Ruger American Pistoln 9mm: Review

[kcofohio]

I recently bought a lightly used RAP in 9mm full size. They had a compact on the shelf, and I may get one eventually, but I wasn't interested.
I had a SR-9c a while back. So I was really interested in checking out the American. I liked the SR, but my son wanted to trade for it back.
First off, I really like the way it breaks down for cleaning. Like the M&Ps with the break down lever. But too, I like the simple way the break down lever is removed and the fire control goup chassis lifts out of the frame. Easy for cleaning. I just sprayed it down with gun scrubber and dried. IIRC, a Ruger video says the parts are teflon coated and don't require lube.
After a host of delays, I was able to get some quick range time with it. I brought some stout reloads.
I tried out all three of the back straps, which are held in place with like a t-slot grooves and cam locked to secure it. Since I only brought 50 rds. with me, I will need to shoot it more for which one I'll stick with. With the large back strap, I was getting good controled shots. But I was getting a slight tearing feel, for lack of better wording, on the tip of my middle finger. But that could have been because of the chilly air on a gloveless hand.
Overall, it shot well and the only thing I would change right off is the sights for some night sights. Trying to see regular sights while overshadowed by overhead cover an hour before dusk has become difficult.
It wasn't until I was packing the gun away, that I remembered about what has been reported online about the square of the frame hitting peoples thumb knuckles. I didn't experience that in the least. Not even any redness. Maybe they built that gun for my hands? Dunno!
If any complaint, I wish they had made the cam lock to accept a hex socket type wrench instead of a torx. Just personal preference.
I can see this gun being a regular at the range.

 

[Quackattack]

I too recently purchased a RAP full-size in 9mm and absolutely love it! It eats my reloads as well as nato rounds. Couldn't be happier! I use the medium backstop and it fits my hand like a glove. Too bad the RAP is overshadowed in a crowded plastic pistol market.

Ruger really went above and beyond with the RAP. Heck they even included a super cool case instead of the generic cardboard box.

 

[Hangingrock]

I have a RAP9. In my opinion on par with the S&WMP9-Gen1 and Glock G17-Gen3 that I own. The pistol is functional and I have no complaints what so ever. We are now north of seven thousand plus rounds fired with no failures to feed - fire & eject.

 

[Fiv3r]

The RAP 9 is on my list. I had a .45, but it was way too fat at the bevertail, and even the smallest grip made it too large for my hand resulting in a painful thumb knuckle slap. It went packing when my 320 9mm came back from SIG.

I'm thinking the smallest grip on the 9mm will feel pretty comfy. Then again, with the 320 being back in action, its fallen down a bit on thr "need" list. That said, the RAP is one solid shooter.

 

[Mike J]

We have the full sized 9mm. I got it for my recoil sensitive wife. The only malfunction it has had was a result of her limp wristing. I need to get her back out with it.

I haven't had any problem with it hitting my thumb knuckle either. IIRC the reviewer that had that issue had shot four or five hundred rounds or some such during one range trip. I suspect if one limits themselves to not shooting more than a couple hundred rounds during one range trip they wont have any issue. I wouldn't say the one here is the nicest pistol there ever was but it is fine & I believe probably better than it is generally given credit for being.

 

[bumbazine]

I really liked the one I looked at at the LGS.
If Ruger ever offers one with the slide cut for a reflex sight and keeps the ambi thumb safety I'll have to buy it!
Are you listening, Ruger?

 

[Fiv3r]

We have the full sized 9mm. I got it for my recoil sensitive wife. The only malfunction it has had was a result of her limp wristing. I need to get her back out with it.

I haven't had any problem with it hitting my thumb knuckle either. IIRC the reviewer that had that issue had shot four or five hundred rounds or some such during one range trip. I suspect if one limits themselves to not shooting more than a couple hundred rounds during one range trip they wont have any issue. I wouldn't say the one here is the nicest pistol there ever was but it is fine & I believe probably better than it is generally given credit for being.

You know, I was thinking it was a volume thing when I saw the guy complaining about it in a video too. Also, I'm not the kind of person who finds a gun uncomfortable to shoot enough to mention it. To be honest, I thought the knuckle slap was the reviewer just being a nit-picky baby

That said, I think it's a hand shape (not necessarily size) issue. Unless I wrap my hand consciously around the grip of the fat .45 to the point that my knuckle clears the wide, chunky beaver tail, it smacks it when I fire.

Having to adjust my grip poses two problems for me: 1) it leaves me barely enough trigger finger pad to engage the trigger blade. 2) it's not a natural draw for me. Even at my quickest, I was still sort of shaking the gun into place in my grip. The rather wide cut outs on the sides of the 320 just fit me better.

This is not a knock against the RAP. I used to own the SR series, and I believe the RAP is a beefed up and superior version of that gun. The RAP is solid and a good buy if it fits your hand. That said, I'd probably go with an SR 45 should I decide I need a Ruger-made poly .45.
I think the RAP 9 would fit me fine, though.

