Ruger x Magpul “RXM” First Look: Is This True Modularity?

It’s here! Ruger and Magpul have announced their official partnership and release of the “RXM”. Is this going to offer us the perfect pistol to replace what the capital G-Lock has provided for so long?

Let’s talk about it!

Before you continue, if you want to see the “RXM” in action, check out my video below and leave me a comment on your thoughts on the “RXM”.

If you haven’t seen the buzz surrounding Ruger and Magpul lately, then you have been under a rock.

What is the Ruger RXM Secret Sauce?

The “RXM” will undoubtedly continue to receive a mix of excitement and skepticism from it’s potential customers. With good reason. Are we going crazy or are we just looking at a Glock? I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s talk details and then I’ll share some personal observations.

The “RXM” is a compact “Glock 19” sized striker-fired handgun, chambered in 9mm. The slide is produced by Ruger and the frame is developed by and with Magpul Industries. The defining difference between the “RXM” and a Gen3 Glock is the “RXM” features a removable, Fire Control Insert. This allows the user to easily swap out the pistol frame and customize to their preference.

RXM Slide and Barrel Features/Upgrades

The following section covers additional upgrades made to the tried and true Gen3 design, featured on the “RXM”.

Optics Ready

Starting off, the “RXM” comes optic ready. You will have the ability out of box to direct mount RMR, DPP or RMSc optics.

But for the record, it comes with a really nice set of metal irons sights from the factory. It has a blacked out rear sight, and the front is a HIVIZ Tritium sight. So there is no need to switch those out unless you simply feel like it. The iron sights co-witness with a red dot, should you choose to install one.

Ruger RXM Slide Serrations

Next, the slide has serrations cut in the front and the rear. This is somewhat of a non-issue for me, but I think it was a good choice to add it for those who do care. The cuts are deep enough to help with manipulations, but they are not overly aggressive.

Suppressor Options?

When it comes to the barrel, it’s plain jane. Be on the lookout for threaded options in the future.

 Magpul RXM Frame Features/Upgrades

Let’s move on down to the frame developed by Magpul.

Light and Laser Ready

The “RXM” is fully ready to mount your favorite light or laser on. It has a universal accessory rail for whatever you wish to attach.

Grip Texturing

In proper Magpul fashion, the “RXM” comes with texturing on the grip as well as near the locking block takedown lever. It is quite grippy, but is not going to rub your hands raw from holding or shooting for a while. I found it very helpful for shooting more aggressively.

As far as grip design, Magpul decided to go with a simplistic but effective approach. There’s nothing crazy going on here but it all works together. If it doesn’t fit you well, just hold tight and you’ll be able to swap out grips to whatever suits your fancy.

Trigger Group

The “RXM” does come with a “mostly” flat trigger face but again, for me this is just personal preference. I believe it has little to no effect on your ability or lack thereof to shoot well. But if you like it, there you go.

Flared Magwell

At the bottom of the grip, there is a slight flare which may or may not aid when guiding a magazine home during a reload. Another plus is that the flare can help keep your firing grip solid without compromising on concealment.

Last but not least, on the heel of the grip, there is a small space carved out. This is so the user can strip stuck magazines; however, I never once needed that feature throughout the 3-400 rounds I shot gathering my first impressions.

Outstanding Questions

That’s really all of the significant features, however I know all of us are wondering a few more things.

1. Will the RXM be compatible with existing Glock holster counterparts?
2. Does it take Glock magazines?
3. How much is it?

We are ALL happy to report that the “RXM” is fully compatible with almost every Glock holster we had on site. Unless you have something very, and I mean VERY specific, then I think you’ll be okay.

Will the RXM Work with Glock Magazines?

The RXM is also compatible with Glock magazines and will function with a wide variety of similarly designed Gen3 magazines.

How expensive is the RXM?

The “RXM” is going to be right in that entry level, to mid level option for someone looking for a handgun that fits those Gen 3 “qualities”. Ruger has the MRSP at $499.

Final Thoughts

What do I initially think after spending some time shooting and evaluating it? It just looks like a Gen 3 “you know what” to me, so what’s the big deal?

I wasn’t necessarily looking for a pistol like this, but to me it’s pretty simple. I want it to work. It’s got to go “bang” every time. I’ve become quite accustomed to this with my Glock 17, so reliability is a non negotiable to want to pursue the RXM personally.

Next, I think it has the features that match current requirements of most shooters. And even better, it does this out of the box, without the need to send it off along with a couple hundred dollars before it’s ready.

I also think it’s fairly priced, although I was hoping for it to be closer to around $400. I am more curious how the grip modules will develop and how expensive those will be per unit. Overall, I feel that the the “RXM” shows incredible promise in each of these areas, but we will have to wait and see.

What Makes the “RXM” Different Than Every Other Clone?

With all that being said, that’s not what’s interesting to me about this project. This is something that was going to be done one way or another. I mean, it’s already been done by so many other manufactures to some extent or other. So what’s the difference with the “RXM”?

In my opinion the difference is, it’s Ruger and Magpul. Ruger is an American Heritage brand that has continually remained in the lead for handgun manufacturing in the nation. And they do a dang good job at it.

Magpul is an injection molding company at the very highest level, and they like to solve problems. Simply put, Magpul makes winning products. They are well known, well loved, and accepted industry leaders. Not to mention they set the original standard for the “cool kid” club in branding. 

Both of these companies are well trusted and known for making reliable, high quality products.

Glock Perfection or Glock Perception?

Whether you love or hate it, Glock’s reliability cannot be denied, that’s why so many people try to emulate it. However, there hasn’t been the same opportunity as there is right now.

With the Glock design patent no longer active, all of the companies that rushed to copycat it years prior, are going to be stuck. At the time, they were not able to replicate the exact design that is so appreciated and trusted. On top of that, many aesthetic choices were not always winners, or they came at a premium.

Magpul and Ruger Lead the Way

The “RXM” is a pistol that was going to be made one way or another. I simply think that the right manufacturers decided to team up to make it happen. Maybe it’s coming at the right time, maybe not. We’ll find out. Either way, I always appreciate watching companies come together to partner in ways they can offer their individual strengths in.

I think it’s a sign of what else can be done in the future, and it’s way bigger than a single pistol ever will be. But I know I’ll be excited to shoot it more and see others testing it soon.

Thanks for reading and I’ll be writing a few more pieces before the year is up. Stay tuned and be sure to get on our newsletter if you aren’t already so that you don’t miss a post!