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

AR on table with target
AR on table with target

Skills Check: Rifle Standard Delta 2

Carbine performance is all about maintaining control. The Rifle Standard Delta 2 is a drill that pressures recoil control, visual discipline and cadence as distance decreases and time compresses.

Gun Sales Up for the 7th Month in a Row in 2026

The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s (NSSF) estimate of last month’s gun sales was up 2.2 percent compared to August 2025.

Caring For & Feeding Your Cap-and-Ball Revolvers

Compared to pistoleros of the 19th century, today’s handgunners have it easy. It's not enough just to get an old-school, cap-and-ball revolver. You also need to acquire everything to shoot and clean it.

Lighter & Better: Savage’s Updated Ultralite Series of Rifles

Savage Arms kicked off 2026 by announcing a new generation of Model 110 bolt-action rifles, and now, the company has also introduced an updated series of Ultralite rifles.

Gun of the Week: Franchi Momentum Elite MULE

One of the latest entrants into the general-utility rifle market is Franchi with its Momentum Utility Lite Elite bolt-action rifle, also known as the MULE.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 11, 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.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.