 

[Mike J]

Fiv3r - No disrespect towards you intended. I honestly did think it was about the volume but maybe I'm wrong. Of course I haven't handled the .45 either.

I haven't owned any of the SR poly guns. I was curious about them when they were first released but then I saw the early adopter issues that were posted. I didn't like the idea of the magazine disconnect or the huge loaded chamber indicator & I didn't like the early SR9 I shot when I met another rugerforum member at a rental range. I believe the RAP is a much better pistol than the SR series. They may have to do something about their ergonomics if a lot of folks are having this issue though.

 

[Fiv3r]

Fiv3r - No disrespect towards you intended. I honestly did think it was about the volume but maybe I'm wrong. Of course I haven't handled the .45 either.

I haven't owned any of the SR poly guns. I was curious about them when they were first released but then I saw the early adopter issues that were posted. I didn't like the idea of the magazine disconnect or the huge loaded chamber indicator & I didn't like the early SR9 I shot when I met another rugerforum member at a rental range. I believe the RAP is a much better pistol than the SR series. They may have to do something about their ergonomics if a lot of folks are having this issue though.

Absolutely none taken, friend

It just surprised me how uncomfortable it was to shoot. It stung enough that I started developing a flinch. I really wanted to like the .45. I even tried convincing myself that it didn't really matter. I wouldn't feel the slap in a firefight, but it just wasn't fun to shoot even after slightly sanding the frame.

Like I said. Very well made gun, very accurate, top notch. I think I need to revisit the RAP in 9mm.

 

[Mike J]

Absolutely none taken, friend

It just surprised me how uncomfortable it was to shoot. It stung enough that I started developing a flinch. I really wanted to like the .45. I even tried convincing myself that it didn't really matter. I wouldn't feel the slap in a firefight, but it just wasn't fun to shoot even after slightly sanding the frame.

Like I said. Very well made gun, very accurate, top notch. I think I need to revisit the RAP in 9mm.

I wonder if you could find one to rent somewhere before buying. It might help avoid disappointment if it doesn't work out. I haven't had any issue but my wife's is the 9mm & she likes the smallest grip. The medium one feels right to me but it is hers. About the only time I shoot it is when I get her out to shoot & try to work with her. FWIW it has never bothered me at all but that doesn't mean it would work well for everyone.

 

[USBP379]

I have one and have had it since these guns were introduced. It was initially somewhat unreliable (failed to eject once or twice every 100 rounds or so) but Ruger fixed that with a redesigned extractor.

The gun is very accurate and I've used it in local IDPA and 3gun matches. I have found that the gun points slightly high and I believe that's a result of the shape/size of the backstrap. I'm currently running the medium. It is the most comfortable but none of the inserts fit very well in my experience. I really wish Ruger would introduce a flatter backstrap option. At least the SR9/40 had the humped or flat option.

I took the American armorer's class a few months ago and was surprised at some of the mechanical features in the chassis. I seriously doubt there will ever be any "drop test" issues that have been plaguing the SIG 320. With that said, the gun is probably far more mechanically complex than is necessary. As a department armorer the gun would be quite away down on my recommended list from a depot level maintenance standpoint.

My biggest complaint, outside those above, is the lack of support from Ruger. If they're going to make a chassis system they should make a "system" to go with it. There are no caliber conversions, no grip modules in tan or green, no compact modules, etc. Also, the Ruger American Compact is not the same chassis as the full-size so those who own one or the other will not be able to swap back and forth between sizes. Seems completely pointless to make a removable chassis that can't be used in other sizes or in other cartridges.

Just my $.02.

 

[<*(((><]

I picked one up from PSA for $250 about 2 months ago, couldn't pass that up. I don't know how they were selling it for that, Ruger must have given them a sweet deal on getting rid of some inventory. I've fired about 100 rounds through it and I think I'll like it. In taking it apart and inspecting the internals and how you can take the entire fire control group out of the frame, makes it really nice to clean and diagnose any issues.

 

[kcofohio]

I got out to the range right before Christmas, and before the bottom dropped out of the weather.

I shot about 120 rounds, all reloads. 99 of them (one dead primer) being stout loads.

Once again sundown was my enemy, as I had brought 200 rds. with me. And the sole target stand was on its last leg, I didn't dare move it. So accuracy is a test for later.

I settled on the large back strap. Speaking of backstrap. On another thread, somebody mention of an issue with the interchangeable straps. I see no problems with them. It gets pushed in and up, then a cam lock holds it in place. I felt no looseness to it.

After about 90 rds, my trigger finger was getting tender, partly from the cooler temps. So I decided to shooter left handed. One shot, because I didn't have a good grip, I had a thumb knuckle rub.

So far I'm really liking it. Another range trip and if all goes well, it will replace the one in the car lockbox.