Ruger American 9mm compact. Any throughts?

[triplebike]

My LGS has the above unfired for $329. Anyone have one of these. It's definitely built like a tank (typical Ruger). But I've never shot one. Thinking this is a good deal. Do I need another 9MM, nope, but I am a sucker for a good gun deal. Any insight will be greatly appreciated!

 

[someguy2800]

I've always been curious why these were basically stillborn. I remember comparing one side by side to an SR9 when they came out and I recall thinking the outgoing SR9 felt smoother, had a better trigger, and felt more ergonomic, but I've never had a chance to shoot the american.

 

[Fishbed77]

I've always been curious why these were basically stillborn. I remember comparing one side by side to an SR9 when they came out and I recall thinking the outgoing SR9 felt smoother, had a better trigger, and felt more ergonomic, but I've never had a chance to shoot the american

I think you answered your own question. In many ways, the RAP (especially in terms of size/ergonomics) was a step backwards from the SR9/SR9c (aside from the SR9’s doofy “safety” features), and the market recognized this.

The price the OP mentions above is very close the the price that one can find S&W M&P Compacts on sale recently, and that is typically a much better-regarded pistol.

 

[drobs]

I've handled them and they seem alright. The downside for me is more magazines and holsters to buy.

 

[kcofohio]

I bought one a few years back. Both it and my full size have a good smooth stock triggers. Neither has skipped a beat. It's accurate and fits good in the hand. Easy enough to switch out the back strap for what's comfy to the individual's hand.

I've put a pause on buying, but would like to eventually add the American in 45 Auto in compact and full size.

 

[HPJeep]

They're good guns but a bit fatter than their SR9/SR9C models. I have an SR9C and found no reason to replace it with the RAP.

 

[Quackattack]

I purchased a full size RAP 9 about five years ago for $300 on gunbroker. It is ugly. It is heavy. However, it eats anything you feed it and asks for more in true Ruger fashion. Surprisingly quite accurate too.

If memory serves me, Ruger built the RAP for the military pistol trials. Word was politics said the contract would be awarded to to either Sig or Glock. So in the end, Ruger showed the gun world they are capable of producing a rugged military weapon.

In closing, my RAP will always have a place in my house. Doesn’t get used very much anymore. However, I would snatch up that RAP compact for $329 real quick. In my parts, $300ish used doesn’t buy much besides SCCYs and FMK. Used Glock 17&19 go for $450ish. Good luck!

 

[someguy2800]

I think you answered your own question. In many ways, the RAP (especially in terms of size/ergonomics) was a step backwards from the SR9/SR9c (aside from the SR9’s doofy “safety” features), and the market recognized this.

The price the OP mentions above is very close the the price that one can find S&W M&P Compacts on sale recently, and that is typically a much better-regarded pistol.

They definitely don’t align with my tastes which is why I own 2 SR’s and no RAP’s. But my tastes almost never align with what is popular. It seams every pistol I do like is doomed to obscurity and all the ones I don’t care for sell like lemonade on a 110 deg day.

Honestly I think all ruger needs to do is fire the designers that are doing the exterior design on their pistols and poach some designers from S&W or FN, or someone that has some aesthetic sense or working eyeballs. All their newer pistols like the lcp2, RAP, security 9, and max 9 are butt ugly. All squared off with weird proportions and unnecessary angles and bulges. They all look like toy guns spray painted matte black. I put an LC9s slide on my max 9 just because it was so ugly I was embarrassed to carry it.

 

[triplebike]

Appreciate all the comments folks! It was still there yesterday, but I left without it. I have owned/own many Ruger handguns and don't have a major complaint about any of them and when I did have an issue Ruger was always " jonny on the spot" to rectify it. I could not ask for a better company to deal with.

 

[1KPerDay]

The grip near the top where it meets your thumb is so uncomfortable as to make the gun unshootable for me. Not sure about anything else. It’s like they forgot what hands are like.

 

[Buckeye63]

I wish I would have kept my P93
Probably the pinnacle of Rugers 9mm pistols …and probably the shortest lived

 

[bannockburn]

someguy2800

I remember comparing one side by side to an SR9 when they came out and I recall thinking the outgoing SR9 felt smoother, had a better trigger, and felt more ergonomic, but I've never had a chance to shoot the american.

That's the same way I felt some years back when I was looking at compact 9mm.s comparable to the Ruger SR9c. I recall that for me the SR9c had the better ergonomics, trigger, and sights than the others that I tried. Also I tend to think that it was more expensive to make than later offerings like the Security 9 and the RAR, neither of which I felt were as good overall, in terms of design and build quality as the SR9c.

 

[js8588]

I have and carry one. Go back and snatch it up. You won't regret it.