Rost Martin RM1C Comp

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Rost Martin RM1C Comp features ambidextrous controls

Rost Martin continues to expand the RM1 line. We previously reviewed the original RM1C and then later fell in love with the subcompact RM1S. Now, in response to current trends Rost Martin has released the ported RM1C Comp.

If you're new to the Rost Martin, it's a US company producing firearms in Dallas, TX using most of the design that made the Arex Delta Gen 2. Arex of Slovenia has since been purchased by a Czech investment group and import to the US has seems to be on decline recently. Rost Martin means we get the great reliability and features of the Arex, but made here in the US without importation fears. I've found the Rost Martin guns to shoot slightly softer than their Arex cousins, and as a US company they're able to shift with US market trends much quicker. For example the RM1C Comp.

Rost Martin RM1C Comp chunk port.

What Is It? The Rost Martin RM1C Comp is a compact 9mm with the front sight moved rearward to the same spot as the RM1S in order to offer a chunk-style port in the barrel and slide and not have those hot gasses roast the front sight. Another smart move by Rost Martin was to halt rifling prior to the port. This effectively gives the bore slightly-larger diameter at the port and dramatically reduces the risk of the port shaving jacket or plating off the bullet; a danger other ported guns can have.

From Left to Right: Rost Martin RM1C, RM1C Comp, and RM1S

Who's It For? I have voiced my concerns about the use of ports or compensators on a pistol intended for defensive use, but that doesn't mean everyone feels the same, and in competition or training a port can certainly add an advantage. How much of an advantage is something we will be exploring in an upcoming video. That video will be added to this article once complete.

Take a Look at the Rost Martin RM1C Comp in the tabletop video below. Rumble Link.

Rost Martin RM1C Comp Tabletop Video

Specifications:

Color: Black, Stone Gray, FDE

Frame: Black polymer

Grip Width: 1.1"

Length: 7.1"

Slide: Nitrocarburized steel slide

Barrel: 4" hammer forged in 9mm (*NOTE: rifled length is about 3.75")

Sights: Rear: Black serrated Front: White dot

Magazines: (1) 15 - Round (1) 17 - Round

Weight: 21.1 oz. with flush mag 21.5 oz. with extended mag

Trigger: 5 pounds, Double Action Striker (DAS) (*NOTE: this pistol uses a semi pre-cocked striker)

Height: 5.0" with flush mag 5.5" with extended mag

Optic: Optics ready, RMR optics plate included with the gun

MSRP: $469

Prices On the Web as of 1JUN25 (Click links for current pricing)

$474.49 at Bud's Gun Shop

$506.99 w/ Crimson Trace Red Dot at GrabaGun

As low as $417 at smaller online retailers

Rost Martin RM1C box contents

Already familiar with the The RM1C and RM1S reviewed previously, I had high expectations for the RM1C Comp. Some might just base a review on those experiences, but at GBGuns we follow a protocol and treat all guns the same. This protocol includes:

• Cold Shots: Truly the first rounds through the gun. No warm up, no practice.

• Full Magazine +1: Suprisingly some modern guns still struggle with this. It's a test of how much play is in the magazine as well as how the slide cycles with pressure. This is also when I do my best to learn the trigger.

• What's For Dinner™: A test to see what ammunition the gun will eat. Does the gun feed the round from slide lock, will it cycle and feed another round of the same type, does the slide lock to the rear on empty, and is there any notable point of impact change with different loads.

Rost Martin RM1C Comp WFD

For this gun the following ammunition was used:

Priced and linked where found at the time this article was written

90gr Underwood Xtreme Defender $27.85 / 20 at Widener's

95gr Magtech JSP $21.85 / 50 at Widener's

100gr Blazer Reduced Recoil $17.89 / 50 at Palmetto State Armory

115gr Sig 365 JHP $19.99 / 20 direct from Sig

115gr Hornady American Gunner $22.85 / 25 from Widener's

124gr Federal Premium HST $39.95 / 50 from Widener's

124gr PMC SFX JHP $24.85 / 50 from Widener's

135gr Hornady Critical Duty $29.85 / 25 from Widener's

147gr Winchester Defense JHP $25.85 / 50 at Widener's

165gr AMMO, Inc. /stelTH/ $21.25 / 50 at Target Sports

Standard range ammunition was PMC Bronze 124gr FMJ $249.99 / 1000 at True Shot

• Sights & Trigger Control: on a 6" spinner target at a distance of 12 yards. We got this from Titan Great Outdoors and use it to gauge how learnable the trigger is and usable the sights are for forced, timed, precise shots.

• Practical Accuracy: Five shots from a distance of seven yards at a one inch target. This isn't so much about printing a tight group as it is a culmination of the shooting experience and time for to collect thoughts prior to making a conclusion.

• After Shots: Final impressions and reflections from the range session.

See the process yourself from my very first shot as I explore the Rost Martin RM1C Comp in the Shooting Impressions video below. Rumble Link

Rost Martin RM1C Comp Shooting Impressions Video

On the Range I didn't have the greatest shooting day. The pistol ranf fine as expected, but my accuracy with this pistol on that day was not up to my norm. As a mature shooter I understand that these days happen sometimes and so I will not blame it on the gun. Mechanically everything was fine, and my accuracy was certainly good enough for defensive use, I just didn't perform my best on the day that video was filmed.

To be fair to the Rost Martin, to you, and to myself another range trip is planned with a second shooter on hand to balance things out, and we'll use AccuShoot to compare results of the ported and non-ported version.

The combination of a U-notch rear and white dot front sight makes aiming very quick with the Rost Martin RM1C Comp.