Rost Martin
Rost Martin was started in 2020 by Chris and Stefany Toomer, a couple with extensive experience in the firearms world. Chris served as an officer in the Marine Corps before moving to Springfield Armory, and Stefany is the granddaughter of the famous Bob Reese, who was responsible for reestablishing the Springfield brand in the 1970s.
Using their combined firearms industry experience, the couple set out to release a new striker-fired, polymer 9mm handgun. While the polymer, striker-fired 9mm handgun space is crowded, the Rost Martin RM1C’s 2024 release made a big splash and was an instant hit with many.
With a passion for bringing quality firearms to the market, the Toomers did not rest on their success. They have been working hard to introduce the next iteration of the RM1 series handgun.
RM1 Series Comp
Compensators, whether in the form of barrel and slide cuts or just vent ports in the slide, help redirect gases to fight against recoil and muzzle flip. This provides a much flatter shooting experience, making follow-up shots easier and faster. Compensators are the fastest-growing trend in handguns. From the P365 to the Springfield Hellcat and even the new Glock 19V C, it seems every company is releasing a compensated version of its flagship handgun.
The Rost Martin RM1S Comp is a full-compensation-cut version of the subcompact RM1S. A compensation cut in the barrel lines up with a vent cut in the slide; outside of that modification, it is the same Rost Martin RM1S handgun. There’s a flush-fit 12-round magazine and a 15-round extended magazine with more surface area for a better grip.
The textured polymer frame features ambidextrous controls and a tac rail for mounting accessories like flashlights. The slide has front and rear slide serrations, with an optic cut designed to accommodate RMR-pattern optics. The slide also features a striker notifier on the rear, with a red indicator to show that the striker is drawn.
RM1S Comp Specs
- Overall Length: 6.72 inches
- Barrel Length: 3.6 inches
- Trigger Action: Striker-fired
- Caliber: 9mm
- Frame material: Polymer
- Optics Cut: RMR pattern
- Magazine Capacity: 12-round (flush-fit), 15-round (finger extension)
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Overall Weight (unloaded): 19.76 ounces
On the range
I had the pleasure of taking the Rost Martin RM1S Comp to the range and putting in some trigger time on the platform. In general, the RM1S is a comfortable, ergonomically designed handgun. The frame gives off Glock vibes, with what I think is a similar grip angle. The trigger has a clear wall, a crisp break, and a short reset.
The real star of the show is the compensation cut in the slide. The RM1S Comp does an excellent job of reducing muzzle rise. While many companies put cuts only in the frame, Rost Martin’s barrel/slide combination cuts seem to reduce muzzle flip much more than other compensated handguns that I have shot.
That said, there are some detractors to a compensated handgun. One of the most notable drawbacks is the increase in muzzle flash, which is the case with the Rost Martin. It typically produces a wicked fireball every time you squeeze the trigger. It does not bother me, but some folks will not like the distortion in the sight picture. The compensation cut also adds to the decibel level, making this handgun bark a little more than similar designs.
You can feel the compensator working to redirect gas, though. The handgun almost feels like it is being held or pushed down as the muzzle starts to rise. It’s super easy to maintain a solid sight picture with a quick return of your sights to the target.
I shot several hundred rounds with a mixture of Winchester white box, some inexpensive Blazer Brass, and some Black Sheep 115-grain ball. I have not had a single malfunction in the handgun to date, and I have been impressed with its function and reliability.
PROS & CONS
Pros:
- Optic cut out of the box
- Tac rail
- Ergonomic design
- Reliable
- Flat shooting
- Crisp trigger
Cons:
- Lots of muzzle flash
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A downward push/overcompensation at times
Summary
Overall, the RM1S Comp is a well-built handgun with lots of features for the price. I love seeing a new company immediately push to keep up with trends.
I will say the compensator is aggressive. For some folks, the flash and push may be too much, but as a fan of compensated handguns, I will take the cons for a flatter-shooting handgun with quick follow-up shots.
If you’re looking for something that can compete with the big handgun manufacturers at a competitive price, the Rost Martin is an excellent choice.
