Both the Ruger RXM and Glock 19 are compact 9mm pistols chambered in a Luger and are highly popular for concealed carry and personal defense as they have striker-fired vs hammer-fired mechanisms for consistent trigger pulls and have a 15 cartridge capacity. Although they’re both compact, the Glock 19’s barrel is .02 inches longer than the Ruger RXM’s barrel, although this doesn’t make much of a difference.
The polymer frames on both firearms make them lightweight, and they both have trigger safeties and striker blockers built in so you don’t need any external accessories. It’s hard to choose between the two when you look at specs alone, so we’re breaking down the details of both the Ruger RXM and Glock 19 by specifications and when to choose one over the other so you can make the right choice based on your needs.
| Ruger RXM 9mm Pistol | Glock 19 | |
| Total length | 7.15” | 7.36” |
| Barrel length | 4” | 4.02” |
| Height | 5.31” | 5.04” |
| Weight | 23.2 oz | 23.63 oz |
| Capacity | 15+1 | 15+1 |
| Trigger pull | 4lbs 12oz | 5 – 6.5lbs |
| Striking mechanism | Striker fired | Striker fired |
| Recoil | Low – medium | Low |
| Effective range | 25 – 50 yards | 50 – 55 yards |
| Optic ready | Yes and red dots can be mounted | Standard no, Gen 5 MOS yes and red dots can be mounted |
| Grip design | 18 degrees | 22 degrees |
| Grooves | 6 | 3 |
| Price | $499+ | $539+ |
| Modularity | Yes | No |
While the two firearms are similar, Glock 19 is the more popular option as it’s featured in movies, music, and tv shows helping to increase its popularity over other equally reliable concealed carry firearms. While it is an excellent choice, there are situations where a Ruger RXM may be better than the Glock 19, and vice versa.
How to Choose Between the Glock 19 and Ruger RXM 9mm Pistol
The way to choose between the two depends on how you’ll be using it like gun runs and concealed carry, your ability to manage it and get a second shot off in a threat situation, as well as price points and the accessories you want to use.
- Accuracy – Glock 19 tends to be more accurate than Ruger RXM when comparing the base models, but it all depends on the customizations and how well you handle the trigger pull, recoil, and if you’re using accessories like a custom grip. This one is a tie.
- Trigger pull – Ruger RXM beats the Glock 19 when it comes to having consistency with firing so you can focus on the target.
- Price – Ruger RXM costs less than a Glock 19 and both are equally good for concealed carry, so if you want a more affordable option, go with the Ruger RXM.
- Sights – If you like iron sights, the Glock 19 is going to be better than the Ruger RXM. If modularity is important because you like to mix and match optics, go with the Ruger RXM over the Glock 19.
- Accessories – The Glock 19 is the winner for aftermarket accessories as it is the more famous firearm.
- Resale value – Glock 19 has a higher resale value compared to the Ruger RXM, so if you plan on selling in the near future, go Glock 19. If you plan on using the firearm while new generations are released, Ruger RXM may be a good choice if you like the handfeel as there are less frequent new releases keeping the value stable.
- High capacity magazine compatibility – Both can use extended mags (Glock can use 17, 19, 33-round mags; Ruger may accept extended mags but they’re less common). Glock has more options for high-capacity mags due to its longstanding popularity and wider market support.
When to Choose Ruger RXM Over Glock 19
With a lighter trigger pull you may find the Ruger RXM more accurate, especially in stressful situations, than the Glock 19 whose trigger pull has a larger fluctuation. The price point on the standard model of the Ruger RXM is less than the Glock 19, so it is more economical with the same standard capacity at 15+1.
Ruger RXM is also optic ready where only specific generations of Glock 19 like Gen 5 are, so if optics matter to you, go Ruger RXM over Glock 19. Because the Ruger RXM 9mm is slightly thinner and lighter, it may be more comfortable for appendix concealed carry than the Glock 19. The 18 degree grip angle is similar to the 1911, which some people will prefer over the 22 degree angle of the Glock 19.
When to Choose Glock 19 Over Ruger RXM
If you’re into aftermarket customizations and highly customized firearms, Glock 19 is going to be a better choice than the Ruger RXM as it has one of the largest selections of aftermarket gear. Ruger RXM is very new, so the amount of options available will grow over time. The Glock 19 is easier to clean and maintain as it has 34 internal parts while the Ruger RXM has roughly 40.
The Glock 19 also has a lower bore access than Ruger’s RXM 9mm which will help reduce the recoil a bit, but they’re very similar. This is only a slight advantage the Glock 19 has over the Ruger RXM 9mm. Because of the massive demand and accessories, finding parts and resale values on Glock 19 are easier and better than Ruger’s RXM.
Both firearms are great options for concealed carry, it all comes down to price, the grip angle and trigger pull you can manage better, and if you want more options to customize your firearm.
