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

Nighthawk Custom New Guns 2026 1
Nighthawk Custom New Guns 2026 1

Nighthawk Custom Releases Trio Of New Pistols For 2026

Ahead of SHOT Show 2026, Nighthawk Custom announced it would be releasing three new handguns, all built with the company's "One Gun, One Gunsmith" approach.

I Have This Old Gun: Remington Nylon 66

When Remington Arms wanted an inexpensive, mass-market .22 rifle, the company's designers departed from traditional manufacturing materials. The resulting Remington Nylon 66 emerged as an incredibly innovative, durable design that went on to be produced in great numbers.

Nevada, Missouri Law Enforcement Agencies Adopt Springfield Echelon

Police departments in Nevada and Missouri became the latest law-enforcement agencies to adopt the Springfield Armory Echelon 4.5F as their official duty pistol.

New For 2026: FN 309 MRD

For 2026, FN is seeking to bring its handguns to a wider market with the FN 309 MRD, a no-frills affordable pistol that the company says is “easy to shoot, easy to use and easy to own.”

Handloads: A Cheap .38 Special Target Load

These times of sparsely available handloading components require scrimping here and there in order to continue shooting, and the .38 Special provides a lot of bang for the buck.

Jack O'Connor Guns, Books & Art Up For Auction

A number of books and firearms, along with some art pieces, that have a direct connection to famed outdoor writer Jack O'Connor are up for auction at GunBroker.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.