Ruger has been making guns since 1949. That isn’t as long as other companies, but they are not new to the trade either. Ruger has put a great deal of focus on making reliable and affordable compact and micro-sized guns.
With prices increasing across the board, people are on the prowl for affordable quality guns. Ruger has been knocking it out of the ballpark in this area, and it doesn’t look like their slowing down anytime soon.
Years ago, finding a small compact gun was not so easy, especially if you wanted a lightweight model. Metal frame guns ruled the kingdom until Glock introduced polymer frames to a reluctant world.
There was no stopping the polymer revolution and eventually it took over, making a lightweight duty/combat-size gun possible. It also opened the door for lightweight compact guns as well. The market shifted to smaller guns that people could conceal without wearing a shirt three sizes too big. Ruger responded with the LCP and LCR, better known as the Light Compact Pistol and Revolver.
I remember the first time I saw Ruger’s polymer revolver. I was skeptical — about as skeptical as those who were skeptical of Glock when it introduced the G17. Since then, my opinion has changed.
Since the release of the LCP and LCR, Ruger has continued expanding its concealed carry lineup. The LCP Max remains one of my favorites, and in 2024, they introduced the new RXM—a Glock 19-style handgun with some notable improvements.
Here’s a quick rundown of what Ruger has to offer for concealed carry.
Ruger RXM: New for 2025
For the RXM, Ruger partnered with Magpul to provide an interesting take on a Glock clone handgun. While most parts are all Gen 3 compatible, the safety is a Gen 5 and the “Fire Control Insert” is interchangeable with Magpul’s Enhanced Handgun Grip (EHG). An interchangeable fire control group was hugely successful with Sig’s P320 line of guns, and I think people will love this one too.
It has a removable optics plate, and the slide is compatible with RMR, Delta Point Pro, and RMSc for direct mounting. Yes, that means you can mount any of these optics directly to the slide without an adaptor plate. One benefit of this is the optic sites lower on the handgun, providing a co-witness with your iron sites.
On the Magpul frame, they added a 3/4 scale TSP texture, which to me was just perfect. I don’t like it when the texture is too heavy or too light.
It also comes with front tritium night sights — normally an upgrade you have to pay for. The RXM has a black nitride finish, and they added front “cocking serrations” which also add to its looks.
EC9s 9mm
Ruger’s first 9mm pistol in the lineup is the EC9s. It holds seven rounds in the magazine and higher capacity mags are available with a grip extension. The EC9s is known to be reliable, but it does have a strong recoil spring which requires more strength to rack the slide. This also puts more pressure on the slide release which requires more to operate as well.
It weighs 17.2 ounces, which is light for a 9mm handgun, and is still just under one inch wide like the Security-380. A manual safety and magazine disconnect are among the safety features on the EC9s.
Suggested retail is $349, but the EC9s can be found for about $270 at most retailers.
MAX-9
When Ruger released the MAX-9, it was a great improvement over the EC9s and has proven to be a reliable compact gun that offers a lot of features. A removable plate for a handgun optic is one such feature, making it Ruger’s smallest optics-ready handgun.
Modeled after the LCP MAX, the MAX-9 has the same texturing and shape of the frame but in a larger size. The MAX-9 comes with a Tritium Fiber Optic Day/Night front sight and a drift-adjustable rear sight. Magazine capacity is 10 with a flush-fitting mag and 12 with the extended mag.
Overall, the MAX-9 is a great concealed carry gun with a decent capacity and removable optics plate. I have been carrying one for a while now and it’s just about the perfect size for summer carry. Not to mention it’s one of the best-priced handguns on the market for what you get out of the box.
LCP .380
In 2008, Ruger introduced the .380 LCP at SHOT show, and it was one of the smallest pocket pistols at the time. At 9.6 oz, the 6-shot, pistols are not just reliable, they are about as small and light as they come.
Many choose the LCP when they want the most compact gun for concealed carry. It is 5.16 inches long and only .082 inches wide. When you’re carrying a handgun in warm weather and need to conceal it with only a T-shirt, this is a great choice.
