New Ruger Autos Actually Exist!

Just got in a few Ruger P345s .45s and Mark IIIs at our shop. I was absolutely floored. Not with the pistols themselves, but the fact that Ruger actually shipped a "new" design in under a decade. For those not in the know, the P345 is a slimmed down, rail equipped version of the Ruger P97, which trades bulk for increased "safety features" and bigger warning labels. The Mark III, shows a similar design theory applied to the traditional MkII and 22/45 pistols.
Apparently Ruger took all those cuts about their pistols being overly husky to heart and decided to actually slim and improve them, instead of merely shortening the barrel/slide. The new MKIII with the polymer frame is almost too slim for my tastes, feeling about 1/4" thinner in the grip than the 22/45 with flat grip panels rather than the "rounded box" grip of the parent design.

Could these rapidly released models be signs of smooth running at the Ruger HQ?
I'm half-expecting to arrive tomorrow to find a Ruger Gold Label waiting to be unpacked.
:rolleyes:

What is your impression of the P345? Is it really flat? How does the new polymer feel? How is the new mag release button? Finally, they say they have improved the trigger, any truth to that?

I had two Rugers in the past (loved them and sold them for my Sig P229 which I do love more :p )... However, based on my experience with them (utterly reliable, eat anything and gladly ask for more, and you can bet your life on them if you needed to) and the fact that most board back up my opinion, I may have to aquire on of these.... However I would love to see them come out with a compact model (perhaps with a barrel closer to 3"), and get that one for carry purposes...

Denmark

I wouldn't mind a slightly smaller P345 in .45GAP. :cool:

How much better do they look than the standard Rugergitated models?

I went to the gunshow today and the vendor right at the front door had a new P345 sitting right there calling my name. It feels much better to me than than the P97. The biggest suprise to me was that the slide profile seemed much slimmer....almost like a 1911. Maybe I'm crazy though, but that was my impression anyway. If it would have been the same price as the P97 I just might have bought it, but the guy wanted $455.00 for it. Maybe that is actually in line, but I've gotta believe the prices will be coming down somewhat here soon.

any pictures?

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/images/News-KP345PR.jpg

Gee...for a Ruger...thats not completely unattractive.........

Ah, now I remember seeing that posted a month or two ago. The one with a safety that reminds me a cheap Coke can pull tab. Other than that, no too bad. :scrutiny:

If they become available here I am going to buy one. My KP95 has been flawless since day one. Would like to give this new model a try for sure.

Hey, Cthulhu, can you give us any specs on the width of the P345? The Ruger site doesn't list it. I'd be curious to know how it compares to some other pistols, especially after corruptone's comments about his impression of how slim the slide seems to be. Thanks.

That is actually a somewhat attractive gun. Are you SURE it's a Ruger?:scrutiny:

I held one at the gun show in Nashville this past Sunday before the THR shoot. It's fairly nice. Not nice enough that I plan to buy one anytime soon, but nice enough. As for appearance, I never cared for two-tone looks. Blacken the slide and I might change my mind.

Cthulhu what would you say it a fair price for this gun?? IS $455 more then you are planning to sell them for?

yeah but where is my P310 :confused:

Saw the one with the rail in OKC for $399.00 this weekend. I think without rail is about $6 less.

You can whittle a fence post down to a toothpick, but it will still look the same only smaller. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I must be getting blind. Guess I still won't be owning a Ruger pistol.