View Full Version : Ruger American Pistol
Ruger introduced this pistol with some fanfare, but it seems to have fallen completely off the radar since then. With the G19X, P320 and others taking most of the spotlight, is this gun making very much money for Ruger?
As I understand it was initially designed to be an entry in the MHS competition, but Ruger never actually entered the competition, instead they entered the civilian market with it.
I've held them, but never shot one. It doesn't seem like a bad little pistol, but it didn't give me the buy me now vibe.
I think that it will sell best to either Ruger fans, or to first time buyers. One of the reasons I wouldn't buy one is because of my investment in holsters, etc. for the G17/19/22 and the M&P 2.0's. Didn't seem to make much sense to jump on another striker-fired pistol in my eyes.
First time buyers don't have that dilemma. I see them running about $150.00 to $200.00 below MSRP, don't know how Ruger is actually pricing them to dealers/distributors. If the LGS can make better bucks they will push them to first time buyers.
It’s definitely a first time buyer type gun, like most of Ruger’s centerfire semi auto lineup.
Good value, generally reliable (and backed by a good warranty), not a huge aftermarket but good for people who will buy, shoot a box of ammo, then keep it in a sock drawer for the next 1-50 years.
With what's going on at Ruger right now, many aren't buying.
They're definitely priced for the entry level buyer.
Drifting Fate
09-30-18, 20:45
What's up with Ruger?
No one bats 1,000, and the service pistol category is one they have always struggled in sales-wise. The P89 was ungainly but strong, the P95DC was much smoother but late to the game.
They make their money elsewhere, though I would still love to see a svelte 20ga O/U from them.
No one bats 1,000, and the service pistol category is one they have always struggled in sales-wise. The P89 was ungainly but strong, the P95DC was much smoother but late to the game.
They make their money elsewhere, though I would still love to see a svelte 20ga O/U from them.
The P-85's were excellent pistols for their time EXCEPT - decocker and sights. Why no one, or Ruger for that matter, ever made hi-vis sights and a more user friendly decock/safety levers for them I'll never know. You c o u l d n o t break one. Totally dependable pistols.
My wife still has her P-85 (first duty auto) and enjoys shooting it.
Ruger stuff is sturdy.
Pacific5th
10-16-18, 14:16
The American didn’t do much for me that the SR series already did, plus I think there ugly.
Looks like the RAP has some issues:
https://www.ruger.com/dataProcess/APRetrofit/?r=banner
I have an early production American and have used it in both IDPA and 3Gun. It had some extraction issues early on but Ruger sent me a new extractor for free. After that it has been boringly reliable.
Accuracy is good and the gun shoots well in slow fire. But the back strap is aggressively curved which causes the gun to point high and shoot high for me in competition. The trigger is okay. Nothing extra and the reset is probably longer than it needs to be.
Otherwise, the gun is heavy and kind of big for a 4" 9mm. The weight is due to the frame chassis being a machined block rather than a stamping as with the 320. Machining it out of aluminum would probably lighten the gun a bit and would maybe lower costs too.
I did take an LE armorer class a couple years ago. Nearly everyone remarked at how mechanically strange the frame is. The sear is also the firing pin block and locks the striker via a big crossbar that moves out of the way as the trigger is pressed. Interesting and unique but it makes the gun difficult to work on and reassemble. Not nearly as easy as the Glock, M&P or 320.
Overall I guess the American is fine but it could use some Gen2 treatment. Fix a few ergos and clean up the trigger. Maybe lighten it up a bit as mentioned above and it would be as good as anything else out there.
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Unless you are buying revolvers or 22LR pistols and rifles, it's best to steer clear of Recall Ruger.
Unless you are buying revolvers or 22LR pistols and rifles, it's best to steer clear of Recall Ruger.No love for their bolt rifles?
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No love for their bolt rifles?
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Personally no. But I only have 1 non-rimfire bolt gun, a Tikka.
And they do make some decent stuff, I just don't think duty centerfire pistol is remotely it for them these days.
Personally no. But I only have 1 non-rimfire bolt gun, a Tikka.
And they do make some decent stuff, I just don't think duty centerfire pistol is remotely it for them these days.Yeah that's true. They've struggled to get a good toehold on the striker duty gun market.
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And at the price you can get into a S&W M&P 2.0 9MM (mid-$300s), I don't remotely see the attraction to Ruger centerfire duty sized pistols.
Pacific5th
10-31-18, 16:29
The majority of my rifles are Ruger. However my only Ruger pistols are 22’s, a 22/45 MKIII Lite and a 10/22 Charger. It’s not that I don’t like there centerfire pistols, my first one was a SR9. There’s just better stuff out there with more aftermarket support.
The majority of my rifles are Ruger. However my only Ruger pistols are 22’s, a 22/45 MKIII Lite and a 10/22 Charger. It’s not that I don’t like there centerfire pistols, my first one was a SR9. There’s just better stuff out there with more aftermarket support.Yes generally although their 1911s are very good. Being 1911s there's no issue with an aftermarket.
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Pacific5th
10-31-18, 18:59
Yes generally although their 1911s are very good. Being 1911s there's no issue with an aftermarket.
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I had a LW Commander. It was great. I traded it off for something and have regretted that. I would pick up another one if I really wanted another 45.
I had a LW Commander. It was great. I traded it off for something and have regretted that. I would pick up another one if I really wanted another 45.I've always liked the Colt. Not sure why I haven't picked up a LW Ruger Commander.
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