If you’ve been paying attention to the world of polymer-framed, striker-fired pistols, you know that Glock has dominated the scene for years. But let’s be honest—while Glock pistols are reliable workhorses, they’re not the be-all and end-all of handguns. The market is wide open for competitors who can bring something fresh to the table. Enter Ruger with their latest offering, the RXM 9mm—a gun that, at first glance, looks like a Glock Gen 3 clone but offers some interesting twists.
For years, the rule of thumb with Glock clones has been simple: if it costs less than a Glock, corners were cut somewhere. If it costs more, you’re paying for upgraded sights, a better trigger, or some other “premium” feature. Ruger, however, has a reputation for making solid, affordable firearms, and they weren’t about to put out a cheap knockoff. The RXM is affordable, yes, but it also packs in some well-thought-out design features that just might make it a serious contender.
On the surface, the Ruger RXM 9mm looks like it stepped right out of Glock’s playbook. The frame and slide bear a striking resemblance to the Glock 19, and in fact, the barrels are interchangeable. I tested this myself with my Glock 19s, and the RXM barrel locked in and functioned just fine. However, the slides are not interchangeable—something to note if you’re thinking about mix-and-matching parts.
One of the standout differences between the RXM and a Glock is the grip angle. Glock’s well-known 22-degree grip angle has been both loved and hated by shooters for years. Ruger decided to tweak that slightly, giving the RXM a 20-degree grip angle. Doesn’t sound like much, right? But if you shoot them side by side, you’ll feel the difference. For some shooters, that subtle shift improves natural pointability and comfort.
The grip itself is another area where Ruger stepped up. Rather than using interchangeable backstraps like Glock, the RXM grip is designed to fit a wide range of hands right out of the box. It’s got a good balance of adhesion and abrasion, providing a solid grip without feeling like you’re holding onto a cheese grater. The grip frame was developed in partnership with MagPul, a company that rarely gets things wrong when it comes to firearm accessories. If they start offering a range of frame options for the RXM, we could be looking at some interesting modularity down the road.
The internal chassis is another major difference from a standard Glock. Ruger took inspiration from guns like the SIG P320 and Beretta APX, designing a removable fire control unit inside the frame. This could lead to future modular options if Ruger or aftermarket companies decide to produce alternate frame sizes and configurations.
Optics, Sights, and Magazines: The Practical Stuff
The RXM slide comes with a nitride finish and is offered in Stealth Gray, which is a nice aesthetic touch. The slide has forward cocking serrations for easier manipulations and is beveled for smooth reholstering.
The sights are a mix of good and could-be-better. The RXM comes with a single tritium dot front sight, which is a nice upgrade over the stock Glock plastic sights. The sights are high-profile, which is great for visibility, but they don’t co-witness with every red dot optic. If you’re running a Riton 3Tactix PRD, you’re in luck, because it has built-in auxiliary sights. However, the RXM’s optic cut isn’t as versatile as the Springfield Echelon or Glock MOS, so you’re limited to certain optics unless you use adapter plates.
Magazine compatibility is a major win for the RXM. It ships with two MagPul magazines, which have a solid reputation, but more importantly, it accepts all Glock 19 magazines. If you’ve already got a stockpile of Glock mags, you’re good to go.
On the Range: How Does It Shoot?
Straight out of the box, the RXM performed as expected—reliable, consistent, and accurate. If you’ve ever shot a Glock, the feel is familiar, but there are some notable improvements.
The trigger action is mechanically the same as a Glock—rack the slide, and the striker is partially cocked. Pulling the trigger finishes cocking and releases the striker. However, on my RCBS trigger gauge, the RXM’s trigger broke cleanly at 4.5 pounds—about a pound lighter than my stock Glock 19 trigger. That makes a noticeable difference in practical shooting.
Over my initial range sessions, I put 200 rounds through the RXM without a hiccup. Then, over the next few weeks, I ran even more, including steel-cased ammo I had lying around from the pandemic panic-buying days. The RXM ate everything—FMJs, hollow points, and even +P loads—without a single malfunction.
From a benchrest, I was able to shoot a five-round group with Speer Gold Dot 124-grain +P that measured 2.5 inches at 25 yards. That’s solid performance for a defensive pistol.
One of the biggest surprises was how well the red dot lined up when aiming. That 20-degree grip angle adjustment makes a real difference when presenting the gun. It’s just enough to bring the optic naturally into view faster than my Glocks do.
Ruger didn’t reinvent the wheel here, but they refined it. The RXM is a smartly designed, well-built pistol that improves on some of the quirks of the Glock design while staying true to the reliability and simplicity that make striker-fired handguns so popular.
Pros:
- Affordable, but not cheaply made
- Uses Glock 19 magazines
- Lighter, crisper trigger than a stock Glock
- More natural grip angle
- Internal chassis for potential modularity
- Factory optics cut
- Better stock sights
Cons:
- Not as optic-compatible as MOS/Echelon
- No interchangeable backstraps
- Slide isn’t cross-compatible with later Gen Glocks
For the money, the Ruger RXM is a solid buy. If you’re looking for a reliable carry gun, a home defense pistol, or just a fun range blaster, this one is absolutely worth a look. And with its American-made quality and parts compatibility, it just might shake up the polymer pistol market.