SHOT Show 2022 was a good time. It was a welcome back after we paused for a year. SHOT was bigger than ever, according to the NSSF, at least. Along the way, I stumbled upon two products that caught my attention. Both aimed to radically transform a Glock pistol into something far from a Glock. The Meta Tactical Apex Glock Kit turns your Glock into a bullpup rifle. The Recover Tactical P-IX takes your Glock and reverse-bullpups into an AR-15-like monstrosity.
Yep, today we are getting weird and comparing and contrasting both setups. The Glock series of handguns is S-tier in terms of modularity, and these two chassis systems prove that. I decided to compare these two because, well, they are trying to do the same thing in different ways, and I find that fascinating. Let’s dive into these two and see which one might be a better choice for you. First, let’s introduce our contenders.
The Apex
The Meta Tactical Apex kit is a rifle chassis kit that comes complete with a 16-inch barrel for your Glock. This system allows you to turn your Glock into a bullpup PCC without much constraint. This is a very modern platform with M-LOK, an optic rail, and even AR-15 grip compatibility. It’s odd but effective and fun.
The P-IX
The Recover Tactical P-IX is even more strange than the Apex. Instead of bullpupping your Glock, it does the opposite. The Glock sits forward of the pistol grip but uses a trigger linkage like a bullpup. The magwell of the P-IX is your Glock grip. This system is easy to use and modern, with plenty of rails and optic space. It features a slot for an AR buffer tube and can use AR-15 grips.
Ergonomics
The P-IX does not come with a stock or brace, so we can’t factor that into ergonomics. The Apex does, and that stock is widely adjustable to allow the platform to fit a variety of shooters. The charging handle for the P-IX fits on the slide and reciprocates as the slide moves. The Apex uses an ambidextrous, non-reciprocating charging handle. The Apex uses a push-button safety, and the P-IX embraces the superior AR-15-type safety.
Sadly, the P-IX is restricted more or less to right-handed shooters. There are no left-handed controls available to our wrong-handed friends. What the Apex did surprisingly well was accommodate left-handed shooters. Bullpups traditionally suck for lefties, but Meta Tactical made it work. The controls are mostly ambidextrous, and lefties with their Glock mag release set to the left-hand side will have a magazine release option. A giant shell deflector also keeps the brass out of the face of left-handed shooters. Both feature a bit of a spongy magazine release that’s almost identical.
The Apex has superior ergonomics as far as I’m concerned. However, the P-IX isn’t bad for right-handed shooters, but the Apex shines high with switch hitters.
Size Wise
Bullpups get to be full-sized rifles shrunk to SBR sizes without the stamp. The Apex does just that. It’s super small and very efficient with its 16-inch barrel design. The P-IX does offer an overall shorter option if you forgo a stock or brace and just use the stock Glock barrel. Just because it’s small doesn’t make it efficient.
Adding a brace or stock is almost necessary to make it easy to handle. With a brace or stock, the gun isn’t much smaller than the Apex. If you want to add a stock, you have to pony up for a tax stamp or get a 16-inch barrel.
Accuracy
Accuracy differences between the two guns aren’t major, but there is a noticeable difference. It’s still a 9mm and will never be a sub-MOA option. However, believe it or not, the Apex offers a vastly superior trigger. Bullpup triggers are supposed to suck, but this one doesn’t by any means. The better trigger and, admittedly, better stock option make the gun a bit more accurate to engage with. The P-IX trigger is also pretty atrocious and very long and spongy.
Reliability
Both systems are designed to be reliable. Nothing interferes with slide movement or ejection, so until something breaks, they are just as reliable as a Glock is. Neither chassis kit has caused any significant malfunctions. Where the P-IX has a slight advantage is suppressor use. With a standard Glock threaded barrel, suppressors aren’t a problem. The 16-inch barrel does not accommodate a suppressor and function.
Installation
Installation between both systems is simple. Neither offers you an on-the-fly solution to toss your Glock in and go. With the Apex, you have to install the barrel, then insert it into the chassis and lock it down. It’s simple, and anyone can do it. The P–IX requires you to install a special charging handle on your Glock, then open the P-IX and drop it in.
This is a tie, as neither is complicated, and one isn’t quicker than the other.
Price
Price is always a factor, and the P-IX is a lot cheaper than the Apex. The bare-bones P-IX costs about $200 online. The Apex is $600. Admittedly a good chunk of that cost is the 16-inch barrel. With the Apex, you also get a proper rifle with an actual stock and don’t need to factor in another $50 to $100 for a brace setup.
Who Wins?
Let me put it this way. If you told me a horde of zombies was coming after me and offered me a Glock 17 in a P-IX or a Meta Tactical Apex kit, I’d choose the Apex. It’s soft shooting, accurate, ergonomic, reliable, and feels more like a tool. The P-IX is a bit more of a range toy. It’s fun, but the awkward trigger, ergonomics, and design don’t lend themselves much to serious use.
Ever since I got the Meta Tactical Apex kit, my Glock hasn’t left it. I don’t think it will. I like it enough to make it a dedicated and quasi-permanent Glock host. That doesn’t mean I don’t think the P-IX is neat. It’s also well-made, reliable, and fun. The Apex is just better.
That’s my opinion, what’s yours? Let me know below.
