I have never concealed or open carried in public before, so after a recent trip across the country, I decided it’s a good idea to obtain my CWP (Concealed Weapon Permit). I consider it an important step for everyone who plans to carry – not only from a legal standpoint, but also to be properly equipped for the responsibility.
Another important aspect of carrying concealed is choosing a handgun that fits and is reliable. With multiple options to choose from, it can be difficult to pull the trigger (pun intended) on a particular handgun. After hearing many great things about the Ruger RXM 9mm Pistol, I did some research and decided to ask Ruger to send me this firearm.
The Ruger RXM is available in 20 options. I chose the textured OD Green Magpul Enhanced Handgun Grip with a beavertail, allowing for a high grip for better control. Its double-stack magazine holds up to 15 rounds. The RXM comes with a fixed front Tritium, co-witness sight and a rear steel-drift adjustable sight. The gun also allows for RMR-, DPP- and RMSc-pattern optic mounting. I chose to mount the Hawke Frontier Red Dot Reflex Sight (MSRP $319).
I contacted Kevin Hanebrink, with Live Fire Training Academy, to schedule my CWP class; shortly thereafter, I packed my ammo up and headed to the range. A portion of the test required shooting, so I wanted to be comfortable with the Ruger RXM and be equipped with the appropriate ammo. After completing an ammo test, I discovered the RXM isn’t very picky, so I had options.
After testing 15 types of ammo, here are the gun’s favorites:
Winchester’s 147 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point (MSRP $35)
Defender 147 Bonded Jacketed Hollow Point (MSRP $20.50)
Hornady’s Critical Defense 115 Grain FTX (MSRP $27.99)
DoubleTap’s 115 Grain Full Metal Jacket-RN Match (MSRP $33.90)
Black Hills’ 124 Grain Jacketed Hollow Points ( MSRP $20)
First, I had to allow my fingerprints to be taken. During the classroom portion of the CWP class, I kept the Ruger RXM and the Reckoning Holster from Crossbreed Holsters on the table – unloaded with the slide open and an empty magazine beside it. The availability gave me a great reference for the teaching portion and enabled me to remember important information for the upcoming test.
Some of the topics Kevin taught included the following:
After completing the written test, I handed it to Kevin. I scored 50/50 and felt confident to move on to the shooting portion.
With the Ruger RXM holstered in my Crossbreed Reckoning Holster on my right hip, and wearing my Axil GS Extreme 2.0 Ear Pro and Ruger Ever-Lite H2MAX Eye Pro, I listened to Kevin as he explained what was expected while we made our way to the pistol range.
He placed five cones in a vertical line in front of the silhouette target; I was to take five shots from each cone’s position. To pass this portion, I needed 18 out of 25 of my shots to hit inside the silhouette. The farthest distance was 15 yards, but it seemed farther than that. I let my nerves get the best of me, and though it was still inside the target area, I was not pleased with the last 5 shots. To my surprise, I received a perfect score.
The state I reside in is a Constitutional Open Carry State, but before taking the CWP course, I didn’t feel equipped or confident enough to carry on my person at all. I was and am aware that carrying is a great responsibility; it is nothing to be taken lightly. Irresponsible persons who shoot are not only dangers to themselves, but also others; I didn’t want to be a danger, but a help and an example of what that looks like.
I press for a safer America and will do my best to do my part. I am confident the gun will prove to be reliable, comfortable, accurate and consistent. It is my responsibility to get and stay familiar with the equipment I plan to carry so we together can be affective if the situations calls for action.
My choice, the Ruger RXM Luger 9mm pistol, has an MSRP of $599.
I am a wife and a mother who loves the outdoors, I also review and test airguns and shooting products for various manufacturers. As Airgun Angie, I get to spend a fair amount of time outdoors hunting and shooting! I love what I do, I get the opportunity to test many different types of shooting and hunting gear. My current adventures can be found on https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC764VE4T-i2XihiyISmkJKA You can also follow me on Facebook, @leadlife17 "Airgun Angie." View all posts by Angie Perry
