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

Guns Of Shanghai F
Guns Of Shanghai F

The Guns of Shanghai 1937: A Prelude to WWII's Brutal Urban Combat

Often overlooked by Western military historians, the Battle of Shanghai in 1937 was an early sign of the brutal urban combat that would characterize much of World War II. An incredible array of arms was used in the fighting.

New For 2026: Vortex Strike Eagle 1-10X 24 mm FFP LPVO Riflescope

Previously offered in 1-6X and 1-8X variants, new for 2026, Vortex is introducing the Strike Eagle 1-10X 24 mm FFP riflescope.

Gun of the Week: Ruger RXM

On the surface, the RXM appears to be similar to the Glock G19-inspired selection of striker-fired, polymer-frame pistols on the market, but a closer look reveals that there's much more to this modular design.

Rifleman Q&A: How Frequently Should You Clean?

AN NRA member and his brother have identical rifles. One brother cleans every time he shoots. The other cleans every 100 rounds. Which barrel will last longer?

The Armed Citizen® March 20, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

NRA Launches New Official App

The National Rifle Association proudly unveiled its new official NRA App today, marking a significant milestone in enhancing member engagement and delivering convenient access to essential NRA resources on the go.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.