U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)- The full-size Ruger American Pistol (RAP) was introduced in late 2015 and now the new RAP in Compact size (RAPC) has been released, with most of the same features and quality, but for concealed carry (CC.) The grip frame and barrel are shorter on the RAPC.

The new RAPC is available with or without a manual safety. The Pro Model #8635 is the one without a manual safety and I chose it to review.

Ruger wants to build on the success of the RAP with the compact, so I want to test and evaluate it for myself and you.

I have reviewed several compacts in depth in the past few months, including some on this website. I evaluate the Ruger SR9C compact 9mm with its 3.5 ” barrel, 17 capacity, 23.4 oz weight, and nice 5.5-pound press in my Top 21 CC guns in the 2016 second printing of my book “Concealed Carry & Handgun Essentials.”

Several readers and students have asked what criteria I use to analyze my recommended handguns, so I want to give my criteria and range test results for the RAPC to help you analyze your handguns and make the best selection for yourself. You can add or subtract from my criteria to meet your needs and preferences. I was very anxious to shoot the RAPC and to compare it factor by factor to my other quality compact 9mms to see if it truly ranked in my top compact CC pistols. Ruger was nice enough to loan me one for testing and evaluation purposes.

Know that I am not on their payroll, have not been paid by them for this article nor influenced to say certain things about the gun. I want to be honest and straight-forward with my opinions and ideas the way I see the pistol to sincerely help folks.