Glock Clones - Which is the Best?
Glock Breaks the Mold
A long time ago, in a country far away …. The Austrian based company Glock released the G17 and absolutely shook the handgun market. Many were skeptical about “plastic” polymer firearms. Polymer firearms first saw action in the Vietnam War with the original M-16, where they were widely seen as cheap and unreliable. Several other firearm companies, including Heckler & Koch, attempted to build reliable polymer firearms but never really succeeded. The popular use of polymer wasn’t until 1982 when Gaston Glock perfected the durability of polymer in his Glock 17. Since then, every firearms manufacturer under the sun has released some type of polymer firearm. There are many budget Glock-style alternatives out on the market today, often called Glock clones or Glock "Killers''. Some of the most popular are the Smith & Wesson SD9VE, the Palmetto State Armory Dagger, and the Shadow Systems MR920. Today at M*CARBO we are using "The Force" to compare the Glock to several of its closest competitors to see which is the best compact 9mm.
PSA Dagger
The latest and increasingly popular Glock clone is the Palmettos State Armory Dagger. PSA sought out to make handgun compatible with the widely popular Gen 3 Glock 17. After the patent expired on the Gen 3 Glock 17, aftermarket parts manufacturers went crazy making all kinds of slides, frames, and just about anything you can think of for the Gen 3. PSA started making slides and frames for Glocks, but then decided to put them together to make a serialized compact they called the Dagger. Now for a budget handgun the Dagger will give you a good bang for your buck, but not without a few flaws as well.
Good
- Has an extended mag release (vs.G17) that is good for quick and easy reloads
- Great frame for gripping with larger hands
- Great stock trigger pull (5.5lbs)
- Glock Magazine compatibility
- Good slide texture and serrations, easy to rack back
- Price (starting at $299)
Bad
Smith & Wesson SD9VE
Smith & Wesson were probably one of the first to make a Glock imitation when they first released their SD Sigma in 1994. Not only was the SD Sigma plagued with issues, they were also sued by Glock for patent infringement by 1997. In 2011 S&W worked out all the kinks of the original Sigma and made a damn good Glock clone. My very first handgun I ever bought was a SD9VE, so it’s a near and dear pistol to my heart. This gun is the perfect handgun for beginner shooters with a small budget. For $400 it’s the best quality budget handgun you can get. However, what you save on the sticker price you’ll have to shell out more cash for new accessories, as S&W parts are not compatible with Glock.
Good
- Wide frame and great grip texture makes it really comfortable to hold
- Highly durable and made with good quality parts
- Great price (MSRP’s at $400)
- Accurate with great out of the box iron sights
Bad
- Heavy trigger pull (8lbs)
- Long take up and reset on the trigger spring
- Small aftermarket parts market
- Not compatible with any Glock mags or accessories
- Not optics ready
Shadow Systems MR920
If you’re willing to shell out some extra cash for a daily carry with all the bells and whistles, then this is definitely the pistol for you. Shadow Systems did one heck of a job in designing their own Glock platform. Shadow Systems debuted their MR920 (MR standing for Multi-Role) at SHOT 2020. They modeled it after the Glock 19 and took out some of the small flaws Glock had. The MR920 is highly customizable and is compatible with almost all Glock accessories. While it’s not exactly wallet friendly, you will definitely feel the quality you paid for.
Good
- M1911 angled grip allows for different style of holds
- Compatible with Glock 19 mags and accessories
- Optics ready and Holosun Holosight Options available
- Threaded barrel for muzzle accessories
- Great slide mechanisms with good grip serrations
- Lighter recoil spring
Bad
- Heavy and long trigger pull
- Price (MSRP’s at $1000)
- Short/ compact length grip not easily held by people with larger hands
Polymer80 PFS9/PFC9
Polymer80 has been making Glock parts and slides for years. After the Glock Gen 3 patent expired, they began making their own serialized Glock imitations in the fall of 2019. Just like some of its competitors, they took all the Glock fans feedback and crafted a really high quality polymer firearm. At $550 MSRP, it’s one of the best Glock style pistols on the market.
Good
- Compatible with Glock magazines and accessories
- Well priced at $550 MSRP
- Standard extended mag release for quick reloading
- Has a non-proprietary Picatinny rail for lights and lasers
- Phenomenally smooth and light stock trigger pull (6lbs) with a short crisp reset
- Great slide mechanisms with aggressive grip serrations
Bad
- Will not fit Glock holsters
- Mag release is not ambidextrous
- Large M1911 style grip not comfortable for people with small hands
- Not optics ready
- Iron sights are difficult to adjust
Conclusion
Glock started a complete revolution in the firearms industry. There are so many more Glock alternatives out there, but these are definitely the top 4 currently on the market. As always, its hard to determine which is the best compact 9mm because it all comes down to preference. While some Glock clones might be better at the range or (if you’re a little broke like me) are better on the wallet, they still owe a great homage to Daddy Glock. I own a Gen 3 Glock 17 and I could never be happier with my purchase. Still, all these compact 9mm are just fun to shoot so always try before you buy if possible. I hope this article helps you decide your next carry. Happy Shooting, and May the Force Be With You!
Sources
Glock Homepage
Palmetto State Armory Dagger
Smith & Wesson SD9VE
Shadow Systems MR920
Polymer80 PFS9/PFC9