Overview
Glocks are everywhere for good reason. They are ever present in the holsters of concealed carry enthusiasts, law enforcement officers, and military. The brand sees incredible loyalty and trust, thanks to its legendary reliability and massive aftermarket support.
That said, the standard Glock is not in its own category anymore. It does one thing extremely well (run forever without drama), but some folks claim the brand rides its “Perfection” slogan too much and that they lack the more modern features shooters expect.
Glock’s Strengths and Limitations
The appeal of a factory Glock is undeniable. The ergonomics work, the trigger is predictable, and you can find holsters, magazines, and parts anywhere on the planet. But let’s be honest: the stock sights are plastic, the slide is plain, and the optics mounting system requires plates that can sit a bit high.
Glock addressed many of these issues with its latest Gen6 guns, but the new generation also comes with a new price tag. Even with a new gun, many shooters also end up spending extra money in upgrades.
Glock has always been seen as an affordable, readily available handgun. With the new generation, Glock has moved up slightly in the price category, and due to its quality and reputation, it can be hard to find stock of the new generations. That’s not to say that Glocks are not worth the money – I absolutely think they are, but it does seem like the stock Glock has moved up in the world.
The Rise of the Clone Market
After the expiration of the patents, the handgun world is seeing a range of copies, from super-affordable clones to high-end builds that feel like custom guns right out of the box. These aren’t cheap knockoffs; they’re serious pistols designed on the incredible base design of the Glock.
Some of the popular names include the Arex Delta, Rost Martin, Shadow Systems lines, and my personal favorite, the Ruger RXM. Each brings something different to the table, whether it’s price, features, or both.
On the premium side, brands like Zev Technologies and Shadow Systems are essentially selling factory-upgraded Glocks. You get front slide serrations, compensation cuts, vented slides, fluted barrels, optics cuts, and much better sights than the standard Glock plastic set.
Premium Upgrades
There are also companies like Taran Tactical Innovations that take stock Glocks and turn them into premium race guns. As seen in movies like John Wick, TTI takes the basic Glock and adds all the flare and features to take the handgun to another level.
Other brands offer designs with upgrades like threaded barrels, custom color schemes, metal sights, and direct optic compatibility at a much lower price than a new Glock.
Ruger has innovated on the entire design, keeping the overall comfort, feel, and reliability of the Glock while changing the DNA. The Ruger RXM introduced the modular chassis system to the Glock design. This allows for the fast change of the grip module, customizing size and magazine lengths to custom-fit the user. The handgun also features a more comprehensive optic mounting system that improves on Glock’s MOS.
Conclusion
I’ll be the first to tell you that it’s almost impossible to beat an actual Glock. I love Glocks. I own Glocks, and I will always buy and carry Glocks. The brand is reliable and trustworthy, and I have leaned on Glock for my own personal safety in some of the worst places in the world.
I also love several Glock clones. Glock clones have matured to give you the same foundation Glock is famous for, but with modern features, improved ergonomics and performance, and often a lower price. Whether you’re a first-time buyer looking for maximum value or an experienced shooter who wants more customization, there’s a Glock clone that will probably fit your needs.
If you’re in the market for a reliable 9mm pistol, do yourself a favor and check out both Glocks and Glock clone options at Guns.com. You might be surprised at how strong the alternatives have become.
