Ruger Introduces Its Optics-Ready American Pistol Competition Model
The Ruger American Pistol Competition Model in 9mm Luger is more of a good thing.
This latest model in the Ruger American Pistol lineup features a longer five-inch barrel (compared to 4.2 inches on the duty model), a high-visibility green fiber-optic front sight, fully adjustable rear sight and an optics-ready slide.
Competition Model Based On A Great Platform
I love the Ruger American series of pistols. One of my favorite carry guns is the Ruger American Compact in .45 ACP. And I have a 9mm American that partners with my Ruger PC Carbine.
I think these pistols are under-rated and often overlooked. Part of that might be because they’re a bit more expensive than the Ruger Security-9, they haven’t been awarded the big U.S. Military contract and another company comes to mind when you think of a gun that most cops carry.
But the American is a sturdy, reliable gun. It’s been tested for the continued use of +P ammo.
This American Is Optics-Ready
One advantage of the longer slide and barrel is that you have a longer sight radius. That’s if you decide to use the irons as the primary sighting option. But the pistol’s slide is drilled and tapped for direct mounting of a red dot reflex.
Compatible optics include those from Vortex®, Burris®, Sightmark®, Docter®, MeoRed®, MRDS or similar footprint optics. The pistol does not come with the #6-48 mounting screws needed.
The Competition Model has a ported slide to reduce weight. The slide is stainless steel with a black nitride finish. The five-inch stainless steel barrel sports a black nitride finish too. And it’s rifling has a slower 1:16-inch twist for better accuracy with lighter match bullets.
Many Of The Same Ruger American Features
As with all of the pistols in Ruger’s American series, the Competition Model features ambidextrous slide stop and magazine releases.
Interchangeable wrap-around grip modules are included. The texturing on the Competition Model, however, is more aggressive.
A Picatinny rail allows the mounting of accessories, such as lights and lasers. That might come in handy as I’m guessing many of these guns will see service for home defense as well as competition.
The slide has front serrations front and rear. The pre-tensioned striker makes use of a powerful spring for reliable ignition. There’s an integral safety on the face of the trigger, but no manual thumb safety.
A small opening at the rear of the ejection port serves as a visual loaded chamber indicator.
Modular Design With One-Piece Chassis
On the inside, this pistol features a one-piece chassis with integral frame rails. It’s made of stainless steel with a black nitride finish. It houses the fire control mechanism. An automatic sear block prevents the pistol from firing unless the trigger is pulled.
A specially designed barrel cam helps to reduce recoil. Together with the pistol’s low bore axis, this pistol is easy to control and comfortable to shoot.
Another nice feature is the easy takedown. Remove the magazine and lock the slide to the rear. Check to be sure the pistol is empty. Rotate the takedown lever on the left side of the frame and guide the slide off the frame. No trigger pull is required.
Get It For The Same Price
The Ruger American Pistol Competition Model ships with two nickel-Teflon plated steel magazines. Magazine capacity is 17 rounds, but 10-round magazines are available. What’s nice is that this new Competition Model has the same suggested retail price as the standard duty model Ruger Americans: $579. For more information, go to www.Ruger.com.
Below is a video from Ruger on the general features of Ruger American pistols. Key features mentioned are the same as with the new Competition model.
Key Features: Ruger American Pistol Competition
Type: Striker-fires, semi-automatic pistol
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Magazine Capacity: 17 (10-round magazines available)
Construction: Glass-filled nylon frame with stainless steel slide with matte black nitride finish
Barrel Length: 5 inches
Overall Length: 8.31 inches
Height: 5.6 inches
Slide Width: 1.05 inches
Weight: 34.1 ounces
Sights: Green fiber-optic front, fully adjustable target rear
MSRP: $579
Steven Paul Barlow is a retired sergeant/station commander and former firearms instructor with the New York State Police. He is an avid hunter, fisherman, and enthusiast with all things related to firearms, knives, and survival. He has been writing on outdoor topics for more than 35 years. His collections of outdoor humor stories are available at BriarHill Books.