Meet the new Texas-Made RM1C 9mm Pistol from Rost Martin

Billed as "The Next Generation of Freedom," a new firearms company plans to release a handgun that they believe will break out of the rut of vanilla striker-fired polymer-framed 9mm pistols.

Based in Dallas, Texas, gunmaker Rost Martin has announced as its flagship product the new RM1C pistol. A compact-sized double-stack 9mm, it sports a 4-inch hammer-forged barrel, 7.1-inch overall length, and a 21.1-ounce unloaded weight with a 15+1 round magazine. This puts it a hair smaller than the Glock 19 Gen 5.

So, what sets it apart?

Well, the RM1C comes optics-ready on all models, shipping with an RMR footprint, while plates for "all other popular optic footprints" will be available. Other features include aggressive front and rear slide serrations, ambidextrous surface controls including slide catch and mag release, and what is described as "a smooth, light 5-pound trigger pull with a clean break and a short reset." Added to this are non-glare top slide serrations similar to what is seen on S&W and Walther pistols, an inherent low bore axis, and a Tenifer-treated nitrocarburized slide. It has interchangeable rear grip inserts.

Don't worry about support, as it uses CZ P10 pattern mags that drop free and accepts XD pattern sights.

Of note, it has a Glock-style takedown albeit with arguably better ergos.

The RM1C ships with both a 15+1 flush fit mag and a 17+1 extended mag. Width is a slim 1.1 inches, while height is between 5 and 5.5 inches depending on what mag is used. Note the full three-slot Picatinny accessory rail.

The RM1C will be offered in black, gray, and FDE.

It is made in Texas, not imported, although it does give a very AREX Delta M GEN 2 vibe.

Intended as a carry gun, Rost Martin has worked with a variety of holster makers to have fits for the RM1C available from the likes of ANR Design, Blackpoint Tactical, CrossBreed, DeSantis, and We The People.

Rost Martin is confident enough to offer a lifetime warranty on these new pistols, based on their developmental, QC, and testing protocols.

"Our pre-production stress test and validation included testing the limits of our pistol up to 50,000 rounds, submersion in sand, water, ice, mud, and extensive drop testing without failure," said Rost Martin CEO Chris Toomer.

All right, so enough of the windup – how about the pitch? The MSRP on the new Rost Martin RM1C is set at $459 across all models, a price that will probably be a little lower at retail. That puts it on par price-wise with an optics-ready Turkish-made Stoeger STR-9C or Canik TP9SF but about a hundo more than a PSA Dagger, but then again it has a feature set better than the Dagger.

ARFCOM and Dallas-based Colion Noir have both managed to lay hands on this interesting new pistol and have some feelings.

So, what sets it apart?

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