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Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.

rgr · NYSE Industrials
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Industry Aerospace & Defense
Employees 1880
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FY2018 Annual Report · Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549 
FORM 10-K 
FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORTS 
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

(Mark One) 
  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 

OR 

     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
For the transition period from ____________ to ___________ 

Commission File Number 0-4776 
STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC. 
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) 

Delaware 
(State or Other Jurisdiction of 
Incorporation or Organization) 
1 Lacey Place, Southport, Connecticut 
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) 

06-0633559 
(I.R.S. Employer 
Identification No.) 
06890 
(Zip Code) 

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 

Title of Each Class 
Common Stock, $1 par value 

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered 
New York Stock Exchange 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: 
None  
(Title of Class) 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.   YES     NO           

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.   YES       NO       

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to 
such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   YES  NO        

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, 
to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any 
amendment to this Form 10-K  [ ] 

Indicate  by  check  mark  whether  the  registrant  is  a  large  accelerated  filer,  an  accelerated  filer,  or  a  non-accelerated  filer.    See  definition  of 
“accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  Large accelerated filer  [  ] Accelerated filer [   ]     Non-
accelerated filer [    ]  Smaller reporting company [    ] 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with 
any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [    ] 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   YES      NO        

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 
405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to 
submit such files).   YES      NO        

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant computed by reference to the price 
at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of June 30, 2018: 
Common Stock, $1 par value - $958,787,400 

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock as of February 14, 2019:  Common Stock, $1 par value –17,458,000 shares 

Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement relating to the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May  8, 2019 are incorporated by 
reference into Part III (Items 10 through 14) of this Report. 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE. 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PART I 

Item 1. 

Business.…………………………………..…………………………………………………………… 

 4 

Item 1A. 

Risk Factors…………………………………………………………………………………………….   10 

Item 1B. 

Unresolved Staff Comments…………………………………………………………………………...  

13 

Item 2. 

Properties.……………………………………………………………………………………………… 

14 

Item 3. 

Legal Proceedings....…………………………………………………………………………………... 

15 

Item 4. 

Mine Safety Disclosures……………………………………………….................................................. 

15 

PART II 

Item 5. 

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer  
  Purchases of Equity Securities.…………………………………………………………………….... 

16 

Item 6. 

Selected Financial Data………………………………………………………………………………...   19 

Item 7. 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations…………. 

20 

Item 7A. 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk……………………………………….... 

44 

Item 8. 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data………………………………………………………... 

45 

Item 9. 

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure ………... 

74 

Item 9A. 

Controls and Procedures.……………………………………………………………………………..... 

74 

Item 9B. 

Other Information.……………………………………………………………………………………... 

75 

PART III 

Item 10. 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance…………………………………………….. 

75 

Item 11. 

Executive Compensation.…………………………………………………………………………….... 

75 

Item 12. 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder 
   Matters.……………………………………………………………………………………………..... 

75 

Item 13. 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence…………………………. 

76 

Item 14. 

Principal Accounting Fees and Services….………………………………………………………….... 

76 

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PART IV 

Item 15. 

Exhibits and Financial Schedules..………………………………………………………..... 

Signatures…... …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 
Exhibit Index.. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 
Financial Statement Schedule... ………………………………………………………………………………………... 
Exhibits……... ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..... 

77 

79 
80 
83 
84 

EXPLANATORY NOTE: 

In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. and Subsidiary (the “Company”) makes 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, anticipated castings 
sales and earnings, the need for external financing for operations or capital expenditures, the results of pending litigation 
against the Company, the impact of future firearms control and environmental legislation, and accounting estimates, any 
one or more of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Words such as “expect,” “believe,” 
“anticipate,”  “intend,”  “estimate,”  “will,”  “should,”  “could”  and  other  words  and  terms  of  similar  meaning,  typically 
identify  such  forward-looking  statements.  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. 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART I 

ITEM 1—BUSINESS 

Company Overview 

Sturm,  Ruger  &  Company,  Inc.  and  Subsidiary  (the  “Company”)  is  principally  engaged  in  the 
design, manufacture, and sale of firearms to domestic customers.  Virtually all of the Company’s 
sales for the year ended December 31, 2018 were from the firearms segment, with approximately 
1% from the castings segment.  Export sales represent approximately 4% of firearms sales.  The 
Company’s design and manufacturing operations are located in the United States and almost all 
product content is domestic.   

The Company has been in business since 1949 and was incorporated in its present form under the 
laws  of  Delaware  in  1969.    The  Company  primarily  offers  products  in  three  industry  product 
categories – rifles, pistols, and revolvers.  The Company’s firearms are sold through independent 
wholesale distributors, principally to the commercial sporting market. 

The  Company  manufactures  and  sells  investment  castings  made  from  steel  alloys  and  metal 
injection molding (“MIM”) parts for internal use in the firearms segment and has minimal sales to 
outside  customers.    The  castings  and  MIM  parts  sold  to  outside  customers,  either  directly  or 
through  manufacturers’  representatives,  represented  approximately  1%  of  the  Company’s  total 
sales for the year ended December 31, 2018.   

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, net sales attributable to the Company's 
firearms operations were $490.6 million, $517.7 million and $658.4 million.  The balance of the 
Company's net sales for the aforementioned periods was attributable to its castings operations.   

Firearms Products 

The Company presently manufactures firearm products, under the “Ruger” name and trademark, 
in the following industry categories: 

Rifles 

  Single-shot 
  Autoloading 
  Bolt-action 
  Modern sporting 

Pistols 

  Rimfire autoloading 
  Centerfire autoloading  

Revolvers 

    Single-action 
    Double-action 

Most firearms are available in several models based upon caliber, finish, barrel length, and other 
features.   

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rifles 
A  rifle  is  a  long  gun  with  spiral  grooves  cut  into  the  interior  of  the  barrel  to  give  the  bullet  a 
stabilizing spin after it leaves the barrel.  Net sales of rifles by the Company accounted for $258.1 
million, $243.0 million, and $264.9 million of total net sales for the years 2018, 2017, and 2016, 
respectively. 

Pistols 
A pistol is a handgun in which the ammunition chamber is an integral part of the barrel and which 
typically  is  fed  ammunition  from  a  magazine  contained  in  the  grip.  Net  sales  of  pistols  by  the 
Company accounted for $144.3 million, $176.2 million, and $250.0 million of revenues for the 
years 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. 

Revolvers 
A revolver is  a handgun that has a cylinder that  holds the ammunition  in a series of chambers 
which are successively aligned with the barrel of the gun during each firing cycle.  There are two 
general types of revolvers, single-action and double-action.  To fire a single-action revolver, the 
hammer is pulled back to cock the gun and align the cylinder before the trigger is pulled.  To fire 
a double-action revolver, a single trigger pull advances the cylinder and cocks and releases the 
hammer.  Net sales of revolvers by the Company accounted for $63.3 million, $74.6 million, and 
$104.9 million of revenues for the years 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. 

Accessories 
The  Company  also  manufactures  and  sells  accessories  and  replacement  parts  for  its  firearms.  
These sales accounted for $25.0 million, $23.9 million, and $38.6 million of total net sales for the 
years 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. 

Castings Products 

Net sales attributable to the Company’s casting operations (excluding intercompany transactions) 
accounted for $5.0 million, $4.6 million, and $5.9 million, for 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.  
These sales represented approximately 1% of total net sales in each of these years. 

Manufacturing 

Firearms 
The  Company  produces  one  model  of  pistol,  all  of  its  revolvers  and  most  of  its  rifles  at  the 
Newport, New Hampshire facility.  Most of the Company’s pistols are produced at the Prescott, 
Arizona  facility.    Some  rifle  models  and  pistol  models  are  produced  at  the  Mayodan,  North 
Carolina facility.   

Many  of  the  basic  metal  component  parts  of  the  firearms  manufactured  by  the  Company  are 
produced by the Company's castings segment through processes known as precision investment 
casting.  The Company also uses many MIM parts in its firearms.  See "Manufacturing- Investment 
Castings and Metal Injected Moldings" below for a description of these processes.  The Company 
believes that investment castings and MIM parts provide greater design flexibility and result in 
component  parts  which  are  generally  close  to  their  ultimate  shape  and,  therefore,  require  less 
machining than processes requiring machining a solid billet of metal to obtain a part.  Through the 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
use of investment castings and MIM parts, the Company endeavors to produce durable and less 
costly component parts for its firearms. 

All assembly, inspection, and testing of firearms manufactured by the Company are performed at 
the Company's manufacturing facilities.  Every firearm, including every chamber of every revolver 
manufactured by the Company, is test-fired prior to shipment. 

Investment Castings and Metal Injection Moldings 
To produce a product by the investment casting method, a wax model of the part is created and 
coated (“invested”) with several layers of ceramic material.  The shell is then heated to melt the 
interior wax, which is poured off, leaving a hollow mold. To cast the desired part, molten metal is 
poured into the mold and allowed to cool and solidify.  The mold is then broken off to reveal a 
near net shape cast metal part. 

Metal injection molding is a three part powder metallurgy process by which a feedstock consisting 
of  finely  powdered  metal  and  binders  is  processed  through  injection  molding,  debinding,  and 
sintering  equipment  to  produce  steel,  stainless  steel,  and  alloy  parts  of  complex  shape  and 
geometry.  This process allows for high volume production while eliminating many of the wastes 
of traditional metal working methods, yielding net shape and near net shape parts. 

Marketing and Distribution 

Firearms 
The  Company's  firearms  are  primarily  marketed  through  a  network  of  federally  licensed, 
independent wholesale distributors who purchase the products directly from the Company.  They 
resell  to  federally  licensed,  independent  retail  firearms  dealers  who  in  turn  resell  to  legally 
authorized end users.  All retail purchasers are subject to a point-of-sale background check by law 
enforcement.  These end users include sportsmen, hunters, people interested in self-defense, law 
enforcement and other governmental organizations, and gun collectors.  Each domestic distributor 
carries  the  entire  line  of  firearms  manufactured  by  the  Company  for  the  commercial  market.  
Currently,  19  distributors  service  the  domestic  commercial  market,  with  an  additional  23 
distributors servicing the domestic law enforcement market and 41 distributors servicing the export 
market. 

In 2018, the Company’s largest customers and the percent of firearms sales they represented were 
as follows: Davidson’s-21%; Lipsey’s-20%; and Sports South-16%. 

In 2017, the Company’s largest customers and the percent of firearms sales they represented were 
as follows: Davidson’s-21%; Lipsey’s-18%; Sports South-13%; and Jerry’s/Ellett Brothers-12%. 

In 2016, the Company’s largest customers and the percent of firearms sales they represented were 
as follows: Davidson’s-19%; Lipsey’s-17%; Jerry’s/Ellett Brothers-15%; and Sports South-14%.   

The Company employs 14 employees who service these distributors and call on retailers and law 
enforcement agencies.  Because the ultimate demand for the Company's firearms comes from end 
users rather than from the independent wholesale distributors, the Company believes that the loss 

6 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
of any distributor would not have a material, long-term adverse effect on the Company, but may 
have  a material  adverse  effect  on the Company’s financial  results  for  a particular period.  The 
Company considers its relationships with its distributors to be satisfactory. 

The Company also exports its firearms through a network of selected commercial distributors and 
directly to certain foreign customers, consisting primarily of law enforcement agencies and foreign 
governments.  Foreign sales were less than 5% of the Company's consolidated net sales for each 
of the past three fiscal years.   

The Company does not consider its overall firearms business to be predictably seasonal; however, 
orders of many models of firearms from the distributors tend to be stronger in the first quarter of 
the  year  and  weaker  in  the  third  quarter  of  the  year.    This  is  due  in  part  to  the  timing  of  the 
distributor show season, which occurs during the first quarter. 

Investment Castings and Metal Injection Moldings 
The castings segment provides castings and MIM parts for the Company’s firearms segment.  In 
addition, the castings segment produces some products for a number of customers in a variety of 
industries.   

Competition 

Firearms 
Competition  in  the  firearms  industry  is  intense  and  comes  from  both  foreign  and  domestic 
manufacturers.  While some of these competitors concentrate on a single industry product category 
such as rifles or pistols, several competitors manufacture products in all four industry categories 
(rifles, shotguns, pistols, and revolvers).  The principal methods of competition in the industry are 
product  innovation,  quality,  availability,  brand,  and  price.    The  Company  believes  that  it  can 
compete effectively with all of its present competitors. 

Investment Castings and Metal Injection Moldings 
There  are  a  large  number  of  investment  castings  and  MIM  manufacturers,  both  domestic  and 
foreign, with which the Company competes.  Competition varies based on the type of investment 
castings  products  and  the  end  use  of  the  product.    Companies  offering  alternative  methods  of 
manufacturing such as wire electric discharge machining (EDM) and advancements in computer 
numeric controlled (CNC) machining also compete with the Company’s castings segment.  Many 
of these competitors are larger corporations than the Company with substantially greater financial 
resources  than  the  Company,  which  could  affect  the  Company’s  ability  to  compete  with  these 
competitors.    The  principal  methods  of  competition  in  the  industry  are  quality,  price,  and 
production lead time.   

Employees 

As  of  February  1,  2019,  the  Company  employed  approximately  1,830  full-time  employees, 
approximately 28% of whom had at least ten years of service with the Company.  From time to 
time, the Company uses temporary employees to supplement its  workforce.  As of February 1, 
2019, the Company did not have any temporary employees. 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
None of the Company's employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement.   

Research and Development 

In 2018, 2017, and 2016, the Company spent approximately $8.5 million, $9.8 million, and $8.7 
million,  respectively,  on  research  and  development  activities  relating  to  new  products  and  the 
improvement of existing products.  As of February 1, 2019, the Company had approximately 70 
employees whose primary responsibilities were research and development activities. 

Patents and Trademarks 

The Company owns various United States and foreign patents and trademarks which have been 
secured over a period of years and which expire at various times. It is the policy of the Company 
to apply for patents and trademarks whenever new products or processes deemed commercially 
valuable  are  developed  or  marketed  by  the  Company.    However,  none  of  these  patents  and 
trademarks are considered to be fundamental to any important product or manufacturing process 
of the Company and, although the Company deems its patents and trademarks to be of value, it 
does not consider its business materially dependent on patent or trademark protection. 

Environmental Matters 

The  Company  is  committed  to  achieving  high  standards  of  environmental  quality  and  product 
safety, and strives to  provide a safe and healthy  workplace  for its employees and others in  the 
communities in which it operates.  The Company has programs in place that monitor compliance 
with  various  environmental  regulations.  However,  in  the  normal  course  of  its  manufacturing 
operations the Company is subject to governmental proceedings and orders pertaining to waste 
disposal,  air  emissions,  and  water  discharges  into  the  environment.    These  regulations  are 
integrated  into  the  Company’s  manufacturing,  assembly,  and  testing  processes.    The  Company 
believes that it is generally in compliance with applicable environmental regulations and that the 
outcome of any environmental proceedings and orders will not have a material adverse effect on 
the financial position of the Company, but could have a material adverse effect on the financial 
results for a particular period. 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Executive Officers of the Company 

Set  forth  below  are  the  names,  ages,  and  positions  of  the  executive  officers  of  the  Company.  
Officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company. 

Name 

Age 

Position With Company 

Christopher J. Killoy 

Thomas A. Dineen 

Thomas P. Sullivan 

Kevin B. Reid, Sr. 

60 

50 

58 

58 

President and Chief Executive Officer 

Senior Vice President, Treasurer, and Chief Financial 

Officer 

Senior Vice President of Operations 

Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate 

Secretary 

Shawn C. Leska 

47 

Vice President, Sales  

Christopher J. Killoy became President & Chief Executive Officer on May 9, 2017.  Previously he 
served as President and Chief Operating Officer since January 1, 2014.  Prior to that he served as 
Vice President of Sales and Marketing since November 27, 2006.  Mr. Killoy originally joined the 
Company in 2003 as Executive Director of Sales and Marketing, and subsequently served as Vice 
President of Sales and Marketing from November 1, 2004 to January 25, 2005.   

Thomas A. Dineen became Senior Vice President on July 10, 2017.  Previously he served as Vice 
President since May 24, 2006.  Prior to that he served as Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer 
since May 6, 2003 and had been Assistant Controller since 2001.  Mr. Dineen joined the Company 
as Manager, Corporate Accounting in 1997. 

Thomas P. Sullivan became Senior Vice President of Operations on July 1, 2017. Mr. Sullivan 
joined the Company as Vice President of Newport Operations for the Newport, New Hampshire 
Firearms and Pine Tree Castings divisions on August 14, 2006.   

Kevin B. Reid, Sr. became Vice President and General Counsel on April 23, 2008. Previously he 
served as the Company’s Director of Marketing from June 4, 2007.  Mr. Reid joined the Company 
in July 2001 as an Assistant General Counsel. 

Shawn  C.  Leska  became  Vice  President,  Sales  on  November  6,  2015.    Mr.  Leska  joined  the 
Company in 1989 and has served in a variety of positions in the sales department.  Most recently, 
Mr. Leska served as Director of Sales since 2011. 

Where You Can Find More Information 

The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 
as  amended  (the  "Exchange  Act"),  and  accordingly,  files  its  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K, 
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Definitive Proxy Statements, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). As an electronic 
filer, the Company's public filings are maintained on the SEC's Internet site that contains reports, 
proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically 
with the SEC.  The address of that website is http://www.sec.gov. 

The  Company  makes  its  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K,  Quarterly  Reports  on  Form  10-Q, 
Definitive Proxy Statements, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed 
or  furnished  pursuant  to  Section  13(a)  or  15(d)  of  the  Exchange  Act  accessible  free  of  charge 
through the Company's Internet site after the Company has electronically filed such material with, 
or furnished it to, the SEC. The address of that website is http://www.ruger.com.  However, such 
reports may not be accessible through the Company's website as promptly as they are accessible 
on the SEC’s website. 

Additionally, the Company’s corporate governance materials, including its Corporate Governance 
Guidelines, the charters of the Audit, Compensation, Nominating and Corporate Governance, and 
Risk Oversight committees, and the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics may also be found under 
the “Investor Relations” subsection of the “Corporate” section of the Company’s Internet site at 
http://www.ruger.com/corporate.  A  copy  of  the  foregoing  corporate  governance  materials  is 
available upon written request  to  the Corporate Secretary  at  Sturm, Ruger & Company,  Inc.,  1 
Lacey Place, Southport, Connecticut 06890. 

ITEM 1A—RISK FACTORS 

The  Company’s  operations  could  be  affected  by  various  risks,  many  of  which  are  beyond  its 
control. Based on current information, the Company believes that the following identifies the most 
significant risk factors that could adversely affect its business.  Past financial performance may 
not  be  a  reliable  indicator  of  future  performance  and  historical  trends  should  not  be  used  to 
anticipate results or trends in future periods. 

