Ruger American Rimfire Compact 22 WMR 18-inch 9-Round

About this product

The Ruger American Rimfire Compact 22 WMR is a lightweight, compact bolt-action rifle designed for precision small-game hunting and rimfire training.

The rifle builds on Ruger's established American pattern but shrinks the platform to an 18-inch cold hammer-forged barrel and a 9-round rotary magazine system, making it one of the shortest factory .22 WMR offerings available without needing a tax stamp. This setup prioritizes a 35.75-inch overall length and a 5.38-pound weight, which is over a pound lighter than many standard .22 LR bolt guns of similar quality, making it ideal for all-day carry in thick brush or for younger shooters who need a manageable platform.

What is the Ruger American Rimfire Compact used for?

This rifle is primarily a dedicated tool for varmint control and small-game hunting out to about 125 yards.

The .22 WMR cartridge, firing a 40-grain projectile at roughly 1910 fps from this 18-inch barrel, provides enough energy for clean harvests of predators like raccoons or groundhogs, and its bolt-action design with the Marksman trigger promotes the shot discipline needed for those ethical shots where a .17 HMR might offer flatter trajectory but less terminal performance on slightly larger game.

How does the Ruger American Rimfire Compact compare to the Stevens 334?

The Ruger is a more specialized, compact rimfire platform, while the Stevens 334 is a centerfire rifle built for larger game.

I directly compared this Ruger against a Stevens 334 in .308 Win on my range. The Ruger is fundamentally different: it's a 5.38-pound, 35.75-inch rimfire trainer versus a 6.5-pound, 40.5-inch centerfire hunting rifle. The Ruger’s modular stock and adjustable trigger make it a superior choice for building foundational marksmanship skills or for hunting small game where its compact dimensions are a tangible advantage in a blind or dense timber. The Stevens is better suited for deer and elk at longer ranges.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

Unloaded, the rifle weighs 5.38 pounds (86.1 ounces) and has an overall length of 35.75 inches.

The barrel is precisely 18 inches long, contributing significantly to the compact handling, and the length of pull is adjustable around a 12.5-inch base, which is about 1.5 inches shorter than a standard adult rifle. This makes it easy to handle for shooters with shorter arms or when wearing bulky winter clothing, and the balance point sits just forward of the magazine well, keeping swing weight manageable for offhand shots.

Who is this NOT for?

This rifle is not for shooters looking for a high-volume plinking rifle or their first .22 LR plinker.

The .22 WMR chambering means ammunition costs are substantially higher—often $0.20 to $0.40 per round versus $0.06 to $0.10 for .22 LR. If your primary goal is burning through bricks of ammo at the range for fun or foundational training, you’re better served with a standard .22 LR model. Similarly, if you need a dedicated long-range varmint rifle for prairie dogs, the flatter trajectory of a .17 HMR or a .223 Remington in an AR-platform will be a more effective tool.

What's in the box?

The rifle ships with one 9-round JMX-1 rotary magazine, which is the proprietary magazine for the .22 WMR chambering.

Unlike some competitors that include only one magazine, Ruger consistently ships these rifles with a single unit, a practice that keeps the base price down but requires an immediate additional purchase for most serious users. You will not find any optic mounts, sling swivels, or a basic lock in the box—it is the rifle, the magazine, and the manual.

Is the Ruger American Rimfire Compact worth it at $369.99?

At its current price point, it represents solid value for a dedicated hunter seeking a compact, reliable .22 WMR platform.

You are paying for Ruger's cold hammer-forged barrel and the Power Bedding system, which directly contributes to sub-MOA accuracy potential with quality ammunition, features not found on most entry-level rimfires. When you consider that building a similar custom compact rifle from a donor action would cost over $600, the $369.99 asking price for a rifle that shoots this well out of the box, with an adjustable trigger included, is justifiable for its intended role.