Ruger American 9mm

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Anyone have one and have some rounds through it? What do you like and dislike?

In a moment of weakness due to Palmetto State Armory's smoking deal on one I made a purchase. Got it for $249.99, I honestly don't know how they sell some of these guns for the price they do, but they sold out of them fast.

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We got one last year for my wife. I honestly haven't put a lot of rounds through it but I like it & believe it is good gun.

And yes you got a smoking deal. When I bought the one for my wife last year they were selling for around $400. I have been seeing them online for around $360 lately. Any way you look at it you got an excellent deal.
 
The RAP9 I've had for over one year now and have fired it extensively. How extensively you may ask (8000 benchmark rounds - a mix of self-defense and FMJ ball) with out a failure to feed, fire and eject. I did this because of the negative online - U tube commentary when the RAP9 was first introduced. I am not a Ruger person, I normally dwell in the house of Glock and S&W. I was impressed enough with the RAP9 to also acquire a RAP45. I have nothing negative to say about RAP series functionality on par with the Glock G17 & G21 and the S&W MP9 & 45.
 
Thank you for the replies. I really didn't need it but there's always room for a great deal.

I'm just trying to figure out what is Ruger and PSA's marketing plan for selling that cheap. Im sure everyone is trying to race to the bottom to clear inventories before everyone's discretional income is spent. And I know that these striker fired pistols probably only cost them $60-70 in raw materials to make but then they have excise taxes, Rugers overhead and R&D costs on the American line, Rugers profit margins and then PSA's profit margins to account for and $250 does leave much room for margins.

I have knowledge about how dealer networks work and was curious how PSA is able to sell it for that cheap? If Ruger gave them a good deal on "X" number of pistols that would upset other Ruger dealers. Maybe PSA is only selling it for a very minimal profit just to generate a sale, I would imagine they would not be making much at all on the sale.

Anyways, I'm excited to have a gun that has some new features I'm not used to in the striker fired arena to check out. Mainly I think it's a nice feature to have the serialized slide rail and be able to separate the fire control group and internals from the lower polymer frame.
 
I mean, as with everything gun related right now, sales are down. I am sure PSA is selling them at a loss/at cost but with any retail sale they probably hope it draws web traffic to their site and while you're ordering maybe you pick up some other stuff.
 
The RAP9 I've had for over one year now and have fired it extensively. How extensively you may ask (8000 benchmark rounds - a mix of self-defense and FMJ ball) with out a failure to feed, fire and eject. I did this because of the negative online - U tube commentary when the RAP9 was first introduced. I am not a Ruger person, I normally dwell in the house of Glock and S&W. I was impressed enough with the RAP9 to also acquire a RAP45. I have nothing negative to say about RAP series functionality on par with the Glock G17 & G21 and the S&W MP9 & 45.

Well an 8000 round count is great to hear. Any stoppages along the way? Do you notice any recoil differences between the RAP9 and your Glocks and M&P's from their patented new design that's touted to reduce felt recoil?
 
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I mean, as with everything gun related right now, sales are down. I am sure PSA is selling them at a loss/at cost but with any retail sale they probably hope it draws web traffic to their site and while you're ordering maybe you pick up some other stuff.

I agree, but at the same time, with a price like that there is no time to see what else you need/want from PSA before pulling the trigger on buying the gun as they sold out very quickly like I thought. I pretty much saw the deal in my email thought about it for 30 minutes and purchased. They were sold out 20 minutes later. Crazy times
 
I bought the 9mm compact version a couple of months ago. I like the balance and lack of muzzle flip - It's easy to stay on target. No problems feeding hollow points. I have not experienced any of the "knuckle bite" that the early youtube video review made a big deal about. If you install the proper backstrap panel for your hand size, there should be no problem.
The only hiccup I've experienced is that somehow the takedown cam got out of position during firing and caused the slide to bind. It happened only once but runs fine otherwise. Maybe my left thumb inadvertently hit the lever.
Anyway, I'm very satisfied with it so far.
 
That's a sweet deal. I wasn't real enthralled with the RAP when I tried one on, but for that price I could see buying two of them to stash away for the end days.

I found it a lot more appealing than the Beretta APX though.
 
That's a sweet deal. I wasn't real enthralled with the RAP when I tried one on, but for that price I could see buying two of them to stash away for the end days.

