Ruger Expands Mark IV and Ruger American Compact Pistol Lines

by
posted on March 10, 2017
** 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. **
rugermkiv_tactical.jpg

Ruger has announced additions to its Mark IV and Ruger American lines of pistols. The additions to the Mark IV family bring the total number of Mark IV models up to nine, with more additions planned for later this year. Ruger expects to duplicate a dozen of the most popular Mark III pistols in the Mark IV line. 

Like all pistols in the Mark IV family, the 22/45 Tactical and Competition models feature a simple, one-button takedown for quick and easy field-stripping, ambidextrous manual safety and a redesigned bolt stop for more ergonomic operation. The magazines drop free on release for faster reloads and a redesigned magazine disconnect safety prevents discharge when the magazine has been removed.

Internal improvements include changes to the hammer, sear, bolt and firing pin for smoother, more reliable feeding. The Mark IV is compatible with a variety of Mark III aftermarket accessories including sights, scope bases and holsters.

The Mark IV Competition features a cold hammer-forged, 6.88" slab-sided bull barrel and hardwood laminate thumb rest competition grips. The grip frame is CNC machined from one solid piece of stainless steel. Fully adjustable target sights are mounted on the barreled receiver for permanent sight-to-barrel alignment. The all stainless steel model weighs in at 45.8 ozs. for maximum stability in bullseye competition.





The Mark IV 22/45 Tactical features the lightweight polymer grip frame with rubberized replaceable grip panels that simulate the classic feel and grip angle of the 1911. The barreled receiver features a 4.40" barrel with a 1/2"-28 thread pattern, perfect for the addition of the Ruger Silent-SR sound suppressor or other muzzle accessory. The pistol has fully adjustable sights and factory-installed Picatinny rails on both the top and bottom of the upper receiver to allow mounting of sights, lights, lasers and other tactical accessories.







Introduced in a duty size in 2015, the Ruger American Pistol Compact in .45 Auto is now offered with an ambidextrous manual safety.  

The Ruger American Pistol features a pre-tensioned striker system, which allows for a short takeup trigger with positive reset, and a modular wrap-around grip system that adjusts palm swell and trigger reach to fit a wide range of hand sizes.

This compact model with ambidextrous manual safety, chambered in .45 Auto, is 7.25" long and 4.65" high with a 3.75" barrel and weighs in at 29 ozs. with an empty magazine. It ships with medium and large replaceable grip modules and two nickel-Teflon plated steel magazines (one 10-round extended magazine and one 7-round compact magazine). The Ruger American Pistol Compact shares all of the features of the duty size gun in a smaller, lighter, more concealable package.

Every Ruger American Pistol is built in the USA on a rigid, one-piece, precision-machined, black nitrided, stainless steel chassis with integral frame rails and fire control housing. Additional features include genuine Novak LoMount Carry three-dot sights, a stainless steel slide with non-reflective, black nitride finish, a one-piece, high-performance, glass-filled nylon grip frame and a mil-standard 1913 accessory rail.



For more information, visit Ruger.com.

Latest

Ithaca Model 87 Ultra Special 1
Ithaca Model 87 Ultra Special 1

The Model 87 Ultra Special: A Rare Survivor of Ithaca's Final Gamble

In the spring of 1990, an 18-year-old received a shotgun he didn't order. The Ithaca Model 87 Ultra Special he got instead was the last gasp of one of America's most iconic shotgun makers.

Five Million Friends

From one room of friends in Missouri to a nationwide movement, Friends of NRA celebrates more than five million lives touched through community, volunteerism, and a shared commitment to the future of the shooting sports.

As Gun Sales Stay High, Violent Crime Hits a Historic Low

According to a recent report from the FBI on national crime statistics, violent crime has decreased 9.3 percent from 2024, marking the largest year-to-year drop since the 1930s.

Federal to Provide Rifle Ammunition to Top Nordic Police Agencies

The Nordic Police, comprised of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland, recently selected two Federal Ammunition rifle loads for duty and training use.

New For 2026: Beretta APX A1 Ported

Beretta first entered the polymer-frame, striker-fired pistol market in 2017 with its APX, and nearly 10 years later, the company has added the APX A1 Ported to the lineup.

CDC Restores Basic Armed Citizen Data

As of Aug. 24, 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s webpage is again providing defensive-gun-use data.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.