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                                                                    Exhibit 23.1






                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report (Form 10-K)
of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. of our report dated February 9, 2001, included
in the 2000 Annual Report to Stockholders of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.

Our audits also included the financial statement schedule of Sturm, Ruger &
Company, Inc. listed in Item 14(a). This schedule is the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our
audits. In our opinion, the financial statement schedule referred to above, when
considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole,
presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
(Form S-8 No. 333-84677) pertaining to the Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. 1998
Stock Incentive Plan and the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-53234)
pertaining to the 2001 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors of our
report dated February 9, 2001, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements incorporated herein by reference, and our report included in the
preceding paragraph with respect to the financial statement schedule included in
this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.

                                                   ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Stamford, Connecticut
March 23, 2001