It was a hard-fought victory for Philippe Clement’s side as they secured another important three points away from home in the league.
There were four changes from the midweek victory over Hibernian as Connor Goldson, Dujon Sterling, Scott Wright and Cyriel Dessers came into the starting line-up.
That meant Rangers started with Jack Butland in goal and a back four of James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, John Souttar and Ridvan.
John Lundstram, Nico Raskin and Todd Cantwell were in midfield, while Dujon Sterling occupied a more forward role on the left flank with Scott Wright also in support of striker Cyriel Dessers.
There was a strong wind at St Mirren Park which undoubtedly affected the match as both teams battled against the weather.
An early chance fell for Rangers as John Lundstram tested Zach Hemming in the St Mirren goal with a long range strike but the goalkeeper gathered to deny the visitors a breakthrough.
With 14 minutes on the clock, the early control paid off from Rangers as Cyriel Dessers made it three goals in three games since the return from the winter break. It was a lovely pass from midfield from John Lundstram to pick out the run of Dessers and the striker took a touch on his right foot to round Hemming before finishing a low into the back of the net with a left-footed strike.
St Mirren looked for a response instantly as Scott Tanser whipped a cross into the box but Elvis Bwomono’s shot was held by Butland before Hyeokkyu Kwon fired over shortly after from a Greg Kiltie delivery.
Captain James Tavernier almost doubled Rangers' advantage with 20 minutes played as his drilled shot from range beat Hemming but hit the post before going out for a goal kick.
Jack Butland denied Lewis Jamieson shortly after as he blocked an effort from close range but the linesman raised his flag for offside following the block before the Rangers number one was called into action again as he tipped wide a strike from Kwon.
With the narrow lead at the break, Philippe Clement made two changes to his side as Todd Cantwell and Scott Wright were replaced by Tom Lawrence and Ross McCausland for the second-half.
Rangers were looking to add to the scoring early following the restart as Lawrence curled an effort wide before the Light Blues were denied by the woodwork again as Cyriel Dessers hit the post with a shot from inside the box.
Just before the hour mark, there was another change for Rangers in midfield as Ryan Jack came for Nico Raskin. Chances were few and far between for either side in the second period as the wind continued to make it difficult for both teams.
There was another change for Rangers as Borna Barisic came on at left-back in place of Borna Barisic.
John Souttar pulled off a fantastic defensive block as he slid in to get his body in the way of an Alex Gogic shot. From the resulting corner St Mirren hit the bar with a back post header as the home side pushed for an equaliser.
A final change for Rangers saw Rabbi Matondo introduced for Dujon Sterling for the last few minutes in Paisley.
It was a narrow victory, but Clement’s men held out for all three points in the Scottish Premiership.
RANGERS: Butland, Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Ridvan (Barisic, 83), Lundstram, Raskin (Jack, 58) Sterling (Matondo, 88), Cantwell (Lawrence 46), Wright (McCausland, 46), Dessers.
Subs: McCrorie, Silva, Balogun, Devine.
St Mirren: Hemming, Bolton, Tanser, O’Hara (Dunne, 81), Ayunga (Mandron, 64), Kiltie, Gogic, Kwon (Boyd-Munce, 72), Fraser, Jamieson (Scott, 64), Bwomono.
Subs: Urminsky, Taylor, Flynn, Nahmani, Brown.