Unlike the swappable backstrap system that is found on some other guns, Ruger uses a changeable part that covers both the back and sides of the American Compact pistol’s grip frame. Three dot sights are pretty standard across the industry, but I’m not convinced they are the best, or even a really good choice, for defensive firearms. It has a trigger featuring a short take up along with a positive reset and a high capacity of about 17 + 1. Heavy +P loads still recoiled more than lightweight, standard pressure loads, but none approached anything close to being harsh. Let’s take a quick look at the Ruger American Compact’s specifications…, Model: American Compact The first five-shot group I shot with this gun measured a bit over 1.5”. Discover your rights and responsibilities as a gun owner. Why? However, I performed accuracy tests at 10 yards from a bench with three loads, with a few groupings fired offhand at 25 yards just to see what it could do. Disassembly of the gun is very straightforward and does not require depressing the trigger. In a violent encounter, I’ll take any advantage I can get, and this one seem to work for me. Your Purchases are Always The answer is sometimes yes, oftentimes no. Selecting a pistol for personal protection is a highly personal thing. If you are interested in this gun, check out the models that Brownells currently offering. The Ruger American Compact chambered in 9mm, is a pretty decent 9mm for the price, but never really went far a many others in its class. Most readers will fall somewhere between the two extremes and will have to decide for themselves if this is a big deal or not. To make it even more user-friendly, Ruger added a few ambidextrous features, including a magazine release. If you want to know more about ammunition calibers, visit our bullets guide.Some of these differences are in magazine capacity; Model 8618 holds only 10 rounds, while the 8605 has a 17-round magazine. Quite frankly, this gun felt a bit tank like, so I took no mercy on it. After testing, Kevin said he “kinda” liked the Ruger American Compact. Is the compact version of the Ruger American Pistol innovative or is the company stuck in an institutional rut? 815 g; … Read the new book that reveals the little-known history of the US Concealed Carry Association. In other words, it offers great things from both the modern and traditional. Too many “reviews” of products are bought and paid for by the manufacturer. Ruger makes a point of highlighting the trigger pull on this gun, using a chart to compare the weight and distance to three other unnamed brands. However, it may be a bit challenging the first time you try a different size. Ruger has been around for over six decades. There are of course other variants without the tritium night sights that catalog for a lot less money. You then rotate the take down lever 45Ëš down and remove the slide assembly from the frame. Let’s not forget that the government lockdowns from the health crisis have left many people in a tough financial situation. The 17-rounder uses a spacer over the top to fill in any gaps, giving you a Commander-sized frame with a 3.5-inch barrel. Ruger selected Novak LoMount Carry three dot sights for the American Compact pistol. The Ruger American Compact 9mm LEO retails for $713 and worth every penny of it. I put the first hundred rounds plus twenty accuracy testing rounds through the RAP at Sharp Shooting Indoor Range […] 365-Day, Money-Back Guarantee. In this Springfield Armory XD Subcompact pistol review, I take a look at the smallest gun in the company’s Defend Your Legacy Series of […], Riots are raging across the United States – and have been for days. . Free FedEx Option* (1) Ruger 90636 American Compact 45 ACP 7 rd Stainless Steel Finish $ 25.42. These links take you to the products mentioned in the article. Although the gun looked and felt like a shooter, there was only one way to be sure. Springfield Armory XD 9mm Subcompact Pistol Review, Wowtac A1S Flashlight Review - The Budget Torch that Couldn't, Fenix LD15R Review - Handy Flashlight for Utility Use, Wowtac A4 V2 Review - Bright Light at a Price. Built into the trigger guard is a trigger stop that eliminates over-travel. What do you think of this particular Ruger? This compact, striker-fired pistol features a one-piece, glass-reinforced nylon frame and comes with three different wraparound grip panels for ergonomics. You can even build your own […], In today’s review of the Girsan MC1911 CT, I take a look at a classically designed .45 ACP pistol with modern updates including a red dot sight. Serial Number Lookup; Instruction Manuals; Mark IV ™ Product Safety Warning and Recall Notice - June 2017; Ruger American ® Pistol Safety Bulletin - October 2018 For defensive uses, I prefer a large front sight – preferably of a bright, contrasting color – with a wide notch rear. Gun owners need to sign up immediately for a lifetime membership to the NRA. What might draw a lot of people in is the low price tag: only $661 at full retail. Should you decide to purchase something from one of those companies, I make a small commission. I think they were quite surprised. Unlike some guns with a swappable magazine release, the Ruger American Compact 9mm pistol is truly ambidextrous. Kevin sent six rounds of Winchester PDX Defender ammo downrange and noted that the American Compact “shoots nice and straight.”