Ruger has just announced a new handgun called the Ruger American Pistol. I was fortunate enough to receive an early production sample in 9mm Luger and have been shooting the gun for a couple weeks.





The gun is somewhat similar in appearance to Ruger's line of SR22 rimfire pistols and is quite a departure from the earlier line of striker-fired handguns like the SR9 and SR40. I had initially thought the gun would be some sort of "gen two" version of the early striker guns but it really is a new design. About the only thing that seems to have been carried over is the design of the ambi magazine release. By the way, magazines for the SR9 won't fit the American.

This new gun is available in 9mm and 45ACP. The 40S&W should follow shortly. The new gun is a full-sized duty auto with a magazine capacity of 17 rounds in 9 and 10 rounds in 45. As I understand it, Ruger first started working on this design as a 45ACP as a possible military handgun. Even though the M9 replacement project has been suspended or shelved for the time being, Ruger pressed on and developed the pistol for civilian and LE sales.

As a side note here; I don't have an American in 45 but I have seen and shot one. The 45 variant is really only slightly larger than the 9mm and my guess is Ruger is using as many parts are possible between the two calibers. This should make the 45 American one of the smaller double stack big bores on the market.

Since the American is most likely going to be marketed as a direct competitor to the Glock and M&P, I thought I would review the gun in that context. I'll do so by breaking the guns down into various categories. I should note here that I don't currently have a Glock 17 for comparison. And the G19 used for weight measurements has 45° bevels and front cocking serrations added to the slide which no doubt change weight slightly.

Weight

Ruger 1.74 pounds without magazine
M&P 1.56 pounds without magazine
G19 1.26 pounds without magazine
G17 1.4 pounds without magazine

Ruger slide assembly 1.08 pounds
M&P slide assembly 1.10 pounds
G19 slide assembly .98 pounds
G17 slide assembly 1.10 pounds

Ruger slide without barrel or spring .80 pounds
M&P slide without barrel or spring .85 pounds
G19 slide without barrel or spring .75 pounds
G17 slide without barrel or spring .80 pounds

Ruger frame assembly .64 pounds
M&P frame assembly .44 pounds
G19 frame assembly .28 pounds
G17 frame assembly .35 pounds

Ruger empty magazine .18 pounds
M&P empty magazine .18 pounds
G19 empty magazine .14 pounds
G17 empty magazine .15 pounds

Ergonomics

Grip angle between the M&P and American is more or less identical and presenting both pistols with my eyes closed results in a natural point of aim. The Glock for me as with many "1911 people" presents slightly high due to its non-1911 grip angle. It is all a matter of what a person is used to but the Smith and the Ruger point more naturally for me.

Controls on all three guns are located in more or less the same locations but the American's controls are truly ambidextrous. Unlike the M&P there's no need to reverse the magazine release for a lefty. Also, unlike the Gen4 Glock the magazine release is small enough and high enough that I don't accidentally bump it with my middle finger while shooting. I don't have this issue with Gens 1-3 Glocks but I don't like the Gen4 stuff as a result.

Magazine wells on all the pistols are similar in size but the American has an extended tang at the rear that really helps with magazine insertion. The M&P has a similar extension that's also the backstrap retention pin. Both guns for me are easier to speed reload than the Glock.



Grip panels are another thing the S&W and Ruger have in common. Both guns come with a small, medium and a large grip insert that not only increase grip length but width. The G4 Glock also uses grip inserts but these don't increase width.

For hand fitment, I chose to run my American with the medium panel even though it feels a little too small for me. The large fits my hand a bit better but is too aggressively arched for my liking. Hopefully Ruger will introduce something a bit flatter later on down the road.

Ruger, like the M&P, is devoid of finger grooves.

Along the same lines is grip texture. All three guns have some texturing built in but all are fairly smooth out of the box. Really the only factory texturing that really seems useful across multiple scenarios is the Glock RTF series. The Ruger is nicely textured on the front and back but devoid of much texture on the sides. This was probably done to keep the gun from tearing up jackets and uniform shirts but it doesn't provide much traction for the support hand. On this note, I wonder about Ruger's plastic frame. It feels more rigid and less flexible than the other guns and I wonder how well the frame material will respond to a wood burner and sandpaper.

Up top the American slide has rear cocking serrations that are cross hatched and provide for a good purchase when loading and unloading. Spring weights are such that no excessive effort is needed to work the slide.



