One year after its debut, the Ruger RXM is proving it’s no flash-in-the-pan novelty—it’s a striker-fired striker in the duty pistol arena. Our editor hit the range on a crisp December 2025 day with a unit acquired back in ’24, running CCI Blazer Brass 115gr FMJ through the FBI Instructor Bullseye course. One-handed, no less, he notched a solid 262/300, clearing the instructor standard with room to spare. This isn’t just casual plinking; it’s a real-world stress test echoing the kind of precision sustainment drills that LEOs and serious carriers swear by. Ruger’s RXM, with its modular grip options and optics-ready slide, held zero malfunctions, underscoring why it’s carving a niche against giants like the Glock 19 or Sig P320—affordable reliability without the sticker shock.

Digging deeper, this performance flips the script on Ruger’s rep as the everyman’s AR maker. The RXM’s sub-4-pound trigger and ergonomic heft make it a natural for one-hand draws, mimicking high-stress scenarios where your support hand might be occupied (think barricade cover or injury). In a post-Bruen world where defensive carry is exploding, this pistol’s passing grade on an FBI qual speaks volumes: it’s not just 2A-compliant fun; it’s a viable trainer for those building skills against encroaching regs or urban threats. Implications? Ruger just validated a budget king (street price hovering ~$500) that punches above its weight, potentially pressuring competitors to innovate or drop prices. For the community, it’s a win—democratizing pro-level training ammo that keeps skills sharp without breaking the bank.

Bottom line: If you’re sustainment-shooting or eyeing a do-it-all 9mm, the RXM’s one-year glow-up demands a range trip. It’s a reminder that American manufacturing ingenuity keeps the Second Amendment arsenal evolving, one bullseye at a time. Grab some Blazer Brass and test it yourself—your holster (and holster law challenges) will thank you.