NRA Gun of the Week: Ruger American Pistol Competition

by
posted on September 18, 2020
Strum, Ruger & Co., Inc., engineered a striker-fired semi-automatic pistol in response to a Request for Proposals by the U.S. military in September 2015. As a result of the MHS program, the American consumer has access to an entirely new pistol line from Ruger—the American Pistol—that has since expanded with an offering designed for competition use.

Right-side view of Ruger American Pistol Competition shown on white background with text on image noting make and model of pistol shown.

The Ruger American Pistol Competition is a striker-fired design based on a one-piece, glass-filled nylon frame that features a user-customizable grip. Three modules are provided with Ruger’s competition texturing treatment. Fitted to the synthetic frame is a stainless-steel slide tailored to provide competitors with features that enhances the range and target-acquisition experience. Ruger’s American Pistol Competition is designed to accommodate optics—the slide is drilled and tapped for direct mounting of Vortex, Burris, Sightmark, Docter, MeoRed, MRDS or similar footprint optics.

Close-up view of the rear of Ruger's American Pistol shown on a white background.

Running with the theme of competition use, Ruger provides a 5” stainless steel, competition-grade barrel. The forward part of the slide incorporates porting to reduce overall weight. Atop the Competition model are target sights, with a fully adjustable, serrated rear and a front fiber-optic pipe held within a post.

Fire-control group detail image shown on exploded view of pistol faded behind. Text on image noting NRA Gun of the Week.

Ruger chose to include a preloaded striker assembly in its American Pistol Competition that increases strike force while reducing the necessary pull weight required to break sear engagement. A chassis manufactured from stainless steel is included within the frame and provides the fire-control group as well as slide rails. Steel components are nitride-treated black for durability.

Close-up view of the muzzle and slide of Ruger American Pistol Competition shown on white background.

Watch our NRA Gun of the Week video above to learn more about Ruger’s American Pistol Competition chambered for 9 mm Luger.

Ruger American Pistol Competition Specifications
Manufacturer: Strum, Ruger & Co., Inc.
Action Type: striker-fired, semi-automatic, center-fire pistol
Chambering: 9 mm Luger
Frame: glass-filled black nylon
Slide: stainless steel

Barrel: 5” stainless steel
Finish: black nitride
Magazine: 17-round detachable box
Sights: fully adjustable rear, fiber-optic front
Height: 5.6”
Length: 8.31”
Slide Width: 1.05”
Weight: 34 ozs.
MSRP: $579

Further Reading:
Ruger American Ranch 7.62x39 mm

Ruger-57 Pistol Review

The Ruger American Rifle

The Keefe Report: U.S. XM17 MHS—It’s the Hollow Points, Stupid

Five Reasons To Reconsider The Ruger Mini-14

Ruger Reinvents the Mini-14

Extras:









Latest

Winchester Centerfire Ammunition Artv 2
Winchester Centerfire Ammunition Artv 2

Winchester Ammunition Centerfire Innovation

Alongside Winchester's iconic lever-action and bolt-action rifles, the company has been an innovator in centerfire cartridge design for nearly as long as the company itself has been in existence.

New For 2024: Montana Rifle Company Junction

Now under new ownership, Montana Rifle Company is building on its rich heritage of producing high-quality rifle actions with its new Junction design.

2024 Handgun Of The Year: EAA MCP35 PI Ops

American Rifleman is pleased to announce the 2024 Handgun Of The Year Award goes to European American Armory for its MCP35 PI Ops.

President Trump To Address 153rd NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits

President Donald J. Trump will address attendees at the 2024 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits (NRAAM) on Saturday, May 18 in Dallas, Texas.

Handloads: An Economical .410-Bore Recipe

If ever handloading shotshells can pay off, it’s in the loading of .410 bore. Prices of factory .410 2½" shotshells are about double that of factory 12-ga. shells, despite the fact .410s contain only half the shot and powder.

New For 2024: Springfield Armory Model 2020 Waypoint Long-Action Models

Springfield Armory expanded its Model 2020 Waypoint rifle family with the first long-action models, encompassing popular chamberings such as .300 Win. Mag., .30-'06 Sprg. and .270 Win.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.