Trigger

The American has a steel trigger with a Glock-type trigger safety in the center. Unlike the Glock, the American uses a pre-loaded striker so it operates in more of a "single action" mode. The resulting trigger pull is fairly short and actually fairly crisp with little overtravel.

When I first unboxed the gun, I was surprised at how slow, mushy and indistinct the trigger reset was. But now that I have 300 or so rounds fired and probably 3x as many dryfire trigger presses, the reset is more positive. It still feels a little light and reminds me of the earlier M&P pistols.

Sharp edges and/or frame shape and thickness

This is another area where, for me, the American and Smith both shine over the Glock. I have fairly large hands and get a very high and aggressive grip on a handgun. The Glock will cut the base of my shooting thumb if I'm not careful.



Neither the Smith nor the Ruger will bite me. All three pistols are relatively smooth and free of bite points otherwise and are easy to manipulate without torn hands or ripped fingernails. On the down side, the Ruger has no prominent squared edges and a true Novak rear sight so working one-handed malfunctions is going to be difficult. I imagine we'll see a notched rear sight like is on the M&P sometime in the future.  

The American's trigger and trigger guard are more close in size and shape to the Glock. Shooters wearing gloves or with fat fingers will probably feel some rubbing on the inside of the trigger guard on these two pistols. The M&P is superior to both in this regard.  

Ease of maintenance

Both the M&P and the Ruger require the slide to be retracted before the takedown lever can be moved. This is a big plus over the Glock. The American goes one step further in that the trigger is deactivated by the takedown lever and the slide comes off without any trigger manipulation and/or the use of the backstrap pin.



Ruger says the new American's metal parts are made of nitrided or nickel teflon coated stainless steel. The gun should be fairly easy to maintain in harsh conditions. The gun comes apart easily, as mentioned, and the striker comes out in a manner similar to the Glock and M&P. The firing pin block is located in the sear/firing assembly so the slide has nothing else to remove other than dovetailed sights and the pinned external extractor. The slide does have a few more internal cuts and grooves that are harder to get into with just a cleaning patch or toothbrush compared to the other two.  





The serial number is located on the back of the frame and the entire firing mechanism is housed in a skeletal chassis that can be removed from the frame. This isn't mentioned in the owner's manual but it isn't too hard to figure out. Once the chassis is out, care must be taken not to accidentally lose the trigger return spring or the two level bars that run along each side of the chassis. In this regard, the American apparently is more mechanically complex than the Glock or M&P.

An interesting side benefit, and one that should appeal to many future owners, is the serialized part of the frame can be easily removed. I imagine this means Ruger will eventually sell plastic frame assembly parts in green, tan, etc. Also, departments or agencies issuing the American could replace a damaged frame by simply installing a new plastic housing. This should be a huge advantage over either the other two guns. SIG and Ruger are both on to something here and I imagine more polymer makers will follow this pattern in the future.

Accuracy



Accuracy seems good and I had little difficulty keeping rounds in the head of a USPSA target from 15 yards. Similarly I had no problem consistently hitting a steel silhouette target at 50 yards and even 100 yards.



The American, like many light pistols with a relatively heavy trigger, may have a tendency to shoot left for a right-handed shooter. Sinking the trigger finger in a little deeper may help alleviate this.

Ruger seems to have identified the proper barrel twist and barrel-to-slide fit to provide good accuracy out of the box.

Durability/Reliability

It won't be until the gun has been out a year and has been used by a few departments and competition shooters that we can make any sort of determination on durability or reliability. Still, the gun is fairly stout and is noticeably heavier than the other two guns. It is built for hot +P ammo and should be able to take a steady diet of the latest defense ammo without drastically reduced service life. That should mean the 40S&W variant will be tough as nails too.

Overall, I think I prefer the M&P but that's not to say Ruger hasn't done an excellent job with the American and I'll admit the gun has grown on me. I think my preference at this point is honestly based more on familiarity rather than any salient features or design characteristics. Both guns feel a bit more natural and comfortable to me than the Glock series and I don't have the issues with cuts on my thumb or accidental mag release with either.

So there you have it. My quick and dirty review. If anyone has any specific questions let me know. Thanks.

Tag for updates on FTF/FTE with different ammo types. Is the trigger more like the M&P or like the Glock? The M&P trigger had the safety a little too low to where I had to slide my finger down on the trigger before pulling.