In evaluating the Company’s business, the following risk factors, as well as other information in 
this report, should be carefully considered. 

Changes  in  government  policies  and  firearms  legislation  could  adversely  affect  the 
Company’s financial results. 
The sale, purchase, ownership, and use of firearms are subject to thousands of federal, state and 
local governmental regulations.  The basic federal laws are the National Firearms Act, the Federal 
Firearms  Act,  and  the  Gun  Control  Act  of  1968.    These  laws  generally  prohibit  the  private 
ownership of fully automatic weapons manufactured after 1986 and place certain restrictions on 
the  interstate  sale  of  firearms  unless  certain  licenses  are  obtained.    The  Company  does  not 
manufacture fully automatic weapons and holds all necessary licenses under these federal laws.  
Several states currently have laws in effect similar to the aforementioned legislation. 

In 2005, Congress enacted the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (“PLCAA”).  The 
PLCAA  was  enacted  to  address  abuses  by  cities  and  agenda-driven  individuals  who  wrongly 
sought to make firearms manufacturers liable for legally manufactured and lawfully sold products 
if  those  products  were  later  used  in  criminal  acts.    The  Company  believes  the  PLCAA  merely 

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
codifies common sense and long standing tort principles.  If the PLCAA is repealed or efforts to 
circumvent  it  are  successful  and  lawsuits  similar  to  those  filed  by  cities  and  agenda-driven 
individuals  in  the  late  1990s  and  early  2000s  are  allowed  to  proceed,  it  could  have  a  material 
adverse impact on the Company.  

Currently, federal and several states’ legislatures are considering additional legislation relating to 
the regulation  of firearms.  These proposed bills  are extremely varied, but  many seek  either to 
restrict  or  ban  the  sale  and,  in  some  cases,  the  ownership  of  various  types  of  firearms.    Other 
legislation seeks to require new technologies, such as microstamping and so-called “smart gun” 
technology,  that  are  not  proven,  reliable  or  feasible.    Such  legislation  became  effective  in 
California in  2013,  and has  limited our ability to  sell certain  products in  California.   If similar 
legislation is enacted in other states, it could effectively ban or severely limit the sale of affected 
firearms.  There also are legislative proposals to limit magazine capacity.   

The Company believes that the lawful private ownership of firearms is guaranteed by the Second 
Amendment  to  the  United  States  Constitution  and  that  the  widespread  private  ownership  of 
firearms in the United States will continue.  However, there can be no assurance that the regulation 
of firearms will not become more restrictive in the future and that any such restriction would not 
have a material adverse effect on the business of the Company. 

The Company’s results of operations could be further adversely affected if legislation with 
diverse requirements is enacted.  
With literally thousands of laws being proposed at the federal, state and local levels, if even a small 
percentage of these laws are enacted and they are incongruent, the Company could find it difficult, 
expensive or even practically impossible to comply with them, impeding new product development 
and distribution of existing products. 

The Company’s results of operations could be adversely affected by litigation. 
The Company faces risks arising from various asserted and unasserted litigation matters.  These 
matters  include,  but  are  not  limited  to,  assertions  of  allegedly  defective  product  design  or 
manufacture,  alleged  failure  to  warn,  purported  class  actions  against  firearms  manufacturers, 
generally seeking relief such as medical expense reimbursement, property damages, and punitive 
damages arising from accidents involving firearms or the criminal misuse of firearms, and those 
lawsuits filed on behalf of municipalities alleging harm to the general public.  Various factors or 
developments can lead to changes in current estimates of liabilities such as final adverse judgment, 
significant settlement or changes in applicable law.  A future adverse outcome in any one or more 
of these matters could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial results.  See Note 
18 to the financial statements which are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

Our insurance may be insufficient to protect us from claims or losses.  
We maintain insurance coverage with third-party insurers.  However, not every risk or liability is 
or can be protected by insurance, and, for those risks we insure, the limits of coverage we purchase 
or that are reasonably obtainable in the market may not be sufficient to cover all actual losses or 
liabilities incurred.  Moreover, there is a risk that commercially available liability insurance will 
not continue to be available to us at a reasonable cost, if at all. If liability claims or losses exceed 
our current or available insurance coverage, our business and prospects may be harmed.  

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
The Company’s results of operations could be adversely affected by a decrease in demand 
for Company products. 
If demand for the Company’s products decreases significantly, the Company would be unable to 
efficiently utilize its capacity, and profitability would suffer.  Decreased demand could result from 
a  macroeconomic  downturn,  or  could  be  specific  to  the  firearms  industry.    If  the  decrease  in 
demand occurs abruptly, the adverse impact would be even greater. 

The financial health of our independent distributors is critical to our success. 
Over 90% of our sales are made to 19 federally licensed, independent wholesale distributors.  We 
review  our  distributors’  financial  statements  and  have  credit  insurance  for  many  of  them.  
However,  our  credit  evaluations  of  distributors  and  credit  insurance  may  not  be  completely 
effective, especially if an interest rate increase exacts an additional financial strain. 

If one or more independent distributors experience financial distress or liquidity issues, we may 
not  be able to  collect  our accounts receivable on a timely basis, which would  have  an adverse 
impact on our operating results and financial condition.  

The Company must comply with various laws and regulations pertaining to workplace safety 
and environment, environmental matters, and firearms manufacture. 
In the normal course of its manufacturing operations, the Company is subject to numerous federal, 
state  and  local  laws  and  governmental  regulations,  and  governmental  proceedings  and  orders. 
These  laws  and  regulations  pertain  to  matters  like  workplace  safety  and  environment,  firearms 
serial  number tracking and control, waste disposal,  air emissions and water discharges into the 
environment.  Noncompliance with any one or more of these laws and regulations could have a 
material adverse impact on the Company. 

Misconduct of our employees or contractors could cause us to lose customers and could have 
a significant adverse impact on our business and reputation. 
Misconduct,  fraud  or  other  improper  activities  by  our  employees  or  contractors  could  have  a 
material adverse impact on our business and reputation. Such misconduct could include the failure 
to comply with federal,  state, local or foreign government procurement regulations, regulations 
regarding the protection of personal information, laws and regulations relating to antitrust and any 
other applicable laws or regulations.  

Business disruptions at one of the Company’s manufacturing facilities could adversely affect 
the Company’s financial results. 
The  Newport,  New  Hampshire,  Prescott,  Arizona  and  Mayodan,  North  Carolina  facilities  are 
critical  to  the  Company’s  success.  These  facilities  house  the  Company’s  principal  production, 
research,  development,  engineering,  design,  and  shipping  operations.  Any  event  that  causes  a 
disruption of the operation of any of these facilities for even a relatively short period of time could 
have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  Company’s  ability  to  produce  and  ship  products  and  to 
provide service to its customers.  

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We  rely  on  our  information  and  communications  systems  in  our  operations.  Security 
breaches and other disruptions could adversely affect our business and results of operations.  
Cyber-security threats are significant and evolving and include, among others, malicious software, 
attempts to gain unauthorized access to data, and other electronic security breaches that could lead 
to  disruptions  in  mission  critical  systems,  unauthorized  release  of  confidential  or  otherwise 
protected information and corruption of data. In addition to security threats, we are also subject to 
other systems failures, including network, software or hardware failures, whether caused by us, 
third-party service providers, natural disasters, power shortages, terrorist attacks or other events. 
The unavailability of our information or communications systems, the failure of these systems to 
perform as anticipated or any significant breach of data security could cause loss of data, disrupt 
our  operations,  lead  to  financial  losses  from  remedial  actions,  require  significant  management 
attention and resources, and negatively impact our reputation among our customers and the public, 
which could have a negative impact on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.  

Price increases for raw materials could adversely affect the Company’s financial results. 
Third parties supply the Company with various raw materials for its firearms and castings, such as 
fabricated steel components, walnut, birch, beech, maple and laminated lumber for rifle stocks, 
wax, ceramic material, metal alloys, various synthetic products and other component parts.  There 
is a limited supply of these materials in the marketplace at any given time, which can cause the 
purchase prices to vary based upon numerous market factors.  The Company believes that it has 
adequate quantities of raw materials in inventory or on order to provide ample time to locate and 
obtain  additional  items  at  then-current  market  cost  without  interruption  of  its  manufacturing 
operations.  However, if market  conditions result in a significant prolonged inflation of certain 
prices or if adequate quantities of raw materials cannot be obtained, the Company’s manufacturing 
processes  could  be  interrupted  and  the  Company’s  financial  condition  or  results  of  operations 
could be materially adversely affected. 

Retention of key management is critical to the success of the Company. 
We  rely  on  the  management  and  leadership  skills  of  our  senior  management  team.  Our  senior 
executives are not bound by employment agreements. The loss of the services of one or more of 
our  senior  executives  or  other  key  personnel  could  have  a  significant  adverse  impact  on  our 
business.  

ITEM 1B—UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS 

None 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 2—PROPERTIES 

The Company’s manufacturing operations are carried out at  four facilities. The following table 
sets forth certain information regarding each of these facilities: 

Approximate 
Aggregate 
Usable 
Square Feet 

Status 

Segment 

Newport, New Hampshire 

350,000 

Owned 

Firearms/Castings 

Prescott, Arizona 

230,000 

Mayodan, North Carolina 

220,000 

Earth City, Missouri 

35,000 

Leased 

Owned 

Leased 

Firearms 

Firearms 

Castings 

Each  firearms  facility  contains  enclosed  ranges  for  testing  firearms.  The  lease  of  the  Prescott 
facility provides for rental payments which are approximately equivalent to estimated rates for real 
property taxes.   

The Company has other facilities that were not used in its manufacturing operations in 2018: 

Approximate 
Aggregate 
Usable 
Square Feet 

Status 

Segment 

Southport, Connecticut 

25,000 

Owned 

Corporate 

Newport, New Hampshire 
(Dorr Woolen Building) 

Enfield, Connecticut 

Rochester, New Hampshire 

Fairport, New York 

45,000 

10,000 

2,000 

3,700 

Owned 

Leased 

Leased 

Leased 

Firearms 

Firearms 

Firearms 

Corporate 

There are no mortgages or any other major encumbrance on any of the real estate owned by the 
Company.   

The Company’s principal executive offices are located in Southport, Connecticut.   

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 3—LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 

The nature of the legal proceedings against the Company is discussed at Note 18 to the financial 
statements, which are included in this Form 10-K. 

The  Company  has  reported  all  cases  instituted  against  it  through  September  29,  2018,  and  the 
results of those cases, where terminated, to the SEC on its previous Form 10-Q and 10-K reports, 
to which reference is hereby made. 

Two  lawsuits  were  formally  instituted  against  the  Company  during  the  three  months  ending 
December 31, 2018.  Lora Testerman vs. Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., et al, was filed in the Smyth 
County General District Court in Virginia.  The matter of Clifton Reece McKelva v. Sturm, Ruger 
& Co., Inc., et al, was filed in Bosque County, Texas on November 19, 2018, though the Petition 
was not served on the Company until January 11, 2019. 

ITEM 4—MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES – NOT APPLICABLE 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II 

ITEM 5—MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED 

STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY 
SECURITIES 

The  Company’s  common  stock  is  traded  on  the  New  York  Stock  Exchange  under  the  symbol 
“RGR.”  At February 8, 2019, the Company had 1,662 stockholders of record. 

Issuer Repurchase of Equity Securities 

In 2017 and 2016 the Company repurchased shares of its common stock. In 2018, the Company 
did not repurchase any shares of its common stock. Details of the purchases in 2016 and 2017 are 
as follows: 

Total 
Number of 
Shares 
Purchased 
as Part of 
Publicly 
Announced 
Program 

Maximum 
Dollar 
Value of 
Shares that 
May Yet Be 
Purchased 
Under the 
Program 

Total 
Number of 
Shares 
Purchased 

Average 
Price Paid 
per Share 

283,343 

$49.43 

283,343 

900,997 
173,288 

4,490 
240,933 
1,603,051 

$49.70 
$49.92 

$47.92 
$46.30 
$49.16 

900,997 
173,288 

4,490 
240,933 

1,603,051  $88,710,000 

Period 

Fourth Quarter 2016 
First Quarter 2017 

January 29 to February 25 
February 26 to April 1 

Third Quarter 2017  

July 30 to August 26 
August 27 to September 30 

Total 

All of these purchases were made with cash held by the Company and no debt was incurred. 

At December 31, 2018 approximately $89 million remained authorized for share repurchases.   

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return* 

Sturm,  Ruger & Co., Inc., Standard & Poor’s 500, Recreation and Russell 2000 Index 
(Performance Results Through 12/31/18) 

$200

Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.

Standard & Poors 500

Recreation

Russell 2000 Index

$100

$100.00

$113.97
$113.69

$104.89

$48.76

$129.33

$115.27

$100.26

$85.61

$140.09

$129.06

$121.63

$77.76

$168.41

$157.23

$139.45

$150.34
$147.77

$124.10

$84.48

$82.07

$0

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Assumes $100 invested at the close of trading 12/13 in Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. common stock,  
Standard & Poor’s 500, Recreation, and Russell 2000 Index. 

* Cumulative total return assumes reinvestment of dividends. 

Source:  Value Line Publishing LLC 

Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. 
Standard & Poor’s 500 
Recreation 
Russell 2000 Index 

2013 
100.00 
100.00 
100.00 
100.00 

2014 
48.76 
113.69 
113.97 
104.89 

2015 
85.61 
115.27 
129.33 
100.26 

2016 
77.76 
129.06 
140.09 
121.63 

2017 
84.48 
157.23 
168.41 
139.45 

2018 
82.07 
150.34 
147.77 
124.10 

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans 

The  following  table  provides  information  regarding  compensation  plans  under  which  equity 
securities of the Company are authorized for issuance as of December 31, 2018: 

Equity Compensation Plan Information 

Number of securities to 
be issued upon exercise of 
outstanding options, 
warrants and rights 

Weighted-average 
exercise price of 
outstanding options, 
warrants and rights 

Plan category 

(a) 

(b) * 

Number of securities 
remaining available for 
future issuance under 
equity compensation 
plans (excluding 
securities reflected in 
column (a)) 

(c) 

- 

- 

$9.60 per share 

- 

542,928 

Equity compensation 
plans approved by 
security holders  

2007 Stock Incentive Plan 

2017 Stock Incentive Plan 

192,887 

 190,553 

Equity compensation 
plans not approved by 
security holders  

None. 

Total 

383,440 

$9.60 per share 

542,928 

* 

Restricted  stock  units  are  settled  in  shares  of  common  stock  on  a  one-for-one  basis.  
Accordingly,  such  units  have  been  excluded  for  purposes  of  computing  the  weighted-
average exercise price. 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 6—SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 

December 31, 

2018 

2017 

2016 

2015 

2014 

Net firearms sales 
Net castings sales 
Total net sales 
Cost of products sold 
Gross profit 
Income before income taxes 
Income taxes 
Net income 
Basic earnings per share 
Diluted earnings per share 
Cash dividends per share 

490,607 
5,028 
495,635 
361,277 
134,358 
68,714 
17,781 
50,933 
2.92 
2.88 
$   1.10 

$517,701 
4,555 
522,256 
368,248 
154,008 
77,646 
25,504 
52,142 
2.94 
2.91 
$   1.36 

$658,433 
5,895 
664,328 
444,774 
219,554 
135,921 
48,449 
87,472 
4.62 
4.59 
$   1.73 

$544,850 
6,244 
551,094 
378,934 
172,160 
96,100 
33,974 
62,126 
3.32 
3.21 

$542,267 
2,207 
544,474 
375,300 
169,174 
57,240 
18,612 
38,628 
1.99 
1.95 
$   1.10     $     1.62 

December 31, 

2018 

2017 

2016 

2015 

2014 

Working capital 
Total assets 
Total stockholders’ equity 
Book value per share 
Return on stockholders’ equity 
Current ratio 
Common shares outstanding 
Number of stockholders of 

record 

Number of employees 
Number of temporary employees 

$160,998 
335,532 
264,242 
$    15.14 
20.6% 
3.3 to 1 

$  57,792 
254,382 
185,462 
$      9.90 
21.2% 
2.0 to 1 
17,458,000  17,427,100  18,688,500  18,713,400  18,737,000 

$107,279 
315,883 
227,738 
$    12.17 
30.1% 
2.3 to 1 

$114,107 
284,318 
230,149 
$    13.21 
21.0% 
3.2 to 1 

$133,870 
346,879 
265,900 
$    14.23 
35.4% 
2.7 to 1 

1,652 
1,811 
11 

1,664 
1,838 
2 

1,678 
2,120 
310 

1,702 
1,920 
205 

1,726 
1,847 
220 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 7—MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL 

CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

Company Overview 

Sturm,  Ruger  &  Company,  Inc.  (the  “Company”)  is  principally  engaged  in  the  design, 
manufacture, and sale of firearms to domestic customers.  Approximately 99% of sales are from 
firearms.  Export sales  represent approximately  4% of  total sales.   The  Company’s design and 
manufacturing  operations  are  located  in  the  United  States  and  almost  all  product  content  is 
domestic.  The Company’s firearms are sold through a select number of independent wholesale 
distributors, principally to the commercial sporting market. 

The Company also manufactures investment castings made from steel alloys and metal injection 
molding  (“MIM”)  parts  for  internal  use  in  its  firearms  and  for  sale  to  unaffiliated,  third-party 
customers.  Approximately 1% of sales are from the castings segment. 

Orders of many models of firearms from the independent distributors tend to be stronger in the 
first quarter of the year and weaker in the third quarter of the year.  This is due in part to the timing 
of the distributor show season, which occurs during the first quarter. 

Results of Operations - 2018 

Product Demand 

The  estimated  sell-through  of  the  Company’s  products  from  the  independent  distributors  to 
retailers in 2018 was essentially unchanged from 2017.  For the same period, the National Instant 
Criminal Background Check System (“NICS”) background checks (as adjusted by the National 
Shooting Sports Foundation (“NSSF”)) decreased 6%.  Despite the apparent reduction in overall 
industry  demand,  as  reflected  by  the  NICS  data,  the  estimated  sell-through  of  the  Company’s 
products from the independent distributors to retailers remained consistent with the prior year due 
to strong demand for some of the Company’s products, particularly those that were introduced in 
December 2017. 

New products represented $145.6 million or 30% of firearms sales in 2018, compared to $137.8 
million or 27% of firearms sales in 2017.  New product sales include only major new products that 
were introduced in the past two years.  In 2018, new products included the Pistol Caliber Carbine, 
the Precision Rimfire Rifle, the Mark IV pistol, the LCP II pistol, the Security-9 pistol, and the 
EC9s pistol.  

