When Ruger unveiled the American Pistol a little over a year ago, it was a fairly sure bet it was a line destined for growth. The feature-rich polymer-framed, striker-fired semi-automatics had all the bells and whistles certain to turn heads and open wallets. And sure enough, Ruger’s newest family of handguns has multiplied like rabbits in a relatively short period of time.
In all, there are now 14 models of the American Pistol shooters can choose from. And the most recent addition is certain to catch the interest of enthusiasts who have a yen for an on-person self-defense piece in one of the most popular and potent calibers.
Ruger recently announced the release of the American Pistol Compact chambered in .45 APC. The handgun is the first compact of that caliber in the line — the rest are duty sized — and it has some features certain to appeal to the concealed carry crowd.
Chief among these is that the company has introduced its compact .45 without an external manual thumb safety. Instead, the 3.75-inch barreled model features an integrated trigger safety and internal automatic sear block system. This puts the new American Pistol in line with a majority of the existing striker-fired guns in the concealed carry market.
Shooters who desire a manual external safety, however, most likely won’t be left out in the cold. The 28.6-ounce pistol will likely follow suite with the rest of the line, with a thumb-safety model released sometime in the future.
The new American Pistol is outfitted with a number of the features that has made the family of handguns a success.
Like Ruger’s other polymer-framed pistols, the compact .45 has a low bore axis and barrel cam, both of which reduce felt recoil and muzzle flip. It is equipped with Novak LoMount Carry 3-Dot sights, which cut a lower profile and are rounded, reducing the risk of a snag upon a draw. And it has Ruger’s pre-tensioned striker system that facilitates a solid firing pin strike on the primer without requiring a heavier trigger pull.
The trigger itself has a short take-up and breaks smoothly, allowing for maximum accuracy shot to shot. And with a tactile positive reset, the pistol is certain to offer fast follow-up shots — should an occasion call for them.
The compact .45 has a 10+1 capacity with its grip extension magazine, but it also comes with a seven-round option, cutting the pistol’s profile down. The handgun is also rated to shoot +P ammunition, opening the door for a wider ammunition selection.
The pistol is right- and left-hand friendly with ambidextrous slide stop and magazine release. It has aggressive non-slip texturing on its grip and a modular backstrap system, adjusting to palm swell and trigger reach. And it has easy-to-manipulate cocking serrations at the aft of its stainless-steel slide, making it easy to rack, even with gloves. It also features a Picatinny rail beneath the barrel, allowing for the addition of an accessory.
Presently, the MSRP on the American Pistol Compact in .45 ACP is $579, which means by the time it reaches a local gun store, it should be in plenty of shooters’ price ranges.
Specifications:
American Pistol Compact .45 ACP
Type: Striker-Fired Semi-automatic
Caliber: .45ACP
Barrel Length: 3.75 inches
Overall Length: 7.25 inches
Overall Height: 4.65 inches
Overall Width: 1.05 inches
Weight: 28.6 ounces
Slide: Stainless Steel (Black Nitride finish)
Frame: Glass-Filled Nylon
Sights: Novak LoMount Carry 3-Dot
Capacity: 10+1 (also comes with 7-round magazine)
MSRP: $579
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