Ruger RXM Review

Today we are looking at the new Ruger RXM 9mm pistol. We will review this pistol and how it compares to others in the quickly evolving Glock clone market. 

Background

The Ruger RXM is a collaboration between Ruger and Magpul, with both manufacturers sticking to what they do best. Ruger is manufacturing the fire control insert (FCI), slide, barrel, etc.whole Magpul is making the polymer grip frame module and the magazines that go in it. 

The RXM borrows a great deal of ideas from both Glock’s designs and the idea of a removable trigger and sear pack from the grip frame. Much like the Sig Sauer P320 design, the RXM promises to bring the popularity and performance of Glock, with the modularity of the popular family of Sig pistols.  

Not only that, the RXM also brings modern designs with it, such as a configurable optics footprint. So you can make your red dot fit your pistol and not the other way around. And it brings all these features without being much different in price than its co-clones.

Basically, if you are wondering what makes the RXM so special, I can sum it up like this; it’s as though two of the most successful pistols of the past decades had a baby blessed by Magpul.

RXM Features

1 Polymer grip frame

 Interchangeable with likely more options in the pipeline

2 Optics Ready Slide

Configurable optics ready slide accepts RMR, DPP, RMSc dots

3 Interchangeable FCI

Only serialized part of the pistol can be swapped between frames

4 Tritium Front Sight

For great visibility in low light

5 Accessory Pic Rail

To attach weapon light

6 Glock Pattern

For great accessory and aftermarket support

7 Glock 19 magazines

Comes with two 15 round mags

8 Flared Magwell

For smooth and fast reloads

RXM Models

At the time of publishing, there is only one model of the RXM. With its four-inch barrel and gray polymer frame. I believe strongly that Magpul will soon start releasing additional grip frames in a variety of sizes, colors and finishes.

Ruger RXM Review

I lifted the RXM from its case and felt that same familiar grip of the clones. It felt good and only got better as I played with the pistol further. All the controls felt just as you would expect. The trigger is crisp. The front and rear slide serrations make for easy gripping to pull against the stout spring. The sights line up nicely with my hold, and the front tritium pops against the dull winter overcast sky.

I ran the slide a few times against the empty magazine and was pleased with how smooth and easy it was to actuate everything. The mag release is extended a bit, and at first I thought it might be too forward. But after all of my shooting, it seemed it was perfect.

I did a quick field strip to see the curious FCI and how it was secured into the frame by a couple push pins. The whole thing looked very nice, with a great finish and quality look.

Ruger RXM Setup

I was anxious to get this pistol shooting, so I wasted no time getting it ready for a range trip. I dug through my selection of red dots and decided to grab the Vortex Defender CCW. It was a good fit for the RXM, and would be easy to mount as well using the supplied fasteners.

Including anchor pins to secure the red dot gives the RXM another leg up, by allowing you to configure the footprint to match the red dot. Instead of forcing you to change to a dot that fits the footprint.

Because I’d planned on carrying the pistol for a while, I decided to also install my Streamlight TLR8. It’s a handy light laser combo for CCW pistols and it fits perfectly on the Ruger RXM. And the whole conglomeration fits nicely into my Hidden Hybrid IWB holster.

On the Range

All that was left was to head to the range and shoot this small wonder. I grabbed a few boxes of 115 grain ammo from MWLP for some initial testing. My first range trip would be a typical trip into the snowy Rocky Mountains, and both my son and I would enjoy the afternoon plinking away with the Ruger RXM.

I took the opportunity to try a bunch of different things, like drawing from the holster, reloading after single shots and such. It didn’t take long to get comfortable with the RXM. The Defender red dot made it quick to bear and make clean shots on my targets.

I was very impressed with how easy reloads went with the gun. I am used to big guns with flared magwells, this little Ruger does have a flare but it’s hardly noticeable unless you look under the gun. It came very easy to me to stab the magazine even without looking. It felt much easier than other similar guns I’ve shot in the past.

Shootability

As you might imagine, a pistol modeled after one of the most successful pistols ever shoots very well. The RXM grip is very comfortable, and the angle lines up quite naturally with my aim. Recoil from the RXM is quite modest and keeping on target is akin to other similar pistols. It’s also nice to use a red dot, pushing your focus to the target.

