unboxing a Ruger American Pistol .45 ACP Pro Model

[rws_53]

I was looking for another .45 ACP and after reading many reviews settled on the Ruger American Pistol. I found a smoking deal of $339.00 USD on GrabAGun.com ordering it Sunday and received it today (Tuesday) That's some pretty fast shipping from Texas to North Dakota for a flat $7.99 shipping charge.

features as listed on the Ruger site:

Trigger features a short takeup with positive reset.
Recoil-reducing barrel cam, low-mass slide, low center of gravity and low bore axis.
Performance tested for sustained +P ammunition use.
Genuine Novak® LoMount Carry three-dot sights.
Modular wrap-around grip system for adjusting palm swell and trigger reach.
Safe, easy takedown with no tools or trigger pull required.
Ambidextrous slide stop and magazine release allow actuation with either hand.
Safety features include internal, automatic sear block system, integrated trigger safety and no trigger pull required for takedown.
Pre-tensioned striker system features a powerful striker spring for positive ignition without a heavier trigger pull.
Non-slip surfaces including functional slide serrations and purpose-oriented grip frame texturing for enhanced control.
MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail acts as a mounting point for a wide variety of standard lights, lasers and infra-red illuminators.
Visual inspection port allows for visual confirmation of a loaded or empty chamber.
Also includes - Two nickel-Teflon® plated steel magazines; medium and large grip modules.

 

[Fiv3r]

I loved the RAP, or at least I really wanted to. It was just too thick at the back of the grip and smacked my thumb knuckle something fierce unless I held it in one particular way.

Flawless, robust, and very well made...just too thick for my hands where guns like the 320 are hollowed out.

I may give the RAP9 a chance if given the opportunity, especially the compact. They really are tanks and a fantastic value.

I hope you enjoy it

 

[Hangingrock]

I have both the RAP9&45 neither of the two were problematic for me.

 

[bannockburn]

rws_53

Nice job with the photo essay of the "unveiling" of your new Ruger American Pistol in .45! Don't really have a need for another full size .45 but would be interested in the Compact Model. Looking forward to seeing your first range report and impressions of the gun.

 

[1KPerDay]

I loved the RAP, or at least I really wanted to. It was just too thick at the back of the grip and smacked my thumb knuckle something fierce unless I held it in one particular way.

Same here. Painful to even hold in my standard high-thumbs grip. If it works for you, it seems like a well-built pistol.

 

[stchman]

I own a RAP45 and it is a pleasure to shoot. No thumb smacking here. I bought mine when it first came out back in Jan 2016 so I paid more.

 

[Mike J]

I got my wife the full sized 9mm version a couple of years ago. It is the only semi-auto Ruger currently makes that interests me other than the SR 1911 series.

 

[Joezilla]

I like it, but it IS a big gun. How many shots per mag?

Joe

I was looking for another .45 ACP and after reading many reviews settled on the Ruger American Pistol. I found a smoking deal of $339.00 USD on GrabAGun.com ordering it Sunday and received it today (Tuesday) That's some pretty fast shipping from Texas to North Dakota for a flat $7.99 shipping charge.

features as listed on the Ruger site:

Trigger features a short takeup with positive reset.
Recoil-reducing barrel cam, low-mass slide, low center of gravity and low bore axis.
Performance tested for sustained +P ammunition use.
Genuine Novak® LoMount Carry three-dot sights.
Modular wrap-around grip system for adjusting palm swell and trigger reach.
Safe, easy takedown with no tools or trigger pull required.
Ambidextrous slide stop and magazine release allow actuation with either hand.
Safety features include internal, automatic sear block system, integrated trigger safety and no trigger pull required for takedown.
Pre-tensioned striker system features a powerful striker spring for positive ignition without a heavier trigger pull.
Non-slip surfaces including functional slide serrations and purpose-oriented grip frame texturing for enhanced control.
MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail acts as a mounting point for a wide variety of standard lights, lasers and infra-red illuminators.
Visual inspection port allows for visual confirmation of a loaded or empty chamber.
Also includes - Two nickel-Teflon® plated steel magazines; medium and large grip modules.

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[rpenmanparker]

What are the essential differences between the RAP and the Ruger SR in the same caliber? Except maybe for size it just seems like so much duplication to me.

 

[Mike J]

What are the essential differences between the RAP and the Ruger SR in the same caliber? Except maybe for size it just seems like so much duplication to me.

They might be the same caliber, they might be made by the same manufacturer, and they both might be striker fired but they are 2 completely different designs.

 

[Jackal]

Nice gun for the price. Check the front sight is tight in the dovetail, Rugers been sending out tons of pistols with front sights you can drift with thumb pressure. We've already sent several back for repair.

 

[rpenmanparker]

They might be the same caliber, they might be made by the same manufacturer, and they both might be striker fired but they are 2 completely different designs.

I get that, but was hoping for a bit more detailed explanation.

 

[gotboostvr]

I get that, but was hoping for a bit more detailed explanation.

The SR is a pretty standard tilting barrel design, that everyone uses.

The RAP is a caming design. Because of which it's able to have a very light slide and should be a very soft shooter. Beretta makes one with a caming barrel as well, it's fairly well known to be soft shooting for a poly 40sw.