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Estimated sell-through from distributors to retailers and total adjusted NICS background checks: 

2018 

2017 

2016 

Estimated Units Sold from Distributors to 
Retailers (1) 

1,654,600 

1,663,100 

2,007,200 

Total Adjusted NICS Background Checks (2) 

13,116,000 

13,967,800 

15,727,700 

(1) 

The estimates for each period were calculated by taking the beginning inventory at 
the distributors, plus shipments from the Company to distributors during the period, 
less the ending inventory at distributors. These estimates are only a proxy for actual 
market demand as they: 

  Rely on data provided by independent distributors that are not verified by 

the Company, 

  Do not  consider potential  timing issues within the distribution channel, 

including goods-in-transit, and  

  Do not consider fluctuations in inventory at retail. 

(2) 

NICS  background  checks  are  performed  when  the  ownership  of  most  firearms, 
either  new  or  used,  is  transferred  by  a  Federal  Firearms  Licensee.    NICS 
background  checks  are  also  performed  for  permit  applications,  permit  renewals, 
and other administrative reasons.   

The adjusted NICS data presented above was derived by the NSSF by subtracting 
NICS checks that are not directly related to the sale of a firearm, including checks 
used for concealed carry (“CCW”) permit application checks as well as checks on 
active CCW permit databases.   

Orders Received and Ending Backlog 

The  Company  uses  the  estimated  unit  sell-through  of  our  products  from  the  independent 
distributors  to  retailers,  along  with  inventory  levels  at  the  independent  distributors  and  at  the 
Company, as the key metrics for planning production levels. 

Orders Received in 2018 increased 11% from 2017.  Our ending order backlog of 153,000 units at 
December 31, 2018 decreased 101,900 units from backlog of 254,900 units at December 31, 2017.   

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The units ordered, value of orders received and ending backlog, net of Federal Excise Tax, for the 
trailing three years are as follows (dollars in millions, except average sales price):   

2018 

2017 

2016 

Orders Received 

$430.0 

$386.2 

$688.5 

Average Sales Price of Orders Received  

$281 

$297 

$306 

Ending Backlog  

$55.6 

$75.4 

$195.0 

Average Sales Price of Ending Backlog  

$364 

$296 

$314 

Production 

The Company reviews the estimated sell-through from the independent distributors to retailers, as 
well as inventory levels at the independent distributors and at the Company, semi-monthly to plan 
production levels and manage increases in inventory.  Total unit production in 2018 was materially 
unchanged from 2017. 

Annual Summary Unit Data 

Firearms unit data for orders, production, and shipments follows: 

Units Ordered 

Units Produced 

Units Shipped 

2018 

2017 

2016 

1,531,100 

1,298,800 

2,246,600 

1,610,300 

1,610,900 

2,125,500 

1,633,000 

1,665,300 

2,055,500 

Average Sales Price 

$300 

$311 

$320 

Units – Backlog 

153,000 

254,900 

621,400 

Inventories 

The Company’s finished goods inventory decreased by 22,600 units during 2018.   

Distributor  inventories  of  the  Company’s  products  decreased  by  21,600  units  during  2018  and 
approximate a reasonable level to support rapid fulfillment of retailer demand.  In the aggregate, 
total Company and distributor inventories decreased by 10% in 2018.  

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
Inventory data follows: 

2018 

December 31, 
2017 

2016 

Units – Company Inventory 

80,300 

102,900 

157,400 

Units – Distributor Inventory (3) 

299,700 

321,300 

319,300 

Total inventory (4) 

380,000 

424,200 

476,700 

(3) 

(4) 

Distributor  ending  inventory  as  provided  by  the  independent  distributors  of  the 
Company’s products.  These numbers do not include goods-in-transit inventory that 
has been shipped from the Company but not yet received by the distributors. 

This  total  does  not  include  inventory  at  retailers.    The  Company  does  not  have 
access to data on retailer inventories. 

Year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to year ended December 31, 2017: 

Net Sales 

Consolidated net sales were $495.6 million in 2018.  This represents a decrease of $26.7 million 
or 5.1% from 2017 consolidated net sales of $522.3 million.  

Firearms  segment  net  sales  were  $490.6  million  in  2018.    This  represents  a  decrease  of  $27.1 
million or 5.2% from 2017 firearms net sales of $517.7 million.  Firearms unit shipments decreased 
1.9% in 2018.   

Casting segment net sales were $5.0 million in 2018.  This represents an increase of $0.4 million 
or 10.4% from 2017 casting sales of $4.6 million. 

Cost of Products Sold and Gross Profit 

Consolidated cost of products sold was $361.3 million in 2018.  This represents a decrease of $6.9 
million or 1.9% from 2017 consolidated cost of products sold of $368.2 million. 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The gross margin was 27.1% in 2018.  This represents a decrease from 29.5% in 2017 as illustrated 
below: 

  (in thousands) 

Year Ended December 31, 

2018 

2017 

Net sales 

$495,635 

100.0% 

$522,256 

100.0% 

Cost of products sold, before LIFO, 
overhead and labor rate adjustments to 
inventory, product liability, and product 
safety bulletins and recalls 

354,997 

71.6% 

367,551 

70.4% 

LIFO expense 

1,882 

0.4% 

2,639 

0.5% 

Overhead rate adjustments to inventory 

1,777 

0.4% 

(4,423) 

(0.9)% 

Labor rate adjustments to inventory 

193 

- 

(379) 

(0.1)% 

Product liability 

1,514 

0.3% 

360 

0.1% 

Product safety bulletins and recalls 

914 

0.2% 

2,500 

0.5% 

Total cost of products sold 

361,277 

72.9% 

368,248 

70.5% 

Gross profit 

$134,358 

27.1% 

$154,008 

29.5% 

Cost  of products  sold,  before  LIFO,  overhead and labor rate  adjustments to  inventory, product 
liability,  and  product  safety  bulletins  and  recalls-  In  2018,  cost  of  products  sold,  before  LIFO, 
overhead and labor rate adjustments to inventory, product liability increased 1.2% as a percentage 
of sales compared to 2017.  This increase was due primarily to the adoption of ASC 606, which 
resulted in $12.1 million of promotional expenses that had been classified as selling expenses in 
prior years being included in cost of products sold in 2018. 

LIFO- The Company recognized LIFO expense in 2018 and 2017 of $1.9 million and $2.6 million, 
respectively, which increased cost of products sold in both periods.   

Overhead Rate Change- The net impact on inventory in 2018 and 2017 from the change in the 
overhead rates used to absorb overhead expenses into inventory was a decrease of $1.8 million 
and an increase of $4.4 million, respectively, reflecting increased overhead efficiency in 2018 and 
decreased  overhead  efficiency  in  2017.    The  decrease  in  inventory  value  in  2018  resulted  in  a 
corresponding increase to cost of products sold and the increase in inventory value in 2017 resulted 
in a corresponding decrease to cost of products sold.   

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Labor Rate Adjustments- In 2018, the change in inventory value resulting from the change in the 
labor rates used to absorb labor expenses into inventory was a decrease of $0.2 million, reflecting 
increased labor efficiency. This decrease in inventory value resulted in a corresponding increase 
to cost of products sold.  In 2017, the change in inventory value resulting from the change in the 
labor rates used to absorb labor expenses into inventory was an increase of $0.4 million, reflecting 
decreased labor efficiency. This increase in inventory value resulted in a corresponding decrease 
to cost of products sold.    

Product  Liability-  This  expense  includes  the  cost  of  outside  legal  fees,  insurance,  and  other 
expenses incurred in the management and defense of product liability matters.  These costs totaled 
$1.5  million  and  $0.4  million  in  2018  and  2017,  respectively.  See  Note  18  in  the  notes  to  the 
financial  statements  “Contingent  Liabilities”  for  further  discussion  of  the  Company’s  product 
liability. 

Product  Safety  Bulletins  and  Recalls-  In  October  2018,  the  Company  issued  a  safety  bulletin 
announcing that some Ruger American Pistols chambered in 9mm may exhibit premature wear of 
the locking surfaces between the slide and barrel. The Company offered a free retrofit to customers 
of affected pistols and recorded a $1.0 million expense in the third quarter of 2018, which was the 
expected total cost of the safety bulletin. 

In June 2017, the Company discovered that Mark IV pistols manufactured prior to June 1, 2017 
had the potential to discharge unintentionally if the safety was not utilized correctly.  The Company 
recalled all Mark IV pistols and recorded a $2.5 million expense in the second quarter, which is 
the expected total cost of the recall.  Also, the Company issued a Product Safety Bulletin for certain 
Ruger Precision Rifles due to the potential for interference between the aluminum bolt shroud and 
the cocking piece and recorded a $0.2 million expense in the third quarter of 2017. 

Gross Profit- Gross profit was $134.4 million or 27.1% of sales in 2018.  This is a decrease of 
$19.6 million from 2017 gross profit of $154.0 million or 29.5% of sales in 2017. 

Selling, General and Administrative 

Selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses  were  $67.4  million  in  2018,  a  decrease  of  $10.2 
million from $77.6 million in 2017, and a decrease from 14.9% of sales in 2017 to 13.6% of sales 
in  2018.      These  decreases  were  primarily  attributable  to  reductions  in  firearms  promotional 
expense.  Effective  January  1,  2018,  the  Company  adopted  ASC  606  which  modified  revenue 
recognition  related  to  certain  sales  promotion  activities  that  include  the  shipment  of  no  charge 
firearms. As a result, approximately $12.1 million of promotional expenses that had been classified 
as selling expenses in prior years are recorded as cost of products sold in 2018. 

Other Operating Income, net 

Other operating income, net was de minimis in 2018 and 2017. 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income 

Operating income was $67.0 million or 13.5% of sales in 2018.  This is a decrease of $9.3 million 
from 2017 operating income of $76.3 million or 14.6% of sales. 

Royalty Income 

Royalty income was $0.8 million in 2018 and $0.5 million in 2017.   

Interest Income and Interest Expense 

Interest income and interest expense were insignificant in 2018 and 2017. 

Other Income, Net 

Other income, net was $1.0 million in 2018, an increase of $0.1 million from $0.9 million in 2017.   

Income Taxes and Net Income 

The effective income tax rate was 25.9% in 2018 and 32.8% in 2017.  The decrease in the effective 
tax rate in 2018 is primarily attributable to the “2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” which reduced the 
Federal corporate income tax rate to 21% beginning in 2018. 

As a result of the foregoing factors, consolidated net  income was $50.9  million  in  2018.  This 
represents a decrease of $1.2 million from 2017 consolidated net income of $52.1 million. 

Non-GAAP Financial Measure 

In an effort to provide investors with additional information regarding its results, the Company 
refers  to  various  United  States  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  (“GAAP”)  financial 
measures and one non-GAAP financial measure, EBITDA, which management believes provides 
useful information  to  investors.  This  non-GAAP measure may not  be comparable to  similarly 
titled measures being disclosed by other companies.  In addition, the Company believes that the 
non-GAAP  financial  measure  should  be  considered  in  addition  to,  and  not  in  lieu  of,  GAAP 
financial measures. The Company believes that EBITDA is useful to understanding its operating 
results and the ongoing performance of its underlying business, as EBITDA provides information 
on the Company’s ability to meet its capital expenditure and working capital requirements, and is 
also  an  indicator  of  profitability.    The  Company  believes  that  this  reporting  provides  better 
transparency and comparability to its operating results.  The Company uses both GAAP and non-
GAAP financial measures to evaluate the Company’s financial performance. 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Non-GAAP Reconciliation – EBITDA 

EBITDA 
(Unaudited, dollars in thousands) 

Year ended December 31, 

Net income 

Income tax expense 
Depreciation and amortization expense 
Interest expense 
Interest income 
EBITDA 

2018 

2017 

$  50,933      $  52,142   

17,781 
31,972 
330 
(211) 
$100,805 

25,504 
34,264 
152 
(27) 
$112,035 

EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, and depreciation and amortization.   The 
Company  calculates  this  by  adding  the  amount  of  interest  expense,  income  tax  expense  and 
depreciation and amortization expenses that have been deducted from net income back into net 
income, and subtracting the amount of interest income that was included in net income from net 
income to arrive at EBITDA.  The Company’s EBITDA calculation also excludes any one-time 
non-cash, non-operating expense. 

27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarterly Data 

To supplement the summary annual unit data and discussion above, the same data for the last eight 
quarters follows: 

Units Ordered  

Units Produced  

Units Shipped  

Estimated Units Sold from  
Distributors to Retailers 

Total Adjusted NICS Background 
Checks  

Q4 

2018 

Q3 

Q2 

Q1 

312,800 

237,800 

344,600 

635,900 

402,400 

404,200 

415,200 

388,500 

394,800 

386,200 

411,600 

440,400 

400,000 

364,000 

381,100 

509,500 

3,813,000 

2,708,000 

2,863,000 

3,731,000 

Average Unit Sales Price 

$304 

$295 

$309 

$295 

Units – Backlog 

153,000 

235,000 

383,400 

450,400 

Units – Company Inventory 

80,300 

72,700 

54,700 

51,000 

Units – Distributor Inventory (5) 

299,700 

304,800 

282,700 

252,300 

Units Ordered  

Units Produced 

Units Shipped 

Estimated Units Sold from  
Distributors to Retailers 

Total Adjusted NICS Background 
Checks  

Q4 

2017 

Q3 

Q2 

Q1 

467,500 

221,900 

214,400 

395,000 

320,800 

327,300 

432,900 

529,900 

383,200 

329,100 

432,000 

521,000 

425,600 

341,300 

362,400 

533,800 

4,210,000 

2,948,000 

3,116,000 

3,694,000 

Average Unit Sales Price 

$306 

$315 

$302 

$319 

Units – Backlog 

254,900 

170,600 

277,800 

495,400 

Units – Company Inventory 

102,900 

165,400 

167,200 

166,200 

Units – Distributor Inventory (5) 

321,300 

363,800 

376,000 

306,400 

 (5)  Distributor ending inventory as provided by the independent distributors of the 

Company’s products. 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (in millions except average sales price, net of Federal Excise Tax) 

Q4 

2018 
Q3 

Q2 

Q1 

Orders Received 

$92.9 

$66.6 

$95.4 

$175.1 

Average Sales Price of Orders Received 

$297 

$280 

$277 

$275 

Ending Backlog 

$55.6 

$81.5 

$125.0 

$149.2 

Average Sales Price of Ending Backlog 

$364 

$347 

$326 

$331 

Q4 

2017 
Q3 

Q2 

Q1 

Orders Received 

$129.0 

$62.9 

$62.4 

$131.9 

Average Sales Price of Orders Received 

$276 

$283 

$291 

$334 

Ending Backlog 

$75.4 

$56.6 

$95.0 

$163.8 

Average Sales Price of Ending Backlog 

$296 

$332 

$342 

$331 

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fourth Quarter Gross Profit Analysis 

The gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2018 and 2017 was 27.9% and 28.0%, respectively.  
Details of the gross margin are illustrated below:  

  (in thousands) 

Three Months Ended December 31, 

2018 

2017 

Net sales 

$121,121 

100.0% 

$118,230 

100.0% 

Cost of products sold, before LIFO, 
overhead and labor rate adjustments to 
inventory, and product liability 

86,151 

71.1% 

85,972 

72.7% 

LIFO expense 

Overhead rate adjustments to inventory 

Labor rate adjustments to inventory 

Product liability 

530 

72 

(46) 

566 

0.4% 

464 

0.4% 

0.1% 

(1,132) 

(0.9)% 

- 

(71) 

(0.1)% 

0.5% 

(97) 

(0.1)% 

Total cost of products sold 

87,273 

72.1% 

85,136 

72.0% 

Gross profit 

$ 33,848  

27.9% 

$ 33,094  

28.0% 

Note: For a discussion of the captions in the above table, please see the “Cost of Products Sold and 
Gross Profit” discussion above. 

30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Results of Operations - 2017 

Year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to year ended December 31, 2016: 

Annual Summary Unit Data 

Firearms unit data for orders, production, shipments and ending inventory, and castings setups (a 
measure of foundry production) are as follows: 

Units Ordered 

Units Produced 

Units Shipped 

Average Sales Price 

Units – Backlog 

2017 

2016 

2015 

1,298,800 

2,246,600 

1,517,000 

1,610,900 

2,125,500 

1,721,300 

1,665,300 

2,055,500 

1,738,100 

$311 

$320 

$313 

254,900 

621,400 

430,300 

Units – Company Inventory 

102,900 

157,400 

87,400 

Units – Distributor Inventory (1) 

321,300 

319,300 

271,000 

Castings Setups 

91,715 

170,681 

164,212 

Orders Received and Ending Backlog 

(in millions except average sales price, net of Federal Excise Tax): 

2017 

2016 

2015 

Orders Received 

$386.2 

$688.5 

$463.2 

Average Sales Price of Orders Received (2) 

$297 

$306 

$303 

Ending Backlog (2) 

$75.4 

$195.0 

$137.8 

Average Sales Price of Ending Backlog 
(2)

$296 

$314 

$320 

(1)   Distributor  ending  inventory  as  provided  by  the  independent  distributors  of  the 

Company’s products. 

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2)    Average sales price for orders received and ending backlog is net of Federal Excise 

Tax of 10% for handguns and 11% for long guns. 

Product Demand 

The  estimated  sell-through  of  the  Company’s  products  from  the  independent  distributors  to 
retailers decreased 17% in 2017 from 2016.  For the same period, the National Instant Criminal 
Background Check System (“NICS”) background checks (as adjusted by the National Shooting 
Sports  Foundation  (“NSSF”))  decreased  11%.    The  decrease  in  estimated  sell-through  of  the 
Company’s products from the independent distributors to retailers is attributable to:  

  Decreased  overall  consumer  demand  in  2017  due  to  stronger-than-normal  demand 
during most of 2016, likely bolstered by the political campaigns for the November 2016 
elections,   

  Reduced purchasing by retailers in an effort to reduce their inventories and generate 

cash,  

  Aggressive price discounting and lucrative consumer rebates offered by many of our 

competitors, and 

  Excess industry manufacturing capacity, which exacerbated the above factors. 

New products represented $137.8 million or 27% of firearms sales in 2017, compared to $192.6 
million or 29% of firearms sales in 2016.  New product sales include only major new products that 
were introduced in the past two years.  In 2017, new products included the Precision Rifle, the Mark 
IV pistols, the LCP II pistol, and the American pistol.  In December 2017, the Company introduced 
the  Pistol  Caliber  Carbine,  the  Security  9  pistol,  and  the  EC9s  pistol.    Due  to  the  timing  of  these 
launches, they had only a minimal impact on the 2017 financial results. 

Estimated sell-through from distributors to retailers and total adjusted NICS background checks: 

2017 

2016 

2015 

Estimated Units Sold from Distributors to 
Retailers (1) 

1,663,100 

2,007,200 

1,793,800 

Total Adjusted NICS Background Checks (2) 

13,967,800 

15,727,700 

14,244,200 

(1) 

The estimates for each period were calculated by taking the beginning inventory at 
the distributors, plus shipments from the Company to distributors during the period, 
less the ending inventory at distributors. These estimates are only a proxy for actual 
market demand as they: 

  Rely on data provided by independent distributors that are not verified by 

the Company, 

  Do not  consider potential  timing issues within the distribution channel, 

including goods-in-transit, and  

  Do not consider fluctuations in inventory at retail. 

