Rost Martin RM1S: The Comfortable Subcompact.
- Graham Baates
- Mar 6
- 6 min read
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*Note: This article was written while traveling in Europe where some of the US websites I'd normaly link to are forbidden. I will update the links upon my return to the United States.
When I got into handguns in ernest, it was the "compact" size form that was most popular. A 4" barrelled 9mm pistol with a 15-round capacity seemed to fit most well enough to own just one handgun. At that size it was large enough to enjoy on the range, but still small enough (for most) to carry. Those who couldn't get away with carrying a compact, or who needed something easier to conceal would compromise shooting comfort and handling and move to the "subcompact" size category of roughly a a 3.4" barrel and 12-round capacity. Such subcompacts were the king of concealability.
When the "micro compacts" came amount many of us raced for them as they offered similar capacity, but in a thinner and lighter form. What many quickly realized was that those micro compacts were much less enjoyable on the range; snappier, tougher to control, and magazines that aren't the most thumbg-friendly. Great for carry, but not a first choice on the range. Over time we saw those micros grow in size and now it seems we are ripe for the return of the subcompact with the Rost Martin RM1S.
...but aren't micros better on paper? That depends on who you ask. The joy of a subomcpact like the Rost Martin RM1S is the 1.1" width and 19.76oz (with flush mag) weight. Adding a little more surface area means better recoil distribution and more hand to handle it, as well as a little extra weight to absorb that recoil. I used to not like subcompact pistols, but had a great time with the Rost Martin RM1S; maybe I've matured as a shooter, maybe Rost Martin did a great job with the RM1S, maybe micro compacts have made subcompacts feel better?
What Is It? The Rost Martin RM1S trims the RM1C down to subcompact size territory with a shorter barrel and grip. Those with sizable hands will be please to know that the 15-round magazines still fit, and Rost Martin has a sleeve* for it to both be more comfortable and reduce the risk of over-insertion.
*Such sleeves serve to prevent over-insertion of magazines longer than the grip of the pistol. Over insertion can cause damage to the pistol, magazine, or both. Other companies have used such "grip sleeves" on longer magazines, but when the sleeves are loose they can sometimes slide up the body of the magazine and make for failed reloads when used in a hurry. I am pleased to report that the Rost Martin sleeve is of appropriate tension and does not freely slide up and down the magazine body.
Who's it For? The RM1S makes for an excellent concealed carry option for those wanting something friendlier on the range than a micro compact, but easier to conceal and carry than a regular compact.
Take a Look at the Rost Martin RM1S in the tabletop video below including what all comes in the box, fit & finish, and other details. Rumble Link
Specifications:
Color: Black
Frame: Black polymer
Grip Width: 1.1"
Length: 6.72"
Slide: Nitrocarburized steel slide
Barrel: 3.6" hammer forged in 9mm
Sights: Rear: Black serrated Front: White dot
Magazines: (1) 12 - Round (1) 15 - Round
Weight: 19.76 oz. with flush mag
Trigger: 5 pounds, Double Action Striker (DAS)
Height: 4.4" with flush mag
Optic: Optics ready, RMR optics plate included with the gun
MSRP: $469
Web pricing as of 5MAR25
Click links to check current pricing
The original RM1C was nice to shoot, how does the slightly smaller and lighter RM1S feel? To find out in a fair way I'd need to apply the GBGuns range protocol consisting of:
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 Dinnerâ„¢: 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.
For this gun the following ammunition was used:
Priced and linked where found at the time this article was written
50gr +p Liberty Ammunition Civil Defense $28.99 / 20 at Bud's Gun Shop
115gr Specialty Cartridge Elite Defense From Atlanta Arms (unavailable)
115gr Sig 365 $19.99 / 20 direct from Sig
124gr PMC SFX $25.89 / 20 from Palmetto State Armory
124gr Federal HST $25.99 / 20 from KYGunCo
124gr Sig Elite Defense $44.99 / 50 direct from Sig
130gr Federal Syntech PCC $22.99 / 50 at Palmetto State Armory
135gr Hornady Critical Duty $30.49 / 25 at Optics Planet
147gr Fiocchi Defense Dynamics $20.36 / 50 at Global Ordnance
165gr AMMO, Inc. /stelTH/ $30.69 / 50 at Ammunition Depot
Standard range ammunition was Magtech 115gr FMJ $12.99 / 50 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 RM1S in the Shooting Impressions video below. Rumble Link
On the range I was a bit confounded by the RM1S. I used to greatly dislike subcompacts because they were snappy, feeling like an angry small dog not wanting to be held. That was not the case with the Rost Martin. Have I evolved as a shooter? Have all those micro compacts made subcompacts relatively milder to shoot? Did Rost Martin find the magic mix of ergonomics, weight, and spring rate? I can't give an absolute answer, but I suspect it's a blend of all three.
This gun is very shootable, and I believe the grip enhancements Rost Martin made witht he RM1S helped, especially with a smaller gun. I had no troubles running the RM1S and enjoyed doing so. To me that is one of the most important factors of a potential carry gun because it needs to be a gun you are willing to train with. While it is possible to attend training with a "range gun" and then attempt to translate skills gained back to your carry gun at home, that method will never be as good as attending the course witht he gun you actually carry.
