RIA. I have been told that RIA sent a letter to dealers asking them to stop selling the M22 and to return them. We have not been able to obtain a copy of that letter, yet (If your store has received one, please email me a copy).
The case information is below …
Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. v. Armscor Precision International, Inc. et al
Court:New Hampshire District Court
| Defendant: | Arms Corporation of the Philippines, Armscor Precision International, Inc. and Rock Island Armory Exports, Inc. |
|---|---|
| Plaintiff: | Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. |
| Case Number: | 1:2014cv00194 |
| Filed: | May 2, 2014 |
| Office: | Concord Office |
| Nature of Suit: | Trademark |
| Cause of Action: | 15:1125 Trademark Infringement (Lanham Act) |
| Jury Demanded By: | Plaintiff |
This lawsuit was bound to happen, but the outcome will have interesting implications. Armscor and RIA are sure to argue that clones have been sold for many years and Ruger never bothered to protect their trademark. If they win it could open the floodgates for cheap imported Ruger 10/22 clones. If Ruger wins, they may set their sights on domestic manufacturers such as Kahr (Magnum Research) and Volquartsen Custom.
