As we’re in the midst of hunting seasons, there has been two major announcements from three sporting arms companies that could affect future hunting efforts.

The initial surprise is that Smith & Wesson (S&W) recently announced that it acquired Savage Arms, the 132-year old Westfield, Massachusetts-based maker of legendary rifles and shotguns, from JDH Holdings for $160 million in a stock and cash transaction. The acquisition unites S&W’s strength in the handgun, revolver and modern sporting rifle markets and with Savages reputation for accuracy, innovation and craftsmanship in the hunting and long-gun categories.

According to S&W’s president Mark Smith, “We have expanded our presence in the hunting category, particularly in bolt-action rifles that Savage has been famous for, with our proven capabilities in the handgun and semi-auto rifle markets.”

The combined company will rank as the largest commercial firearms manufacturer in the United States by offering a full-line product offering spanning, handguns, revolvers, rifles, shotguns and suppressors.

S&W was founded in 1852 in Massachusetts by Horace Smith and D.B. Wesson while Savage Arms was founded in 1894 also in Massachusetts, but recently moved to Maryville, Tn. It employs 1,509 people.

Savage Arms was founded in 1891 in Utica, NY by Arthur William Savage who received a patent for a repeating rifle with single column magazine lever. In 1960 Savage moved to Westfield, Massachusetts.

Both companies have spent well over a century as fixtures of American manufacturing, innovation and craftsmanship – arming hunters, sportsmen and protectors across multiple generations.

RUGER FIREARMS

The other interesting news is that Ruger announced a major change to several of its longtime product lines stating that it would immediately suspend production of several models while finishing out current production runs of other models through 2026.

According to Abbey Clary, Ruger’s director of media relations, “This does not mean these product families are permanently discontinued.”

Ruger is ceasing production of its LCR SP101, GP100 and Bearcat revolvers. The company also plans to complete its final production runs of the following models for 2026: SR1911, LC Carbine, PC Charger, PC Carbine, LC Charger, Redhawk, Super Redhawk, Blackhawk. Super Blackhawk, Single-Series revolvers, Vaquero, No. 1, 77-Series rifles, Hawkeye and Ruger Precision Rifle.

Clary said Ruger will continue to make its LCP offerings, RXM, MAX-9, Security-380, Security-9, Ruger 5.7, Mark IV and 22 Charger in its revolver line into 2027.

Added to this, Ruger will continue making its affordable Wrangler and Super Wrangler models.

For rifles, the offerings will consist of the American Rifle and American Rimfire line as well as the Ruger Precision Rimfire, Harrier, 10/22 and Mini-14 models.