Edit: I think, I'm not incredibly well versed in Ruger bottom feeders.

 

[rpenmanparker]

The SR is a pretty standard tilting barrel design, that everyone uses.

The RAP is a caming design. Because of which it's able to have a very light slide and should be a very soft shooter. Beretta makes one with a caming barrel as well, it's fairly well known to be soft shooting for a poly 40sw.

Edit: I think, I'm not incredibly well versed in Ruger bottom feeders.

Aha! I think I've got it now. So the main difference between the two types of guns is the recoil moderation system in the American. I saw that mentioned in the description of it, but I didn't realize that was the salient feature of the gun. Basically a technology advancement.

Thanks for that explanation.

 

[gotboostvr]

Basically a technology advancement.

Actually, if I'm not mistaken it's a fairly old solution. With a good reputation. It's just rarely modernized for some reason. I'd like to take a crack at one just for the novelty at least.

 

[Hangingrock]

I like it, but it IS a big gun. How many shots per mag?

Joe

10-Rds

 

[stchman]

What are the essential differences between the RAP and the Ruger SR in the same caliber? Except maybe for size it just seems like so much duplication to me.

The RAP has a removable chassis and replaceable grip panels. I own both the SR45 and RAP45 and they are different from each other. The SR45 has a slimmer grip.

 

[Mike J]

If I remember correctly Ruger used the cam block as early as the P95. I believe both the SR series & RAP use the cam block someone correct me if I am wrong. This list might not be perfect & if someone is aware of a place I err I will not object to correction. I do not own an SR but I did get my wife a RAP a couple of years ago.I did shoot an early SR9 at a rental range a long time ago.
First off the grip of the SR series has 2 options. There is a piece on the back of the grip that can be removed & flipped over enabling the pistol to have two different grips. The RAP comes with 3 different grip modules (small, medium, large) that can be changed out to better fit a shooters hand.
The SR series has a magazine disconnect safety. Rugers magazine disconnect design is such that if the pistol is dry fired without a magazine in place it can harm the pistol (many shooters remove the mag disconnect-not going to get into the pros & cons of that decision). The SR also has a thumb safety as well as a bladed trigger. The American does not have a magazine disconnect (big plus in my opinion) & is available with or without a thumb safety. It also has a bladed trigger.
The SR-series has a huge loaded chamber indicator. The RAP has a hole you can look through to verify if a round is in the chamber or not.
The RAP has a take down lever that makes it easy to field strip. I believe the SR series uses a take down pin.
The SR series is a more traditional design. The American was designed to meet the parameters set when the military was holding the competition for their new handgun. It is modular (their is an internal chassis in a plastic grip). There are not options available, that I am aware of, to change caliber & slide configurations such as the SIg P-320 offers however.
The Rap is slightly thicker than the SR series IIRC.

As stated before I am not an expert. This list is just off the top of my head. If anyone is aware of an error or something I omitted please inform me. FWIW if you want to know more you can go to Ruger.com & if you look up the pistol model there is in icon that says owners manual. If you were to read both manuals you might find anything I missed.

 

[Fiv3r]

I will say that the RAP does not break down as easily as the 320. You can tell Ruger really designed that around having an armoror address it, and not average shooter. It's got a bit of a holding your mouth right in order to get it to pop back together.

 

[stchman]

I will say that the RAP does not break down as easily as the 320. You can tell Ruger really designed that around having an armoror address it, and not average shooter. It's got a bit of a holding your mouth right in order to get it to pop back together.

Are you speaking of field stripping? If yes then the P320 and RAP are virtually identical in that department. If you're speaking of removing the chassis, the removal is the same, but the RAP you need to take more care in putting the chassis back in the frame.

 

[rpenmanparker]

All that is good information. Thanks everybody. I just didn't see it all in the basic descriptions. I wish the gun companies would provide comparison charts of features with check boxes so you see how the different models stack up. RIA and Dan Wesson make it particularly difficult to find what you want in their lines.

 

[Mike J]

rws_53 Have you gotten out to the range with it yet? I am curious about your impressions after shooting it.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Eh. The RP45 is 5 oz lighter, more ergonomic grip, 50% more capacity and $40 less. Better looking, too, IMO. I just grabbed a second one with night sights for $353 shipped, and the 5/8" diameter barrel made threading and installing an adapter for suppressor a snap. These things run like a top with every ammo I've thrown at them, limp wrist or not, suppressed or noisy.



I'm not sure what Ruger's target market is, but aside from loyalists, I think they missed it.

 

[rws_53]

rws_53 Have you gotten out to the range with it yet? I am curious about your impressions after shooting it.

Got out today to test fire my new RAP .45 and first impressions are good. Even though I have large hands the medium sized grip fit best for me. Target is at 10 yards 6 o'clock hold. I'll be using the gun mainly for informal bowling pin, falling plate and maybe some paper punching shooting with friends. Also shot my new Ruger SR22 4.5" barrel (replaced factory 4.5" with a Twin Tech Tactical threaded 4.5") which shot very good too.

 

[Mike J]

I am glad to learn you like it.