32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (2)  NICS  background  checks  are  performed  when  the  ownership  of  most  firearms, 
either  new  or  used,  is  transferred  by  a  Federal  Firearms  Licensee.    NICS 
background  checks  are  also  performed  for  permit  applications,  permit  renewals, 
and other administrative reasons.   

The adjusted NICS data presented above was derived by the NSSF by subtracting 
NICS checks that are not directly related to the sale of a firearm, including checks 
used for concealed carry (“CCW”) permit application checks as well as checks on 
active CCW permit databases.   

Production 

The Company reviews the estimated sell-through from the independent distributors to retailers, as 
well as inventory levels at the independent distributors and at the Company, semi-monthly to plan 
production levels and manage increases in inventory.  These reviews resulted in a decrease in total 
unit production of 24% in 2017 compared to 2016. 

Inventories 

The Company’s finished goods inventory decreased by 54,500 units during 2017.   

Distributor  inventories  of  the  Company’s  products  increased  by  2,000  units  during  2017  and 
approximate a reasonable level to support rapid fulfillment of retailer demand.  
Inventory data follows: 

2017 

December 31, 
2016 

2015 

Units – Company Inventory 

102,900 

157,400 

87,400 

Units – Distributor Inventory (3) 

321,300 

319,300 

271,000 

Total inventory (4) 

424,200 

476,700 

358,400 

(3) 

(4) 

Distributor  ending  inventory  as  provided  by  the  independent  distributors  of  the 
Company’s products.  These numbers do not include goods-in-transit inventory that 
has been shipped from the Company but not yet received by the distributors. 

This  total  does  not  include  inventory  at  retailers.    The  Company  does  not  have 
access to data on retailer inventories. 

33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarterly Summary Unit Data 

To supplement the summary annual unit data and discussion above, the same data for the last eight 
quarters follows: 

Units Ordered  

Units Produced  

Units Shipped  

Estimated Units Sold from  
Distributors to Retailers 

Total Adjusted NICS Background 
Checks  

Q4 

2017 

Q3 

Q2 

Q1 

467,500 

221,900 

214,400 

395,000 

320,800 

327,300 

432,900 

529,900 

383,200 

329,100 

432,000 

521,000 

425,600 

341,300 

362,400 

533,800 

4,210,000 

2,948,000 

3,116,000 

3,694,000 

Average Unit Sales Price 

$306 

$315 

$302 

$319 

Units – Backlog 

254,900 

170,600 

277,800 

495,400 

Units – Company Inventory 

102,900 

165,400 

167,200 

166,200 

Units – Distributor Inventory (5) 

321,300 

363,800 

376,000 

306,400 

Units Ordered  

Units Produced 

Units Shipped 

Estimated Units Sold from  
Distributors to Retailers 

Total Adjusted NICS Background 
Checks  

Q4 

2016 

Q3 

Q2 

Q1 

432,100 

445,700 

399,400 

969,400 

566,200 

527,600 

529,600 

502,100 

527,300 

507,500 

504,000 

516,700 

529,100 

453,400 

453,700 

571,000 

4,861,000 

3,519,000 

3,199,000 

4,148,000 

Average Unit Sales Price 

$304 

$315 

$330 

$332 

Units – Backlog 

621,400 

716,600 

778,400 

883,000 

Units – Company Inventory 

157,400 

118,500 

98,500 

72,800 

Units – Distributor Inventory (5) 

319,300 

321,100 

267,000 

216,700 

34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(5)  Distributor  ending  inventory  as  provided  by  the  independent  distributors  of  the 

Company’s products. 

(in millions except average sales price, net of Federal Excise Tax) 

Q4 

2017 
Q3 

Q2 

Q1 

Orders Received 

$129.0 

$62.9 

$62.4 

$131.9 

Average Sales Price of Orders Received 

$276 

$283 

$291 

$334 

Ending Backlog 

$75.4 

$56.6 

$95.0 

$163.8 

Average Sales Price of Ending Backlog 

$296 

$332 

$342 

$331 

Q4 

2016 
Q3 

Q2 

Q1 

Orders Received 

$130.2 

$116.5 

$145.7 

$296.1 

Average Sales Price of Orders Received 

$301 

$261 

$365 

$305 

Ending Backlog 

$195.0 

$219.1 

$257.6 

$276.1 

Average Sales Price of Ending Backlog 

$314 

$306 

$331 

$313 

Net Sales 

Consolidated net sales were $522.3 million in 2017.  This represents a decrease of $142.0 million 
or 21.4% from 2016 consolidated net sales of $664.3 million.  

Firearms segment net sales were $517.7 million in 2017.  This represents a  decrease of $140.7 
million  or  21.4%  from  2016  firearms  net  sales  of  $658.4  million.    Firearms  unit  shipments 
decreased 19.0% in 2017.   

Casting segment net sales were $4.6 million in 2017.  This represents a decrease of $1.3 million 
or 22.7% from 2016 casting sales of $5.9 million. 

Cost of Products Sold and Gross Profit 

Consolidated cost of products sold was $368.2 million in 2017.  This represents a decrease of $76.6 
million or 17.2% from 2016 consolidated cost of products sold of $444.8 million. 

35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The gross margin was 29.5% in 2017.  This represents a decrease from 33.0% in 2016 as illustrated 
below: 

  (in thousands) 

Year Ended December 31, 

2017 

2016 

Net sales 

$522,256 

100.0% 

$664,328 

100.0% 

Cost of products sold, before LIFO, 
overhead and labor rate adjustments to 
inventory, product liability, and product 
recall 

367,551 

70.4% 

441,773 

66.5% 

LIFO expense 

2,639 

0.5% 

481 

0.1% 

Overhead rate adjustments to inventory 

(4,423) 

(0.9)% 

482 

0.1% 

Labor rate adjustments to inventory 

(379) 

(0.1)% 

(17) 

- 

Product liability 

Product recall 

360 

0.1% 

2,055 

0.3% 

2,500 

0.5% 

- 

- 

Total cost of products sold 

368,248 

70.5% 

444,774 

67.0% 

Gross profit 

$154,008 

29.5% 

$219,554 

33.0% 

Cost  of products  sold,  before  LIFO, overhead and labor rate  adjustments to inventory, product 
liability, and product recall- In 2017, cost of products sold, before LIFO, overhead and labor rate 
adjustments to inventory, product liability increased 3.9% as a percentage of sales compared to 
2016.    This  decreased  profitability  is  attributable  to  the  decrease  in  sales  which  resulted  in 
unfavorable de-leveraging of fixed manufacturing costs, including depreciation and indirect labor. 

LIFO- Gross inventories decreased by $11.8 million in 2017 and increased $18.1 million in 2016. 
In  2017  and  2016,  the  Company  recognized  LIFO  expense  of  $2.6  million  and  $0.5  million, 
respectively, which increased cost of products sold.   

Overhead Rate Change- The net impact on inventory in 2017 and 2016 from the change in the 
overhead rates used to absorb overhead expenses into inventory was an increase of $4.4 million 
and a decrease of $0.5 million, respectively, reflecting decreased overhead efficiency in 2017 and 
increased  overhead  efficiency  in  2016.    The  increase  in  inventory  value  in  2017  resulted  in  a 
corresponding  decrease  to  cost  of  products  sold  and  the  decrease  in  inventory  value  in  2016 
resulted in a corresponding increase to cost of products sold.   

36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Labor Rate Adjustments- In 2017, the change in inventory value resulting from the change in the 
labor rates used to absorb labor expenses into inventory was an increase of $0.4 million, reflecting 
decreased labor efficiency. This increase in inventory value resulted in a corresponding decrease 
to cost of products sold.  In 2016, the change in inventory value resulting from the change in the 
labor rates used to absorb labor expenses into inventory was de minimis.   

Product  Liability-  This  expense  includes  the  cost  of  outside  legal  fees,  insurance,  and  other 
expenses incurred in the management and defense of product liability matters.  These costs totaled 
$0.4  million  and  $2.1  million  in  2017  and  2016,  respectively.  See  Note  18  in  the  notes  to  the 
financial  statements  “Contingent  Liabilities”  for  further  discussion  of  the  Company’s  product 
liability. 

Product Recall – In June 2017, the Company discovered that Mark IV pistols manufactured prior 
to  June  1,  2017  had  the  potential  to  discharge  unintentionally  if  the  safety  was  not  utilized 
correctly.  The Company recalled all Mark IV pistols and recorded a $2.5 million expense in the 
second quarter, which is the expected total cost of the recall.  No such expense was recorded in the 
prior year. 

Gross Profit- Gross profit was $154.0 million or 29.5% of sales in 2017.  This is a decrease of 
$65.6 million from 2016 gross profit of $219.6 million or 33.0% of sales in 2016. 

Selling, General and Administrative 

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $77.6 million in 2017, a decrease of $7.5 million 
from $85.1 million in 2016, and an increase from 12.8% of sales in 2016 to 14.9% of sales in 2017.  
The decrease is primarily attributable to the absence of the “2.5 Million Gun Challenge” and the 
“Ruger $5 Million Match Challenge”, both of which were in effect in 2016.  The decrease was 
partially offset by increased firearms promotional activities in 2017. 

Other Operating Income, net 

Other operating income, net was de minimis in 2017 and 2016. 

Operating Income 

Operating income was $76.3 million or 14.6% of sales in 2017.  This is a decrease of $58.1 million 
from 2016 operating income of $134.4 million or 20.2% of sales. 

Royalty Income 

Royalty income was $0.5 million in 2017 and $1.1 million in 2016. 

Interest Income and Interest Expense 

Interest income and interest expense were negligible in 2017 and 2016. 

37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Income, Net 

Other  income,  net  was  $0.9  million  in  2017,  an  increase  of  $0.4  million  from  income  of  $0.5 
million in 2016.   

Income Taxes and Net Income 

The effective income tax rate was 32.8% in 2017 and 35.6% in 2016.  The decrease in the effective 
tax rate in 2017 is primarily attributable to: 

 

the inclusion of the tax impact  of 2017 equity-based compensation in  income taxes, as 
required by newly issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-09, “Improvements 
to Employee Share Based Payment Accounting”, which reduced the effective tax rate by 
0.9%.  In the prior year, the tax impact of equity-based compensation was recorded directly 
into equity, and 

  The revaluation of the Company’s net deferred tax liability at December 31, 2017 to reflect 
the impact of the lower statutory corporate tax rate enacted by the “Tax Cuts and Jobs 
Act”, which reduced the effective tax rate by 0.7%. 

The effective tax rate is expected to decrease to 24.5% in 2018 principally due to the “2017 Tax 
Cuts and Jobs Act” which reduces the Federal corporate income tax rate to 21% beginning in 2018. 

As a result of the foregoing factors, consolidated net  income was $52.1  million  in  2017.  This 
represents a decrease of $35.4 million from 2016 consolidated net income of $87.5 million. 

Non-GAAP Financial Measure 
In an effort to provide investors with additional information regarding its results, the Company 
refers  to  various  United  States  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  (“GAAP”)  financial 
measures and one non-GAAP financial measure, EBITDA, which management believes provides 
useful information  to  investors.  This  non-GAAP measure may not  be comparable to  similarly 
titled measures being disclosed by other companies.  In addition, the Company believes that the 
non-GAAP  financial  measure  should  be  considered  in  addition  to,  and  not  in  lieu  of,  GAAP 
financial measures. The Company believes that EBITDA is useful to understanding its operating 
results and the ongoing performance of its underlying business, as EBITDA provides information 
on the Company’s ability to meet its capital expenditure and working capital requirements, and is 
also  an  indicator  of  profitability.    The  Company  believes  that  this  reporting  provides  better 
transparency and comparability to its operating results.  The Company uses both GAAP and non-
GAAP financial measures to evaluate the Company’s financial performance. 

38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-GAAP Reconciliation – EBITDA 

EBITDA 
(Unaudited, dollars in thousands) 

Year ended December 31, 

Net income 

Income tax expense 
Depreciation and amortization expense 
Interest expense 
Interest income 
EBITDA 

2017 

2016 

$  52,142   

$  87,472   

25,504 
34,264 
152 
(27) 
$112,035 

48,449 
35,355 
186 
(14) 
$171,448 

EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, and depreciation and amortization.   The 
Company  calculates  this  by  adding  the  amount  of  interest  expense,  income  tax  expense  and 
depreciation and amortization expenses that have been deducted from net income back into net 
income, and subtracting the amount of interest income that was included in net income from net 
income to arrive at EBITDA.  The Company’s EBITDA calculation also excludes any one-time 
non-cash, non-operating expense. 

Financial Condition  

Liquidity 

At December 31, 2018, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $38.5 million and $114.3 
million in short term investments.  Our pre-LIFO working capital of $207.4 million, less the LIFO 
reserve of $46.3 million, resulted in working capital of $161.1 million and a current ratio of 3.3 to 
1. 

Operations 

Cash provided by operating activities was $119.8 million, $101.2 million, and $104.8 million in 
2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.  The increase in cash provided in 2018 compared to 2017 is 
attributable to significant decreases in accounts payable and accrued expenses in 2017 compared 
to modest increases in 2018, partially offset by other working capital fluctuations. 

The decrease in cash provided in 2017 compared to 2016 is attributable to decreased profitability, 
partially offset by a decrease in inventories in 2017 and an increase in inventories in 2016 and 
other working capital fluctuations. 

Third parties supply the Company with various raw materials for its firearms and castings, such as 
fabricated steel components, walnut, birch, beech, maple and laminated lumber for rifle stocks, 
wax, ceramic material, metal alloys, various synthetic products and other component parts.  There 
is a limited supply of these materials in the marketplace at any given time, which can cause the 

39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
purchase prices to vary based upon numerous market factors.  The Company believes that it has 
adequate quantities of raw materials in inventory or on order to provide sufficient time to locate 
and obtain additional items at then-current market cost without interruption of its manufacturing 
operations.  However, if market  conditions result in a significant prolonged inflation of certain 
prices or if adequate quantities of raw materials cannot be obtained, the Company’s manufacturing 
processes  could  be  interrupted  and  the  Company’s  financial  condition  or  results  of  operations 
could be materially adversely affected. 

Investing and Financing 

Capital expenditures were $10.5 million, $33.6 million, and $35.2 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, 
respectively.    In  2019,  the  Company  expects  capital  expenditures  to  approximate  $25  million, 
much of which will relate to tooling and fixtures for new product introductions and to upgrade and 
modernize  manufacturing  equipment.    Due  to  market  conditions  and  business  circumstances, 
actual  capital  expenditures  could  vary  significantly  from  the  budgeted  amount.    The  Company 
finances,  and  intends  to  continue  to  finance,  all  of  these  activities  with  funds  provided  by 
operations and current cash.   

In  2018,  the  Company  purchased  $114.2  million  of  United  States  Treasury  instruments  which 
mature within one year.  

In 2017, the Company repurchased 1,319,708 shares of its common stock for $64.8 million in the 
open market.  The average price per share purchased was $49.14.  These purchases were funded 
with cash on hand.  In 2016, the Company repurchased 283,343 shares of its common stock for 
$14.0  million  in  the  open  market.    The  average  price  per  share  purchased  was  $49.43.    These 
purchases were funded with cash on hand.  No shares were repurchased in 2018. 

At December 31, 2018, $88.7 million remained authorized for future share repurchases.   

The Company paid  dividends totaling  $19.2 million,  $23.9 million,  and $32.8 million in  2018, 
2017, and 2016, respectively.    The dividend varies every quarter because the Company  pays  a 
percentage of earnings rather than a fixed amount per share.  The Company’s practice is to pay a 
dividend of approximately 40% of net income. 

On February 15, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a dividend of 28¢ per share 
to shareholders of record on March 15, 2019.  The payment of future dividends depends on many 
factors, including internal estimates of future performance, then-current cash, and the Company’s 
need for funds. 

The Company provides supplemental discretionary contributions to substantially all employees’ 
individual 401(k) accounts. 

Based on its unencumbered assets, the Company believes it has the ability to raise cash through 
issuance of short-term or long-term debt.  The Company’s unsecured $40 million credit facility, 
which expires on August 31, 2019, remained unused at December 31, 2018 and the Company has 
no debt.   

40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractual Obligations 

The table below summarizes the Company’s significant contractual obligations at December 31, 
2018, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on the Company’s liquidity and cash 
flows in future periods.  This table excludes amounts already recorded on the Company’s balance 
sheet as current liabilities at December 31, 2018. 

“Purchase Obligations” as used in the below table includes all agreements to purchase goods or 
services that are enforceable and legally binding on the Company and that specify all significant 
terms, including:  fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price 
provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction.  Certain of the Company’s purchase 
orders or contracts for the purchase of raw materials and other goods and services that may not 
necessarily  be  enforceable  or  legally  binding  on  the  Company  are  also  included  in  “Purchase 
Obligations” in the table, and, therefore, certain of the Company’s purchase orders or contracts 
included  in  the  table  may  represent  authorizations  to  purchase  rather  than  legally  binding 
agreements.    The  Company  expects  to  fund  all  of  these  commitments  with  cash  flows  from 
operations and current cash. 

Contractual Obligations 

Total 

Less than 
1 year 

1-3 years 

3-5 years 

Payment due by period (in thousands) 

Long-Term Debt Obligations 
Capital Lease Obligations 
Operating Lease Obligations 
Purchase Obligations 
Other Long Term Liabilities 
Reflected on the Registrant’s 
Balance sheet Under GAAP 

- 
- 
$     4,929 
$26,716 

- 
- 
$     1,032 
$26,716  

- 

- 

- 
- 

$1,707     

- 

- 

More 
than 5 
Years 

- 
- 
$1,760 
- 

- 
- 
$430 
- 

- 

- 

Total 

$31,645  

$27,748  

$1,707      

$430       $1,760 

The expected timing of payment of the obligations discussed above is estimated based on current 
information.  Timing of payments and actual amounts paid may be different depending on the time 
of receipt of goods or services or changes to agreed-upon amounts for some obligations. 

Firearms Legislation and Litigation 

See  Item  1A  -  Risk  Factors  and  Note  18  to  the  financial  statements  which  are  included  in  the 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of firearms legislation and litigation. 

Other Operational Matters 

In  the  normal  course  of  its  manufacturing  operations,  the  Company  is  subject  to  occasional 
governmental  proceedings  and  orders  pertaining  to  workplace  safety,  firearms  serial  number 
tracking and control, waste disposal, air emissions and water discharges into the environment.  The 

41 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company believes that it is generally in compliance with applicable Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, 
Firearms & Explosives, environmental, and safety regulations and the outcome of any proceedings 
or orders will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position or results of operations 
of the Company.  If these regulations become more stringent in the future and we are not able to 
comply with them, such noncompliance could have a material adverse impact on the Company. 