. The rear sight is ramped on the leading edge that theoretically offers a lower chance of snagging on a cover garment when drawing and reholstering. Since some guns perform better with a bit of a break in period, I will often start a gun with a few hundred rounds of full metal jacket (FMJ) loads. The 9mm has been very popular for many decades and is widely recognized as appropriate for self-defense use. They are well known for quite a few different weapons, but their most popular is probably the 10/22.They produce quite a few different firearms, and their quality is well respected. I recommend taking a look at the Action Enhancement Trigger from Apex Tactical Specialties. I had no problems running the larger magazine, but truth be known, I’d rather just have a pair of 12-rounders. The grip can then be taken off. Original SIG pistols are in high demand and aftermarket accessories are plentiful. The Secure Action combines the smooth trigger pull of the LCP with a short, crisp feel and positive reset while the textured grip frame … For the casual shooter, this is not an important feature. Ruger’s new American Pistol Competition is a race-ready 9mm that’s surging ahead in the game. Therefore, what their development did was do a thorough research and figure out how to make a semi-automatic pistol and launc… With this load, I managed handheld groups of less than 1.5” with the tightest being five rounds into 1.02” hand held. […], Copyright © 2021 GunsHolstersAndGear.com GunsHolstersAndGear.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The US Congress is also in anti-gun hands. Its precision machined, hard coated aluminum chassis features full-length guide rails, a through-hardened alloy steel slide and barrel, and high-performance, glass-filled nylon grip frame. If you live in a rights-restricted state, 10-round magazine versions of the gun are available. Ruger have again expanded their popular Ruger American line of pistols with the .45 ACP Ruger American Compact now available with an attractive gray Cerakote finish on both the grip frame and the slide. All measurements are an average of five shots. UPDATE 2020: The Ruger SR9c 9mm pistol has had the bugs worked out a long time now, from the time the earliest production models came out. By way of comparison, the higher capacity Glock 19 Gen4 weighs less than 24 ounces and the Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Compact comes in at 25.9 ounces with a 15 round magazine. From its announcement as the new standard sidearm for the United States military, the popularity of the SIG SAUER P320 pistol seemingly exploded. With the American Pistol line, Ruger implemented an interchangeable grip system so shooters can best fit the gun to their hands. 9mm Subcompact Pistol Roundup (Kahr CM9, Kahr PM9, Beretta Nano, Ruger LC9, Sig Sauer P290, Diamondback DB9, … The Pro model, as tested in this article, does not have a manual safety lever. The American Compact is much more subdued, feeling (at least with the finger extension magazine, which you’ll probably using at the range anyway) more like a midsized pistol – Ruger’s American Duty or SR9, a Glock 19/17 or Walther PPQ – than a single-stack ultracompact 9mm. Consequently, I’ve had a number of emails come in from readers who are looking for the best self-defense pistol on a budget. 100% Risk-Free with the USCCA Available 6am-11pm CST. Be ready to defend your life and prepare for what happens before, during, and after an act of self‑defense. Accuracy was also excellent with this pistol. Concealed Carry Association is more than just a story…. Yet, the pistol is within the general parameters people expect in a compact handgun with the added benefit of being ready for years of hard practice. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), and we serve gun owners who want to responsibly protect their loved ones. As for the Ruger fans, they are a brand loyal bunch on par with those that will only buy one brand of American car – ever. We're the best resource to help responsible Americans keep their loved ones safe. Although this is a compact handgun, there appears to be enough rail space to handle pretty much any accessory you might reasonably want to add. RangeTray's Magazine Loader exclusively for the Ruger American Pistol 9mm magazines. Personally, I believe the gun is an excellent design with plenty for people to like. While some guns are delivered in cardboard boxes with a dearth of supporting accessories, this American Pistol arrived in an attractive, hard plastic case that was filled with extras. Magazine Release: Ambidextrous The more compact magazine better fit my hands and the odds of needing an additional 5 rounds in a personal defense shooting are fairly remote. I suspect that the comparatively heavy weight is partially because Ruger made these pistols to run on a steady diet of +P ammunition. Other accessories from SureFire, Viridian and others should also work without any issues. I’ve also completed a review of this gun for Concealed Carry Handguns magazine. While some guns are delivered in cardboard boxes with a dearth of supporting accessories, this American Pistol arrived in an attractive, hard plastic case that was filled with extras.Even if a buyer isn’t consciously aware of it, presentation matters and has a lasting impact on the customer’s satisfaction wit… There is one downside to carrying the 17-rounder though: It makes the pistol harder to conceal. They both really liked the Ruger American Compact 9mm Pro Model Pistol and were quite impressed, although I think they didn’t expect to be. Your FREE book download is on its way to your inbox. A solid grip helps control muzzle flip, and the solid bulk of the gun did its part to absorb recoil as well. GunsHolstersAndGear.com is an independent, for-profit website. I do not charge readers a dime to access the information I provide. Reproduction without permission prohibited. Top 3 Most Underrated Sub-Compact 9mm Carry Pistols (GLOCK 43, Springfield XD-S, Smith & Wesson M&P Shield) Gun Review: SIG SAUER P320 Compact Carry Nitron 9mm. So, you recently purchased a Springfield Armory Hellcat and now you want to add a red dot sight (RDS). I have full size version and