Lessons From a Legend: Jerry Miculek's Competition Rifle How-To

Have you ever wondered what sets a competition rifle apart from a "regular" AR-15? Wonder no longer!

posted on September 14, 2022
** 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. **

If you're a regular NRA Women reader, then you know that AR-15s—also called Modern Sporting Rifles, MSRs and "black guns"—are the most common platform for rifle competition. However, many shooters consider that platform as just a starting point ... and the more advanced shooters get, the more advanced their rifles. But what exactly does a competition rifle need to do that it can't do right out of the box? What kind of upgrades do you need? And can you do the upgrades yourself?

All of the above are complex questions, and who better to answer than world-famous pro shooter (and quite possibly the best shooter alive) Jerry Miculek? Smith & Wesson recently electrified the competitive-shooting world with its all-new Volunteer series of AR-15-style rifles, so what better example from which to work? In this fantastic step-by-step how-to video from S&W's GUNSMARTS series, Miculek walks you through all the bells and whistles of a competition rifle, from the buttstock, to the sling mount, to the optic ... everything your ideal competition rifle needs, and how to install it all. It's easier than you think, and you'll see and feel the difference right away!

Latest

Ruger Logo
Ruger Logo

Ruger Safety Bulletin: LCP MAX Manual Safety Models

The recess that retains the safety lever detent spring may not be machined properly, but the other safety mechanisms, including the trigger safety, are not affected and will still function properly.

Review: KelTec PR-3AT Defender Package

The latest addition to this company’s fixed magazine series is lightweight and pocket sized!

The Armed Citizen® Reload June 5, 2026

These intruders met their fate after breaking into a home where mothers' protective instincts were on high alert.

Olympic Silver Medalist Kayle Browning Among Team Federal Top Shooters on U.S. National Trap Teams

Three Olympic hopefuls—current Federal sponsored shooters—have qualified for the 2026 U.S. National team in Trap following the Shotgun National Championships, which took place at Hillsdale College.

NSSF-Adjusted NICS Background Checks Show Increase for May 2026

The data shows an increase of 3.2 percent compared to the May 2025 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,071,685.

Lox & Loaded: Teaching the American-Jewish Community How to Be Armed

This gun club's co-founder is now overseeing 50 chapters across the United States, an endeavor that was borne out of an intense need to do something after acts of evil.

Women's Interests



Get the best of NRA Women delivered to your inbox.