The Company self-insures a significant amount of its product liability, workers’ compensation, 
medical, and other insurance.  It also carries significant deductible amounts on various insurance 
policies. 

The  Company  expects  to  realize  its  deferred  tax  assets  through  tax  deductions  against  future 
taxable income. 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates 

The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  accounting  principles  generally 
accepted in the United States requires management to make assumptions and estimates that affect 
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the balance sheet date and net sales and expenses 
recognized and incurred during the reporting period then ended.  The Company bases estimates on 
prior experience, facts and circumstances, and other assumptions, including those reviewed with 
actuarial consultants and independent counsel, when applicable, that are believed to be reasonable.  
However, actual results may differ from these estimates. 

The Company believes the determination of its product liability accrual is a critical accounting 
policy.    The  Company’s  management  reviews  every  lawsuit  and  claim  and  is  in  contact  with 
independent and corporate counsel on an ongoing basis.  The provision for product liability claims 
is based upon many factors, which vary for each case.  These factors include the type of claim, 
nature and extent of injuries, historical settlement ranges, jurisdiction where filed, and advice of 
counsel.   An accrual  is  established for each lawsuit and claim,  when appropriate, based on the 
nature of each such lawsuit or claim. 

Amounts are charged to product liability expense in the period in which the Company becomes 
aware that a claim or, in some instances a threat of a claim, has been made when potential losses 
or costs of defense are probable and can be reasonably estimated.  Such amounts are determined 
based on the Company’s experience in defending similar claims.  Occasionally, charges are made 
for claims made in prior periods because the cumulative actual costs incurred for that claim, or 
reasonably expected to be incurred in the future, exceed amounts already provided with respect to 
such claims.  Likewise, credits may be taken if cumulative actual costs incurred for that claim, or 
reasonably expected to be incurred in the future, are less than amounts previously provided. 

While it is not possible to forecast the outcome of litigation or the timing of related costs, in the 
opinion  of  management,  after  consultation  with  independent  and  corporate  counsel,  there  is  a 
remote likelihood that litigation, including punitive damage claims, will have a material adverse 
effect on the financial position of the Company, but such litigation may have a material impact on 
the Company’s financial results and cash flows for a particular period. 
The  Company  believes  the  valuation  of  its  inventory  and  the  related  excess  and  obsolescence 
reserve is also a critical accounting policy.  Inventories are carried at the lower of cost, principally 

42 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
determined by the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, or market.  An actual valuation of inventory 
under the LIFO method is made at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and prevailing 
inventory costs existing at that time. 

The  Company  determines  its  excess  and  obsolescence  reserve  by  projecting  the  year  in  which 
inventory  will  be  consumed  into  a  finished  product.    Given  ever-changing  market  conditions, 
customer preferences and the anticipated introduction of new products, it does not seem prudent 
nor supportable to carry inventory at full cost beyond that needed during the next 36 months.   

Recent Accounting Pronouncements 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards 
Update  (“ASU”)  2014-09,  Revenue  from  Contracts  with  Customers  Topic  606,  (“ASC  606”), 
which  supersedes  nearly  all  existing  revenue  recognition  guidance.  As  more  fully  discussed  in 
Note 2, the Company adopted ASC 606 using the modified retrospective method on January 1, 
2018.   

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718). 
The most significant change in the new compensation guidance is that all excess tax benefits and 
tax deficiencies (including tax benefits of dividends) on share-based compensation awards should 
be  recognized  in  the  Statement  of  Income  as  income  tax  expense.  Previously  such  benefits  or 
deficiencies were recognized in the Balance Sheet as adjustments to additional paid-in capital. The 
new guidance was effective in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods 
thereafter. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017. The impact of adopting 
this change in accounting principle reduced the Company’s effective tax rate by 2% for the period 
ending December 31, 2017 and did not impact the effective tax rate for the period ended December 
31, 2018. The adoption of this pronouncement did not have a material impact on the Company’s 
results of operations or financial position in either year.  

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases Topic 842 (“ASC 842”), which amends 
the existing accounting standards for leases. ASC 842 requires lessees to record a right-of-use asset 
and a corresponding lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases (with the exception of short-
term  leases)  and  disclose  key  information  about  leasing  arrangements,  whereas  under  current 
standards, the Company’s operating leases are not recognized on its consolidated balance sheet. 
Leases  will  be  classified  as  finance  or  operating,  with  classification  affecting  the  pattern  and 
classification  of  expense  recognition  in  the  income  statement.    Topic  842  was  subsequently 
amended by ASU No. 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842; 
ASU  No.  2018-10,  Codification  Improvements  to  Topic  842,  Leases;  and  ASU  No.  2018-11, 
Targeted  Improvements.    ASC  842  is  effective  for  years  beginning  after  December  15,  2018, 
including interim periods within those fiscal years, and is to be applied using either a modified 
retrospective approach, or an optional transition method which allows an entity to apply the new 
standard  at  the  adoption  date  with  a  cumulative-effect  adjustment  to  the  opening  balance  of 
retained earnings in the period of adoption. The Company expects to adopt ASC 842 in the first 
quarter of 2019 using this optional transition method. The new standard also provides practical 
expedients for an entity’s ongoing accounting.  The Company currently expects to elect the short-
term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify.  The Company also expects to elect 

43 

 
 
 
 
 
 
the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all of its leases.  The 
Company is  finalizing its implementation  related to  policies, processes  and internal  controls  to 
comply with the guidance.  The Company estimates that the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities 
for the lease portfolio to be recorded on its consolidated balance sheet, as of January 1, 2019 will 
be less than $5 million, primarily related to real estate.  The adoption of this pronouncement is not 
expected  to  impact  the  Company’s  consolidated  statements  of  operations  or  its  consolidated 
statement of cash flows. 

Forward-Looking Statements and Projections 

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, 
anticipated castings sales and earnings, the need for external financing for operations or capital 
expenditures, the results of pending litigation against the Company, the impact of future firearms 
control and environmental legislation and accounting estimates, any one or more of which could 
cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.  Words such as “expect,” “believe,” 
“anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “will,” “should,” “could” and other words and terms of similar 
meaning, typically identify such forward-looking statements.  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. 

ITEM 7A—QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET 

RISK 

The Company is exposed to changing interest rates on its investments, which consist primarily of 
United States Treasury instruments with short-term (less than one year) maturities and cash.  The 
interest rate market risk implicit in the Company's investments at any given time is low, as the 
investments mature within short periods and the Company does not have significant exposure to 
changing interest rates on invested cash. 

The Company has not undertaken any actions to cover interest rate market risk and is not a party 
to any interest rate market risk management activities. 

A  hypothetical  100  basis  point  change  in  market  interest  rates  over  the  next  year  would  not 
materially impact the Company’s earnings or cash flows.  A hypothetical 100 basis point change 
in  market  interest  rates  would  not  have  a  material  effect  on  the  fair  value  of  the  Company’s 
investments. 

44 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 8—FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA 

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2018 and 2017 

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years 
ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 

Consolidated  Statements  of  Cash  Flows  for  the  years  ended 
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

46 

48 

50 

51 

52 

53 

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. and Subsidiary 

Opinion on the Internal Control Over Financial Reporting  
We have audited Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. and Subsidiary's (the Company) internal control over financial reporting 
as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the 
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013.    In our opinion, the Company 
maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on 
criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of 
the Treadway Commission in 2013. 

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related 
consolidated statements of comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the 
period ended December 31, 2018, and our report dated February 20, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion. 

Basis for Opinion  
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its 
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting in the accompanying Management’s Report on 
Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control 
over financial reporting based on our audit.  We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required 
to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and 
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.  Those standards require that we plan and 
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was 
maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial 
reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating 
effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk.  Our audit also included performing such other procedures as 
we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the 
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with 
generally accepted accounting principles.  A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies 
and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the 
transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded 
as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and 
that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and 
directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized 
acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  
Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become 
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may 
deteriorate. 

/s/RSM US LLP 
Stamford, Connecticut 
February 20, 2019 

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. and Subsidiary 

Opinion on the Financial Statements 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. and 
Subsidiary (the Company) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related consolidated statements of 
income and comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the 
period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes and schedule (collectively, the financial 
statements).  In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material 
respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its 
operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in 
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight 
Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 
31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the 
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013, and our report dated 
February 20, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal 
control over financial reporting. 

Basis for Opinion 
These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's 
management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on 
our audits.  We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be 
independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the 
applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.  Those standards require that 
we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are 
free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.  Our audits included performing procedures 
to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and 
performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, 
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  Our audits also included 
evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as 
evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.  We believe that our audits provide a 
reasonable basis for our opinion. 

/s/RSM US LLP 

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2005. 

Stamford, Connecticut 
February 20, 2019 

47 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 

December 31, 

Assets 

Current Assets 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Short-term investments 
Trade receivables, net  

Gross inventories 

Less LIFO reserve 
Less excess and obsolescence reserve 

    Net inventories 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets 
Total Current Assets 

Property, Plant, and Equipment 
     Less allowances for depreciation 
     Net property, plant and equipment 

Deferred income taxes 
Other assets 
Total Assets 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 

2018 

2017 

$  38,492   
114,326 
45,031 

$  63,487   
- 
60,082 

80,288 
 (46,341) 
(2,527) 
31,420 

2,920 
232,189 

87,592  
(45,180) 
(2,698) 
39,714 

3,501 
166,784 

358,756 
(276,045) 
82,711 

365,013 
(261,218) 
103,795 

2,969 
17,663 
$ 335,532 

- 
13,739 
$ 284,318 

48 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 

2018 

2017 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity 

Current Liabilities 

Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses 
Contract liabilities with customers (Note 2) 
Product liability 
Employee compensation and benefits 
Workers’ compensation 
Income taxes payable 
Total Current Liabilities 

Product liability 
Deferred income taxes 

Contingent liabilities (Note 18) 

Stockholders’ Equity 
Common stock, non-voting, par value $1: 

Authorized shares – 50,000; none issued 

Common stock, par value $1: 

Authorized shares – 40,000,000 
2018 – 24,123,418 issued, 

 17,458,020 outstanding 

2017 – 24,092,488 issued,  

 17,427,090 outstanding 

Additional paid-in capital 
Retained earnings 
Less: Treasury stock – at cost 
2018 – 6,665,398 shares 
2017 – 6,665,398 shares 
Total Stockholders’ Equity 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 

 $  33,021 
7,477 
1,073 
20,729 
5,551 
3,340 
71,191 

99 
- 

- 

 $  32,422  
- 
729 
14,315 
5,211 
- 
52,677 

90 
1,402 

- 

24,123 
33,291 
350,423 

24,092 
28,329 
321,323 

(143,595) 
264,242 
$ 335,532 

(143,595) 
230,149 
$ 284,318 

49 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income 
(In thousands, except per share data) 

Year ended December 31, 

2018 

2017 

2016 

Net firearms sales 
Net castings sales 
Total net sales 

Cost of products sold 

Gross profit 

Operating Expenses: 

Selling  
General and administrative 
Other operating (expense) income, net 

Total operating expenses 

Operating income 

Other income: 

Royalty income 
Interest income 
Interest expense 
Other income, net 
Total other income, net 

$490,607 
5,028 
495,635 

$517,701 
4,555 
522,256 

$658,433 
5,895 
664,328 

361,277 

368,248 

444,774 

134,358 

154,008 

219,554 

35,111 
32,248 
(10) 
67,349 

49,232 
28,396 
31 
77,659 

56,146 
29,004 
(5) 
85,145 

67,009 

76,349 

134,409 

804 
211 
(330) 
1,020 
1,705 

506 
27 
(152) 
916 
1,297 

1,142 
14 
(186) 
542 
1,512 

Income before income taxes 

68,714 

77,646 

135,921 

Income taxes 

17,781 

25,504 

48,449 

Net income and comprehensive income 

$ 50,933  

$ 52,142  

$ 87,472 

Basic Earnings Per Share 

$2.92 

$2.94 

$4.62 

Diluted Earnings Per Share 

$2.88 

$2.91 

$4.59 

Cash Dividends Per Share 

$1.10 

$1.36 

$1.73 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 

50 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity 
(Dollars in thousands) 

Common 
Stock 

Additional 
Paid-in 
Capital 

Retained 
Earnings 

Treasury 
Stock 

Total 

Balance at December 31, 2015 

23,776 

29,591 

Net income 
Dividends paid 
Stock-based compensation 
Exercise of stock options and 

vesting of RSU’s 

Tax benefit realized from exercise 
of stock options and vesting of 
RSU’s 

Common stock issued – 
compensation plans 
Unpaid dividends accrued 
Repurchase of 283,343 shares of 

3,054 
(14,002) 

8,826 

258 

(258) 

common stock 
Balance at December 31, 2016 

24,034 

27,211 

Net income 
Dividends paid 
Stock-based compensation 
Exercise of stock options and 

vesting of RSU’s 
Common stock issued – 
compensation plans 
Unpaid dividends accrued 
Repurchase of 1,319,708 shares of 

common stock 
Balance at December 31, 2017 

Net income 
Dividends paid 
Stock-based compensation 
Vesting of RSU’s 
Common stock issued – 
compensation plans 
Unpaid dividends accrued 
Adoption of ASC 606 (Note 2) 

3,659 

(2,483) 

58 

(58) 

24,092 

28,329 

5,809 
(816) 

(31) 

31 

Balance at December 31, 2018 

$24,123 

$33,291 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 

(64,727) 

239,098 
87,472 
(32,815) 

(355) 

293,400 
52,142 
(23,905) 

(314) 

321,323 
50,933 
(19,201) 

(14,018) 
 (78,745) 

(64,850) 
 (143,595) 

(405) 
(2,227) 
$350,423 

$(143,595) 

227,738 
87,472 
(32,815) 
3,054 
(14,002) 

8,826 

- 

(355) 

(14,018) 
$265,900 
52,142 
(23,905) 
3,659 

(2,483) 

- 
(314) 

(64,850) 
230,149 
50,933 
(19,201) 
5,809 
(816) 

- 
(405) 
(2,227) 
$264,242  

51 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
(In thousands) 

Year ended December 31, 

2018 

2017 

2016 

Operating Activities 
Net income 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash 
provided by operating activities: 

Depreciation and amortization 
Stock-based compensation 
Excess and obsolescence inventory reserve 
Loss (gain) on sale of assets 
Deferred income taxes 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: 

Trade receivables 
Inventories 
Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses 
Contract liability to customers 
Employee compensation and benefits 
Product liability 
Prepaid expenses, other assets and other liabilities 
Income taxes payable 

Cash provided by operating activities 

Investing Activities 

Property, plant, and equipment additions 
Purchases of short-term investments 
Net proceeds from sale of assets 

Cash used for investing activities 

Financing Activities 
Dividends paid 
Tax benefit from share-based compensation 
Repurchase of common stock 
Payment of employee withholding tax related to  share-

based compensation 
Cash used for financing activities 

$  50,933 

$  52,142 

$  87,472 

31,972 
5,809 
(185) 
(10) 
(4,371) 

15,051 
8,479 
939 
5,250 
6,009 
353 
(3,757) 
3,340 
119,812 

(10,541) 
(114,259) 
10 
(124,790) 

(19,201) 
- 
- 

(816) 
(20,017) 

34,264 
3,659 
358 
31 
1,736 

9,360 
14,463 
(16,060) 
- 
(11,466) 
(1,000) 
13,704 
- 
101,191 

(33,596) 
- 
3 
(33,593) 

(23,905) 
- 
(64,850) 

(2,482) 
(91,237) 

35,355 
3,054 
522 
59 
1,836 

2,279 
(17,958) 
5,602 
- 
(3,186) 
1,075 
(6,348) 
(4,962) 
104,800 

(35,215) 
- 
325 
(34,890) 

(32,815) 
8,825 
(14,018) 

(14,001) 
(52,009) 

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

(24,995) 
63,487 
$  38,492   

(23,639) 
87,126 
$  63,487  

17,901 
69,225 
$  87,126 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 

52 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share) 

1.  

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 

Organization 

Sturm,  Ruger  &  Company,  Inc.  (the  “Company”)  is  principally  engaged  in  the  design, 
manufacture, and sale of firearms to domestic customers.  Approximately 99% of sales were from 
firearms.  Export sales represented approximately 4% of firearms sales.  The Company’s design 
and manufacturing operations are located in the United States and almost all product content is 
domestic. The Company’s firearms are sold  through a select  number of independent  wholesale 
distributors principally to the commercial sporting market. 

The  Company  manufactures  investment  castings  made  from  steel  alloys  and  metal  injection 
molding  (“MIM”)  parts  for  internal  use  in  its  firearms  and  utilizes  available  capacity  to 
manufacture and sell investment  castings  and MIM parts  to  unaffiliated, third-party customers.  
Castings were approximately 1% of the Company’s total sales for the year ended December 31, 
2018.   

Preparation of Financial Statements 

The  Company  follows  United  States  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  (“GAAP”).  The 
preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  GAAP  requires  management  to  make 
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure 
of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues 
and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. 

The significant accounting policies described below, together with the notes that follow, are an 
integral part of the Financial Statements. 

Principles of Consolidation 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned 
subsidiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.  

Revenue Recognition 

The  Company  recognizes  revenue  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  Accounting  Standards 
Codification Topic 606, Revenue from  Contracts  with  Customers (“ASC 606”), which became 
effective January 1, 2018. Substantially all product sales are sold FOB (free on board) shipping 
point.  Customary  payment  terms  are  2%  30  days,  net  40  days.  Generally,  all  performance 
obligations are satisfied when product is shipped and the customer takes ownership and assumes 
the  risk  of  loss.    In  some  instances,  sales  include  multiple  performance  obligations.  The  most 
common  of  these  instances  relates  to  sales  promotion  programs  under  which  downstream 
customers are  entitled to  receive no charge products  based on their purchases of certain  of the 

53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company’s products from the independent distributors. The fulfillment of these no charge products 
is  the  Company’s  responsibility.  In  such  instances,  the  Company  allocates  the  revenue  of  the 
promotional sales based on the estimated level of participation in the sales promotional program 
and the timing of the shipment of all of the firearms included in the promotional program, including 
the no charge firearms. Revenue is recognized proportionally as each performance obligation is 
satisfied, based on the relative customary price of each product. Customary prices are generally 
determined based on the prices charged to the independent distributors. The net change in contract 
liabilities for a given period is reported as an increase or decrease to sales. The Company accounts 
for cash sales discounts as a reduction in sales.  Amounts billed to customers for shipping and 
handling fees are included in net sales and costs incurred by the Company for the delivery of goods 
are classified as selling expenses. Federal excise taxes are excluded from net sales.   

Cash and Cash Equivalents 

The  Company  considers  interest-bearing  deposits  with  financial  institutions  with  remaining 
maturities of three months or less at the time of acquisition to be cash equivalents. 