Excellent review, thank you. I look forward to seeing this in a subcompact size.

Thank you for the review.

Personally, I don't care for the rear sight.

Other than that it looks very promising.

Genuine Novak rear sight.

Hopefully a "wedge" rear sight will soon follow.

That's what I would hope for.

Doesn't the Novak cut make it difficult to find rear sights because of the width?

I do not think Glock has anything to worry about.

The trigger operates like the Glock in that it has a "knife blade" running down its face. Pressure anywhere along the blade should work to release the trigger.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Here's retired Border Patrol Agent Ed Head's take:

http://www.downrange.tv/blog/ruger-american-pistols/36322/


Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Until the firearm itself AND the magazines pass Larry Vickers Glock torture test, no. Magazines have always been a weak link and can make a great gun run like shit.

Wait so Ruger can do more than just copy/improve on other companies designs? I love Ruger...I hope this turns out to be a great product for them, but I hate the back end of it, just makes the whole thing look ugly...Hi-Point like.

Great.  Now I've got to consider another gun.  I've been looking for a full size double stack 9mm that fits nice in my hand and will hit what I'm aiming at.  I had pretty much decided to get a Glock 19 gen 4, but will have to wait till I can handle one of these now.

I started with a CZ 75c clone that felt great in my hand, but I wasn't very accurate with it.  Traded for an m&p that I really just don't like.  Doesn't fit my hand well and as a result, is not very accurate for me.  I thought a g19 gen 4 would be a good next step, but now that will have to wait.

I have small hands and shoot smaller guns well.  All of my other pistols are single stacks.  Yeah, I'm that guy that buys SM size gloves, SM to M jackets, and likes youth sized rifles...

Have you considered the SIG P320?

Great review, thanks.

Glad to see Ruger still in the game.

Txl

Made hot


Eta, can someone get them to match champion the new gp100 in .22or?


Txl

Ruger is supposed to have tritium, plain black, and some kind of bar dot sight sets available for sale very soon. Hopefully someone like Trijicon will come along quickly with their HD's and/or AmeriGlo will make some aftermarket sights.


Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Extra mags are  $44.95 from shopruger.com

Will add that to the list now too.

I was thinking of a racking ledge on the rear sight more than anything.

Night sights are great, but clearing malfunctions one-handed and keeping the gun running is paramount to me.

I hope they get it right.

JMO

How much are you shooting the 75 & m&p before deciding you're inaccurate with them? More than a couple range trips?

Comfort while fondling and accuracy don't necessarily correlate.

Maybe 500 over 3 trips through the CZ clone. Can't remember for sure.  The clone had a pretty heavy trigger.  That could be fixed with parts, but I over payed for it already and didn't want to throw any more money at it.

Only about 200 on 1 trip through the M&P.  I really wasn't a fan of the M&P from the get go, but I was trading up and had to do a bit of driving to do the deal.  So I went through with it.   The M&P really doesn't fit me at all.  If I pick it up a dozen times, I end up with a dozen different grips.  None of them give me any confidence that I have full control over it.  With very, very, slow, deliberate firing, I could hit my mark.  No good for self defense, and no fun at the range.

Grab A Gun has them listed on their site for $473.84. Was hoping they would be closer to $399

Yes me too. I see now that I posted wedge. I meant to say ledge. That's why I'm hoping we'll see some HD's or something at least similar in shape to the newer M&P rears.



Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Took that off my next buy list.

Won't buy any pistol with mag prices like that.

Txl

I like block-type rear sights.

I have friends and students who buy handguns with Novak-style sights and they are dismayed because they can't get mainstream rear sights because of the wide dovetail cut.

I have never seen the need for the "Ski Ramp" type of sights. I have several handguns and not one has those style of sights.

I carry several different handguns on occasion wearing different garments, and I have never found a need for Novak's, and none of my rear sights have ever snagged or caught on my garments. Hammers are a different issue, though.

I don't see the popularity for those style of sights.

C'mon Ruger. Get it right!

If it's going to be priced in the $450+ range, and the mags are $40+, it's going to struggle against Glock.  Say whatever you like about Glock, but it's one of the most reliable and durable pistols ever made.  You don't get to be at the top of the mountain because you suck.  While the Ruger doesn't appear to be horrible, I don't see where it provides anything innovative or better over a Glock or M&P that are similarly priced.  

