RUGER AMERICAN PISTOL COMPACT
Posted Jun 14, 2023
The Ruger American Pistol Compact (aka RAPC) is a well-crafted handgun designed for the civilian market by the legendary firearm manufacturer Sturm, Ruger & Co.
First off, let's look at the construction of this pistol. The Ruger American Pistol Compact is made from solid stainless steel, making it incredibly durable and corrosion resistant. The frame is made of glass-filled nylon which is light and strong. The slide is made of stainless steel which is additionally treated with black nitride to give it enhanced corrosion and abrasion resistance. The grip is also made of glass-filled nylon, so it's comfortable in the hand, but still offers a good grip.
Next let's look at the safety features of the gun. This pistol has a sear disconnect, magazine disconnect, and lockwork designed to prevent accidental discharge. It also has a loaded chamber indicator so you can easily tell if there is a round in the chamber. Lastly, this pistol has a manual safety which must be engaged before you can fire it.
Now let's look at the performance of this pistol. The trigger pull is easy and smooth with a very short reset. The sights on the gun are drift adjustable Novak-style 3-dot sights, which makes them very easy to align. Accuracy wise this gun performs admirably, and it is capable of delivering groupings that measure in the 2-4 inch range out of the box.
Finally, let's look at the reliability of the Ruger American Pistol Compact. This gun has been extensively tested and proven to be very reliable no matter what kind of ammunition you put through it. A Ruger American Pistol Compact with properly maintained magazines can go hundreds, if not thousands of rounds without malfunctioning.
To sum it up, the Ruger American Pistol Compact is an incredibly well-crafted and reliable handgun. The construction is solid, the safety features are good, and it performs admirably in accuracy and reliability tests. It is easy to see why so many people are choosing this handgun for everyday carry, and it definitely deserves a look from anyone in the market for an affordable and reliable concealable sidearm.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Affordable price point.
- Ergonomic design and solid construction.
- Lightweight and small size make it great for concealed carry.
- Easy to use external safeties and controls.
- Variety of available holster and grips to choose from.
- Comes with factory installed sights.
- Easy to clean and maintain.
Cons:
- Limited aftermarket parts and upgrades.
- Lower capacity magazines than other similar guns.
- Lack of accessories like threaded barrels and compensators.
- May need to replace sights for better accuracy.
- Poor trigger pull and reset.
- Lack of universal holsters.
Who Should Buy
The Ruger American Pistol Compact is a semi-automatic pistol designed for self-defense. It is an excellent choice for personal protection or plinking, however, it should only be purchased by responsible persons who have had proper training in firearm safety and operation. If you have not received proper training, we strongly recommend speaking with a certified firearms instructor before purchasing this pistol. Persons under the age of 18 should not purchase this pistol.
Comparisons
| Feature | RUGER AMERICAN PISTOL COMPACT | SMITH & WESSON PERFORMANCE CENTER PC1911 | WILSON COMBAT CQB TACTICAL LE | HECKLER & KOCH HK 416 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caliber | 9mm | .45 ACP | .45 ACP | 5.56mm NATO |
| Capacity | 10-12 rounds | 7+1 rounds | 8+1 Rounds | 30+1 Rounds |
| Barrel Length | 3.55” | 5.0” | 4.6” | 14.5” |
| Overall Length | 6.65” | 8.6” | 8.7” | 30.5” |
| Weight | 23 ounces | 37.7 ounces | 37 ounces | 7.8 pounds |
Features / Specs
• 9mm Luger
• Short recoil-operated locked-breech system
• 4” barrel
• 17+1 capacity (includes magazine with extended capacity)
• Glass-filled nylon frame
• Black Nitride finished slide
• Black anodized aluminum handguard
• Fixed sights
• Manual safety
• MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny Mounting Rail
• Ergonomic AP over-molded Texture Grip & Frame Insert
• Includes two 17-round magazines
• Overall length: 7.5”
Popular Accessories
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- Holsters
- Magazine Extensions
- Laser Sights
- Grips
- Magwells
- Flashlights
- Muzzle Brakes
- Extended Slide Releases
- Extended Mag Releases
- Triggers
Accuracy
The Ruger American Pistol Compact (9mm) is renowned for its accuracy and precision. It's capable of being incredibly accurate even in hand size, making it appealing to a range of shooters. Ruger's patented Recoil Control System in the grip frame tames felt recoil and supports quick follow-up shots. The barrel is cold hammer-forged and features a 1:10 twist rate to stabilize the 9mm ammunition, resulting in excellent accuracy. The slide features forward and rear cocking serrations for a secure grip and easy slide manipulation. The three-dot sights provide a rapid sight picture and are drift adjustable for windage corrections. All in all, the Ruger American Pistol Compact offers accuracy that is enough to satisfy virtually any 9mm shooter.
