Sturm, Ruger & Co. has announced the debut of their newest striker-fired pistol–the American. This is a full-sized handgun with all the latest amenities: adjustable grips, 1913 accessory rail, ambidextrous controls, three dot sights, and a black nitride slide coating.
I can’t help but like the name and I am surprised it has not been used before on a semi-auto. Bill Ruger’s company seems to have a winning touch and the American will likely continue their streak. Here’s the press release:
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is proud to introduce a new line of full-size duty pistols. Designed with the latest U.S. Military standards in mind, the Ruger American Pistol™ is built to perform in the harshest conditions. A true American innovation, this new pistol is a revolutionary platform for Ruger.
Ruger polled law enforcement and military trainers throughout the country to determine the form, function and features of this firearm. The resultant new pistol combines a recoil-reducing barrel cam (which better spreads recoil over time) with a low mass slide, low center of gravity and a low bore axis to provide better balance, less felt recoil and less muzzle flip than comparable pistols.
The Ruger American Pistol also features a pre-tensioned striker system, which allows for a short takeup trigger with positive reset, and a modular wrap-around grip system that adjusts palm swell and trigger reach to fit a wide range of hand sizes.
“The Ruger American Pistol is the most advanced semi-auto pistol we have ever produced,” noted Ruger CEO Mike Fifer. “Rugged, reliable, and a great value in the finest Ruger tradition, the Ruger American Pistol is ready for duty anywhere in the world. Our customers deserve the opportunity to ensure their security with such a well-engineered pistol from an American company they can trust – Ruger,” he concluded.
Every Ruger American Pistol is built on a rigid, one-piece, precision-machined, black nitrided, stainless steel chassis with integral frame rails and fire control housing. Additional features include genuine Novak® LoMount Carry three-dot sights, a stainless steel slide with non-reflective, black nitride finish, a one-piece, high-performance, glass-filled nylon grip frame and a mil-standard 1913 accessory rail.
Available in 9mm Luger and .45 Auto, the 9mm weighs in at 30 ounces with a 4.20” barrel and the .45 weighs in at 31.5 ounces with a 4.50” barrel. Both ship in a hard case with replaceable grip modules and two, nickel-Teflon® plated steel magazines (17-round for 9mm and 10-round for .45 Auto; 10-round magazines are also available for the 9mm where required).
Capacity: | 9mm–17+1 | Sights: | Novak® LoMount Carry 3-Dot |
Slide Material: | Stainless Steel | Slide Finish: | Black Nitride |
Grip Frame: | One-Piece, High-Performance, Glass-Filled Nylon | Grip: | Ergonomic Wrap-Around Grip Module |
Barrel Length: | 4.20″ | Overall Length: | 7.50″ |
Height: | 5.60″ | Width: | 1.40″ (Across Controls) |
Weight: | 30 oz. | Twist: | 1:10″ RH |
MA Approved & Certified: | No | CA Approved: | No |
Grooves: | 6 | Suggested Retail: | $579.00 |
I have included the video below showing the American being run through its paces. MSRP for the Ruger Americans has been set at $579.00, so expect them to run at around five hundred in stores.
Randall
Photos: Sturm, Ruger & Co.