Ruger American Compact .45 ACP
Sturm, Ruger & Co. · Pistol · In Production · 2016
Also known as: American Compact .45, RAP Compact .45, Ruger American Pistol Compact .45 ACP
Overview
The Ruger American Compact .45 ACP is a semi-automatic pistol chambered in .45 ACP, produced by Sturm, Ruger & Co. Featuring a 7-round magazine capacity, this pistol offers compact firepower for concealed carry applications.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 811 g (28.6 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 915 g (32.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 184 mm (7.24") |
| Barrel Length | 95 mm (3.74") |
| Height | 136 mm (5.35") |
| Width | 27 mm (1.06") |
| Sight Radius | 140 mm (5.51") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 26.7 N (6.0 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 7 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 244 m/s (801 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 444 J (327 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 45 m (49 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 406 mm (15.98") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Glass Filled Nylon |
| Slide Material | Stainless Steel |
| Barrel Material | Stainless Steel |
| Finish | Black Nitride |
Calibers
- .45 ACP · primary — also known as .45 Auto, 11.43x23mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Trigger Safety, Internal Striker Block
- Features: Novak Lomount 3 Dot Sights, Picatinny Rail, Modular Wrap Around Grip, Interchangeable Backstraps, Ambidextrous Slide Stop, Ambidextrous Magazine Release, Pre Tensioned Striker, Recoil Reducing Barrel Cam, Nickel Teflon Plated Magazines, Compact Frame
Base model
Service history
Operators
- U.S. Civilian Concealed Carry / Home Defense Market · adopted 2016
- U.S. Law Enforcement (Off-Duty / Backup)
Production
Production years: 2016-present
Moderate production volume; competes in the compact .45 ACP market against the Glock 30, Springfield XD-S .45, and S&W M&P Shield .45
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Notes
The Compact .45 ACP model shares the same pre-tensioned striker system as the 9mm and full-size .45 ACP variants, partially pre-loading the striker during the slide cycle for a consistent trigger pull of approximately 6 pounds (26.7 N). The recoil-reducing barrel cam and low-mass slide help manage the .45 ACP's heavier recoil impulse. The barrel rifling is 1:16-inch right-hand twist with 6 grooves, optimized for the .45 caliber bullet. The model 8645 ships without a manual safety, while the model 8648 includes an ambidextrous manual safety. The gray Cerakote model 8650 is also available with manual safety. The pistol is rated for standard-pressure .45 ACP ammunition. With a 230-grain FMJ load, the shorter 3.75-inch barrel typically produces approximately 800 fps (244 m/s) with roughly 444 joules of muzzle energy. Ships with two nickel-Teflon plated steel 7-round magazines. MSRP ranges from $579-$649.
Background
The Ruger American Pistol platform was developed with input from law enforcement and military personnel, and the full-size version was submitted to the U.S. Army's Modular Handgun System (MHS) competition. While SIG Sauer's P320 ultimately won that contract, the development process yielded innovations like the pre-tensioned striker and recoil-reducing barrel cam that carried directly into the Compact .45 ACP variant. The Compact .45 addresses shooters who want the proven terminal performance of the .45 ACP cartridge in a concealable package, combining John Browning's century-old cartridge with modern striker-fired ergonomics and a compact form factor suitable for everyday carry.