New Ruger American Pistol

Looks like I get to shoot one tomorrow. Not sure if 9mm, 45 ACP, or both.

Ruger's CEO didn't say they weren't competing. He said 'cost to benefit of competing MAY not be good.' He came nowhere close to definitively saying they would not compete. There is still plenty of time to submit a design.
My guess is, since they didn't have a pistol that was close to meeting the requirements, he was leery of making an announcement before one was designed.
The choice of both 9mm and 45 ACP simultaneous releases also fits in with what I know about the trials. Ruger, like most other companies, normally staggers release of different chamberings.

If this logic was true then all civilians and LE would still be using SIGs and more so Berettas
I think it is the only reason a significant number of civilians or police use the M9 and derivatives. Beretta does not market it well, but the distinct open slide design makes it stand out. Sig marketing isn't nearly as good as Rugers. I often find casual shooters don't even know the brand. Both tend toward a higher price point also.
k Ruger would be putting more emphasis on robust combat reliability
Both the videos they have released lead with claims of 'durability in the harshest conditions.' One video shows it being fired after being thrown in sand and then after being doused in water. Not very convincing demonstrations for me, but certainly seem to be the direction they are going with their releases.
http://www.ruger.com/resources/videos.html?vidID=017070
http://www.ruger.com/resources/videos.html?vidID=017068
 
Last edited:
I think Ruger is exceptionally savvy in figuring out lucrative marketing niches for their products--even ones that are already overloaded with zillions of alternatives--as the 9mm and 45 acp ones already are. I think they know very well how to leverage their manufacturing abilities to bring new products to established niches with price points and innovative features that can carve out new sales in what might otherwise be perceived as a saturated market niche.
 
I shot it. This gun is going to sell like hot cakes. It's glock 17 like size wise, feels good in hand, and fired every of the 20 rounds I pulled the trigger. My guess is everyday selling price of $480 ish
 
I shot it. This gun is going to sell like hot cakes. It's glock 17 like size wise, feels good in hand, and fired every of the 20 rounds I pulled the trigger. My guess is everyday selling price of $480 ish


Nothing you described above really stands out from the competition already on the market. I'm not sure it will sell like hot cakes.
 
There was a little mix-up yesterday, but I shot, field stripped, and switched grip modules on one in 9mm today(ok, some of that I just observed). Not many rounds, but a few. I have an unlimited rental all day range pass at a range and will put a few more rounds through one when I use it.

I first shot it with the medium grips. Mid sized felt comfortable holding it, a little odd firing it and it didn't group well(probably felt right b/c it was close to Gen III Glock I normally shoot). Switched to the small module. Felt weird in my hand holding it, but felt great shooting and group closed to fist sized at maybe ten yards. Maybe seven. I wasn't really measuring. 1/3 the size or smaller as with the medium. As accurate as I could expect for a factory pistol the first time in my hands and plenty accurate for a duty/carry/defensive pistol IMO. The grip seemed to have a lot of clearance carved out for the trigger finger on the grip. Felt like much more clearance than my Glock and a little more than XD or M&P. That was great for my small hands.

I thought the trigger was smooth, reasonably light, and not too long for a factory trigger. I like the Kahr DA trigger, so YMMV.

Three dot sights were pretty standard. Not my favorite set-up, but use-able.

I was able to operate the mag release and slide stop without any issues. Not the norm given my small hands.

The craziest thing: I'm not sure, but I think there is a lanyard ring molded in the back of grip below the back strap. I can't find a good picture of the feature.

I thought the the factory blow-mold box and other accessories appeared to be slightly better quality than I am used to finding on pistols and slightly larger with a little extra room inside. A small plus for me as I like to keep accessories such as extra barrels, grips, and magazines in the OEM pistol box.

Two other shooters with more years and considerably more rounds down range also fired it. They both repeatably had an issue with the trigger resetting and or the trigger safety locking up. I was able to purposely press the center "safety" portion of the trigger to the left instead of pulling straight back and reliably recreate the issue while dry firing. The center section would catch on the outer section. If one pulled hard on the trigger it would sort of clunk past the catch and still fire. I am uncertain as to whether this was a model problem or something with the specific pistol on hand. It was not something I did naturally on any of the shots I took. I had to attempt to create the malfunction after watching one of the other shooters.

The grips did not change easily. A lot of trouble getting the medium grips that came installed off, the small went on pretty smoothly, came off with only a little trouble, then were unable to correctly install the large back strap correctly. When switching the small to large it was decided the instructions indicating the slide must be removed were lawyer nonsense as it is really difficult to shoot yourself with the slide removed. This turned out not to be true and may have lead to not being able to install the large back strap correctly. The two post tabs at the top of the backstrap that should slide into the frame did not appear to fit right. They were going to work on it, but I left as I was quite certain it wouldn't fit my hand with the large anyways and was unsure how long it would take. Since the pistol wasn't mine, I didn't want to be the one prying. Engaging and disengaging the cam lock with the included torx wrench was not difficult, but the grips all fit very tight. In normal use this might not be an issue as you usually find the right size and leave it alone after.

I agree it will sell quite well. I never buy new models of cars or guns, but I will be keeping my eye on this as it matures.

If you want to test fire one yourself:
http://beta.ruger.com/products/rugerAmericanPistol/models.html#range-search
Five isn't many, but that is free. I am sure most ranges will let you shoot a little more if you buy their ammo or similar.
 
Also, it seems the gun is currently selling for between $425 and $450 according to web reports from some buyers. I am guessing that will drop 10% over the next year.
 
I handled one of these pistols today, the 9mm variant, and it is an obviously overbuilt firearm, with a stout steel frame insert, the trigger reminds me of the trigger on the original S&W Sigmas of a decade or so back, not light but crisp. The gun is quite heavy for a polymer pistol, the magazines apparently finished in nickle/boron while the slide is a blackened stainless.

The pistol is obviously intended as a service/LE sidearm....
 
I handled one of these today at my local Gander Mountain. It felt really nice in my hand. I am a lefty so I like the ambidextrous slide lever and magazine release. I definitely like the lack of thumb safety and lack of magazine disconnect. The slide seemed perhaps a little easier to manipulate then similar guns. Overall, it did feel a little heavier than a comparable M&P or Glock. The take up on the trigger was a little gritty but nothing too bad and something that will probably smooth out with use. The trigger break was nice and crisp and it did not seem any heavier then comparable striker fired pistols. The reset on the trigger was a little longer than I would like and not as positive and tactile as the Glock, but was similar to my stock M&P trigger.

As Gander Mountain typically does, they were asking MSRP. They do, however, have a price match with the local Academy, Dick's, and any other LGS that might have them in stock. Right now, the problem is that Gander Mountain is the only one that has one.

Assuming no widespread problems being reported in the near future, I could definitely see myself purchasing one, probably sooner than later.
 
A LGS / LGR I went shooting at this afternoon had three of these Ruger Americans, a new 9mm and a new .45 ACP for $459.00 ea., and another .45 ACP that appeared new but had a used gun tag on it for $349.00. The .45 ACP feels better in my hand than any Ruger SR pistol, and this has nice Novak style sights and a light trigger with a quick break to it.
 
I wouldn't think twice about snapping up the one with the used tag on it. If it is indeed used, it couldn't be much used. These have only been out for a few weeks.
 
Back
Top