Fair Value Measurements of Short-term Investments 

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability 
in an orderly transaction between market participants in the principal or most advantageous market 
at  the  measurement  date.  Fair  value  is  established  according  to  a  hierarchy  that  prioritizes 
observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels, which are 
described below: 

Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement 
date for assets or liabilities. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 
inputs. 

Level  2:  Observable  prices  that  are  based  on  inputs  not  quoted  on  active  markets,  but 
corroborated by market data. 

Level 3: Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available. Level 3 
inputs are given the lowest priority in the fair value hierarchy. 

The asset or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the 
lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  Valuation techniques 
used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.  

As  of  December  31,  2018,  all  of  the  Company’s  short-term  investments  are  U.S.  Treasury 
instruments (Level 1), maturing within one year. Such securities are classified as held to maturity, 
since the Company has the intent and ability to do so, and are carried at cost plus accrued interest, 
which approximates fair value. 

54 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts Receivable 

The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based on the creditworthiness of its 
customers and historical experience.  While the Company uses the best information available to 
make its evaluation, future adjustments to the allowance for doubtful accounts may be necessary 
if there are significant changes in economic and industry conditions or any other factors considered 
in the Company’s evaluation.  Bad debt expense has been immaterial during each of the last three 
years. 

Inventories 

Substantially  all  of  the  Company’s  inventories  are  valued  at  the  lower  of  cost,  principally 
determined by the last-in, first-out  (LIFO) method, or market.   Elements of cost  in  inventories 
include raw materials, direct labor and manufacturing overhead.   

Property, Plant, and Equipment 

Property, plant, and  equipment are  carried  at  cost.   Depreciation  is  computed over useful lives 
using the straight-line and declining balance methods predominately over 15 years for buildings, 
7 years for machinery and equipment and 3 years for tools and dies. When assets are retired, sold 
or  otherwise  disposed  of,  their  gross  carrying  values  and  related  accumulated  depreciation  are 
removed from the accounts and a gain or loss on such disposals is recognized when appropriate. 

Maintenance  and  repairs  are  charged  to  operations;  replacements  and  improvements  are 
capitalized. 

Long-lived Assets 

The Company evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used when events 
or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. In performing this 
review, the carrying value of the assets is compared to the projected undiscounted cash flows to 
be generated from the assets.  If the sum of the undiscounted expected future cash flows is less 
than the carrying value of the assets, the assets are considered to be impaired.  Impairment losses 
are measured as the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceeds their fair value. The 
Company bases fair value of the assets on quoted market prices if available or, if not available, 
quoted market prices of similar assets. Where quoted market prices are not available, the Company 
estimates fair value using the estimated future cash flows generated by the assets discounted at a 
rate commensurate with the risks associated with the recovery of the assets. 

Income Taxes 

Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method.  Under this method, deferred 
income  taxes  are  recognized  for  the  tax  consequences  of  “temporary  differences”  by  applying 
enacted statutory rates applicable to future years to temporary differences between the financial 
statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities. 

55 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Product Liability 

The Company provides for product liability claims including estimated legal costs to be incurred 
defending such claims.  The provision for product liability claims is charged to cost of products 
sold. 

Advertising Costs 

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred.  Advertising expenses for 2018, 2017, and 
2016, were $2.9 million, $3.1 million, and $2.9 million, respectively. 

Shipping Costs 

Costs incurred related to  the shipment  of products are included in  selling expense.  Such costs 
totaled $4.8 million, $4.8 million, and $5.7 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. 

Research and Development 

In 2018, 2017, and 2016, the Company spent approximately $8.5 million, $9.8 million, and $8.7 
million,  respectively,  on  research  and  development  activities  relating  to  new  products  and  the 
improvement of existing products.  These costs are expensed as incurred. 

Earnings per Share 

Basic earnings per share is based upon the weighted-average number of shares of common stock 
outstanding during the year.  Diluted earnings per share reflect the impact of options, restricted 
stock units, and deferred stock outstanding using the treasury stock method. 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards 
Update  (“ASU”)  2014-09,  Revenue  from  Contracts  with  Customers  Topic  606,  (“ASC  606”), 
which  supersedes  nearly  all  existing  revenue  recognition  guidance.  As  more  fully  discussed  in 
Note 2, the Company adopted ASC 606 using the modified retrospective method on January 1, 
2018.   

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718). 
The most significant change in the new compensation guidance is that all excess tax benefits and 
tax deficiencies (including tax benefits of dividends) on share-based compensation awards should 
be  recognized  in  the  Statement  of  Income  as  income  tax  expense.  Previously  such  benefits  or 
deficiencies were recognized in the Balance Sheet as adjustments to additional paid-in capital. The 
new guidance was effective in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods 
thereafter. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017. The impact of adopting 
this change in accounting principle reduced the Company’s effective tax rate by 2% for the period 
ending December 31, 2017 and did not impact the effective tax rate for the period ended December 
31, 2018. The adoption of this pronouncement did not have a material impact on the Company’s 
results of operations or financial position in either year.  

56 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases Topic 842 (“ASC 842”), which amends 
the existing accounting standards for leases. ASC 842 requires lessees to record a right-of-use asset 
and a corresponding lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases (with the exception of short-
term  leases)  and  disclose  key  information  about  leasing  arrangements,  whereas  under  current 
standards, the Company’s operating leases are not recognized on its consolidated balance sheet. 
Leases  will  be  classified  as  finance  or  operating,  with  classification  affecting  the  pattern  and 
classification  of  expense  recognition  in  the  income  statement.    Topic  842  was  subsequently 
amended by ASU No. 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842; 
ASU  No.  2018-10,  Codification  Improvements  to  Topic  842,  Leases;  and  ASU  No.  2018-11, 
Targeted  Improvements.    ASC  842  is  effective  for  years  beginning  after  December  15,  2018, 
including interim periods within those fiscal years, and is to be applied using either a modified 
retrospective approach, or an optional transition method which allows an entity to apply the new 
standard  at  the  adoption  date  with  a  cumulative-effect  adjustment  to  the  opening  balance  of 
retained earnings in the period of adoption. The Company expects to adopt ASC 842 in the first 
quarter of 2019 using this optional transition method. The new standard also provides practical 
expedients for an entity’s ongoing accounting.  The Company currently expects to elect the short-
term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify.  The Company also expects to elect 
the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all of its leases.  The 
Company is  finalizing its implementation  related to  policies, processes  and internal  controls  to 
comply with the guidance.  The Company estimates that the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities 
for the lease portfolio to be recorded on its consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2019 will 
be less than $5 million, primarily related to real estate.  The adoption of this pronouncement is not 
expected  to  impact  the  Company’s  consolidated  statements  of  operations  or  its  consolidated 
statement of cash flows. 

2. 

Revenue Recognition and Contracts with Customers   

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC 606 using the modified retrospective method, 
applied to  those contracts  for which all performance obligations were not  completed as of that 
date.  Under  the  modified  retrospective  method,  results  for  reporting  periods  beginning  after 
January 1, 2018 will be presented using the guidance of ASC 606, while prior period amounts are 
not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the previous  guidance provided in 
ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition.  

The effects of adjustments to the December 31, 2017 consolidated balance sheet for the adoption 
of ASC 606 were as follows: 

Balance at 
December 31, 2017 

ASC 606 
Adjustments 

Opening Balance 
January 1, 2018 

Trade  accounts  payable  and 

accrued expenses 

Deferred  revenue  from  contracts 

with customers 

Deferred taxes 
Retained earnings 

32,422 

(4,000) 

- 
1,402 
321,323 

6,950 
(723) 
(2,227) 

28,422 

6,950 
679 
319,096 

57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At  December  31,  2017,  the  Company  had  accrued  $4.0  million  related  to  certain  of  its  sales 
promotion activities that included the shipment of no charge firearms. Using the new accounting 
guidance, a deferred contract liability of $6.9 million was required at December 31, 2017 and an 
entry for $6.9 million to increase the deferred contract liability, a decrease to accounts payable and 
accrued  expenses  by  $4.0  million,  an  increase  to  deferred  tax  assets  by  $0.7  million,  and  a 
reduction to beginning retained earnings by $2.2 million was recorded on January 1, 2018 (the 
“transition entry”).    

The impact of the adoption of ASC 606 on revenue recognized during the year ended December 
31, 2018 is as follows: 

Contract liabilities with customers at January 1, 2018 

Revenue recognized  

Revenue deferred 

Contract liabilities with customers at December 31, 2018 

$   6,950 

(20,653) 

21,180 

$   7,477 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company deferred $21.2 million of revenue, offset 
by the recognition of $20.7 million of revenue previously deferred as the performance obligations 
relating to the shipment of free products were satisfied. This resulted in a net decrease in firearms 
sales for the year ended December 31, 2018 of $0.5 million and a deferred contract revenue liability 
at December 31, 2018 of $7.4 million. The Company estimates that revenue from this deferred 
contract liability will be recognized in the first two quarters of 2019. As a result, approximately 
$12.1 million of promotional expenses that had been classified as selling expenses in prior years 
were recorded as cost of products sold in 2018. As a result of the adoption of ASC 606, for the 
year ended December 31, 2018, the gross margin percentage was reduced by 3% and earnings per 
share decreased by approximately 1¢ from the comparable prior year period.   

Practical Expedients and Exemptions 

The Company has elected to account for shipping and handling activities that occur after control 
of the related product transfers to the customer as fulfillment activities that are recognized upon 
shipment of the goods. 

3. 

Trade Receivables, Net 

Trade receivables consist of the following: 

December 31, 

Trade receivables 
Allowance for doubtful accounts 
Allowance for discounts 

58 

       2018 

       2017 

$46,360 
(400) 
(929) 
$45,031 

$61,707 
(400) 
(1,225) 
$60,082 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In 2018, the largest individual trade receivable balances accounted for 21%, 21%, and 14% of total 
trade receivables, respectively.   

In 2017, the largest individual trade receivable balances accounted for 22%, 20%, and 12% of total 
trade receivables, respectively. 

4. 

Inventories 

Inventories consist of the following: 

December 31, 

Finished goods 
Materials and products in process 

Adjustment of inventories to a LIFO basis 

2018 

2017 

$ 17,313 
60,448 
77,761 
(46,341) 
$ 31,420 

$ 22,558 
62,336 
84,894 
(45,180) 
$ 39,714 

In 2018 and 2017, inventory quantities were reduced.  These reductions resulted in liquidations of 
LIFO inventory quantities carried at lower costs prevailing in prior years as compared with the 
current cost of purchases, the effect of which decreased 2018 and 2017 costs of products sold by 
approximately $0.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively. 

5. 

Property, Plant and Equipment 

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following: 

December 31, 

Land and improvements 
Buildings and improvements 
Machinery and equipment 
Dies and tools 

2018 

2017 

$    2,020           $   1,986            

52,518 
262,821 
41,397 
$358,756 

51,361 
265,772 
45,894 
$365,013 

59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6. 

Other Assets 

Other assets consist of the following: 

December 31, 

Patents, at cost 

Accumulated amortization 

Deposits on capital items 
Other 

2018 

2017 

$  6,955   
(4,491) 
12,106 
3,093 
$17,663 

$  6,814   
(4,202) 
7,958 
3,169 
$13,739 

The capitalized cost of patents is amortized using the straight-line method over their useful lives. 
The cost of patent amortization was $0.3 million, $0.3 million, and $0.3 million in 2018, 2017, 
and 2016, respectively. The estimated annual patent amortization cost for each of the next five 
years is $0.3 million. Costs incurred to maintain existing patents are charged to expense in the year 
incurred. 

7. 

Trade Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses 

Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following: 

December 31, 

Trade accounts payable 
Federal excise taxes payable 
Accrued other  

8. 

Line of Credit 

2018 

2017 

$  11,675 
11,690 
9,656 
$33,021 

$  8,758 
10,509 
13,155 
$32,422 

The  Company  has  a  $40  million  unsecured  revolving  line  of  credit  with  a  bank.  This  facility  is 
renewable annually and terminates on August 31, 2019.  Borrowings under this facility bear interest 
at the one-month LIBOR rate (2.503% at December 31, 2018) plus 150 basis points.  The Company 
is charged one-quarter of a percent (0.25%) per year on the unused portion.  At December 31, 2018, 
the Company was in compliance with the terms and covenants of the credit facility, which remains 
unused.  At December 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with the terms and covenants of a 
previous credit facility. 

9. 

Employee Benefit Plans 

The Company sponsors a qualified defined-contribution 401(k) plan that covers substantially all of its 
employees.  Under the terms of the 401(k) plan, the Company matches a certain portion of employee 
contributions to their individual 401(k) accounts using the “safe harbor” guidelines provided in the 
Internal Revenue Code. Expenses related to matching employee contributions to the 401(k) plan were 
$3.1 million, $3.5 million, and $3.7 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. 

60 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additionally,  in  2018,  2017,  and  2016  the  Company  provided  discretionary  supplemental 
contributions  to  the  individual  401(k)  accounts  of  substantially  all  employees.    Each  employee 
received a supplemental  contribution  to  their account  based on a uniform  percentage of qualifying 
compensation established annually.  The cost of these supplemental contributions totaled $5.3 million, 
$5.6 million, and $6.0 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

10.  Other Operating Income, Net 

Other operating income, net consists of the following: 

Year ended December 31, 

Gain (loss) on sale of operating assets 

11. 

Income Taxes   

2018 

$10 

2017 

$(31) 

2016 

$5  

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. 
With  few  exceptions,  the  Company  is  no  longer  subject  to  U.S.  federal  and  state  income  tax 
examinations by tax authorities for years before 2015.   

The federal and state income tax provision consisted of the following: 

Year ended December 31, 

Federal 
State 

2018 
Current  Deferred 
$(3,265) 
$17,574 
3,859 
(387) 
$(3,652) 
$21,433 

2017 

Current 
$20,232 
3,987 
$24,219 

Deferred 
$1,865 
(580) 
$1,285 

2016 
Current  Deferred 
$10,181 
$31,393 
1,197 
5,678 
$11,378 
$37,071 

Changes in deferred tax assets relating to the adoption of ASC 606 are not charged to expense and 
are  therefore  not  included  in  the  deferred  tax  provision;  instead  they  are  charged  to  retained 
earnings. 

The effective income tax rate varied from the statutory federal income tax rate as follows: 

Year ended December 31, 
Statutory federal income tax rate 
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit 
Domestic production activities deduction 
Impact of Accounting Standard Update 2016-09 
Impact of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on deferred taxes 
Other items 
Effective income tax rate 

2018 
     21.0 % 

2017 
      35.0% 

           4.0 
- 
- 
- 
          0.9 

25.9% 

2.9 
(2.6) 
(0.9) 
(0.7) 
(0.9) 
32.8% 

2016 
       35.0% 
          3.3 
         (2.3) 
- 
- 
        (0.4) 
        35.6% 

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 lowered the statutory corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% for 
years beginning after December 31, 2017. The Company estimates that its effective tax rate in 
2019 will approximate 25.1%. 

61 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As discussed in  the Recent  Accounting Pronouncements section of Note 1 to  the  Consolidated 
Financial Statements, the Company adopted ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017. The impact 
of adopting this change in accounting principle reduced the Company’s effective tax rate by 0.9% 
for the period ending December 31, 2017 and did not impact the effective tax rate for the period 
ended December 31, 2018. The adoption of this pronouncement did not have a material impact on 
the Company’s results of operations or financial position in either year.  

Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows: 

December 31, 
Deferred tax assets 

Product Liability 
Employee compensation and benefits 
Allowances for doubtful accounts and discounts 
Inventories 
Stock-based compensation 
Other 

Total deferred tax assets 
Deferred tax liabilities: 
Depreciation 
Other 

Total deferred tax liabilities 
Net deferred tax (liabilities) assets 

2018 

2017 

$   294              $     201        
2,356 
2,750 
729 
2,292 
1,113 
9,534 

2,336 
1,769 
758 
1,406 
1,326 
7,796 

6,256 
309 
6,565 

8,956 
242 
9,198 

$2,969           

$(1,402)           

The  Company  made  income  tax  payments  of  approximately  $18.1  million,  $23.4  million,  and 
$43.0 million,  during 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.  The Company  expects  to  realize  its 
deferred tax assets through tax deductions against future taxable income.   

The Company does not believe it has included any “uncertain tax positions” in its federal income 
tax return or any of the state income tax returns it is currently filing. The Company has made an 
evaluation of the potential impact of additional state taxes being assessed by jurisdictions in which 
the Company does not currently consider itself liable.  The Company does not anticipate that such 
additional taxes, if any, would result in a material change to its financial position.   

62 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12. 

Earnings Per Share 

Set forth below is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator for basic and diluted earnings 
per share calculations for the periods indicated: 

Year ended December 31, 

2018 

2017 

2016 

Numerator: 

Net income 

Denominator: 

$50,933 

$52,142 

$87,472  

Weighted average number of common shares 

outstanding – Basic 

17,450,658 

17,725,494 

18,931,415 

Dilutive effect of options and restricted stock 
units outstanding under the Company’s 
employee compensation plans 

Weighted average number of common shares 

203,973 

213,596 

118,100 

outstanding – Diluted 

 17,654,631 

17,939,090 

19,049,515 

The dilutive effect of outstanding options and restricted stock units is calculated using the treasury 
stock method. There are no anti-dilutive stock options in 2018, 2017, and 2016 because the closing 
price of the Company’s stock on December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 exceeded the strike price of 
all outstanding options on each of those dates.  

63 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13. 

Stock Repurchases 

In 2017 and 2016 the Company repurchased shares of its common stock. Details of these purchases 
are as follows: 

Total 
Number of 
Shares 
Purchased 
as Part of 
Publicly 
Announced 
Program 

Maximum 
Dollar 
Value of 
Shares that 
May Yet Be 
Purchased 
Under the 
Program 

Total 
Number of 
Shares 
Purchased 

Average 
Price Paid 
per Share 

283,343 

$49.43 

283,343 

900,997 
173,288 

4,490 
240,933 
1,603,051 

$49.70 
$49.92 

$47.92 
$46.30 
$49.16 

900,997 
173,288 

4,490 
240,933 

1,603,051  $88,710,000 

Period 

Fourth Quarter 2016 
First Quarter 2017 

January 29 to February 25 
February 26 to April 1 

Third Quarter 2017  

July 30 to August 26 
August 27 to September 30 

Total 

All of these purchases were made with cash held by the Company and no debt was incurred.  No 
shares were repurchased in 2018.   

At December 31, 2018, approximately $89 million remained authorized for share repurchases.   

14. 

Compensation Plans 

In May 2017, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2017 Stock  Incentive Plan (the “2017 
SIP”)  under  which  employees,  independent  contractors,  and  non-employee  directors  may  be 
granted stock options, restricted stock, deferred stock awards, and stock appreciation rights, any 
of which may or may not require the satisfaction of performance objectives.  Vesting requirements 
are determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.  The Company has 
reserved 750,000 shares for issuance under the 2017 SIP, of which 543,000 shares remain available 
for future grants as of December 31, 2018. 