It could gain some traction at a $350'ish price point, and the mags were cheaper.

Yep I'm with you not when I can get Glock mags for $20 or Magpul copies for $15

Kinda doubtfull

Canik anyone???

Mags are fairly pricey but they're extremely nice quality.  They load easily to full capacity and seat almost effortlessly in the gun on an in-battery slide.  They have a nickel teflon coating inside and out and have no visible weld seams.  

The only thing I wonder about are the base plates and plate retainers.  These are plastic and are "old school" stuff with just a round stud that retains the plate.  Will the base plates pop off when dropped on a hard surface?  Will the plates pop off if the shooter seats a mag aggressively with most of his seating force being applied to the back edge of the plate?  We don't have answers yet.

Anyway, I'm guessing the mag prices will be a bit better when they are available from Midway, Brownell's, etc.

I have an SR9 and love it.  This looks like the 22 just larger and I agree the grip and rear section kind of ruin it for me in that it looks very "high point" like.

My first thought when I saw this was how long until Magpul makes grip panels for it?



PS Ruger keeps stating the bore axis is low.  Sure doesn't look like it.  ?????

Looks good.
Ruger mag prices at their site, are basically msrp.  They will be cheaper, but not lower twenty dollar range, like the Glocks, and probably not even in the mid twenty range, like the M&P.
I understand why they make the mag  baseplates like they do, but all these make the gun taller than it needs to be.

How's this for a price?

https://shop.whittakerguns.com/product/372

Dave Spaulding likes it.

Here are some external measurements, for those interested.

Width of the slide



Width across the slide release tabs.  This is the widest point on the gun



Width of mag release button



Width across the grip tang



Width across the palm swells on the medium insert

Thanks again for all the detailed information.

I thought that the M&P pistols were the "Glock Killer"

Hmmmm...

Another review:

https://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/ruger-american-pistol/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=20160101_FridayDigest_10&utm_campaign=/blog/ruger-american-pistol/

I would buy the Ruger American over the Canik.  Just my opinion.

Thanks for the review

Really cool!


Huge fan of Ruger, glad they stepped things up from the SR disaster!


Excited to see this, great review as well!

Interesting.  It reminds me of a more modernized take on the Steyr M9A1.

First thing that came to my mind as well .
I am going back 3 or 4 years when I was helping a buddy in his shop and along with the Steyr there was a Walther that was so close in design and shape we thought they might have been made in the same factory . I do believe the magazines were slightly different in shape but seemed to be interchangeable . by that they could be swapped but we never test fired them .
Seems like we found a third brand in a catalog that was also a dead ringer

Looked like decent pistols but had way too many levers and buttons on the side . (yes I am a Glock guy)

There are a lot of guys who will buy this gun just because it is a Ruger but I really can't see it "killing" the Glock
Yeah I know there is a bunch of folks who for one reason or another don't like Glocks but the Glocks are pretty much the universal firearm that works very well , is reasonably priced , has lots of models and tremendous factory support

OP,

Thank you for the very comprehensive review.  Appreciate the effort.

The only characteristic I'd be keen to try is the trigger pull.  If not better than the Glock - then, well.....

Seems the pistol is a lot of answers to problems I didn't have.  Full disclosure;  I judge Rugers harshly.

Ray

Sr series and the lcps are pos. They go down all the time in our rental fleet. Their construction is shoddy with weak parts that break easily.  I won't recommend any to my students
 

I'll probably buy one at some point, but it won't kill my Glocks.  I like Glock and Ruger both, and have some of each.  Both are HUGELY successful gun companies, maybe even the top two in the world.  I am certain I haven't bought my last Ruger, or Glock.  Not even close.

I'm looking forward to shooting one of these Rugers.  I do think they could easily improve on Glock's trigger.

That's one of the things I like about the Steyr M9a1.  It comes with a really nice trigger.  I think it was hickok45 who remarked that he, "couldn't ask for a much better trigger," in reference to the Steyr.  Certainly not as nice as a 1911 trigger, of course, but for a striker fired handgun, the Steyr does pretty well.

The trigger is very good for a striker-fired pistol.  It has minimal creep and breaks fairly cleanly at the end of its travel.  It also has very little overtravel thanks to a built-in stop in the frame.

Reset is a little long and somewhat indistinct (it has gotten better after some use) but isn't anything a person won't get used to after a box or two of ammo.