Compact Model Added to Ruger American Pistol Line

by
posted on September 29, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Building on the success of the full-size Ruger American Pistol introduced in Dec. 2015, the company has announced a Compact model that will appeal to armed citizens and concealed-carry practitioners. The Compact retains the full suite of features and mil-spec construction of the full-size American Pistol—including replaceable backstraps, bi-lateral controls and Novak three-dot sights—but the grip frame and barrel have been trimmed down to enhance portability.

American Rifleman's Joe Kurtenbach was part of an exclusive group of gun industry writers who got an early look at this new model, and you can see him fire the pistol and explain its features in better detail in this "NRA First" video

 
 
Initial offering will be chambered in 9 mm Luger, featuring a 3.55” barrel and feeding from a flush 12-round magazine or a 17-rounder with a grip-extending collar. This new model is available in both Manual Safety and Pro model configurations. For more, visit Ruger.com.

Specifications

Manufacturer: Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Model: Ruger American Pistol (Compact)
Action Type: striker-fired, semi-automatic pistol
Chambering: 9 mm Luger
Barrel: 3.55”
Rifling: six-groove, 1:10” RH twist
Slide: stainless steel with black nitride finish
Height: 4.48”
Width: 1.05” (slide); 1.40” (controls, Pro model); 1.50” (controls, Manual Safety model)
Overall Length: 6.65”
Weight: 28.75 ozs.
Sights: Novak LoMount Carry 3-Dot
Magazine: detachable box, 12- and 17-round capacity
MSRP: $579

Latest

Ruger American Gen2 Patrol 1
Ruger American Gen2 Patrol 1

Review: Ruger American Gen II Patrol

Ruger's American rifle line represents a good balance between cost and performance, and the latest generation offers many welcome upgrades, as seen on this Gen II Patrol model in 5.56 NATO.

SOG Knives Celebrates 40 Years in Business

SOG Knives, which was established by Spencer Frazer in 1986, is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026.

The History of Repeating Arms Gun-Control Groups Don’t Want the Courts to Know

This episode of NRA’s The Armed Citizen Podcast refutes one of the biggest false claims gun-control groups and the politicians they support repeat ad nauseam by asserting that the Founding Fathers could not have imagined the AR-15.

Rifleman Review: Springfield Armory Kuna

Initially designed by Croatian manufacturer HS Produkt to fulfill a military contract, the Kuna has since arrived on U.S. shores through Springfield Armory as a semi-automatic, large-format handgun chambered for the 9 mm Luger cartridge.

All-American AK: The Bear Creek Arsenal BC-47

North Carolina’s Bear Creek Arsenal makes AR-15s, 10/22s and handguns, but new for 2026, it is introducing its first AK-pattern firearm with the BC-47.

Review: TNW Firearms ASR 1911

Reliable pistol-caliber carbines, especially with quick-caliber-change capability, are fun, and the ASR 1911 from TNW Firearms is one of the most unique of the bunch.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.