Rost Martin is a company that has all the hallmarks of the American dream. A young couple founded Rost Martin and used a combination of family names for the company name. Not to mention, it is a firearms company, and firearms run in their bloodline.
The original Rost Martin 9mm was a compact pistol with solid features at a fair price. Since then, the company has introduced the subcompact RM1S, ported versions of its pistols, and other additions to the lineup. I have test-fired the Rost Martin line with excellent results.
Most often, a company will introduce a full-size pistol and then follow with compact versions. Rost Martin went in another direction, introducing the compact first and later adding a full-size 9mm handgun. Today, they offer the RM1C, RM1S, ported versions of the RM1S and RM1C, and the full-size RM1F. These handguns feature good handling, reliability, and excellent accuracy potential.
RM1F
The Rost Martin RM1F is the recently introduced full-size, or Tactical Model. This pistol features a threaded barrel and optional magazines with a capacity of up to 24 cartridges. This has become my favorite Rost Martin, and why not? It is the lightest-kicking and easiest-to-shoot RM model yet. It may not be the piece to wear in an inside-the-waistband holster under a polo shirt, but it is a great service pistol, well suited to some levels of competition, and an excellent home-defense handgun.
As a reference point, the RM1F is similar in size to a Glock 17 9mm pistol.
The pistol is delivered in a foam-padded cardboard box with two magazines, a gun lock, and a plate for RMR-type optics. The RM1F is a polymer-frame, striker-fired handgun chambered in 9mm Luger. With the standard 17-round magazine in place, the RM1F is slightly lighter than the Glock 17. This is a good standard of balance.
With a properly constructed holster, the RM1F isn’t too large for concealed carry beneath a covering garment. The pistol features forward and rear cocking serrations and high-visibility sights. These sights co-witness with most optics. The barrel is a snug fit in the slide, and the pistol is well fitted in all particulars.
The barrel is 4.5 inches long and features a threaded muzzle. The grip frame of each model offers a good balance of adhesion and abrasion. The slide is optics-ready. This is a simple enough system to use. A single RMR-type plate is provided; other applications may be ordered from Rost Martin.
The slide cover is removed and the optics plate mounted. Next, bolt the carry optic to the plate. The pistol is fully ambidextrous. There is no pistol more left-hand friendly. The magazine release does not have to be changed to accommodate left-hand use; it works by pressing the plunger from either side. This provides a great deal of flexibility in tactical shooting and movement.
The slide lock levers are also ambidextrous. The pistol is delivered with both a 17-round flush-fit magazine and a 19-round extended magazine. The trigger action is sharp and crisp, with a clean break and rapid reset. Trigger reset is as important in tactical shooting as the trigger break, and the Rost Martin is exceptionally effective in this regard.
The only way to master a pistol is to apply proper learning techniques. I spent some time with the pistol in dry-fire practice, safely dry-firing a triple-checked unloaded pistol. When I had the trigger feel committed to muscle memory, I lubricated the pistol along the bearing surfaces and headed to the firing range.
Prior experience with the RM1S Ported, an excellent-shooting compact pistol, gave me confidence that the RM1F would not disappoint.
On a final mechanical note, the pistol field-strips easily. Unload the pistol—then check again! Lock the slide to the rear and rotate the takedown lever. The slide removes upward rather than running forward off the frame. If the slide seems stuck and will not remove, press the trigger lever down.
Firing Tests
I ran this handgun with a variety of ammunition and achieved excellent results. Skipping forward several months, I am now running just shy of 1,000 cartridges through the pistol, a respectable amount of ammunition for a reliability standard.
The pistol has never failed to feed, chamber, fire, or eject. The RM1F gets a clean bill of health.
As another point of reference, the RM1S Ported proved equally reliable with a smaller amount of ammunition. The ported compact pistol shoots well and kicks less than most. I like both handguns, although the majority of my testing and practice has centered on the RM1F.
I have one of the first RM1F pistols. Twenty-four-round magazines were not available when it shipped. I have since used a considerable amount of ammunition while testing these magazines. They are an excellent choice for home-defense use.
Among the best buys currently available in quality, affordable ammunition is CCI Blazer. I fired a box of 115-grain Blazer for this review, homing in on the X-ring and tearing it out at 10 yards. The RM1F is simply a good-shooting pistol.
As for absolute accuracy, this handgun is more accurate than most. Five-shot groups with quality ammunition, such as the Federal 147-grain HST, will put five shots into 1.5 inches at 15 yards.
With the Holosun 507 carry optic used during portions of the testing, the pistol’s speed and combat accuracy improved considerably. A carry optic is an excellent way to increase your hit potential, provided you invest the practice necessary to master the system.
Quieter Shooting
Next, I screwed on the Dead Air Mojave 45 suppressor. This is a top-notch suppressor for serious use. The Mojave 45 works as designed and also offers the option of removing the first half of the suppressor—it simply unscrews—while maintaining a high degree of noise suppression.
I greased the booster assembly and fired a box of Federal 150-grain Syntech Action Pistol ammunition. This was good, clean fun. Function was flawless. The RM1F likes heavy-bullet loads and performed well.
Holsters
I don’t like mismatched holsters and handgun fit. The Rost Martin RM1F fits Glock 17 holsters, provided the bottom is open to allow the threaded barrel protector to clear the holster.
The Galco Combat Master is among the finest belt scabbards ever designed. The RM1F is a solid fit. This holster features an excellent balance of speed and retention, along with the proper draw angle and outstanding stitching. I like this setup very much. Fitment seems ideal.
Summary
The Rost Martin lineup features serviceable handguns at a fair price for concealed carry, tactical use, home defense, and competition. They are fast becoming one of my favorite options for those pursuing the American dream.
RM1F Specifications
Length: 8.2 in.
Barrel: 4.5 in.
Sights: Fixed, serrated rear, white-dot front
Magazine Capacity: 17-, 19-, or 24-round magazines
Weight: 23 oz. with flush-fit magazine
Average Price: $500
For dealer purchases visit www.davidsonsinc.com
For consumer purchases visit www.galleryofguns.com
