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

heavy machine gun crew with DShK on tripod pointing in air above trees
heavy machine gun crew with DShK on tripod pointing in air above trees

Red Fifty: The Soviet 12.7 mm DShK Heavy Machine Gun

While the Browning .50-cal. M2 machine gun has been unequaled for a century, John Moses Browning’s genius design has had one significant 12.7 mm competitor: the Soviet DShK.

Support The NRA Youth Education Summit (YES) On Giving Tuesday

With more than 1,200 students having graduated from the program and over $700,000 in scholarships awarded since 1996, NRA's YES is an immersive leadership program for high school students eager to learn about the foundations of our nation, the importance of civic engagement and the role of the Second Amendment.

Rifleman Review: Remington 360 Buckhammer

Remington Ammunition's 360 Buckhammer is a straight-wall hunting cartridge that's designed to give deer hunters an ideal round for their Midwestern hunt.

New For 2025: EAA Girsan Witness2311 Brat, Match and MatchX

European American Armory Corp. (EAA) introduced an affordable variation of the double-stack 1911 design with their Girsan Witness2311 in 2023, continually adding additional chamberings and slide length options. New for 2025, the company is adding three new versions of the Witness2311 with the Match, MatchX and Brat models.

Review: Citadel Trakr

At less than 4 lbs., this repeating rifle is easy on the back while also being extraordinarily easy on the budget.

Freedom Munitions To Move Ammo Component Production To Idaho

Freedom Munitions has announced it will be consolidating its projectile component production from X-Treme Bullets out of Nevada into its Lewiston, Idaho, facilities.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.