If you’re anything like me, you have more guns than sense, and you’ve probably been asked (at least once) why you have so many guns. You’ve got a sub-compact or micro-compact for everyday carry. You have a revolver (or three). And you have at least one 1911. Just ’cause. There never seems to be that “one perfect gun” that just seems to do it all.

Well, not yet, though Ruger may finally have the answer with the RXM.

Released at SHOT Show 2025 in January, the RXM might seem like another Glock clone in an already flooded market. And it kind of is, at least on the surface. But once you really give it a hard look, it’s an incredibly bold leap thanks to its inherent modularity.

It’s a healthy blend of customization, reliability, and modern design, making even the most loyal Glock fans drool a little.

But don’t just take my word for it. Let’s dig in.

The Rise of the Modular Handgun

Modularity in handguns isn’t a passing trend; it’s the friggin’ future.

Ever since the Sig Sauer P320 and its unique, self-contained, and interchangeable fire control unit (FCU) system was hailed by the American Armed Forces, modular handguns have become all the rage. Mainstream, even.

Modern shooters are obsessed with the idea of achieving multiple, fully-custom setups with different grip modules, slides, and conversion kits of all calibers without having to buy a whole new gun or submit multiple Form 4473s. And the P320 proved it was possible.

That’s all well and good, but the Sig P320 platform has sort of fallen out of favor in recent years, leaving shooters with fewer options for customization.

Thankfully, the engineers over at Ruger are incredibly clever and consistently listen to their customers. And, in partnership with Magpul, found a way to combine the modularity of the P320 platform with the reliability of the Glock design, which leaves us with the RXM: a completely modular Glock clone, available at Ruger prices.

It don’t get much better than that!

A Closer Look at the Ruger RXM

At the heart of the RXM is its serialized fire control insert (not to be confused with the Sig “FCU” or fire control unit). Just like the P320, the FCI is the “firearm,” by legal standards, and can be dropped into various grip frames or, eventually, combined with different slide designs for a true-to-you, fully custom setup that fits your specific preferences.

In its factory configuration, the RXM ships with a gunmetal gray Magpul grip module, which is lightweight but rugged and provides a comfortable, ergonomic feel. The grip angle is similar to that of the Glock 19, which offers a more natural point of aim, and the well-defined stippling pattern and contouring provide a firm purchase on the gun without being overly abrasive.

Standard Features

The RXM comes standard with an optics-ready steel slide that is similar in size to the Glock 19. Front and rear slide serrations are nice and aggressive, so charging the weapon is pretty simple and butter smooth — even for those shooters with a weaker grip.

The slide is also cut for RMR, RMSc, and Delta Point Pro-pattern red dots. That said, Ruger didn’t skimp on the irons. The RXM includes co-witness-height steel sights, which consist of a blacked-out rear sight and a photoluminescent (glowing) tritium front dot. Needless to say, target acquisition is fast and intuitive, with or without a mounted optic.

The trigger is a flat-faced design with a built-in safety blade (similar to that of a Glock), offering a clean, consistent pull. It has a short take-up, a defined wall, and a crisp break, followed by a tactile, audible reset. It’s no match-grade trigger, but it’s far above average for a pistol at this price point.

Lastly, the four-inch steel alloy barrel features precision-cut, 6-groove rifling and a recessed crown, resulting in outstanding accuracy.

Other notable features include a short accessory rail and 15-round Magpul PMAG magazines that sit flush with the grip. The whole package weighs in at just 23.2 ounces unloaded, which really ain’t too bad for its size and price point ($399 street price).

On the Range with the Ruger RXM

Naturally, looks aren’t everything. So, I decided to hit the range for a little quality T&E time with the RXM.

Really wanting to put the gun through its paces and see how it handled different loadouts, I loaded up a few mags with a variety of ammunition, including 115-grain ball and some Federal 147-grain JHP offerings, provided by Ammo To Go (if you’ve not shopped with them before, you really ought to check ’em out!).

I even tossed in a few random mixed mags. For science, I guess. After all, if the thing is going to be used as an everyday carry pistol, it needs to run reliably with whatever you throw at it.

And for the most part, it did exactly that.

Reliable Operation

The RXM ran through everything I put through it with acceptable consistency. I did have one minor hangup where the slide failed to lock open on an empty magazine during one string of rapid fire. At first, I was concerned it might be a mechanical issue, but after a quick assessment, I realized my support thumb was riding a little too close to the slide release, which forced the slide slam home on an empty magazine. An easy fix with a minor grip adjustment, and we were off to the races again.

The RXM’s recoil impulse is smooth and controllable, and the trigger pull was fairly clean and consistent. Even with hotter loads, muzzle rise was minimal, and follow-up shots were quick and accurate. Well, as accurate as an average shooter like myself can be.

Overall, the RXM was a pleasure to shoot, and controlling the pistol under rapid fire was as easy as it gets. It was easy to deliver consistent shots on target without readjusting my grip or searching for the sights. I’ll take that as a win.

Final Thoughts

Needless to say, the Ruger RXM checks all the boxes for me. It’s accurate, comfortable, consistent, and above all else, reliable. Aside from a single failure due to my admitted user error, the pistol performed flawlessly, and it’s actually a fairly nice-looking gun.

It feels like a pistol designed by people who actually listen to shooters. It takes the best parts of the modular P320 and combines them with a platform that’s already beloved by millions. The result, then, is a unique Glock-style handgun that pushes the envelope and breathes a little bit of life into a saturated yet seemingly stagnant handgun market.

Thus, there’s a lot more to the RXM than meets the eye. It’s not just another Glock clone or a P320 wannabe. It’s better; it’s both.

If you’re in the market for an entry-level “do-all” modular gun that you can set up to your heart’s desire, give the Ruger RXM a shot. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.