I found it a lot more appealing than the Beretta APX though.

What was your experience with the RAP and what didn't you like about it? When it first came out I said to myself, "Oh another striker fired pistol that looks and functions like the rest of them." So I guess you could have said that I was less than enthralled about much of what is being offered in the striker pistol arena today. And it's nothing against striker fired pistols, its just there hasn't been much dramatic innovation in the last 10-15 years in the striker pistol arena, probably the last innovation was the adjustable grip panels. So when a company comes out with a new model, its hard to get real excited about it. But I could get excited about the price, that was for sure.

I guess the one feature that has me interested in the RAP is the serialized rail and how you can take out the internals from the polymer frame, that's pretty interesting to me, but I'm sure it comes at a price of having to make the pistol a little bit wider than others.

I've heard complaints about the reset being too long and people criticize the look of the grip and it seems like some people had issues with their knuckle hurting after a period of time.
 
I would be curious to know your impressions after you shoot it. I think it is about like any other poly gun. Not really an insult just my opinion. But it is as good as many that cost more for less. I find myself more interested in the compact model now though but they are still around $425 IIRC.
 
I would be curious to know your impressions after you shoot it. I think it is about like any other poly gun. Not really an insult just my opinion. But it is as good as many that cost more for less. I find myself more interested in the compact model now though but they are still around $425 IIRC.

Once I receive it and get back and work slows down, I'll get some range time with it and let you know. I'm a little spoiled when it comes to striker fired triggers as I shoot as Walther PPQ & PPS M2, but I'm sure the Ruger will be a fine striker specimen, especially at the price.

If it functions through 1,000 rounds reliably and get my wife out shooting it, I might turn it into a bedroom gun with a streamlight on it for my wife and I to have access to.
 
What was your experience with the RAP and what didn't you like about it?

The fit of the backstrap to the frame created a seem in the grip that hit me in the wrong spot. It didn't feel too good when I compared it to my HK45, VP9, P30SK, or any of my hammer fired guns. It felt like the fit of the grip could have been better. However, I have boney ass hands and as a result, I am probably hyper aware of this issue. When you have skeleton hands, any little seem in the wrong place can become an issue.

The gun felt chunkier than it needed to be. It was a well built gun for sure, but I feel that the lines could have been a little trimmer.

Those are based purely on opinion, and if I was looking for an affordable pistol, they are things I could definitely get used to. However, the trigger was the killer for me. It felt rather gritty and heavy. It was just kind of "meh". But, I am use d to my VP9 which has a very nice trigger, and a much higher price tag. I suspect the Ruger trigger would smooth out as all Ruger triggers seem to do, but I just didn't see that the RAP would do anything better than my other guns.

But like I said, at that price, I could see picking one or more up to stash away for a rainy day.
 
The fit of the backstrap to the frame created a seem in the grip that hit me in the wrong spot. It didn't feel too good when I compared it to my HK45, VP9, P30SK, or any of my hammer fired guns. It felt like the fit of the grip could have been better. However, I have boney ass hands and as a result, I am probably hyper aware of this issue. When you have skeleton hands, any little seem in the wrong place can become an issue.

The gun felt chunkier than it needed to be. It was a well built gun for sure, but I feel that the lines could have been a little trimmer.

Those are based purely on opinion, and if I was looking for an affordable pistol, they are things I could definitely get used to. However, the trigger was the killer for me. It felt rather gritty and heavy. It was just kind of "meh". But, I am use d to my VP9 which has a very nice trigger, and a much higher price tag. I suspect the Ruger trigger would smooth out as all Ruger triggers seem to do, but I just didn't see that the RAP would do anything better than my other guns.

But like I said, at that price, I could see picking one or more up to stash away for a rainy day.

Most of what you have said I've heard others have similar observations/complaints. I don't expect the trigger to be as nice as my Walthers but useable.
 
I would be curious to know your impressions after you shoot it. I think it is about like any other poly gun. Not really an insult just my opinion. But it is as good as many that cost more for less. I find myself more interested in the compact model now though but they are still around $425 IIRC.

I think sportmans outdoor superstore is still running the RAPs for $365 - any caliber or configuration. The 45acp model would be interesting. The compact fits nicely in my N82 iwb holster:
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Well an 8000 round count is great to hear. Any stoppages along the way? Do you notice any recoil differences between the RAP9 and your Glocks and M&P's from their patented new design that's touted to reduce felt recoil?

