The Ruger American 9mm Compact 1000 Round Review

Ah, the Ruger American Compact 9mm. A name that sounds like it should be engraved on a bald eagle's saddle (or on my leather belt holster). A handgun that promised to be as reliable as your grandma's cast iron skillet and as accurate as a squirrel (again with the squirrels!) with a nut. After 1000 rounds of glorious, sometimes frustrating, lead-slinging, I'm here to tell you if it lived up to the hype, or if it's destined to become a paperweight shaped like freedom.

A Brief History (Because Even Guns Have Backstories):  

Ruger, a company known for its sturdy and dependable firearms, decided to enter the polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol market with the American Pistol line. The compact 9mm version, designed for concealed carry, aimed to compete with the likes of Glock and Smith & Wesson. It boasted features like a modular grip system, a pre-tensioned striker, and a stainless-steel nitrided slide. The idea? A tough, reliable, and affordable pistol for the everyday American (hence the name, I suppose).

Some more Personal History (with the Ruger American):

My first introduction to the Ruger American 9mm Compact was when I purchased a “used” one. I say used in quotes because it came with everything a new one comes with (hard case, interchangeable backstraps, 12- and 17-round magazines, etc.) and it also had the original purchase receipt in the case which was less than a month old!

Now before you say it, this review is on the brand new one I purchased afterwards – that might also tell you something about this firearm 😊

The 1000 Round Gauntlet:

Now, 1000 rounds might not seem like a lot to some seasoned shooters, but for a humble reviewer like myself, it felt like a marathon of trigger pulls and more than sufficient to cover any reasonable break-in point for a new handgun. I subjected this little Ruger to a variety of ammo brands and grains, from cheap steel-cased stuff to premium hollow points. I even let it get a little dirty (okay, a lot dirty) to see how it would handle neglect.

The Good and the Bad (at least in my evaluation):

My Pros:

• Reliability (Mostly): For the vast majority of the 1000 rounds, the Ruger American Compact performed admirably. I had two misfires and one ejection jam, all with some seriously questionable steel-cased ammo but not a single issue with some of the more reputable ammunition that I normally use. My 115gr FMJ  round-nose seemed to be the sweet spot.
• Ergonomics: The modular grip system was actually quite useful. I was able to customize the grip to fit my hand, which was a nice touch. It felt comfortable in my (admittedly average-sized) hands.
• Accuracy: For a compact pistol, the Ruger American Compact is surprisingly accurate. It's not a target pistol, but it's more than capable of hitting its mark at typical self-defense distances. In my personal 20 yard, 10-round rapid-fire drills, I am able to hold a pretty good grouping (see the image – that is my actual result).
• Build Quality: The pistol feels solid and well-made. It's not going to win any beauty contests, but it is built to last. 
• Features: The ambidextrous controls are much appreciated, and this includes the thumb safety (that’s on mine). The short picatinny rail on the forward frame is a nice addition to add a light (if you are so inclined). 
• Takedown: The takedown process is as expected – relatively simple and quick.
• Price: Ruger is known for offering competitive prices, and the American Compact is no exception. I found it to be a good value for the money with an MSRP of $689 (as of this review writing) but would suggest shopping around for the best price you can find because you can grab a new one for a lot less 😊.

My Cons:

• Trigger: The trigger is... adequate. It's not terrible, but it's not great either. It's a bit spongy, has a long take-up which leads to a long reset. The break is clean though. It's the equivalent of a lukewarm handshake.
• Magazines: The magazines feel a little cheap…or a little less robust than they should. They function fine and loaded easily, but they don't inspire confidence for their long-term durability.
• Recoil Spring: Recoil is extremely manageable. That being said, after a few hundred rounds, the recoil spring felt like it was starting to get a little weak. This may be something to watch out for long term.
• Aesthetics: Let's be honest, it's not the prettiest pistol in the world. It looks like it was designed by a committee of engineers (and I is one) who were all arguing about which features were most important. It's functional, not fashionable.
• The occasional feeding issue: As previously mentioned, some cheap steel cased ammo caused some feeding issues. This is not uncommon but is worth noting.

A Caveat (because that's cooler than saying a note):

Before I give you my final verdict, as a stated earlier, my first Ruger American purchase was on a slightly used one and I had no idea how many, if any, rounds had been pushed through it. I can tell you that I was impressed enough with it that I bought a second, brand new one and that is the handgun that I based this 1000-round evaluation on. Important to note because someone bought one and either sold or traded it within a month of the original purchase for unknown reasons – something to keep in mind when making your choice.

My Verdict (or my opinion):

After my first 1000 rounds, the Ruger American Compact 9mm has proven to be a reliable and accurate pistol. It's not perfect, but it's a solid choice for concealed carry (either IWB or OWB) or for home defense, especially for those on a budget (like me). The trigger could be better, and the magazines could be more robust, but overall, it's a dependable firearm.

Would I trust my life to it? Yes, I would and do – it is my EDC. Would I enter it in a beauty pageant? Absolutely not – this is more of a meat and potatoes kind of gun verses the fine dining type, but if you're looking for a no-nonsense, affordable, jack-of-a-few trades 9mm that will get the job done, the Ruger American Compact is worth your consideration. 

Try one at the range and judge for yourself, just be prepared for a trigger that's as exciting as watching paint dry.