Both Ruger and Magpul are known for making quality and innovative products at an affordable price. The companies have worked together in the past, typically with Ruger offering Magpul magazines or furniture options on its firearms. Their latest collaboration, though, moves beyond bolt-on, with the new-for-2025 RXM.
The RXM marks a collaboration between manufacturers Ruger and Magpul to produce an enhanced and modular handgun. Image courtesy of Sturm, Ruger & Co.
The RXM is a polymer-frame, striker-fired, 9 mm Luger semi-automatic handgun. A “compact” size pistol, the RXM has an overall length of 7.15” with a 4” barrel, a height of 5.31” and weighs 23.2 ozs., unloaded. The flat-faced trigger has an integral trigger safety, as well as an internal striker-block safety. The design is modular, with the fire control components housed in a removable stainless steel chassis that is serialized and is the component that is legally “the firearm.” Designated by Ruger as the Fire Control Insert (FCI), this design feature means that different frame and slide sizes are in store for the RXM, as well as a healthy aftermarket of options.
The RXM is a modular design that has a removable Fire Control Insert (FCI) that allows for customization. Image courtesy of Magpul Industries.
The FCI is a stainless serial chassis that houses the fire control components. It is serialized and is the part legally the “firearm.” Image courtesy of Sturm, Ruger & Co.
The FCI is placed into a Magpul Enhanced Handgun Grip (EHG) RG9 grip module. The shape, style and texture of the grip module with be familiar to anyone who has used Magpul products. Magpul’s Trapezoidal Surface Projection (TSP) texturing is applied to the front strap, back strap, and side panels of the grip area as well as forward “memory” pads on the dustcover. Other enhanced features of the grip module include an undercut triggerguard, extended beavertail and carry bob on the grip’s heel. To speed up reloads, the magazine well is flared and the grip has a scallop cut that allows better access to the Glock Gen3-size magazine release. The grip module’s dust cover has a molded-in Glock-pattern universal accessory rail.
According to Ruger engineers, the RXM’s grip angle is 20 degrees, which is slightly less obtuse relative to the bore axis than that of the Glock 19, which is generally considered to be at 22 degrees. But because the Ruger’s backstrap is flat, rather than humped as in the Glock, and because its trigger guard is undercut and its beavertail extended, the overall effect is a decidedly “neutral” hold that diehard M1911 fans are likely to find more welcoming.
Both Black and Stealth Gray compact frames are already available from Ruger (shopruger.com) and Magpul at $40, and additional sizes—likely compatible with longer and shorter magazines, such as those for the Glock 17 and 26 models, respectively—along with other colors are expected to become available through both sources as well at a later date.
The Magpul Enhanced Handgun Grip (EHG) uses the company’s Trapezoidal Surface Projection (TSP) texturing in critical areas. Image courtesy of Magpul Industries.
The EHG has a low-profile flared magwell area to speed up reloads. Image courtesy of Magpul Industries.
The steel slide has a black FNC nitride finish and forward and rear cocking serrations. Sights are a metal front post with tritium insert and a notched rear with a serrated face fitted in a dovetail. The pistol is optics-ready and has a direct-mount slide cut that is compatible with Trijicon RMR, Shield RMSc and Leupold DeltaPoint Pro footprints. Iron sight height allows for a lower 1/3 co-witness with installed optics.
The RXM is an optics-ready design, with a direct-mount optics cut that accommodates RMR, RMSc and DeltaPoint Pro optics footprints. Image courtesy of Sturm, Ruger & Co.
The RXM’s iron sights are steel and include a front post with a tritium insert and a rear notch that is drift adjustable for windage. Image courtesy of Sturm, Ruger & Co.
The RXM is compatible with most Glock Gen3 9 mm Luger parts, accessories and magazines. Due to this compatibility, Ruger already has an extensive line-up of spare parts, accessories and holsters available at shopruger.com. Unsurprisingly, the RXM is supplied with two Magpul PMAG 15 GL9 15-round mags (models that ship with 10-round magazines are available for areas with local restrictions).
The Ruger Magpul RXM ships in a co-branded hard carry case. Image courtesy of Sturm, Ruger & Co.
The Ruger Magpul RXM has an MSRP of $499 and comes in a co-branded carry case. For more information, see the manufacturer’s website.
Editor's note: This article has been updated to include information regarding the grip angle and shape, as well as the availability of future grip modules from Ruger and Magpul.
