When Ruger introduced its RXM 9mm pistol near the end of 2024, a number of social media critics quickly declared the handgun no more than a Glock clone. A Glock Gen 3 clone, to be exact. And since it was no more than a copycat gun, said the critics, the RXM was no good.

Well, a more fair-minded assessment of the pistol — compared to those extremely negative criticisms, based on essentially photographs — would involve actually looking at the pistol itself. As the famous firearms writer Bill Shakespeare once wrote, “The gun is the thing/Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of these scoffer kings.”

Or something like that. 

Anyway, the point is that while it is certainly a Glock-influenced firearm, the RXM is a pistol in its own right, and deserves to be judged as such.

And on that basis, and with approximately 250 rounds through my test pistol, I found the Ruger RXM a first-rate choice for concealed carry and home defense consumers. An accurate and fairly compact platform, the RXM fit my hand nicely, was optics ready, and offered 15+1 ammunition capability. 

Plus, the pistol carries a suggested retail of just $499.

The Magpul Connection

First, though, the RXM is not a Ruger-only creation. Actually, Ruger collaborated closely with Magpul in the design and final Word of the RXM. Actually, the pistol’s name RXM stands for Ruger x Magpul. The Magpul connection also provides FFLs with additional sales possibilities beyond the handgun itself. 

Magpul’s contributions include the RXM’s interchangeable Magpul Enhanced Handgun Grip. As part of their ongoing collaboration, Ruger and Magpul offer a variety of grip frames so that your clientele can customize their pistols to meet shifting tastes and needs.

Features

The core of the RXM is a removable, serialized, and stainless steel Fire Control Insert set inside an interchangeable Magpul EHG finished in Stealth Gray. The FCI easily removes from the grip for insertion into different EHGs. 

The Magpul EHG features a low-profile, flared magazine that allows quick insertion and removal of magazines. The trigger guard sported a generous undercut, and this feature plus the beaver tail gave me a higher grip for solid control of the pistol. 

The scalloped top of the magazine release made for an easy push to release. The universal-pattern accessory rail beneath the barrel allowed for quick attachment of a light or laser. 

Striker-fired, the RXM’s flat-faced trigger made for a smooth, consistent trigger pull and quick reset. The trigger on my test pistol had approximately .30 inches of uptake before encountering the wall, then broke at a relatively clean 2 pounds, 10 ounces of pull weight. 

With its 4-inch, steel alloy barrel, the RXM measures out at just a shade over 7 inches and weighs in at 23 ounces unloaded.

Safety features include an integrated trigger safety, internal striker blocker and an inspection port that allows for visual confirmation of a loaded or empty chamber.

The RXM sells with two Magpul PMAG 15 GL9 15-round magazines or two Magpul PMAG 10 GL9 10-round magazines, depending on your location and possible ammunition restrictions. 

Mounting Optics 

The RXM’s slide features a black FNC nitride finish and allows for direct optic mounting of RMR, Delta Point Pro (DPP), and RMSc pattern optics.

I mounted a Meprolight MPO PRO-F closed-emitter sight onto my test pistol. At nearly an inch wide, the optic’s rear lens provided a substantial sight picture. The unit features 10 daylight brightness settings, and two night vision settings. The optic’s auto-brightness control automatically adjusts to lighting conditions, too. 

I really liked the PRO-F’s user-selectable reticle system, which let me choose from a 3-MOA dot, a 33-MOA bullseye surrounding the dot and a 33 MOA ring by itself. The optic runs on a single CR1632 battery loaded via a slot on the right side of the red-dot.

To mount the Meprolight, I simply removed the optic plate from the slide, placed the RMR adapter plate onto the slide cut, added two dowel pins (Ruger provided) at the front of the plate, and tightened down the optic.

The PRO-F was ready to go and zeroed quickly at my outdoor range.

Accuracy Test 

 I ran the RXM at 10 yards from a rest and 5 to 7 yards offhand. My 9mm ammunition was Nosler Assured Stopping Power, loaded with a 147-grain jacketed hollow point, Sierra THD loaded with 124-grain JHP, and Winchester USA Ready 115-grain flat-nosed full metal jacket.   

For five-shot groups at all three of the above distances, the three ammo brands and the RXM averaged groups of between 1.2 and 1.5 inches. 

Best groups included five shots of the Nosler ASP at 5 yards coming in at .80-inches, and 10 shots at 7 yards fired fairly quickly at 2.3 inches. Sierra THD made groups of 1.2  and 1.3 inches at 7 yards, while the Winchester did an impressive .90-inch group from my 10-yard rest shooting and two 1.0-inch groups at 7 yards.

The RXM provided good control throughout my shooting, thanks in part to the tactile  texturing on the grip surfaces, including along the front and back straps.

CCW

I carried the RXM for several days and found the pistol comfortable to wear, and quick to deploy.

A good number of holster manufacturers offer RXM options, including Falco Holsters.  For my carry, I used Falco’s A911 Talon Guard IWB for Glock 19 Gen 4, a leather and Kydex hybrid.  It held the pistol well, with room for the optic, and positioned the butt just right for a fast and smooth draw.

Selling the RXM  

Since they can’t tell this by simply looking at the pistol, sales staff need to point out to customers that the RXM’s stainless steel Fire Control Insert will enable an RXM owner to switch out frames. Legally speaking, since the serial number is on the FCI, the FCI can be removed from one frame and put into a different frame.

At which point, the smart salesperson will point out the Magpul frames also available.

Also note that the slide comes with a direct-mount optic cut that can accommodate optics with Delta Point Pro, RMSc and RMR footprints. The open sights co-witness to an optic, too.

Make sure customers actually hold the pistol, too. The grip angle is such that most shooters will find it very comfortable. 

And as sales staff go over all the features offered, they should definitely mention the pistol’s sub-$500 cost. 

In Store

Ruger Sales regularly offer marketing support to retailers holding events and promotions. Those retailers interested should contact their Ruger Sales rep or Ruger customer service.

In-store or zoom training for sales staff may also be arranged, and Ruger also provides a large volume of training, sales and technical information at www.youtube.com/@RugerFirearms. 

The company currently utilizes a two-step distribution method and sells only to distribution. Retailers interested in purchasing Ruger and Marlin products should order through their distributor partners.