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On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1949, Bill Ruger and Alexander Sturm started a firearms company with a $50,000 investment and a new .22-caliber pistol. Within months, orders were coming in faster than their small operation could fill them. Then, just as the company was taking off, Sturm died unexpectedly at only 28 years old.

Ruger pressed ahead. He expanded into revolvers and rifles, took the company public, survived a costly attempt at building automobiles, and even weathered a controversy that angered some of his most loyal customers. Firearms historian Logan Metesh shares how a handful of men working out of a red barn built Sturm, Ruger & Company into one of America's major firearms manufacturers.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1949, Bill Ruger and Alexander Sturm started a firearms company with a $50,000 investment and a new .22-caliber pistol. Within months, orders were coming in faster than their small operation could fill them. Then, just as the company was taking off, Sturm died unexpectedly at only 28 years old. Ruger pressed ahead. He expanded into revolvers and rifles, took the company public, survived a costly attempt at building automobiles, and even weathered a controversy that angered some of his most loyal customers. Firearms historian Logan Metesh shares how a handful of men working out of a red barn built Sturm, Ruger &amp; Company into one of America's major firearms manufacturers.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories tells stories that aren&rsquo;t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we&rsquo;ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

The $50,000 Bet That Became Ruger Firearms

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/34660676-dc1b-42e0-a1e7-b4ac00757a67/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, when Andrew Jackson arrived in Washington for his inauguration in 1829, thousands of Americans came with him. He was unlike the presidents who had come before, an orphan from the frontier who had risen from humble beginnings to become a general and the self-proclaimed champion of the common man. To his supporters, his election represented a changing of the guard in American politics.

Then Jackson opened the White House to the people. The crowd poured inside, climbed onto furniture for a glimpse of the new president, broke china, spilled refreshments, and packed the rooms so tightly that Jackson's friends feared he might be crushed. Keith Hardison, former director of interpretation at Jackson's home, The Hermitage, shares the story of the rowdy inauguration that announced the arrival of the "People's President."

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, when Andrew Jackson arrived in Washington for his inauguration in 1829, thousands of Americans came with him. He was unlike the presidents who had come before, an orphan from the frontier who had risen from humble beginnings to become a general and the self-proclaimed champion of the common man. To his supporters, his election represented a changing of the guard in American politics. Then Jackson opened the White House to the people. The crowd poured inside, climbed onto furniture for a glimpse of the new president, broke china, spilled refreshments, and packed the rooms so tightly that Jackson's friends feared he might be crushed. Keith Hardison, former director of interpretation at Jackson's home, The Hermitage, shares the story of the rowdy inauguration that announced the arrival of the "People's President."
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

The Wild Story of Andrew Jackson's Inauguration Party

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c1e0bf1a-4267-45f3-bd0c-b4ac00757a69/transcript

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Dawn Newland watched helplessly as her husband took his own life. Army veteran William Lambert came home from three deployments carrying the guilt of surviving when 15 men from his unit did not. Both were living with PTSD, and both reached points where moving forward seemed almost impossible.

Dawn found an unexpected refuge in wild mustangs. Caring for them quieted her mind and slowly helped her reclaim her life. Then she realized the horses might be able to help others, too. That's how William met Dawn and eventually a horse named Faith. Dawn and William share how horses helped them confront trauma, rediscover trust, and ultimately use their own pain to help save the lives of others.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, Dawn Newland watched helplessly as her husband took his own life. Army veteran William Lambert came home from three deployments carrying the guilt of surviving when 15 men from his unit did not. Both were living with PTSD, and both reached points where moving forward seemed almost impossible. Dawn found an unexpected refuge in wild mustangs. Caring for them quieted her mind and slowly helped her reclaim her life. Then she realized the horses might be able to help others, too. That's how William met Dawn and eventually a horse named Faith. Dawn and William share how horses helped them confront trauma, rediscover trust, and ultimately use their own pain to help save the lives of others.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

A Veteran, a Widow, and the Horses That Helped Them Heal

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/875754dd-cb34-40cd-b534-b4ac00757a6a/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, Quentin Wedan was barely out of fifth grade when some friends told him about a summer job at the Lazy B Chuckwagon and Show in Estes Park, Colorado. The pay was $10 a night, the work was hard, and Quentin loved it. He spent the next ten summers there, earning enough to cover much of his college tuition while learning from owner Tom Justin that doing a job well meant more than working hard. It meant never settling for anything less than your best.

Years later, the Lazy B closed its doors. But Quentin never forgot the place or the lessons he'd learned there. In 2017, he brought the business back to life. Quentin shares the story of how his first job became his own business and why he's working to preserve a piece of the American West for another generation.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, Quentin Wedan was barely out of fifth grade when some friends told him about a summer job at the Lazy B Chuckwagon and Show in Estes Park, Colorado. The pay was $10 a night, the work was hard, and Quentin loved it. He spent the next ten summers there, earning enough to cover much of his college tuition while learning from owner Tom Justin that doing a job well meant more than working hard. It meant never settling for anything less than your best. Years later, the Lazy B closed its doors. But Quentin never forgot the place or the lessons he'd learned there. In 2017, he brought the business back to life. Quentin shares the story of how his first job became his own business and why he's working to preserve a piece of the American West for another generation.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

The $10-a-Night Job That Changed My Life

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1ad36f2a-649c-4984-8c5a-b4ac00757a67/transcript

The $50,000 Bet That Became Ruger Firearms

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