The 2011 Model 45 Caliber Ruger P345 Semi-Automatic Handgun:

Now Lighter and Safer.

A Product Review by Marcus Holcombe

Contact Information: Holcombe@goldmail.etsu.edu

for Advanced Composition, East TN State U, December 2011

About the author: Marcus Holcombe is an avid firearms enthusiest and a strong advocate of gun education, training and safety. He is currently a member of Shooter's Edge Firing Range which is located in Piney Flats, Tennessee.

Model: 2011 Ruger P345 PR .45 Semi-Automatic Handgun

Ammunition Type: .45 Caliber ACP

Ammunition Capacity: 8 Round Clip

Length: 8 Inches

Width: 1.1 Inches

Weight: 2 Pounds

Body: Stainless Steel Slide With Polymer Frame and Hand grips

Price: $545.00

The New P345

The 2011 model .45 caliber P345 PR Ruger handgun is made by Sturm-Ruger & Company, Inc, which is based in Prescott, Arizona. This company has been making high quality handguns and selling them at affordable prices since 1949. The new P345 is an upgrade of the older Ruger .45 models in several ways. I previously owned a 2005 P-series Ruger and it was rather bulky and heavy. The new slimmer, lighter design of the 2011 model, coupled with its abundance of safety features and its overall reliability make this gun one of the best values on the market.

Safety Improvements

The safety features integrated into this gun's design are among the best available in the firearms industry. First among these is a large cable lock that ships with the P345. This locking method is intended for use when the gun is being stored. When the ammunition magazine has been removed from the gun, and the slide is pulled back all the way to the lock position, the cable lock can be inserted into the open breech, down through the handle, and fastened at the bottom, locking the gun securely in the open position.

Gunsmiths at Sturm-Ruger have addressed a problem that has long been an inherent danger associated with semi-automatic handguns. With a semi-automatic weapon, a cartridge can remain in the chamber of the gun, even after the empty cartridge magazine has been ejected. Many accidental firings have occured because the shooter believed the gun was empty.

Two safety mechanisms have been integrated into the P345 to remedy this problem. Technicians developed a disconnect feature in the gun's cartridge magazine. When the magazine is removed, the firing pin disengages, sliding down into a lower chamber where it cannot make contact with the primer of a shell in the firing chamber. This ensures that the gun cannot be fired when the ammunition clip has been removed, even if there is a bullet present in the barrel.

The other safety measure that has been employed in the new Ruger to address this problem is a loaded chamber indicator. This mechanism remains hidden inside the gun's frame until a round of ammunition is chambered into the barrel, at which point the indicator protrudes from the top side of the barrel. A large red dot, along with the word “loaded” is then visible from both sides of the gun, clearly indicating that a live round is in the firing chamber.

The Ruger designers further improve the safety of the 2011 model with the introduction of an actual key lock system. When the manual safety lever is lowered to the off position a key can be inserted and turned in a clock-wise direction, effectively locking the gun. It cannot be fired unless it is first unlocked with the key.

This gun can also be fitted with finger print recognition, which renders the gun inoperable by anyone other than the owner. This abundance of safety features along with its durability and reliability makes the P345 a popular choice among law enforcement officers and military personnel.

Customization

The new Ruger also features a Pictanny rail system. This system makes it possible to attach devices to the nose of the gun. Available attachments include laser targeting systems, flash and strobe light configurations, and range finders.

Performance and Reliability

After taking the P345 to the firing range, I was left with mostly good impressions. The polyurethane frame of the gun makes it very light when compared to other .45 semi-automatics.

The new Ruger makes use of a three dot targeting system. The front site has a single white dot on it, which the shooter aligns with two dots on the rear sites. When all three dots are lined up on a target, shots can be placed with great accuracy. I was able to achieve hits on the target from a distance of thirty yards with a regular consistency. Even for a beginner, this targeting system is intuitive and easy to use.

I fired over 1500 rounds of ammunition through the P345 with no malfunctions of any type. It functioned as it was designed to on every shot. Ruger technicians have almost engineered out the inherent jamming that is common in most semi-automatic guns. The spent shells ejected perfectly after each volley; the gun performed equally well with either practice rounds or home defense ammunition.

I performed routine cleaning and maintenance on the gun after each trip to the range. The P345 is simple disassemble and easy to clean. The operational ruggedness of this gun gives the impression that even if never cleaned or oiled, the P345 would not break down. The owner's manual even claims this weapon is waterproof down to a depth of four meters for as long as seven minutes.

Summation

Overall the .45 caliber Ruger P345 PR is an excellent weapon. The level of craftsmanship, combined with the safety features, accuracy, reliability, and durability makes this gun one of the best bargains that can be found in its price range. The Sturm-Ruger firearms company has produced an excellent firearm, with the newest and best features, and is selling it for an affordable price. The simplicity of the 2011 model's design makes this a perfect choice for anyone interested in a top quality handgun.

The 2011 Ruger .45 caliber P345 PR semi-automatic handgun is manufactured by and can be purchased from:

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.

200 Ruger Road

Prescott, Arizona 86301 U.S.A

Note from the author: Whether you shoot for sport or own a gun for home protection, you should enroll in a gun safety course to learn how to properly handle,transport, and store your weapon. Never handle a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or perscription medications.