Peter Cummalotta
Bearcat
I picked up my "True" Ruger American Pistol today. I say true because I purchased the 45acp model. I really do not think that 9mm is very American but what do I know. This is my first venture into the polymer world of pistols in the 45acp caliber. I am a big fan of the 1911 model but since I am such a Ruger advocate and already own a SR1911, I decided to give the model #8615 a try. I took it out in the back yard and fired a few clips through it and found out the good, the bad and the ugly. There is a lot of good and not too much bad or ugly. You will like the price. I purchased mine for less than $500 which is $75 under mfg list price. The price is competitive with the competition. You do get an extra mag but no holster, mag holder or other goodies. You will like the recoil, it has a new recoil reducing barrel. The nitride coating, different wrap around grips, ambidextrous slide/magazine controls, no external rear safety/lever are all good. It has an easy takedown system which is nice for the beginner and there is no mag safety, it will fire with no mag in the well. It does have Novak sights which are easily changed out. (shopruger.com already has a selection of available options.) The other thing you will not like is the beating the top portion of your thumb knuckle will take after firing a few rounds down the pipe. This is my only real complaint. It is an ergonomic mishap on Ruger's part. The top portion of the grip, where it meets the slide, is just not correct. The contour is just not right, this will be the big complaint that you hear from this gun. I first thought is was just me but after letting a few of my friends try it out, they struggled with it also. We tried different grips but that did not seem to be the answer. I should state, not everyone had this problem but the problem can not be ignored. Personally, I think a little time/effort/machining/etc may correct the problem. Last but not least, after emptying a mag and inserting a full mag, the slide will disengage and move forward. Not good if you have your finger inside the guard! It happened only twice but it will need some attention to detail for sure. I really, really, suggest that any of you considering buying one, go to your local gun shop/range and try one out. Check out ruger.com for participating locations or you can borrow mine if you like. Happy New Year Everyone!