In April 2007, the Company adopted and the shareholders approved the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan 
(the “2007 SIP”), which had similar provisions as the 2017 SIP. The 2007 SIP plan expired April 
24, 2017. The Company had reserved 2,550,000 shares for issuance under the 2007 SIP, of which 
2,182,000 shares were issued.  No further grants will be made from the 2007 SIP. 

Compensation expense related to stock options is recognized based on the grant-date fair value of 
the  awards  estimated  using  the  Black-Scholes  option  pricing  model.    Compensation  expense 
related to deferred stock, restricted stock,  and  restricted stock units is  recognized  based on the 

64 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
grant-date fair value of the Company’s common stock, using either the actual share price or an 
estimated value using the Monte Carlo valuation model.  The total stock-based compensation cost 
included in the Statements of Income was $5.8 million, $3.7 million, and $3.1 million in 2018, 
2017, and 2016, respectively.   

Stock Options 

There were no stock options granted in 2018, 2017 or 2016.  

The following table summarizes the stock option activity of the 2007 SIP: 

Outstanding at December 31, 2015 
         Granted 
         Exercised 
         Canceled 
Outstanding at December 31, 2016 
         Granted 
         Exercised 
         Canceled 
Outstanding at December 31, 2017 
         Granted 
         Exercised 
         Canceled 
Outstanding at December 31, 2018 
Exercisable Options Outstanding at 
December 31, 2018 
Non-Vested Options Outstanding at 
December 31, 2018 

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise 
Price 

Shares 

11,838 
- 
- 
- 
11,838 
- 
- 
- 
11,838 
- 
(4,616) 
(1,750) 
5,472 

5,472 

- 

8.95 
- 
- 
- 
8.95 
- 
- 
- 
8.95 
- 
8.28 
8.69 
9.60 

9.60 

- 

Weighted 
Average 
Grant Date 
Fair Value 
6.69 
- 
- 
- 
6.69 
- 
- 
- 
6.69 
- 
6.90 
4.57 
7.20 

7.20 

- 

Weighted 
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual 
Life (Years) 
3.3 
- 

- 
2.3 
- 
- 
- 
1.3 
- 
- 
0.3 
0.9 

0.9 

- 

At December 31, 2018, the aggregate intrinsic value of all options, including exercisable options, 
was $0.2 million. 

Deferred Stock 

Deferred  stock  awards  vest  based  on  the  passage  of  time  or  the  Company’s  attainment  of 
performance objectives. Upon vesting, these awards convert one-for-one to common stock. 

In 2018, 5,767 deferred stock awards were issued to non-employee directors that will vest in May 
2019 and 6,751 deferred stock awards were issued to non-employee directors that will vest in May 
2021. 

65 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In 2017, 5,432 deferred stock awards were issued to non-employee directors that will vest in May 
2018 and 6,360 deferred stock awards were issued to non-employee directors that will vest in May 
2020. 

In 2016, 3,881 deferred stock awards were issued to non-employee directors that vested in May 
2017 and 5,292 deferred stock awards were issued to non-employee directors that will vest in May 
2019. 

Compensation  expense  related  to  these  awards  is  amortized  ratably  over  the  vesting  period.  
Compensation expense related to these awards was $0.7 million, $0.7 million and $0.6 million in 
2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. 

At  December  31,  2018,  there  was  $0.7  million  of  unrecognized  compensation  cost  related  to 
deferred stock that is expected to be recognized over a period of three years. 

Restricted Stock Units 

The Company grants restricted stock units to senior employees.  Some of these RSU’s are retention 
awards  and have only time-based vesting.  Other  RSU’s have a vesting  “double trigger.”  The 
vesting of these RSU’s is dependent on the achievement of corporate objectives established by the 
Compensation  Committee  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  including  stock  performance  relative  to 
industry indices, return on net operating assets, and the passage of time.  

During  2018,  172,000  restricted  stock  units  were  issued.    Compensation  costs  related  to  these 
restricted stock units was $8.1 million, of which $2.2 million was recognized in 2018. The costs 
are being recognized ratably over the remaining periods required before the units vest, which range 
from 24 to 26 months. 

During  2017,  114,000  restricted  stock  units  were  issued.    Compensation  costs  related  to  these 
restricted stock units was $4.3 million, of which $1.2 million was recognized in 2017. The costs 
are  being  recognized  ratably  over  the  remaining  periods  required  before  the  units  vest,  which 
ranged from 24 to 26 months. 

During  2016,  62,000  restricted  stock  units  were  issued.    Compensation  costs  related  to  these 
restricted stock units was $3.4 million, of which $0.8 million was recognized in 2016. The costs 
are  being  recognized  ratably  over  the  remaining  periods  required  before  the  units  vest,  which 
ranged from 24 to 28 months. 

At  December  31,  2018,  there  was  $8.5  million  of  unrecognized  compensation  cost  related  to 
restricted stock units that is expected to be recognized over a period of 2.3 years. 

66 

 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15.  Operating Segment Information 

The  Company  has  two  reportable  operating  segments:    firearms  and  castings.    The  firearms 
segment manufactures and sells rifles, pistols, and revolvers principally to a number of federally-
licensed, independent wholesale distributors primarily located in the United States.  The castings 
segment manufactures and sells steel investment castings and metal injection molding parts. 

Corporate segment income relates to interest income, the sale of non-operating assets, and other 
non-operating activities.  Corporate segment assets consist of cash and other non-operating assets. 

The  Company  evaluates  performance  and  allocates  resources,  in  part,  based  on  profit  and  loss 
before taxes.  The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described 
in the summary of significant accounting policies (see Note 1).  Intersegment sales are recorded at 
the Company’s cost plus a fixed profit percentage. 

Year ended December 31,  
Net Sales 
    Firearms 
    Castings 
        Unaffiliated 
        Intersegment 

    Eliminations 

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes 
    Firearms 
    Castings 
    Corporate 

Identifiable Assets 
    Firearms 
    Castings 
    Corporate 

Depreciation 
    Firearms 
    Castings 

Capital Expenditures 
    Firearms 
    Castings 

2018 

2017 

2016 

$490,607 

$517,701 

$658,433 

5,028 
22,946 
27,974 
(22,946) 
$495,635 

$70,311 
(2,240) 
643 
$68,714 

$166,975 
10,850 
157,707 
$335,532 

$29,542 
2,083 
$31,625 

$  9,689 
852 
$10,541 

4,555 
24,436 
28,991 
(24,436) 
$522,256 

$77,368 
(53) 
331 
$77,646 

$206,091 
12,524 
65,703 
$284,318 

$31,701 
2,118 
$33,819 

$32,710 
886 
$33,596 

5,895 
36,779 
42,674 
(36,779) 
$664,328 

$136,390 
(1,237) 
768 
$135,921 

$242,758 
16,096 
88,025 
$346,879 

$32,010 
2,688 
$34,698 

$33,455 
1,760 
$35,215 

In 2018, the Company’s largest customers and the percent of firearms sales they represented were 
as follows: Davidson’s-21%; Lipsey’s-20%; and Sports South-16%.   

In 2017, the Company’s largest customers and the percent of firearms sales they represented were 
as follows: Davidson’s-21%; Lipsey’s-18%; Sports South-13%; and Jerry’s/Ellett Brothers-12%.   

67 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In 2016, the Company’s largest customers and the percent of firearms sales they represented were 
as follows: Davidson’s-19%; Lipsey’s-17%; Jerry’s/Ellett Brothers-15%; and Sports South-14%.   

The Company’s assets are located entirely in the United States and domestic sales represented at 
least 96% of total sales in 2017, 2016, and 2015. 

16.  Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) 

The following is  a tabulation of the unaudited quarterly  results of operations  for the two  years 
ended December 31, 2018: 

Net Sales 
Gross profit 
Net income  
Basic earnings per share 
Diluted earnings per share 

Net Sales 
Gross profit 
Net income 
Basic earnings per share 
Diluted earnings per share 

17. 

Related Party Transactions  

Three Months Ended 

3/31/18 
$131,159 
35,820 
14,264 
0.82 
$0.81 

6/30/18 
$128,411 
36,599 
15,189 
0.87 
$0.86 

9/29/18 
$114,945 
28,092 
9,206  
0.53 
$0.52 

12/31/18 
$121,121 
33,848 
12,274 
0.70 
$0.69 

Three Months Ended 

4/1/17 
$167,355 
55,753 
22,224 
1.22 
$1.21 

7/1/17 
$131,854 
34,946 
10,199 
0.58 
$0.57 

9/30/17 
$104,817 
30,214 
9,370  
0.53 
$0.52 

12/31/17 
$118,230 
33,094 
10,350 
0.59 
$0.59 

From time to time, the Company contracts with the National Rifle Association (“NRA”) for some 
of  its  promotional  and  advertising  activities.    The  Company  paid  the  NRA  $0.7  million,  $0.8 
million and $8.4 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  The payments in 2016 primarily 
related  to  the  2016  “Ruger  $5  Million  Match  Campaign”  and  the  2015-16  “2.5  Million  Gun 
Challenge”.  One of the Company’s Directors also serves as a Director on the Board of the NRA. 

The Company has contracted with Symbolic, Inc. (“Symbolic”) to assist in its marketing efforts. 
Payments to Symbolic were insignificant in 2018.  During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 
2016, the Company paid Symbolic  $1.4 million  and $1.9 million,  respectively, which  amounts 
included $0.9 million and $0.9 million, respectively, for the reimbursement of expenses paid by 
Symbolic on the Company’s behalf. Symbolic’s principal and founder has been the Company’s 
Vice President of Marketing since June 2017 and remains a partner of Symbolic.   

68 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18. 

Contingent Liabilities  

As  of  December 31,  2018,  the  Company  was  a  defendant  in  five  (5)  lawsuits  and  is  aware 
of certain  other  such  claims.  The  lawsuits  fall  into  three categories:  traditional product liability 
litigation, non-product litigation, and municipal  litigation, discussed in turn below. 

Traditional Product Liability Litigation 

Three of the fi ve lawsuits mentioned  above involve claims for damages related to an allegedly 
defective  product  due  to  its  design  and/or  manufacture.  These  lawsuits  stem  from  specific 
incidents  of  personal  injury  and  a r e   based  on  traditional  product  liability  theories  such  as 
strict liability, negligence  and/or breach of warranty. 

The  Company  management  believes  that  the  allegations  in these cases are unfounded,  that the 
incidents are unrelated to the design or manufacture of the subject firearms, and that there should 
be no recoveries  against the Company. 

Non-Product Litigation 

David S. Palmer, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated vs. Sturm, Ruger & Co. is 
a putative class-action suit filed in Florida state court on behalf of Florida consumers.  The suit 
alleges breach of warranty and deceptive trade practices related to the sale of 10/22 Target Rifles.  
The Company filed an Answer denying all material allegations and a Motion to Strike the putative 
class representative’s claims.  That Motion remains pending. 

Municipal Litigation 

Municipal  litigation  generally  includes  those  cases  brought  by  cities  or  other  governmental 
entities  against  firearms  manufacturers, distributors  and  retailers  seeking  to recover  damages 
allegedly arising out of the misuse of firearms by third parties. 

There is only one remaining lawsuit of this type, filed by the City of Gary in Indiana State Court 
in 1999.  The  complaint  in  that  case  seeks  damages,  among  other  things,  for the  costs  of 
medical  care, police  and  emergency  services, public  health  services, and other  services as well 
as punitive damages. In addition, nuisance abatement and/or injunctive relief is sought to change 
the  design, manufacture, marketing  and  distribution  practices  of the various  defendants.    The 
suit  alleges,  among  other  claims,  negligence  in  the  design  of  products,  public  nuisance, 
negligent distribution  and marketing,  negligence  “per se” and deceptive advertising.    The case 
does not allege  a  specific  injury  to  a  specific  individual  as  a  result  of  the  misuse  or  use  of 
any  of  the Company's  products. 

After a long procedural history, the case was scheduled for trial on June  15, 2009.  The case 
was not tried on that date and was largely dormant until a status conference was held on July 
27, 2015.  At that time, the court entered a scheduling order setting deadlines for plaintiff to 

69 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
file  a  Second  Amended  Complaint,  for  defendants  to  answer,  and  for  defendants  to  file 
dispositive motions.  The plaintiff did not file a Second Amended Complaint by the deadline. 

In  2015, Indiana passed  a new law such that Indiana Code §34-12-3-1 became  applicable to  the 
City's  case.    The  defendants  filed  a  joint  motion  for  judgment  on  the  pleadings, asserting 
immunity under §34-12-3-1 and asking the court to revisit the Court of Appeals' decision  holding 
the  Protection of  Lawful Commerce in  Arms  Act  inapplicable  to  the  City's claims. The motion 
was fully briefed by the parties. 

On  September  29,  2016,  the  court  entered  an order  staying the  case pending  a decision by  the 
Indiana  Supreme  Court  in  KS&E  Sports  v.  Runnels,  which  presented  related  issues.    The 
Indiana  Supreme Court  decided KS&E  Sports  on April  24, 2017, and the  C i t y   o f   Gary court 
lifted  the stay.    The City of Gary  court also  entered an  order  setting  a  supplemental briefing 
schedule  under  which  the  parties  addressed  the  impact  of  the  KS&E  Sports  decision  on 
defendants' motion for  judgment on  the pleadings.   

A hearing on the motion for judgment on the pleadings was held on December 12, 2017.   On 
January  2,  2018,  the  court  issued  an  order  granting  defendants’  motion  for  judgment  on  the 
pleadings, but denying defendants’ request for attorney’s fees and costs.  On January 8, 2018, the 
court entered judgment for the defendants.  The City filed a Notice of Appeal on February 1, 2018.  
Defendants  cross-appealed  the  order  denying  attorney’s  fees  and  costs.    The  matter  has  been 
briefed fully and the parties are awaiting a ruling. 

Summary of Claimed Damages and Explanation of Product Liability Accruals 

Punitive damages,  as  well as  compensatory damages,  are  demanded in  certain  of  the lawsuits 
and claims.  In many instances, the plaintiff  does not  seek a specified amount of money, though 
aggregate  amounts  ultimately  sought  may  exceed  product  liability  accruals  and  applicable 
insurance coverage.  For product  liability claims made after July  10, 2000, coverage is provided 
on an annual basis for losses exceeding  $5 million per claim, or an aggregate  maximum loss  of 
$10  million  annually, except  for  certain  new  claims  which  might  be  brought  by governments 
or municipalities  after July  10, 2000, which are excluded from coverage. 

The Company management monitors the status of known claims and the product liability accrual, 
which includes amounts for asserted  and unasserted claims.  While it is not possible  to forecast 
the  outcome  of  litigation  or  the  timing  of  costs,  in  the  opinion  of  management,  after 
consultation with special and corporate counsel, it is not probable and is unlikely that litigation, 
including  punitive  damage  claims, will  have  a material  adverse effect on the financial position 
of  the  Company,  but  may  have  a  material  impact  on  the  Company’s  financial  results  for  a 
particular period. 

Product  liability  claim  payments  are  made  when  appropriate  if,  as,  and  when  claimants and 
the  Company  reach  agreement  upon  an  amount  to  finally  resolve  all  claims.   Legal  costs  are 
paid as the lawsuits and claims develop, the timing of which may vary greatly from case to case.  

70 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A time schedule cannot be determined in advance with any reliability concerning when payments 
will be made in any given case. 

Provision  is  made  for  product liability claims  based upon  many  factors  related  to  the severity 
of the alleged injury and potential liability exposure, based upon prior claim experience.  Because 
the  Company's  experience  in defending  these lawsuits  and claims is that unfavorable outcomes 
are  typically  not  probable  or  estimable,  only  in  rare  cases  is  an  accrual  established  for such 
costs. 

In  most  cases,  an  accrual  is  established  only  for  estimated  legal  defense  costs.    Product 
liability accruals are periodically reviewed to reflect then-current estimates of possible liabilities 
and  expenses  incurred  to  date  and  reasonably  anticipated  in  the  future.    Threatened  product 
liability claims  are  reflected in  the  Company's  product liability  accrual  on  the  same  basis as 
actual  claims; i.e., an  accrual  is  made  for  reasonably anticipated  possible  liability  and  claims 
handling expenses on an ongoing basis. 

A  range  of  reasonably  possible  losses  relating  to  unfavorable  outcomes  cannot  be  made. 
However, in product liability cases in which a dollar amount of damages is claimed, the amount 
of  damages claimed,  which  totaled $ 0.1 million  and  $0.1  million  at  December 31,  2018 and 
2017,  respectively, are  set  forth  as  an  indication  of  possible  maximum liability  the  Company 
might be required  to incur in these  cases (regardless  of the likelihood  or reasonable  probability 
of any or all  of this  amount  being  awarded  to  claimants)  as a result  of  adverse judgments  that 
are sustained on appeal. 

As  of  December  31,  2018  and  2017,  the  Company  was  a  defendant  in  4  and  2  lawsuits, 
respectively, involving its products and is aware of other such claims.  During 2018 and 2017, 
respectively, 3 and 0 product-related claims were filed against the Company, 0 and 0 claims were 
settled, and 1 and 0 claims were dismissed. 

The Company’s product liability expense was $1.5 million in 2018, $0.4 million in 2017, and $2.1 
million in 2016. This expense includes the cost of outside legal fees, insurance, and other expenses 
incurred in the management and defense of product liability matters. 

71 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A roll-forward of the product liability reserve and detail of product liability expense for the three 
years ended December 31, 2018 follows: 

Balance Sheet Roll-forward for Product Liability Reserve 

        Cash Payments 

Accrued 
Legal 
Expense 
(Income) 
(b) 

Balance 
Beginning 
of Year (a) 

Legal Fees  
(c) 

Settlements 
(d) 

Balance 
End of 
Year (a) 

2016 

2017 

2018 

$   744 

1,221 

$1,819 

$   819 

(477) 

731 

(133) 

(290) 

(183) 

(13) 

$1,819 

(233) 

(195) 

$   819 

$1,172 

Income Statement Detail for Product Liability Expense 

Accrued 
Legal 
Expense 
(b) 

$ 1,221 

$  (477) 

$    731 

Insurance 
Premium 
Expense 
(e) 

Total 
Product 
Liability 
Expense 

834 

837 

783 

$2,055 

$   360 

$1,514 

2016 

2017 

2018 

Notes 

(a) 

The beginning and ending liability balances represent accrued legal fees only.  Settlements 
and  administrative  costs are  expensed  as  incurred.    Only  in  rare  instances  is  an  accrual 
established for settlements. 

(b) 

The expense accrued in  the liability is for legal fees only.  In  2015 and 2017, the costs 
incurred related to cases that were settled or dismissed were less than the amounts accrued 
for these cases in prior years. 

