Recover Tactical puts a lot of creativity into their firearm accessories. A few years ago, they introduced the RT 20/20, which was a massive release for them. That was their first crack at Glock conversion kits. At SHOT 2022, they introduced their second Glock conversion system, the P-IX.
Recently the P-IX hit the market, and I had to check one out. I’m not exactly an expert but I appreciate these various conversion kits that allow you to turn your pistol into something more subgun-like.
The Recover Tactical RT 20/20 was a fairly unique and affordable take on the add a brace to a Glock idea, so I had high hopes for the P-IX even if it rejected minimalism. Recover Tactical sent this unit for test and review, and I’ve since equipped it with my Gen 4 Glock 17. The P-IX is compatible with medium frame Glocks in both compact and full-size varieties. The P-IX retails for about 200 dollars in its base configuration.
What is the P-IX?
It looks like some kind of odd AR configuration. There are hundreds out there that take Glock mags and are plenty popular. However, this is essentially a big Glock chassis system. It opens like a clamshell, dropping the Glock in and then closing it up. Three latches keep the thing closed, and keep your Glock encaged in the P-IX.
There are a few ways to describe this. I like to think of it as a Glock Mech suit. It drops into the chassis and goes from average man to Big O real quick. The P-IX can also be seen as a reverse bullpup. The entire gun sits ahead of the trigger system, and a trigger linkage connects the Glock’s trigger to the P-IX trigger.
You have to install a charging handle on the Glock before installation, and that’s simple enough. This charging handle allows you to work the slide and control the weapon. Once the charging handle is installed, you drop the Glock in and are ready to go. This isn’t necessarily a quick install when you factor in the charging handle, but you can have it running in about five minutes.
The P-IX is certainly one of the more interesting Glock chassis kits.
But why?
I figure a lot of readers are asking why by this point. Admittedly, there isn’t a huge market for this kind of product in the United States. In countries where it’s difficult to get firearms or difficult to obtain a semi-auto rifle (like Israel), then the Recover Tactical P-IX makes it easy to turn a pistol into a subgun-like device.
Many countries don’t have the same silly restrictions on SBRs that we do, so the P-IX can be used with a stock to create what’s essentially a semi-auto rifle, or at least a weapon that handles like one.
Admittedly users in the states can very easily attach a stock to the P-IX if their Glocks are registered as SBRs. SBRs are one route, but if you prefer a brace, that’s an option too. The rear of the P-IX features a threaded slot for fitting an AR receiver extension.
Why would U.S. shooters want the P-IX? Well, it’s fun, and if you already own a Glock, spending 200 bucks gives you the ability to turn it into a subgun. Someone with a tight budget might want a Glock 19 for concealed carry and a subgun-like platform for home defense.
Ultimately, it’s just kind of fun, and that’s good enough for me. Why apologize for enjoying your hobby?
Blasting Away With the P-IX
I loaded my Glock 17 up, fished out some cheap FMJs, and tossed a red dot on. I hit the range and spewed lead like it cost 35 cents a round. The P-IX is admittedly fun and easy to shoot.
In 200 rounds, the weapon malfunctioned twice using the same Glock OEM magazine. The malfunctions were actually failures to feed fully. This magazine had a +4 extension, and I wonder if the extension and P-IX didn’t play well. The ETS and standard Glock mags didn’t have any issues.
The muzzle flip on this gun is a bit odd. It’s not like it’s hard to handle, but the gun’s position in relation to your rear hand has the opposite effect of a bullpup, and the muzzle rise is increased and jumpy. You’ll feel the difference if you compare it with something like a Banshee.
The Recover Tactical P-IX with a red dot and brace makes for an interesting setup at longer ranges. With something like this and a brace, it’s a bit easier to hit those fifty-yard shots. The big downside to those accurate shots is the trigger. It’s pretty rough. It’s a long, heavy trigger pull, just like your typical bullpup. Even with the heavy trigger, I was consistently ringing steel at 50 yards on the fly, and even back to 75 yards, I could hit an IPSC target mostly in the A and sometimes the C areas.
One thing to keep in mind is that moving the Glock and then replacing it will likely cause a zero shift. It might be small, but it might also be noticeable, so reconfirm your zero every time.
Ergonomically Different
The controls mimic a subgun or AR 15 decently. You can easily swap the grip for any other AR15 model. The magazine release requires a right-side magazine button, so sorry, lefties. The P-IX button sits on the mag release button, making it easy to eject magazines.
The downside is the lack of a tactile feeling from the button. The safety is positioned right where the AR’s safety would be. It’s okay, but make sure you hear the click before you get ready to fire.
While odd and different, it works well enough for range use. It handles easily, and the magwell offers space to use your support hand. The main downside to the setup is that there isn’t any means to work the slide lock and release. You can’t manually close or lock the slide open.
You can keep most of your Glock accessories with the P-IX. Any external upgrades like compensators and magwells will have to be ditched. The front is open enough to make suppressor use plenty easy. The chassis has enough room externally to mount accessories, including optics, white lights, and more.
The P-IX and You
The Recover Tactical P-IX gives you the look and some of the feel of the AR15 with your Glock sitting at its core. This is certainly not going to be for everyone, but I had fun with it. I would take a dedicated PCC/Subgun over it for serious defensive use, but if it’s all I could afford, I’d make it work.
What do you think of the reverse bullpup Glock mech? Let me know below.
