The very wise “warriors of the keyboard” have corrected me about the innovation inherent in the Ruger RXM, saying “it’s just a Gen3 GLOCK” – meaning they’ve not read the materials from the factory, nor our coverage, nor seen the massive video coverage of the piece. I knew it was different.

To learn reflexive handling of a new gun, put in the work. 19 magazines, 134 rounds of ball – after dry practice – is just a good start.

Specifically, I found I wasn’t delivering the front sight where I expected it to be. This happens when changing from one handgun to another and takes time to correct operationally. For that reason it’s best sorted out in practice.

It’s like it was trying to get competent in handling an unfamiliar handgun back 24 or so years ago. For example, when I draw a GLOCK pistol from the holster, my index point is the “GLOCK knuckle,” that lump just ahead of the medial knuckle of the middle finger; when it strikes the trigger guard, I know to close my hand as it’s in the right position to GRIP. That cuts down on the time it takes to accomplish the task.

I decided to seek automaticity in using the Ruger/MagPul RXM – I’m thinking this line will be around a while. I started with a process of dry practice using the Mission First Tactical 9mm Take Down Chamber Safety Flag Insert.

It’s a bright yellow polymer device that protrudes from the muzzle – a chamber flag with the pistol in battery. Handy when engaging in dry practice – it has another safety benefit: the device doesn’t just come out without some “finessing.” To reload the gun, it takes some effort which is more likely to defeat the tendency to “try one more press” after reloading the pistol from dry practice. That alone is worth the price of the unit.

My dry practice included drawing to point, drawing to guard, drawing to a first shot. In addition, I worked George Harris’ Wall Drill --

The only day I had to get out to the range – this was after a few range trips for the original feature – it was 21 degrees and mostly overcast. I’d taken some copy paper upon which I’d traced some ca. 4-inch circles using a roll of tape as the template. I’d loaded nine magazines with Winchester “W” Target & Practice 115 grain FMJ; as two magazines were G17 sized (one a PMAG), the total loadout for the arctic expedition amounted to 134 rounds.

I shot up close – paying particular attention to a firm – not crush – gun hand with a crushing non-gun hand. Add to that some careful attention to the role of the small finger on the “trigger hand,” as videos from holster firm Tenicor reminded me. My grip was a little compromised by the Mechanix Wear SPEEDKMT gloves. They did little for warmth, nothing to help grip, but allowed superior dexterity.

The first magazines-full fired on a range trip (above) with the second pair of magazines fired on the target below. Training effect? Exactly.

I worked singles and pairs from the holster and moved back for pivots & turns, along with shooting right-handed, then left.

I did a 25-yard target of five rounds trigger-hand only and five rounds grip-hand only. I had 9/10 on the sheet – I’m old and it was cold – but the main cluster of hits was fairly tight.

These strings were fired from a “ban-magazine,” a 10-round AWB work-around from the pre-2004 period. With a GLOCK 19, this magazine produced a failure to eject on the last round 100% of the time; I’d find the empty laying atop the top of the follower. It’s not serious; punch the mag release, the magazine and empty drop out and I refill the gun.

This time, it was on the left-hand only stage at 25 yards. I had a failure to eject/horizontal stovepipe on round 9. It was easily cleared and I finished the string.

That has been the only (non-induced) stoppage to date.

The other magazines used on this trip were the MagPul PMAG15 GL9 units supplied with the gun, a Gen5 G19 magazine, two “restricted” markings G19 mags, a Gen3 Glock magazine. a PMAG17 GL9, and a GLOCK 17 magazine.

The “kind of” qual target, a reduced-size 12” x 18” silhouette – used with strings of fire from various courses of fire. Below, the RCS Perun OWB holster, a great choice for discreet carry.

The holster used was the Raven Concealment Systems Perun, a modular outside-the-waistband “pancake” style holster. It’s very good, this one built for the G19. It rides high and close, has out-board belt loops, one in front and one aft. By changing these attachments, you can wear the gun on right- or left-side, with a neutral cant or a 10° cant.

The compact and close-riding nature of the holster was appreciated as I wore a GLOCK 19 to and from the range; as the RXM is still in the “learning stage,” I elected to carry what I was already competent with.

The quality gun deserves a quality holster. The Perun and the Ruger RXM fit both standards, the RXM “so far” – as more time needs to be spent with it.

A friend who’d not yet read our coverage of the RXM last week (shame on him) contacted me on Friday – “Do you have the RXM yet? I just bought one!” I hope he’ll keep in touch as he shoots the gun so we can compare notes.

- - Rich Grassi