(c) 

Legal fees represent payments to outside counsel related to product liability matters. 

(d) 

Settlements represent payments made to plaintiffs or allegedly injured parties in exchange 
for a full and complete release of liability. 

(e) 

Insurance expense represents the cost of insurance premiums. 

There were no insurance recoveries during any of the above years. 

72 

 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
19. 

Financial Instruments 

The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading or hedging purposes, nor 
does it hold interest rate, leveraged, or other types of derivative financial instruments.  Fair values 
of accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and income taxes payable reflected in 
the December 31, 2018 and 2017 balance sheets approximate carrying values at those dates. 

20. 

Subsequent Events 

On February 15, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a dividend of 28¢ per share 
to shareholders of record on March 15, 2019. 

The Company’s management has evaluated transactions occurring subsequent to December 31, 
2018 and determined that there were no events or transactions during that period that would have 
a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. 

73 

 
 
 
 
ITEM 9—CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON     

ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE 

None. 

ITEM 9A—CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES  

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures 

The Company conducted an evaluation, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and 
Chief  Financial  Officer,  of  the  effectiveness  of  the  design  and  operation  of  the  Company’s 
disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  as  defined  in  Rules 13a-15(e)  and  15d-15(e)  under  the 
Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934,  as  amended,  as  of  December  31,  2018.    Based  upon  that 
evaluation,  the  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  Chief  Financial  Officer  have  concluded  that  as  of 
December 31, 2018, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures over financial reporting 
were effective.  

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

The  Company’s  management  is  responsible  for  establishing  and  maintaining  adequate  internal 
control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934.  Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting 
may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to 
future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in 
conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.  

The Company conducted an evaluation, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and 
Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of 
December 31, 2018. This evaluation was performed based on the criteria established in “Internal 
Control — Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the 
Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in 2013.  

Management has concluded that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial 
reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in “Internal Control — Integrated 
Framework” issued by the COSO in 2013.  

The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 
2018 has been  audited by  RSM  US  LLP,  an independent  registered public accounting firm,  as 
stated in their report which is included in this Form 10-K. 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our 
most  recently  completed  fiscal  quarter  that  has  materially  affected,  or  is  reasonably  likely  to 
materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. 

74 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New York Stock Exchange Certification  

Pursuant to Section 303A.12(a) of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual, the 
Company submitted an unqualified certification of our Chief Executive Officer to the New York 
Stock Exchange in 2018.  The Company has also filed, as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 
10-K, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certifications required under the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  

ITEM  9B—OTHER INFORMATION 

None. 

PART III 

ITEM  10—DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

Information concerning the Company’s directors, including the Company’s separately designated 
standing audit committee, and on the Company’s code of business conduct and ethics required by 
this Item is incorporated by reference from the Company’s Proxy Statement relating to the 2019 
Annual Meeting of Stockholders scheduled to be held May 8, 2019, which will be filed with the 
SEC in March 2019. 

Information concerning the Company’s executive officers required by this Item is set forth in Item 
1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Executive Officers of the Company.”   

Information  concerning  beneficial  ownership  reporting  compliance  required  by  this  Item  is 
incorporated  by  reference  from  the  Company’s  Proxy  Statement  relating  to  the  2019  Annual 
Meeting of Stockholders scheduled to be held May 8, 2019, which will be filed with the SEC in 
March 2019. 

ITEM  11—EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 

Information concerning director and executive compensation required by this Item is incorporated 
by  reference  from  the  Company’s  Proxy  Statement  relating  to  the  2019  Annual  Meeting  of 
Stockholders scheduled to be held May 8, 2019, which will be filed with the SEC in March 2018. 

ITEM  12—SECURITY  OWNERSHIP  OF  CERTAIN  BENEFICIAL  OWNERS  AND 
MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS 

Information concerning the security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management and 
related stockholder matters required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the Company’s 
Proxy Statement relating to the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders scheduled to be held May 
8, 2019, which will be filed with the SEC in March 2019.  

75 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM  13—CERTAIN  RELATIONSHIPS  AND  RELATED  TRANSACTIONS  AND 

DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE 

Information  concerning  certain  relationships  and  related  transactions  required  by  this  Item  is 
incorporated  by  reference  from  the  Company’s  Proxy  Statement  relating  to  the  2019  Annual 
Meeting of Stockholders scheduled to be held May 8, 2019. 

ITEM  14—PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES 

Information  concerning  the  Company’s  principal  accountant  fees  and  services  and  the  pre-
approval policies and procedures of the audit committee of the board of directors required by this 
Item  is  incorporated  by  reference  from  the  Company’s  Proxy  Statement  relating  to  the  2019 
Annual Meeting of Stockholders scheduled to be held May 8, 2019, which will be filed with the 
SEC in March 2019.  

76 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART IV 

ITEM 15—EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE  

(a)  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedule 

(1)  Financial Statements can be found under Item 8 of Part II of this Form 10-K 

(2)  Schedule can be found on Page 83 of this Form 10-K 

(3)  Listing of Exhibits: 

Exhibit 3.1 

Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended 
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 4.1 and 4.2 to the Form 
S-3 Registration Statement previously filed by the Company 
File No. 33-62702). 

Exhibit 3.2 

Bylaws of the Company, as amended through May 8, 2017. 

Exhibit 10.1 

Exhibit 10.2 

Exhibit 10.3 

Exhibit 10.4 

Exhibit 10.5 

Exhibit 10.6 

Severance Agreement, dated as of April 10, 2008, by and 
between the Company and Thomas A. Dineen (Incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on 
Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 11, 2008).  

Severance Agreement, dated as of April 10, 2008, by and 
between the Company and Thomas P. Sullivan (Incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Current Report on 
Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 11, 2008). 

Severance Agreement, dated as of May 2, 2008 by and between 
the Company and Kevin B. Reid, Sr. (Incorporated by reference 
to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K 
filed with the SEC on May 5, 2008). 

Transition Services and Consulting Agreement, dated August 1, 
2016, by and between the Company and Michael O. Fifer 
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 2, 
2016). 

Agreement, dated August 1, 2016, by and between the 
Company and Christopher J. Killoy (Incorporated by reference 
to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K 
filed with the SEC on August 2, 2016). 

Executive Severance Agreement, dated August 1, 2016, by and 
between the Company and Shawn C. Leska (Incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Current Report on 
Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 2, 2016). 

77 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 10.7 

Exhibit 10.8 

Credit Agreement, dated September 27, 2018, by and between 
the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, NA (Incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on 
Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 2, 2018). 

The Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. 2017 Stock Incentive Plan 
(incorporated by reference to Annex A of the Company’s 
Definitive Proxy Statement of Schedule 14A, filed with the 
SEC on March 27, 2017) 

Exhibit 23.1 

Consent of RSM US LLP 

Exhibit 31.1 

Exhibit 31.2 

Exhibit 32.1 

Exhibit 32.2 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-
14(a) of the Exchange Act. 

Certification of Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant 
to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act. 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 
13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as 
Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 
2002. 

Certification of the Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer 
Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act and 18 U.S.C. 
Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 

Exhibit 101.INS* 

XBRL Instance Document 

Exhibit 101.SCH*  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document 

Exhibit 101.CAL*  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document 

Exhibit 101.DEF*  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document 

Exhibit 101.LAB*  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document 

Exhibit 101.PRE* 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document 

*Filed herewith 

78 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SIGNATURES 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the 
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly 
authorized. 

STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC. 
(Registrant) 

S/THOMAS A. DINEEN 
Thomas A. Dineen 
Principal Financial Officer 
Principal Accounting Officer, Senior Vice President, 
Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer 

February 20, 2019 
Date 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed 
below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates 
indicated. 

S/CHRISTOPHER J. KILLOY               2/20/19 
Christopher J. Killoy 
Chief Executive Officer, Director 
(Principal Executive Officer) 

S/JOHN A. COSENTINO, JR.                  2/20/19 
John A. Cosentino, Jr. 
Director 

S/C. MICHAEL JACOBI                        2/20/19 
C. Michael Jacobi 
Director 

S/RONALD C. WHITAKER                    2/20/19 
Ronald C. Whitaker 
Director 

S/AMIR P. ROSENTHAL                      2/20/19 
Amir P. Rosenthal 
Director 

S/PHILLIP C. WIDMAN                          2/20/19 
Phillip C. Widman 
Director 

S/TERRENCE G. O’CONNOR              2/20/19 
Terrence G. O’Connor 
Director 

S/SANDRA S. FROMAN                         2/20/19 
Sandra S. Froman 
Director 

S/MICHAEL O. FIFER                           2/20/19 
Michael O. Fifer 
Director 

S/THOMAS A. DINEEN                          2/20/19 
Thomas A. Dineen 
Principal Financial Officer 
Principal Accounting Officer, Senior Vice  
President, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer 

79 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX 

Exhibit 3.1 

Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended 
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 4.1 and 4.2 to the Form 
S-3 Registration Statement previously filed by the Company 
File No. 33-62702). 

Exhibit 3.2 

Bylaws of the Company, as amended through May 8, 2017. 

Page 
No. 

Exhibit 10.1 

Exhibit 10.2 

Exhibit 10.3 

Exhibit 10.4 

Exhibit 10.5 

Exhibit 10.6 

Exhibit 10.7 

Exhibit 10.8 

Severance Agreement, dated as of April 10, 2008, by and 
between the Company and Thomas A. Dineen (Incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on 
Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 11, 2008).  

Severance Agreement, dated as of April 10, 2008, by and 
between the Company and Thomas P. Sullivan (Incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Current Report on 
Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 11, 2008). 

Severance Agreement, dated as of May 2, 2008 by and between 
the Company and Kevin B. Reid, Sr. (Incorporated by reference 
to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K 
filed with the SEC on May 2, 2008). 

Transition Services and Consulting Agreement, dated August 1, 
2016, by and between the Company and Michael O. Fifer 
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 2, 
2016). 

Agreement, dated August 1, 2016, by and between the 
Company and Christopher J. Killoy (Incorporated by reference 
to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K 
filed with the SEC on August 2, 2016). 

Executive Severance Agreement, dated August 1, 2016, by and 
between the Company and Shawn C. Leska (Incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Current Report on 
Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 2, 2016). 

Credit Agreement, dated September 27, 2018, by and between 
the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, NA (Incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on 
Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 2, 2018). 

The Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. 2017 Stock Incentive Plan 
(incorporated by reference to Annex A of the Company’s 
Definitive Proxy Statement of Schedule 14A, filed with the 
SEC on March 27, 2017) 

80 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX (continued) 

Exhibit 23.1 

Consent of RSM US LLP 

Exhibit 31.1 

Exhibit 31.2 

Exhibit 32.1 

Exhibit 32.2 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-
14(a) of the Exchange Act. 

Certification of Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant 
to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act. 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 
13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as 
Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 
2002. 

Certification of the Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer 
Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act and 18 U.S.C. 
Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 

Exhibit 101.INS* 

XBRL Instance Document 

Exhibit 101.SCH*  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document 

Exhibit 101.CAL*  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document 

Exhibit 101.DEF*  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document 

Exhibit 101.LAB*  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document 

Exhibit 101.PRE* 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document 

*Filed herewith 

84 

85 

87 

89 

90 

81 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018 

STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.  

ITEMS 15(a) 
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE 

82 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. 

Item 15(a)--Financial Statement Schedule 

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 

(In Thousands) 

COL. A 

COL. B 

COL. C 
ADDITIONS 

COL. D 

COL. E 

Description 

(1) 
Charged 
(Credited) to 
Costs and 
Expenses 

(2) 
Charged to 
Other 
Accounts 
–Describe 

Balance at 
Beginning 
of Period 

Balance 
at End 
of 
Period 

Deductions 

Deductions from asset accounts: 

Allowance for doubtful accounts: 
Year ended December 31, 2018 
Year ended December 31, 2017 
Year ended December 31, 2016 

$   400 
$   400 
$   400 

$          - 
$          - 
$         9 

Allowance for discounts: 

Year ended December 31, 2018 
Year ended December 31, 2017 
Year ended December 31, 2016 

$1,225 
$1,405 
$1,443 

$10,704 
$11,795 
$14,835 

Excess and obsolete inventory 

reserve: 

$               -             $   400 
$               - 
$   400 
 $         9 (a)       $   400 

$11,000 (b) 
$11,975 (b) 
$14,873 (b) 

$   929 
$1,225 
$1,405 

Year ended December 31, 2018 
Year ended December 31, 2017 
Year ended December 31, 2016 

$2,698 
$2,340 
$2,118 

$1,377 
$1,247 
$1,044 

$  1,548 (c) 
$     889 (c) 
$     822 (c) 

$2,527 
$2,698 
$2,340 

(a)  Accounts written off 
(b)  Discounts taken 
(c) 

Inventory written off 

83 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm  

Exhibit 23.1 

We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (Nos. 333-84677 and 
333-53234) on Form S-8 of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. of our reports dated February 20, 
2019 relating to our audits of the consolidated financial statements, the financial statement 
schedule, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appear in this 
Annual Report on Form 10-K of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. for the year ended December 
31, 2018. 

/s/ RSM US LLP 
Stamford, Connecticut 
February 20, 2019 

84 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT 31.1 

I, Christopher J. Killoy, certify that: 

CERTIFICATION 

        1. 

I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Report”) of Sturm, Ruger & 
Company, Inc. (the “Registrant”); 

        2.  Based on my knowledge, this Report does not contain any untrue statement of a material 
fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of 
the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect 
to the period covered by this Report; 

        3.  Based  on  my  knowledge,  the  financial  statements,  and  other  financial  information 
included in this Report, fairly present in all material respects, the financial condition, 
results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented 
in this Report; 

        4.  The  Registrant’s  other  certifying  officer  and  I  are  responsible  for  establishing  and 
maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-
15(e)  and  15d-15(e))  and  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  (as  defined  in 
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Registrant and have: 

a)  Designed  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  or  caused  such  disclosure 
controls  and  procedures  to  be  designed  under  our  supervision,  to  ensure  that 
material  information  relating  to  the  Registrant,  including  its  consolidated 
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during 
the period in which this Report is being prepared; 

b)  Designed  such  internal  control  over  financial  reporting,  or  caused  such  internal 
control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide 
reasonable  assurance  regarding  the  reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the 
preparation  of  financial  statements  for  external  purposes  in  accordance  with 
generally accepted accounting principles; 

c)  Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures 
and  presented  in  this  Report  our  conclusions  about  the  effectiveness  of  the 
disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  as  of  the  end  of  the  period  covered  by  this 
Report based on such evaluation; and 

d)  Disclosed  in  this  Report  any  change  in  the  Registrant’s  internal  control  over 
financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter 
(the  Registrant’s  fourth  fiscal  quarter  in  the  case  of  an  annual  report)  that  has 
materially  affected,  or  is  reasonably  likely  to  materially  affect,  the  Registrant’s 
internal control over financial reporting. 

85 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        5.  The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent 
evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and 
the  audit  committee  of  Registrant’s  board  of  directors  (or  persons  performing  the 
equivalent functions): 

a)  All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of 
internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely 
affect  the  Registrant’s  ability  to  record,  process,  summarize  and  report  financial 
information; and 

b)  Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees 
who  have  a  significant  role  in  the  Registrant’s  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting. 

Date:  February 20, 2019 

S/CHRISTOPHER J. KILLOY 
Christopher J. Killoy 
Chief Executive Officer 

86 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT 31.2 

I, Thomas A. Dineen, certify that: 

CERTIFICATION 

        1. 

I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Report”) of Sturm, Ruger & 
Company, Inc. (the “Registrant”); 

        2.  Based on my knowledge, this Report does not contain any untrue statement of a material 
fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of 
the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect 
to the period covered by this Report; 

        3.  Based  on  my  knowledge,  the  financial  statements,  and  other  financial  information 
included in this Report, fairly present in all material respects, the financial condition, 
results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented 
in this Report; 

        4.  The  Registrant’s  other  certifying  officer  and  I  are  responsible  for  establishing  and 
maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-
15(e)  and  15d-15(e))  and  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  (as  defined  in 
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Registrant and have: 

a)  Designed  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  or  caused  such  disclosure 
controls  and  procedures  to  be  designed  under  our  supervision,  to  ensure  that 
material  information  relating  to  the  Registrant,  including  its  consolidated 
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during 
the period in which this Report is being prepared; 

b)  Designed  such  internal  control  over  financial  reporting,  or  caused  such  internal 
control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide 
reasonable  assurance  regarding  the  reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the 
preparation  of  financial  statements  for  external  purposes  in  accordance  with 
generally accepted accounting principles; 

c)  Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures 
and  presented  in  this  Report  our  conclusions  about  the  effectiveness  of  the 
disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  as  of  the  end  of  the  period  covered  by  this 
Report based on such evaluation; and 

d)  Disclosed  in  this  Report  any  change  in  the  Registrant’s  internal  control  over 
financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter 
(the  Registrant’s  fourth  fiscal  quarter  in  the  case  of  an  annual  report)  that  has 
materially  affected,  or  is  reasonably  likely  to  materially  affect,  the  Registrant’s 
internal control over financial reporting. 

87 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   5. 

The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent 
evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and 
the  audit  committee  of  Registrant’s  board  of  directors  (or  persons  performing  the 
equivalent functions): 

a)  All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of 
internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely 
affect  the  Registrant’s  ability  to  record,  process,  summarize  and  report  financial 
information; and 

b)  Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees 
who  have  a  significant  role  in  the  Registrant’s  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting. 

Date:  February 20, 2019 

S/THOMAS A. DINEEN 
Thomas A. Dineen 
Senior Vice President, Treasurer and 
Chief Financial Officer 

88 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT 32.1 

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, 
As Adopted Pursuant to 
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 

In  connection  with  the  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  of  Sturm,  Ruger  &  Company,  Inc.  (the 
“Company”) for the period ended December 31, 2018, as filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Christopher J. Killoy, hereby certify, pursuant to 
18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 
that, to the best of my knowledge: 

(1) 

(2) 

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and 

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respect, the 
financial condition and results of operations of the Company. 

Date:  February 20, 2019 

S/CHRISTOPHER J. KILLOY 
Christopher J. Killoy 
Chief Executive Officer 

A signed original of this statement has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the 
Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. 

89 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT 32.2 

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, 
As Adopted Pursuant to 
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 

In  connection  with  the  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  of  Sturm,  Ruger  &  Company,  Inc.  (the 
“Company”) for the period ended December 31, 2018, as filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Thomas A. Dineen, hereby certify, pursuant to 
18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 
that, to the best of my knowledge: 

(1) 

(2) 

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and 

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respect, the 
financial condition and results of operations of the Company. 

Date:  February 20, 2019 

S/THOMAS A. DINEEN 
Thomas A. Dineen 
Senior Vice President, Treasurer and 
Chief Financial Officer 

A signed original of this statement has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the 
Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. 

90