The Ruger American Rifle Gen2 Shows Sequels Work

Article, Reviews

By Jay Pinsky

The Ruger American rifle has long been known as a no-nonsense, reliable choice for hunters and shooters who count pennies. Right out of the gate, it gained popularity as one of the best budget-friendly options thanks to its good and consistent accuracy, lightweight design and affordability. I don’t know anyone who bragged about its stock, though.

To put it mildly, the Gen1 synthetic stock was uninspiring. Sure, it was functional, but it was as basic as possible and lacked traction for your hands, especially in wet or slippery conditions. The Gen1 was accurate, but parts of it felt low budget. The Marksman Trigger, and the Power Bedding system were inspiring, but the smooth grip and featureless forend, wasn’t. Even with its tack-driving accuracy— sub-M.O.A. at 100 yards with quality ammo—Gen1 owners were left wanting a stock that matched the rest of the rifle’s performance.

So, Ruger introduced a second version of this popular rifle. The Ruger American Rifle Gen2 came out with an updated stock, along with a few other new features. However, what shooters liked best was that the looks better matched the functionality.

Gen2 Stock & More

Ruger upgraded the stock on the Gen2 with a redesigned synthetic budget masterpiece. This included texturing on the stock. Hunters take rifles into the sometimes wet, and slippery, woods. As such, texturing makes a real difference. It also keeps this rifle in line with its tool-first profile. After all, no one buys a Ruger American as a safe queen.

The Gen 2 also came with a slightly different forend profile, giving it a sleeker look and more rigidity. This enhances the rifle’s balance and handling. Better yet, it’s adjustable for length-of-pull, from 12 to 13.7 inches. This matters a lot more to hunters of all ages than manufacturers may think. It retains the Gen1 Power Bedding system as well. Nothing about this stock feels cheap or inferior. Sure, it’s not an $800 carbon-fiber masterpiece, but it is more than adequate.

Following the good sequel rules of engagement, the good stuff from the original needs to stay good. Ruger didn’t tinker with its superb trigger and bolt design. The Marksman Adjustable Trigger, adjustable from about 3 to 5 pounds, remains unchanged.

The Gen2 also retains the cold hammer-forged barrel, the three-lug bolt and the 70-degree bolt throw. The short throw allows for quick, smooth cycling and better clearance with optics, keeping the action fast and efficient for follow-up shots.

The Gen2 also came with a 20-inch barrel (1:8-inch RH) threaded to ½-28, an AR-style magazine. I used a Burris Veracity PH 3-15x44mm optic for accuracy testing and a variety of on-hand ammunition for testing. Functionality-wise, the rifle never failed to feed, cycle or fire. The optic zeroed quickly and easily. Full disclosure, I purchased this rifle after the review.

Magazine & Muzzle

A good sequel often succeeds when the “meh” in the original is replaced by the marvelous, and that’s exactly what happened with the Ruger American rifle magazine system.

The original rotary magazine had a reputation for occasional feeding issues and an awkward release mechanism. Ruger responded by replacing it with an improved design that’s easier to operate and more reliable. The new magazine also has a better-placed release button, making it more intuitive and ergonomic.

For the .223 model specifically, the Gen2 is compatible with AR magazines, along with five other calibers. This is a considerable advantage because AR magazines are widely available within and outside the Ruger family and can be used interchangeably with AR-15 platforms. Don’t believe me? Type AR-15 magazine into the GunBroker search engine and scroll for hours through your choices. Ruger didn’t stop adding AR-style magazines, either. Some Gen2s, like the 6mm Creedmoor and 308 Winchester, use their AI-style precision rifle magazines.

Finally, the best sequels introduce new concepts or characters, and boy, did Ruger script a box-office hit here. The Gen2 (all of them) comes threaded for muzzle devices, with an included brake. The now factory-ready instant suppressor compatibility makes the Gen2 far superior to anyone who wants enhanced hearing protection, reduced recoil and tamed muzzle jump.

The original Ruger American was good—and necessary to prove that a quality rifle can be built for an affordable price. Now, the engineers at Ruger have improved upon that with the Gen2. With smart, just-enough improvements in the design and ergonomics, the Ruger American Gen2 is more than just a better “budget” rifle—it’s a proper tool for hunters and shooters who value performance and practicality.