Sidearms & Scatterguns Ruger American

[cobra655]

Saw the Ruger American Compact Pistol at a gun show today and picked it up and handled it. What is everyones take on it? It felt better in my hand than my SR9 that I carry. Wondering about reliability. I carry in 9mm.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

I have the full size (9mm Pro model-w/o Manual Safety lever, standard Glock style blade trigger safety only). It handles/operates about the way I'd expect a Glock to work. Accurate enough that I'm going to need to work on my own technique. The switch-insert grips work best for me with the large insert.

Shoots about 1-2 front sight blade widths to the left. I will eventually adjust the rear sight, and since I co-witnessed the CT Rail Master Green Laser to the irons, that will need to be resolved as well. Recoil is very comfortable, with quite noticeably less muzzle rise than I'm used to with a 1911, this due to a significantly lower bore axis/grip relationship

Temps in the 100's-110's keep us indoors for now, as well as the Arizona Wildfires. Monsoon rains due, we had our first brief shower yesterday.

Overall, I really like this handgun. So far, have been running S&B 115gr Ball as well as Independence (CCI) aluminum case 115gr ball, absolutely no issues. I have Fed Premium 124gr Hydra-Shoks for carry, and am setting up to handload 147gr XTP's and 124gr Win FMJ FB's over CFE Pistol.

This handgun is quite easy to disassemble/reassemble and clean. As usual, the 17rd mags are pretty stiff to load the last two rounds, so a Speed Loader makes that much simpler. For now, a very basic Outbags holster permits comfortable constitutional carry for convenience when I'm out shooting. It is hung from an inexpensive UTG Service Belt.

This holster was designed with a somewhat slightly larger handgun (M-9/92FS) in mind, which the RAP was intended to replace. Once I had the RAP I like it enough that I've got to believe the actual contract award handgun is one heckuva handgun to surpass the RAP. Sure, that's it...

The net effect of the holster/handgun combination is that the RAP is very thoroughly covered with the holster except for the grip. With some minor thumb snap-strap retention adjustment the pistol rides snug and secure, with basically no exposure to any potential elements while still providing very instinctive access. The holster also incorporates an unobtrusive forward located single magazine pouch sized perfectly for the included second 17rd magazine. Taken together, the pistol, laser, holster, and belt constitute a very well integrated ensemble.

4 of 5 stars, one off because the factory sight picture does not correspond to what is a common POI for what I've been shooting so far.

I solidly recommend the full size, and will be looking seriously at the Compact, with the Manual Safety Lever this time around.

Greg