Hey, folks, let’s dive into the Ross Martin RM1C pistol, a compact handgun that’s making waves in the concealed carry world. I recently got my hands on this budget-friendly pistol, and let me tell you, it’s got some beef to it, unlike those tiny guns that feel like you’re holding a toy.
First off, let’s talk about the manufacturer. Ross Martin, a company that kicked off in 2018, aims to produce quality, affordable firearms right here in the USA. They’ve teamed up with AX from Slovenia, and if you’re scratching your head trying to find Slovenia on a map, don’t worry, you’re not alone. The RM1C shares some internals with the AX Delta pistols, but it’s a distinct product, proudly manufactured in Dallas, Texas.
Now, the RM1C is a compact pistol, similar in size to the Glock 19 but slightly smaller. It’s 7 inches long, 5 inches tall, and weighs about 1 and 1/3 pounds. The polymer frame comes in four colors: black, gray, FDE, and green. One of the cool features is the changeable backstrap, allowing you to adjust the grip angle to fit your hand perfectly. It’s got an ambidextrous slide catch and mag release, which is a big plus for us lefties.
The texture on the frame is decent, with grip in the right places, but it’s not aggressive enough for my taste. It won’t rub you raw when carrying, but I’d prefer a bit more bite when shooting. There’s no mag well, but the inside of the grip is ramped to guide the mags in, so you don’t need to be a sharpshooter to reload.
The frame has a standard Picatinny rail for lights or lasers, and the aesthetic lines are pleasing without feeling cheap. The slide features deep, grippy serrations on the front and back, with a nice finish and anti-glare grooves on top. There’s a peek-a-boo window to check if a round is chambered and a loaded chamber indicator on the rear.
The RM1C is optics-ready right out of the box, with a metal RMR plate included. The sights are drift adjustable, with a white dot front and a blacked-out, anti-glare rear. They’re not fancy, but they get the job done.
Now, let’s talk about the magazines. The RM1C comes with a 15-round and a 17-round magazine, and they even offer a California-compliant version. The takedown process is similar to a Glock, making it easy to maintain.
The trigger is a double-action striker (DAS) system, which means the slide cycles the striker back most of the way, and the trigger pull finishes the job. These triggers can be iffy, but the RM1C strikes a decent balance with a just-over-5-pound pull, a crunchy break, and a short, crisp reset. I was able to shoot it quickly and accurately.
The RM1C retails for $469, but I’ve seen it go for as low as $345 on sale. That’s a steal for a made-in-America pistol. Ross Martin even offers a range of aftermarket upgrades, including a threaded barrel, a 4-pound trigger, suppressor-height sights, and extra magazines for $26 each. They’ve got optics plates for every pattern, showing they’re committed to letting you customize your gun.
The warranty only covers the original purchaser, which isn’t my favorite. I’m a big fan of lifetime warranties that transfer with the gun, showing the manufacturer’s confidence in their product.
I put 800 rounds through the RM1C with no hiccups or failures. It aims well, shoots great, and looks good. The recoil impulse is nice, and I was able to shoot fast and accurately. It conceals well, fitting comfortably in my concealed carry fanny pack (yeah, I said it, don’t judge).
In conclusion, the Ross Martin RM1C is a solid choice for anyone looking for an affordable, reliable compact pistol. It’s got a lot going for it, from the build quality to the customization options. If you’re in the market for a new concealed carry gun, the RM1C is definitely worth considering.
