Some gun companies make cool guns, reliable guns, or cheap guns. Very few make a new gun that takes the market by storm and sets the bar for what’s considered the Gold Standard. Eugene Stoner did it with the AR-15, John Moses Browning did it (on multiple occasions), and Gaston Glock did it when he introduced the Glock 17 to the world. Beyond that, the standards pretty much stay the same. Reaching this level of innovation is rare and requires not just making a good gun but making one everyone else copies. It becomes the model of a new era of guns that everyone else modifies just a little and makes their own.
For some reason, people still get caught up on the original,” and write off anyone else. If it’s not Glock, it’s not any good, they say. If I tell someone I have a 1911, their first question is inevitably “What brand?” They ask this because it could be a Wilson Combat, Springfield Armory, Kimber, or a million other brands. Just about everyone making guns makes 1911 now. The same goes for the AR-15 rifle, AK-47, and more. So why not Glock-pattern pistols?
My best guess is because Glock is still alive and well, and continues to make new generations of their classic, reliable handgun. Down the road, however, I think “Glock” will be used as a reference for compatibility, not the specific brand of the gun.
All that aside, are there any reasons to buy a Glock clone? Or, as the Glockies would call it, a “knock-off.” There are several great reasons to purchase a Glock clone, and we will discuss some of them today.
All About That Base
Glocks are among the best-made handguns in the world, and not many people would argue with that. But what do some of the cloned guns have that Glock factory guns don’t? Well, for starters, clones are typically better looking. Not to diss Glock, but they’re just ugly guns. There’s nothing about them that catches your eye when scanning a display cabinet. It doesn’t affect their reliability, but some people want that “Gucci” gun. With the technology we have today, companies can make guns with matching internal parts to that of Glock.
Before you start to complain about Gucci Glocks, don’t forget we have done the same thing with 1911s and AR-15s. At TriggrCon, I looked at Nighthawk’s $9,000 custom 1911 Turnbull VIP (Very Important Pistol). Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to have that gun. But it’s a Gucci 1911 and too expensive to carry around. Shoot, maybe too expensive to even shoot.
Choices + Compatibility
Glock fell behind a little when it came to options on their guns. Glock clones were already offering removable optic plates before Glock started doing it with the MOS line. And for the most part, Glock offers one color: black. The Glock 19X comes in tan, but that’s about it (with the exception of limited-run options). Other companies would offer multiple color options for the frame, components, and even some metal parts — all while staying compatible with Glock accessories. Just like 1911 pistols, you can now purchase a wide variety of Glock-cloned handguns and use the same holster, magazines, and other accessories.
Some people don’t like the looks of Glock pistols, but they know the importance of having a reliable gun. A Glock clone gives you the looks you want and the reliability you need. I like guns in general, so I’m always interested in a new gun design, new finish, or something that stands out a bit. Glock makes a great gun, but I don’t get excited and jump up and down when they release a new model. There’s just nothing “special” about em.
What are the best Glock clones out there?
That’s like asking which AR-15 or 1911 is better. It depends on who you ask, but I will throw some names out there on both the high and low end of the spectrum. These are not in order by quality or value, just some brands I pay attention to.
Bul Armory AXE FS Tomahawk
This was one of my first Glock clones. It’s light, comfortable, and has a great trigger. It came with a flat trigger, an RMR optic-ready footprint, an extended slide lock lever, and more. They put textured thumb rests on both sides of the gun and outfitted the frame with a slightly flared magwell. The slide has some deep grooves in it, which I like, and they cut the top out of the slide so you can see the fancy spiral-fluted stainless barrel underneath. This gun sells for about the same price as a Glock 19.
Palmetto State Armory
The Dagger is one of those guns overlooked by some because of the price. Not because it’s expensive, but because it’s so cheap. But I’ve used a Dagger many times on the range and never had any issues with them. Most are Glock Gen 3-compatible guns and work with any Glock magazine. They range from $300 to $450, but you can find the frame and slide separately on sale for about $300.
Shadow Systems
One of the hottest manufacturers right now for Glock-cloned pistols is Shadow Systems. They put a lot of work into the texturing on the frame and artwork on the slide. Most of them have porting or cutouts on the slide so you can see the barrel underneath. Even their basic models look nicer than a Glock pistol. Their price range is wide, and it depends on the options of the model you select, but they can be found in the $600+ range.
Should you buy a clone?
Again, I don’t have anything against Glock. I carry one for my job, and they are the father of all modern handguns. But Glock stuck with what worked, and everyone else is moving forward. I hope to see new finishes, designs on the grip and slide, and even barrels in different colors and metals in the future, but I won’t hold my breath. I will continue to be a Glock fan, even though they’re ugly. But, I will also say there is nothing wrong with buying a Glock clone. I like different guns and it’s exciting to see what some of these companies are producing. Deciding if a Glock clone is right for you is a tough decision. If you can’t decide, just buy both. It’s more fun that way!