If there was a stoppage with the RAP9 during the 8000 round count it was of no noted significance. Recoil and the tolerance there of, is a subjective attribute dependent on the individual shooter. The 9X19mm is a soft shooter but I'll allow +P+ recoil is some what brisk but not unmanageable.

Comparing the Glock Gen3 G17, S&W MP9 and the Ruger RAP9 at 7/10Yds using a IDPA target referencing the 6in scoring ring indexing the outline of the pistol on the target outline with out precise usage of the sights. Rapid-fire magazine dumps all (17) rounds stay in the inside dimension of the previously mentioned scoring ring.The G17 - MP9 & RAP9 were basically equal in that respect.

Trigger press the G17 and RAP9 OEM standard. The MP9 modified with a Apex Duty/Carry triggering system kit.

Hand fit interface MP9 and RAP9 palm swell inserts as assembled from the factory. The Glock Gen3 OEM standard with no modification.

As previously stated the RAP9 is on par with the Glock G17 and S&W MP9. In some respects it maybe better but that's my opinion. Others will see it differently!

In closing the first center fire handgun fired was a 1911A1 at Parris Island in 1964 and the first combat experience was with a 1911A1 in Viet-Nam 1965. I learned what most people learned before me a handgun is a nice supplement to a rifle.
 
If there was a stoppage with the RAP9 during the 8000 round count it was of no noted significance. Recoil and the tolerance there of, is a subjective attribute dependent on the individual shooter. The 9X19mm is a soft shooter but I'll allow +P+ recoil is some what brisk but not unmanageable.

Comparing the Glock Gen3 G17, S&W MP9 and the Ruger RAP9 at 7/10Yds using a IDPA target referencing the 6in scoring ring indexing the outline of the pistol on the target outline with out precise usage of the sights. Rapid-fire magazine dumps all (17) rounds stay in the inside dimension of the previously mentioned scoring ring.The G17 - MP9 & RAP9 were basically equal in that respect.

Trigger press the G17 and RAP9 OEM standard. The MP9 modified with a Apex Duty/Carry triggering system kit.

Hand fit interface MP9 and RAP9 palm swell inserts as assembled from the factory. The Glock Gen3 OEM standard with no modification.

As previously stated the RAP9 is on par with the Glock G17 and S&W MP9. In some respects it maybe better but that's my opinion. Others will see it differently!

In closing the first center fire handgun fired was a 1911A1 at Parris Island in 1964 and the first combat experience was with a 1911A1 in Viet-Nam 1965. I learned what most people learned before me a handgun is a nice supplement to a rifle.

Thank you for observations/experiences with it. It is good to see some objectivity that they are all within shooting distance with each other as far as performance.

And thank you for your service in Viet-Nam it is appreciated and I hope you had a good Memorial Day remembering the fallen.
 
Anyone have one and have some rounds through it? What do you like and dislike?

In a moment of weakness due to Palmetto State Armory's smoking deal on one I made a purchase. Got it for $249.99, I honestly don't know how they sell some of these guns for the price they do, but they sold out of them fast.

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they made $50.00 + on the gun, how much you think Glock sell their gun to a dealer ? under $250.00 on the compacts and sub compacts, less if you get a big order.
 
5500 rounds through a full-sized 9, only lubed once at the beginning, never cleaned throughout the test.
One single misfeed in a string of underpowered loads toward the end.
Shot better at the end than the beginning.
Denis
 
5500 rounds through a full-sized 9, only lubed once at the beginning, never cleaned throughout the test.
One single misfeed in a string of underpowered loads toward the end.
Shot better at the end than the beginning.
Denis
During the course of 8000 rounds fired, I do not believe I exceeded on average 306 rounds fired between basic disassembly of the pistol and the six (17) round magazines for cleaning. That would have been averaging three (102) rounds firing sessions. Federal, Speer, & Winchester self-defenses ammunition, Nato ball and my reloads.
 
As I've mentioned before, my testing was done in just over 30 days, with sessions running the pistol too hot to touch the slide.
Never disassembled.
Never cleaned.
Never lubed beyond the first lubing. Pistol was running dry after about the first 1000 rounds.
One magazine used throughout all testing.

All rounds used were commercial, 5000 of which were Black Hills FMJ.
Denis
 
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