Ruger KP345: a nice clean, handy, ergonomic pistol

Guns Magazine, June, 2005

Ruger went big bore in 1990 with the .45 ACP P90. It always worked no matter what type of .45 ACP ammunition was stuffed in its magazine. I liked it. Then I read what that old pistolero, Col. Askins, said about the P90 and I liked it even more. Askins, with both a military career and Border Patrol duty, definitely knew and understood fighting handguns, having worked his way over the years through the Colt New Service, the S&W .357 Magnum, and the S&W Model 39. He flat-out declared the Ruger P90 as the best semiautomatic .45 ever produced. He was sure right when it came to function, and it is certainly an accurate shooting pistol, but due to its largeness, more difficult to conceal than most.

Ruger certainly understood this last point as they began downsizing the P90. Several modifications led to the latest Ruger .45--the KP345--which has all the positive functioning qualities of the original P90 along with an A for form. It has been slimmed, given a grip frame much easier to hold on to, made lighter with a polymer frame and offered with an optional Picatinny rail. If one where were to set a course to build the perfect double-action semiautomatic with both high concealment and easy shooting qualities, the KP345 could well be the result. This nine-shot, double-action .45 ACP from Ruger with a stainless steel slide and polymer grip frame greatly reduced in size results in a comparatively soft shooting gun. It fits well in the hand, holster or waist belt for that matter, feels good, felt recoil is relatively light, and it shoots where it points.

In addition, the KP345 receives high marks when it comes to safety. Ruger has done everything possible to make this an effective and safe firearm. One safety feature is a "loaded chamber indicator." When the chamber is empty the indicator is flush with the top of the slide and, when a round is chambered, the front end of the indicator sticks up slightly with a red dot showing on each side. Personally, I do not find this objectionable at all and it may prevent many negligent discharges.

The KP345's magazine disconnect only allows the gun to fire if a magazine is inserted. Whiners and complainers abound when it comes to internal locking devices, however in today's society, they are virtually mandated and we either get used to it or content ourselves with purchasing older, used firearms. If we have to have internal locks on new firearms--and we do--Ruger has come up with the best way I have yet seen to conceal the internal locking device by having it tied in--actually almost hidden--by the manual safety. When the manual safety is in the "On" position, a small hole on the right side reveals the access which allows the mechanism to be locked using a special key provided by Ruger and preventing operation. Since we must have such things if firearms manufacturers are going to be able to sell in a wide market, this is an excellent way to do it.

The KP345 also has an ambidextrous manual safety operated easily with the thumb. Push it down for "Safe" and up for "Fire." As with all Ruger double-action semiautomatics, the KP345 is a double action first shot with all subsequent shots fired single action. The first shot may also be fired single action style by manually cocking the hammer. When the safety is in the "On" position, the hammer cannot be cocked and pulling the trigger will not operate the action.

Sights on the KP345 are excellent with a very easy-to-see 3-dot system. The rear is a square notch mated up with a square post front and both front and rear sights are fitted in a dovetails and adjustable for windage. Bullet weights from 185 to 230 grains were fired at combat distances with elevation being right on for all practical purposes. There are two versions, the standard KP345 and the KP345PR.

PR stands for Picatinny Rail meaning it is designed to accept a most valuable accessory--a Streamlight X-Treme Series Model 6X Tactical Illuminator, which attaches to the front of the Ruger P345. When mounted on the pistol it is possible use in several ways for low light or no light situations. On the bottom of the Streamlight M6X are four settings, OFF, VIS, ILL, ILL VIS. The first setting, "VIS," provides a red dot laser sight. "ILL" is the flashlight while the last setting provides both a flashlight and a red dot. The combination of both a light and a red dot really increases the nighttime handiness of the KP345 as a self-defensive firearm. The KP345 is also available as a P345 with a blue-steel slide instead of stainless.

KP345PR

Maker: Sturm, Ruger
200 Ruger Road
Prescott AZ 86301
(928) 541-8820, www.ruger.com.

Light Maker: Streamlight
30 Eagleville Road
Eagleville PA 19403
(800) 523-7488, www.streamlight.com.

ACTION TYPE:      Locked breech
                  semiauto
CALIBER:          .45 ACP
CAPACITY:         8 1
BARREL LENGTH:    4 1/4"
OVERALL LENGTH:   7 1/2"
WEIGHT:           29 ounces
FINISH:           Stainless steel
SIGHTS:           Fixed, 3-dot
GRIPS:            Integral with
                  polymer frame
Price:            $540