The controls of the RXM are great. The trigger is a little longer than I would have expected, but it is very smooth and breaks nicely. This allowed for great shot placement, particularly when coupled with the fine aimpoint of the Defender.

At first, I found one thing that bothered me. During the first few mags, my thumb would push slightly up on the slide release, causing the RXM to lock open between rounds. This was easily corrected once I realized it was just my thumb crowding the area. Even my kids had a good time shooting the RXM.

Ergonomics

Again, as a clone, it’s hard to beat the time tested successful design. The grip angle is just right and feels natural. Slide cuts provide just the right amount of grip without being abrasive. The mag release is a touch further forward than expected, but certainly caused zero problems during my reloads. The trigger blade safety isn’t even noticeable during shooting, which is the way it should be.

My hands are neither small nor large, and the grip area was just right for them. If I had larger hands, I could see it getting a bit crowded, but I also anticipate that there will be additional grips available from Magpul in the near future that will solve that issue.

Accuracy

I’m a bit of an accuracy nerd when it comes to rifles. But for handguns, I don’t consider myself anything but average, and I had no issues hitting what I aimed at. I don’t suspect this gun is currently going to be used for competition shooting (at least not yet), but more likely it will be used for typical semi-compact 9mm purposes. CCW use and general shooting are more likely in its future, and for that, the accuracy was perfectly adequate.

Hitting paper plate sized targets from a quick draw was easy to do, even at fifteen to twenty yards. I carried the pistol as my CCW for several days, quite confident that should I need to use it, I would be able to hit my target.

Reliability

I mentioned the occasional locking back caused by my imposing thumb. That was the only thing I could call a failure that we experienced while shooting the Ruger RXM. It has cycled through hundreds of rounds and many boxes of 115 and 124 grain ammunition now, with no failures.

Value

The Glock clone market is getting steep with competition. Many companies have brought some very affordable models to market to compete with this Ruger RXM, and this has brought the prices down. The RXM is more affordable than most of the original Austrian polymer pistols, depending on which generation you are looking at. And even among its clone peers, the RXM is still quite competitive, with street prices just under $400.

For comparison, my ZRO Delta FKS9 can be had for around $350, but it will cost more than the RXM if you want the optics ready slide. I also have a PSA Dagger that is very comparable to the RXM, but again if you want an optics ready slide its price goes up to within a carton of eggs price of the RXM. So there’s plenty of competition from other good products.

BUT, we haven’t addressed some of the RXM’s advantages. Not only is the RXM optics ready, its configurable footprint will take most optics. Its removable FCI allows you to swap grip frame modules. I cannot fathom that Ruger and Magpul haven’t thought this through for years to come. I expect we will see a massive and steady release of RXM variants of various sizes, slides, and barrels. Time will surely tell, but with all that in mind I think the Ruger RXM is a fantastic value, with a bright future.

Pros and Cons

My Preferred Ammo

Besides the MWLP ammo, I also shot a few boxes of AAC 124 grain ammo. Both of which functioned flawlessly through the Ruger. For carry ammo I would use something predictable like Hornady Critical Duty 124 grain defense ammo.

Upgrade and Accessories Options:

1. Vortex Defender Red Dot		Check Pricing
2. Streamlight TLR8		Check It Out

The Vortex Defender red dot worked out great for the RXM. I had no reason to dislike it. But I also like the US Optics RISE red dot as it is a bit larger window and has more refined dot on the glass. The beauty of the RXM is that just about any popular sight will drop on to the Ruger RXM.

The Streamlight TLR8 was also a great choice for a weapon light, particularly for CCW use. An obvious choice would have also been the Surefire X300, though it is a bit bigger and cumbersome for a carry gun.

My hidden Hybrid Holster fits the Ruger RXM well, but as objective as holsters can be, you might want to pick your own. I also carried the RXM in a 1791 Gunleather holster that was also pretty comfortable.

Final Thoughts

My initial thoughts on the Ruger RXM turned out to be pretty dead on. I have always liked Ruger’s firearms; they seem to be optimized for the average American gun owner. And providing them with a pleasant and affordable experience.

• Ruger RXM Manual