Ruger RXM is a great option for anyone looking for a compact firearm. I do not recommend making any major changes to the internals of a firearm if you plan on carrying or relying on that tool as a personal defense weapon. Here is a breakdown of how things went from a performance standpoint:

Reliability. I personally had zero issues with 2 different units of the RXM compact. I ran several hundred rounds through the stock trigger and with factory magazines. My friend who owned the first RXM I went hands-on with reported issues with using Glock OEM mags and reported that the recoil spring was broken when he purchased it from the store, brand new. This is a huge concern and a reminder of why we should put rounds downrange with any new firearm as you never know if a firearm will function properly with your preferred carry ammo or even be in good working order. 

Things I changed and why 

Optics:

I tried a few optics as this firearm has a versatile optic mounting solution. The Pin System works like a charm. 10/10 will try again.

I tried the Meprolight MPO Pro (rmr), it sat reliably on the handgun, but I felt it sat very high, and I did not prefer it. 

I tried the Gideon Storm - I recommend this due to the price and overall performance and brightness of the dot. Many budget dots don’t quite get as bright in my experience, and this is no problem for the Storm. The only issue being that it uses the Delta Point Pro native footprint, and that is something of a limited footprint, being many brands opt for the RMR footprint. But if you own a few guns that use DPP, it's a worthy pick-up for the money. 

Cyelee Wolf EDG -  This optic was actually very good. Enclosed optics using RMR cut are still rare at the time of writing this, so finding one at this price feels like a win. I had no issues with the dot on this gun, and I still use it on my Mantis Titan X laser training gun. 

Holosun 507 Comp  - I ended up sticking with the Holosun 507 Competition. This optic is king of big optics as it provided an RMR footprint, massive glass window, multiple reticles, and an extremely bright emitter while providing large controls. The only thing we would have loved to see is an enclosed option, but I’m not too sad about this current set up. It really works. It might be overkill. 

Trigger: We tried the stock trigger and thought it could be much better.

We installed the Timney Apha RMX and found the installation to be more involved than advertised, but after one email to customer support, the trigger was running like a top and providing an amazing experience. I hope they release a version of this trigger that is more suited to everyday carry with a pull weight to match. 

Comp: We added a comp because they are cool, and many of my firearms have them either OEM or aftermarket. I noticed the RXM recoil to be slightly more aggressive than I felt it should be, so I was excited to try and take some fo the edge off for faster follow-up shots and a perhaps 20-30% more pleasant shooting experience. 

Herrington Arms HARMX: I was not blown away by this comp. I will say after shooting the firearm for some months, taking a break and shooting other guns, and then returning, it sort of provided a palate cleanser. It made me appreciate the comp and how it takes a bit of the edge off each round. I do think the impact is more dramatic at higher pressure rounds. And that is typically backed up by science as the comp is able to work harder with more pressure. But like I said in my official review, I would not start my upgrade tree with this perk. I would start with optics first. 

Lights:

I have tried multiple lights on compact pistols. Unfortunately, pistol lights are still a hotly debated subject. In my humble opinion, they are very helpful in your darkest moment. They aren’t for seeing everything, and that’s where people get it wrong. For the RXM in a carry configuration, it’s essential, and at the very least, it makes the gun look cool. 

The winner: The TLR7-X is the gold standard for the compact firearm.

X300Turbo is a great option for the purist with money to spend. I've run one on my duty Glock-45 for some time and might. I would say the X-300T is more ideal for a full-sized RXM or an extended firearm such as a compact RXM with a compensator adding additional length to the overall build; the X-300T fits well without disrupting the balance. 

Holster: This is an essential part of firearms ownership, even if you do not plan on carrying every day. A bucket for your gun is super helpful. Thankfully, the RXM is a Glock 19 at heart and can fit a strong majority of holsters for the G19. The only issue is the obvious: once you add a comp or light, you need a more specific set up. Thankfully, our friends at North Coast Tactical accepted our custom order. Unfortuanatly i requested a holster that fits the demensions of the Radian Comp , leaving just a touch of Comp exposed outside of the holster. Not super appealing, but with the right information, the guys at NTC could have crafted the perfect holster. 

Conclusion: The RXM is a great pick-up for practical use or a fun weekend project. I don't see any reason why you should not grab one on sale, or even full price, and start tinkering. I would say you should inspect it for any defect, especially around the recoil spring. Hope this helps. 

- Aaron