Ruger American Pistol Competition

Bartojc · Dec 1, 2020

I've been kicking around the idea of an RMR type sight on a pistol for quite some time. If you don't have an optics ready pistol it can still be done, but it is more involved than I care to go through. I came to the conclusion a while ago that I someday would just get something optics ready and then add the optic. Something on the order of S&W M&P Core, Sig's P320 variant, Glock (I'm sure they have one). Last week I was at the range shooting two of my 9mm a Ruger SR9c and my Springfield 1911. Again I was impressed with the Ruger and how well it shoots.

I notice today that Ruger has a Competition variant of the Ruger American Pistol. 5" barrel, optics ready ported slide. I do not hear a lot about this pistol, and I take it that it is relatively new. Watched a couple videos, and it seems to be a normal Ruger, solid for the money. Maybe a heavy trigger is the only real complaint I've heard.

Anyone here shot one or own one ? What are your opinions ? How would it compare to other pistols like the M&P, Sig, or the Canik ?

-Jeff

sevt_chevelle · Dec 2, 2020

Its just another Ruger semi auto that no ones cares about, its the typical lack luster Ruger.
M&P or Sig 320 all day.

Hangingrock · Dec 2, 2020

sevt_chevelle said:
Its just another Ruger semi auto that no ones cares about, its the typical lack luster Ruger.
M&P or Sig 320 all day.

Actually the Ruger RAP series semiautomatic pistols are very good pistols. I have examples of Glock and S&W MP series pistols. I acquired a RAP 9X19mm and after extensive firing usage opted to also acquire a RAP 45ACP also. The RAP series is not lackluster.

Mike J · Dec 2, 2020

I don't know anything about the Competition model. I got a full sized Ruger American Pistol in 9mm for my wife when they hadn't been out very long. It hasn't been shot a lot as it is hers not mine but it works & is fine. I was actually thinking about getting the Compact (which in truth is closer to being a subcompact) version this past spring as they were available at or under $300 then the world (and prices) went crazy. I would trust it as much as I do anything else.

1KPerDay · Dec 2, 2020

Hold one if you can before you buy. Like many others, I find the weird square ledge on the rear left of the grip frame hurts my thumb when I grip the pistol firmly. That makes the RAP a non-starter for me. SIGs or M&Ps for me.

kcofohio · Dec 2, 2020

I actually prefer the RAP over the M&P straight out of the box. The M&P needed the Apex Tactical trigger kit before it shot decent. Never had any problems with the RAP, with no additives.

cslinger · Dec 3, 2020

I only have passing experience with an early RAP .45 and I liked it. The knuckle buster blackstrap never bothered me and the trigger on the example I handled was quite good.

I know it is popular to hate on these and I am not saying there are not better choices but the one I handled was quite nice all things considered.

Project355 · Dec 3, 2020

I own a Ruger American .45

To me it was obvious that it was designed around certain "must have" criteria.

One of those being low bore axis, which makes for a very small "web" area for the hand. Both grip panels exhibit this, and are the cause of knuckle rap in my case at least. I shot the pistol with no grip panel and it was much better! The I reworked a panel and its passable now, but it took a lot of work, some JB weld too.

Next thing is the "must not need to pull trigger to disassemble" criteria. Good God, look at the complexity inside the receiver! Total "lawyer" design in my opinion. Look at the simplicity of other designs..... even Rugers.

Next is the barrel/slide. With WWB 45 hardball ammo mostly, I have experienced barrel peening three times within 500 rounds. I am on barrel #4 and slide #3 (counting the originals). The metal just smears upward at the forward lip of the top locking lug. Ruger has subtly changed the shape of that area from first production, so maybe they're onto a fix. My current barrel/slide shows the start of peening but it doesn't look as bad as the others. The complex receiver internals have held up though!

Its a soft gun to shoot. The FNX-45 is much softer though.

If anybody wants to see the grip rework, I can post a snaphot later after work.

Erief0g · Dec 3, 2020

You must likely know but even before some of the optic ready firearms came to light primary machine (one I've used) along with many other machine shops offer a custom fit to your supplied optic for lowest sight configuration to bore.

Had my cz shadow 2 done early last year

Bartojc · Dec 3, 2020

Erief0g said:
You must likely know but even before some of the optic ready firearms came to light primary machine (one I've used) along with many other machine shops offer a custom fit to your supplied optic for lowest sight configuration to bore.

Had my cz shadow 2 done early last year

Specifically I had not looked into Primary, but I knew such companies and services existed. I get the lowest to the bore too, but are the optics ready pistols say from Glock or S&W that different ?

Right now the only pistol I'd put an optic on would be my 1911 and somehow that just seems wrong to me. Maybe someday but not today. So if I'm buying one anyhow optic ready seems to make sense. For the price the Ruger Competition seems to meet my needs of a range toy and in the same class as maybe a Canik. I didn't mention it in my original post but it would be a 9mm. I think the competition may only come in 9mm I'd have to check again. I've heard about the squared edge on the grip frame. I handled the original when they first came out but I wasn't considering a purchase at the time. Now, if I am serious I'd surely handle or try one. Casually looking the competition model is out of stock which is no surprise.

-Jeff

Erief0g · Dec 3, 2020

Out of stock is agreed no surprise.

I've got an eye on two models and have basically told myself if lucky I'll get one of them in 2021 sometime.

Even if found pricing is stout

DT Guy · Dec 3, 2020

Project355 said:
I own a Ruger American .45

To me it was obvious that it was designed around certain "must have" criteria.

One of those being low bore axis, which makes for a very small "web" area for the hand. Both grip panels exhibit this, and are the cause of knuckle rap in my case at least. I shot the pistol with no grip panel and it was much better! The I reworked a panel and its passable now, but it took a lot of work, some JB weld too.

Next thing is the "must not need to pull trigger to disassemble" criteria. Good God, look at the complexity inside the receiver! Total "lawyer" design in my opinion. Look at the simplicity of other designs..... even Rugers.

Next is the barrel/slide. With WWB 45 hardball ammo mostly, I have experienced barrel peening three times within 500 rounds. I am on barrel #4 and slide #3 (counting the originals). The metal just smears upward at the forward lip of the top locking lug. Ruger has subtly changed the shape of that area from first production, so maybe they're onto a fix. My current barrel/slide shows the start of peening but it doesn't look as bad as the others. The complex receiver internals have held up though!

Its a soft gun to shoot. The FNX-45 is much softer though.

If anybody wants to see the grip rework, I can post a snaphot later after work.

I, for one, would like to see the pix of your grip rework. The reports of that 'ledge' turned me off the RAP before I even saw one. If it could be remedied by work on the grip panel, I'd revisit.

Thanks,

Larry

Ruger American Pistol Competition

Bartojc

Member

sevt_chevelle

Member

Hangingrock

Member

Mike J

Member

1KPerDay

Member

kcofohio

Member

cslinger

Member

Project355

Member

Erief0g

Member

Bartojc

Member

Erief0g

Member

DT Guy

Member

Similar threads