From The Hip

The new Ruger RXM is intended to compete head-to-head with the Glock 19, which is the world’s most popular 9mm pistol, but it is much more than just a copy, as it has several significant improvements and boasts a notably lower price. 

The RXM mechanics are more or less identical to the Glock 19, so it naturally accepts the same magazines and most accessories as Glock Gen 3 guns. The Ruger comes standard with two 15-round Magpul PMAG magazines. 

The frame is Stealth Gray and is manufactured in the USA by Magpul. In my opinion, it is significantly improved. Perhaps the most important improvement is the grip size and shape that has been trimmed down, which is more comfortable and a better fit for most, if not all, shooters. The back-strap is more or less straight (similar to a Model 1911 with flat mainspring housing), and the circumference is around a 1⁄2 inch smaller than the Glock. The shape of the beaver tail allows a higher grip position, helping reduce muzzle rise, and it is comfortable. The grip area is textured with Magpul’s “3⁄4 scale TSP Texture” for great grip traction, yet remains gentle for shooters with “computer soft” hands. This combination results in a much more comfortable grip and hand position and improved ergonomics. 

Other notable improvements include a flared magazine well for easier, faster magazine inserts, and a trigger guard that is undercut to slightly raise the position of the second finger. The magazine release is extended and the slide stop is raised, making them notably easier to operate when compared to the competition. 

The slide is a through-hardened alloy with black FNC Nitride coating to resist scratching, rust, etc. It is deeply serrated at the rear and front (5-slots each) to allow racking the slide using different hand positions. In addition to being optics-ready, it boasts of co-witness height steel sights with a tritium night insert on the front sight. The rear sight is drift adjustable and features a notch that is deep and wide, offering a great sight picture under all lighting conditions, which again is a huge improvement over the competition. 

Like the Glock, the RXM is striker-fired and features integrated trigger safety; however, the trigger is flat-faced and smooth. Shooting sessions confirm that it offers a better feel and is more comfortable than the competition.  

The cold hammer forged 4-inch barrel features a 1:10 twist and is as shiny as a mirror. While I did not include this data in the accompanying table, a handload containing cast bullets at 1,200 feet per second (fps) was tried, and virtually no leading was left in the barrel. Another improvement the RXM has over the competition is a loaded cartridge indicator located on the top of the barrel at the breech. 

The RXM weighs 23.2 ounces with a Magpul magazine installed, which is essentially identical to the Glock 19. 

Prior to trying the RXM with premium factory loads and handloads, just over 300 rounds of Winchester bulk packaged 9mm 124-grain FMJ rounds were fired to allow the pistol to settle in. There were no malfunctions or stoppages in any form, the gun worked flawlessly. 

Moving on to factory loads at both standard and +P pressures, the function was absolutely flawless. As can be seen in the accompanying table, loads from Hornady, Black Hills Ammunition, Federal Cartridge and Speer, grouped into 2.35 to 3.00 inches at 20 yards with the aid of a sandbag rest. This type of accuracy is comparable with the many Glock pistols that I have fired. Regardless, the RXM is plenty accurate for any defensive situation that a pistol of this type will be used. 

Moving on to premium style handloads, both accuracy and velocity were improved upon, although minimally. Starline cases were used that were first full-length sized, neck expanded and primed with CCI 500 primers. After charging with powder and seating bullets to the correct overall cartridge length, a taper crimp was then applied that measures .373 inch at the mouth. 

Using 8.4 grains of Alliant Blue Dot powder with the 115-grain Speer Gold Dot HP bullet, velocity reached 1,363 fps, and three, 5-shot groups averaged 2.80 inches. Switching to 6.2 grains of Hodgdon Longshot powder, velocity was 1,288 fps, but groups shrank to an average of 2.55 inches. The 124-grain Hornady XTP-HP bullet was loaded with 9.0 grains of Accurate No. 7 powder for 1,290 fps and produced an average group size of 2.15 inches. The 124-grain Nosler Sporting Handgun JHP bullet was loaded in conjunction with 6.0 grains of Ramshot Silhouette powder for 1,236 fps and produced a 2.55-inch group average. For those wanting a subsonic load, the 147-grain Hornady XTP-HP bullet was pushed to 1,007 fps using 4.4 grains of Hodgdon CFE Pistol powder. This load gave the smallest series of groups of all loads tried and measured – 2.10 inches with a three-group average. 

The RXM is manufactured in Prescott, Arizona, USA. While the Glock 19 may boast of a 37-year record of reliability and durability, with Ruger’s long-established reputation of building ultra-tough and durable guns, the RXM is expected to be at least equal to, or exceed, the Glock. The RXM has already been hugely successful and there are more variations already being offered. Now the icing on the cake: MSRP is just $499. This is a true bargain for a highly reliable, high-capacity pistol with notable design improvements over the world’s most popular 9mm pistol.