NRA Gun of the Week: Ruger American Pistol Competition

by
posted on September 18, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
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

Christensen Evoke 01
Christensen Evoke 01

New For 2025: Christensen Arms Evoke In .375 H&H & .450 Bushmaster

The Christensen Arms Evoke is an affordable, bolt-action rifle platform that is now chambered for two unique big-game chamberings.

Preview: Thacha L-1 Lightweight Hooded Pullover

Thacha’s three distinct clothing lines allow sportsmen to adapt their apparel to the environment in which they will be hunting, and the L-1 Lightweight Hooded Pullover serves as the outermost component in the company’s L-1 warm-weather layering system.

Gun Of The Week: Wilson Combat Division 77 Project 1

Join American Rifleman staff on the range in this video to get a closer look at Wilson Combat’s somewhat cryptically named “Division 77 Project 1.” 

The Armed Citizen® July 18, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Review: POF-USA LMR BASE Rifle

The Patriot Ordnance Factory LMR Base offers a .308 Win. chambering in a lightweight, AR-15-size package, which makes it a capable platform for today's new gun owner. And it comes at a fair price.

2025 Accessory Of The Year: Wyoming Sight Drifter

For each of the past 23 years, the editors of American Rifleman have convened to select our top picks for the past year’s best and most innovative products. Here are the most recent winners.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.