Ruger’s P345 offers shooters a double action centerfire auto without the historical bulk that many have often criticized in Ruger pistol reviews. With this one they did it right, producing a lightweight, slim design, yet still chambered for the powerful .45 ACP cartridge. The first models were the standard KP345 and the KP345PR, with a Picatinny rail. Now Ruger offers blued-steel slide version and a stainless steel decock-only model, both with Picatinny rails. Here’s an attractive little pistol ideal for lady shooters as well as men.

The P345 has a 4.2-inch barrel, eight-round, single stack magazine and fixed white-dot front and rear sights. The magazine release on the P345 is in the familiar position, just behind the trigger guard on the left side, and is easily reached with the thumb of a right-handed shooter.

Sighting may be adjusted for wind factoring. The sights use a three-dot configuration and the hammer is grooved and dished for easier cocking. With a short trigger pull, this pistol is sure to improve your accuracy. In addition, the ergonomically shaped, contoured and checkered polyurethane frame provides a comfortable grip that accommodates a variety of hand sizes.

The pistol’s safety system includes an unobtrusive internal lock, magazine disconnect and loaded chamber indicator. Moving the hammer-drop lever to safety on operates the internal lock. With safety on a small hole on the right-side lever is aligned with an opening in the frame to allow a small key to be inserted and turned, locking the hammer-drop lever.

Some are critical of another safety feature called a magazine disconnect safety. Unless a magazine is fully inserted into the pistol, the gun will not fire, regardless of whether or not the chamber is loaded. While the trigger will function and the gun can be dry-fired with the magazine out, the firing pin will not strike the primer without the magazine in place. This is not the first pistol to incorporate this safety design, and the only real drawback is that a chambered cartridge may not be fired without the magazine present. It is a safety feature engineered more towards novice shooters. Many modern firearms incorporate complex safety mechanisms, which, in my opinion, merely make the internals of the firearm more complex, leading to a greater chance of mechanical problems and more difficulty in service and repair.

A safety mechanism criticism aside, the Ruger P345 has proven to be reliable in shooting tests and with light recoil. This is because recoil is minimized as the result of Ruger’s all new camblock design. It packs a punch with plenty of power, but is easy to control, light, and to carry. Overall, an excellent pistol for both men and women looking for a great shooter or personal protection.

MSRP is $548.00 to $513.00. However, we are seeing them sell for around $465.00.

STURM, RUGER INTRODUCES MORE NEW RUGER P345 PISTOLS in the news on the Strum, Ruger, and Company, Inc. web site.

New pistol includes standard accessories: Plastic storage case, Instruction manual, Lock, Two magazines; as always with quality Ruger firearms.