Ruger's RXM Pistol

More Reflex Ready Than Most

This is the new Ruger RXM. It’s the result of a collaboration between Ruger and Magpul and is very similar to a Glock G-19. It is a high capacity customizable pistol that’s affordable and comes out of the box optics ready. Apparently some less than honorable folks who were allowed to review this pistol prior to launch have leaked it, so you might have already heard about it. I’ve been testing it for about a month and have been very excited to let the news out, but I kept my word and kept quite until the lunch date.

The grip frame on the RXM is manufactured by Magpul and is stealth grey in color, featuring a generously beveled mag well and comfortable stippling. It has a universal pattern accessory rail, an extended magazine release, and a much more comfortable interface for the middle finger on the shooting hand. Ruger says more grip frame colors will be available.

The pistol comes with a high profile set of sights that can co-witness with a miniature reflex sight. The slide has a removeable plate for reflex sight installation, but it’s unusual in that with the help of moveable studs included with the pistol, the optics cut is compatible with RMR, DPP, and RMSc mounting patterns. The RXM ships with two Magpul Glock 19 PMAG 15-round magazines and should fit most G-19 holsters. It has an unloaded weight of 23.2 ounces.

The Ruger RXM primarily differs from the Glock because it has a removable serialized stainless steel Fire Control Insert (FCI). After field stripping the RXM – just as you would a Glock – you can remove the locking block pin and the takedown pin, and simply pull the entire fire control unit out of the Magpul EHG frame. This will allow you to easisly swap grip freams on the RXM right on your kitchen table.

I carried Glocks on duty for almost 13 years. I trusted them but never loved them. I like this pistol better than any Glock I’ve ever shot or owned, and so far, it has run flawlessly. And at $499, it’ priced right. I expect over the next serval years we’re going to see a lot of variations of this pistol. I’m not that fond of reflex sights on a carry gun, but many others are, and the RXM interfaced perfectly with a Trijicon RMR. The RXM also comes out of the box more reflex ready than any other handgun I know of in its price range.

You can learn more about the Ruger RXM in my handgun column in an upcoming issue of Gun Digest magazine.