SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


                DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED)
                                 MAY 6, 2003


                          STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)





           DELAWARE                      001-10435                      06-0633559
                                                     
(State or Other Jurisdiction of  (Commission File Number)  (IRS Employer Identification Number)
        Incorporation)


ONE LACEY PLACE, SOUTHPORT, CONNECTICUT                                    06890
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                                 (Zip Code)



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


ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS

        On May 6, 2003, the Company issued a press release announcing the
appointment of Stephen L. Sanetti to be its President and Chief Operating
Officer effective immediately.  A copy of the press release is furnished as
Exhibit 99.1 to this Report and incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENT, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS

        (c) Exhibits         Description

            99.1             Press release of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.
                             dated May 6, 2003, announcing the appointment of
                             Stephen L. Sanetti to be its President and Chief
                             Operating Officer effective immediately.





                                   SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

                                       STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.


                                       By:  /s/    Thomas A. Dineen
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Thomas A. Dineen
                                            Title: Treasurer and Chief
                                                   Financial Officer

Dated:  May 7, 2003


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                              INDEX TO EXHIBITS

    EXHIBIT NUMBER                        DESCRIPTION
         99.1                 Press release of Sturm, Ruger & Company,
                              Inc. dated May 6, 2003, announcing the
                              appointment of Stephen L. Sanetti to be its
                              President and Chief Operating Officer effective
                              immediately.


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