the security 9 version both good guns. At the time of this writing, I have no financial interest in any firearm manufacturer. I was impressed by the presentation of the new Ruger when it first appeared at my local dealer. It also boasts a low bore … The weight seems to be up and forward, which makes sense: that’s where much of the slide and all of the barrel are. Also included with the gun is a pinky extension floor plate for the 12-round magazine. When the new compact version of the Ruger 9mm American Pistol was announced, I knew I wanted to review the gun. My review article on the 9mm model is the SurvivalBlog archives. In this edition of the USCCA’s Gun Vault, Kevin Michalowski, executive editor of Concealed Carry Magazine, reviews and shoots the Ruger American Compact. I do not get to see what any individual purchases. . The frame was revised to add swappable backstraps, a 1913 rail instead of a universal rail, Novak sights and a revised takedown that doesn't require the usual dry fire. In this article, we’re going to talk about a pistol that Sturm, Ruger & Co. produced in order to meet, if not exceed, the military’s requirements. That is likely more of a personal decision than anything measurable. Ruger is not an advertiser, nor are we in any talks for them to be one. Required fields are marked *. The Ruger American 9mm Compact pistol performed flawlessly with 16 different ammunition loads, including popular self-defense hollowpoints. Ruger SR9c Compact 9mm Pistol Review. The links do not change your purchase price. Ruger pistols are built like tanks. This new offering comes with or without a manual safety and ships with three, 7-round magazines. Your experiences with the gun are also welcome below. You might remember Ruger’s Security-Six, which was introduced back in 1971. With the standard features, the gun seems like a great […], While single-stack 9mm pistols seem to be all the rage in modern concealed carry, subcompact pistols that hold a bit more ammunition shouldn’t be dismissed by anyone interested in personal protection. Our design features a dual style loading method that gives the user the choice of using either a thumb on the top to depress the loader or the tabletop method with the thumb, … Picking up the gun for the first time, I was a little taken aback by its weight. Ruger loaned me this gun specifically for review. I recommend this gun. Unloaded, the gun has a listed weight of nearly 29 ounces. The rifle no longer has twin locking lugs compared to the Ruger 77 rifle. I’ve occasionally run into problems with ambidextrous magazine releases from other manufacturers. © 2003- Delta Defense, LLC. Even as the day progressed, and my hands became sweaty, the small grip panel’s fit to my hand ensured I had a solid hold on the pistol throughout the day. Reliability was impeccable. All representatives employed by Delta Defense, LLC. Kevin suggests carrying the American Compact with the standard 12-round mag and using the 17-rounder as a reload. From hunting to self-defense, Ruger makes a lot of guns – many of which are highly respected for their rugged nature. Based on ATF statistics, they are America’s largest firearm manufacturer. One of the things associated with Ruger is the idea that the company’s guns are built like tanks. Even if a buyer isn’t consciously aware of it, presentation matters and has a lasting impact on the customer’s satisfaction with the purchase. Like the P85, the P89 used the same large and durable parts, with the same heavy investment in cast technology to keep costs down. The question is “what optics are compatible for a Springfield Hellcat OSP?” Don’t worry – I’ve got you covered. Ruger has not offered or given anything to me to publish this article or to write a favorable review. As of January 7, the anti-gun team of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have officially won the White House. Of course, your needs may be different. We tested the American at 30 feet, two-handed standing. Partners . What Optics Will Fit the Springfield Armory Hellcat? While I don’t think the trigger is perfect, it is significantly better than some of the other options on the market and more than good enough for accurate shooting. And why not? Sturm, Ruger & Co. has produced some of the most popular firearms of the past century, and you can’t even claim to be a “gun g… This makes the magazines corrosion resistant and very slick in and out of the gun. The Ruger American Compact comes standard with a 12-round magazine and a 17-round magazine. Although it feels top heavy, its accuracy, mild recoil and trigger pull more than make up for any perceived balance problems. We conducted our test of the American immediately after they completed our 50-round department qualification course. Barrel Length: 3.5 inches Specifically, I wanted to check to see if the gun was reliable, accurate and easy to operate. My rifle, in .308 Winchester, weighs 6.5 pounds and handles quickly. The gun felt heavy and a subsequent check of the gun’s vital stats reinforced this belief. But the U.S. For a compact 9mm pistol that makes ample use of polymer parts, I was expecting something 6-7 ounces lighter. gun is easy to shoot a can hit the10 ring most of the time i’ve put 1k rounds and it’s great it ate everything no mis fire they up graded for free it was hard to get the gun hot a American made all profit go to a amerivan company it’s as good as the others or better than many the only thing i had was using the right back get your finger right and no problems, Your email address will not be published. Some of the links on this page and site are affiliate links to companies like Amazon and Palmetto State Armory. For many people, these will work fine. Reloads are seriously fast. 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