The price point is another factor that makes it stand out. The LCP can be found as low as $199 making it more than a bargain.
LCP Max .380
The LCP pistol has remained one of Ruger’s most popular line of pistols, but the LCP Max combines size and ammo capacity for an ultimate concealed carry gun.
While the grip is wider than the LCP Max, it is still under one inch wide and weighs less than 11 ounces. Because of the wider grip, it holds 10 rounds in the flush-fitting magazine. A 12-round magazine with an extended finger grip floor plate is also included.
Ruger used their “Secure Action” trigger as a safety feature and reversible mag release for left-handed shooters. Additionally, the gun comes standard with a front Tritium sight that has a white outline for easy target acquisition.
LC380
This gun was released by Ruger as an option for those wanting a larger frame than the LCP but lower recoil than 9mm. Because it’s heavier than the LCP versions but is still chambered in .380, it has less felt recoil. The LC380 is the same size as the EC9s, making it ideal for those needing a low-recoil concealed carry gun.
The manual safety, internal lock, magazine disconnect, and loaded chamber indicator are all safety features of the LC380. While this gun is larger than the LCP line of guns, it’s still just under one inch wide. It is heavier because of the larger frame and weighs 17.2 ounces.
Security-380 Pistol
At the end of 2022, Ruger introduced the Security-380 pistol, which is slightly larger than the LC380 but has more features.
One of the most notable features is the Lite Rack system, like the LCP II has. This provides a lighter recoil spring than the LC380 making it easier to manipulate the slide. Ruger also added some slide cutouts and serrations to assist in gripping the slide and reducing weight.
Two magazines are included with the Security-380, one 10-round and one 15-round extended mag. At 19.7 ounces, it’s the heaviest version of the .380 pistols but also has the lowest recoil.
For someone wanting a .380 concealed carry gun, this one tops the list.
LCP II .22 Training Pistol
For those who choose to carry the LCP for self-defense, the Ruger LCP II is a great addition for training purposes. The LCP II provides the same configuration and ergonomics as the .380 LCP but is much cheaper to shoot. A box of .22 ammo is much cheaper than .380.
Ruger calls this the “Lite Rack” pistol because it is perfect for anyone regardless of their hand strength. Recoil is much lower and racking the slide is easier on the LCP II, making it more comfortable to shoot on the range.
Ruger LCR and LCRx Line of revolvers
For those wanting a revolver, Ruger’s legendary LCR and LCRx are great choices for concealed carry. Made from aerospace-grade 7000-series aluminum, or 400-series stainless steel depending on the caliber, it’s a durable and reliable revolver.
The main difference between the two is the Ruger LCR has an internal hammer and the LCRx has an external hammer. I personally like having an external hammer, but for daily carry, an internal hammer could be more reliable. This is mostly because it eliminates the possibility of the hammer catching on your clothing, purse, or other items when drawing it.
Available calibers for the LCR include: .22 caliber, .22 LR, .22 Mag, .38 Spl, 9mm Luger, .357 Mag, and .327 Federal. For the LCRx, you can choose from the same calibers as the LCR with the addition of 22 WMR. Larger frames with longer barrels are also available with the LCRx line of handguns.
The only drawback to the larger caliber revolvers is the recoil. Because the revolver is so light, there is much more recoil than a steel-framed revolver.
While .38 Spl and .357 Mag remain the most popular calibers for revolvers, 9mm revolvers are becoming more common because of the popularity of the caliber. This is a good choice for those who want to carry the same ammunition for multiple guns.
Hitting the mark
There are a lot of Ruger concealed carry options to choose from. For those wanting full-size handguns, Ruger has some great choices as well. The new RXM looks like it will be a big hit and provides an option for those wanting something closer to full-size to carry.
From low prices to multiple caliber and magazine capacity, this is an excellent line of concealed carry guns. Holsters are easily available, including the Safariland Species IWB Holster, which accommodates an optic.
