The Rex Delta makes its debut in the U.S. (VIDEO)

Guns.com got an exclusive look at the new Rex Delta handgun when it debuted at the gun maker’s manufacturing facility in central Europe. Less than three years old, Rex is still pretty new to the U.S., but the new Delta has the potential to make the brand a common name among gun buyers.

Like many new handguns that come to the U.S. market nowadays, Rex followed suggestions from fans and designed the Delta with concealed carry in mind. But unlike other handguns in Rex’s catalog, the Delta replaces the metal frame with polymer and the hammer with a striker-fired operating system.

Along with a handful of other writers, I developed my first impression of the Rex Delta during a media trip out to the Arex manufacturing facility in Šentjernej, Slovenia. For those unfamiliar with Rex handguns, they made their introduction in the U.S. in 2015 with the Rex Zero 1 and Alpha models. Although made in the former Yugoslavian state, they’re imported by the Las Vegas-based FIME Group. However, Arex opened in 1994 and has since become one of the largest gun makers in Slovenia.

For those unfamiliar with Rex handguns, they made their introduction in the U.S. in 2015 with the Rex Zero 1 and Alpha models. Although made in the former Yugoslavian state, they’re imported by the Las Vegas-based FIME Group. However, Arex opened in 1994 and has since become one of the largest gun makers in Slovenia. (Photo: Noah Alkinburgh/Guns.com)

At first, the trigger felt heavy and like it had a slight amount of creep in the reset, but the more I shot the gun, the more I actually liked it. (Photo: Noah Alkinburgh/Guns.com)

Using six new Deltas hot off the assembly line, we fired nearly 6,000 rounds. During the marathon shooting, magazines fell free, slides locked back, and the guns ran pretty much flawlessly. I cannot recall a single malfunction (except when one guy tried to shoot like Sicario, but I don’t blame the gun for these shenanigans — and no it wasn’t me).

Overall, the Delta left a very favorable impression. In fact, I shot so well that I won a shooting competition during the event. However, some of the others didn’t find it as intuitive and company reps fielded suggestions. They noted that in some cases the trigger pinched and the frame sometimes rubbed. While I didn’t experience any of that, the Rex people said they were already in the process of fixing these issues, so I doubt you will experience them in the production guns.

While the Rex Delta had common features for a polymer-framed duty pistol like a passive trigger safety, Picatinny rail, and three-dot sights, the company also put a nice spin on others. The Delta’s loaded chamber indicator is subtle. While some consider it pointless or worse obtrusive, I thought it was actually quite useful. It popped up above the chamber just enough to be visible and tactile for low light situations, but not enough to be distracting.

I cannot recall a single malfunction (except when one guy tried to shoot like Sicario, but I don’t blame the gun for these shenanigans — and no it wasn’t me). (Photo: Noah Alkinburgh/Guns.com)

The Delta’s loaded chamber indicator is subtle. While some consider it pointless or worse obtrusive, I thought it was actually quite useful. It popped up above the chamber just enough to be visible and tactile for low light situations, but not enough to be distracting. (Photo: Noah Alkinburgh/Guns.com)

At first, the trigger felt heavy and like it had a slight amount of creep in the reset, but the more I shot the gun, the more I actually liked it. The company lists trigger pull at 5.5 pounds, but it felt more like 6.5 or 7 pounds. While the trigger seemed heavy, the break was crisp, the reset was good, and I stopped noticing the creep.

As I mentioned above, the Delta uses a passive trigger safety instead of a manual one. However, Rex has slides already cut for a manual safety feature and will probably release them sometime in 2019. Lastly, the Delta’s will ship with five – I repeat FIVE – different backstrap options. As a guy with hands that don’t fit anything, I really appreciate the option.

I look forward to getting my hands on a production model for review when they hit the U.S. Expect to see the Rex Delta in stores late 2018 or early 2019.

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