The Glock is the most popular handgun in the world, and it has spawned a host of imitators.
Glock changed the firearms industry when it came out with the two-part trigger that was adopted by most other major gun manufacturers. To fire the gun, the middle part of the trigger must be pulled. Without doing that, the gun will not go off.
Glock is not the first gun to have synthetic parts, Glock took the idea to a new level and brought a suite of features that created a true revolution in gun manufacturing.
The durable polymer frame also has some flex. When firing powerful rounds, the frame flexes slightly, absorbing some recoil.
All this competition means you can find a Glock-style gun that fits your wallet and your hand.
What Are Glock Clones? Understanding the Basics
Many Glock clones are built along the same lines as the original Gen 3 Glock 19, though nowadays, you can see many different models being cloned. The function and overall feel are designed to be close to the original but not exactly the same.
Some people worry about Glock clones and the reliability of these guns. That’s why many manufacturers took the basic Glock idea and changed it to create products that are even better than the original. Professional tournament guns are a great example of using Glock’s designs and taking those to the next level.
Common Features of Glock Clones
Common features of Glock clones start with the striker-fired operation. Striker-fired guns do not have a hammer. The slide pulls the firing pin back, and it is held under spring tension until the trigger is pulled. It also means the trigger pull can be very light by upgrading trigger components.
Most Glock clones have a polymer frame. Some tournament models have a metal frame.
Glocks and most Glock lookalikes offer super fast takedowns compared to many other handguns. In the original, draw the slide back slightly. Pull down a small tab on each side of the frame in front of the trigger. The slide now pushes forward and comes off.
Some Glock competitors may not have this exact takedown method. The slide lock design varies slightly from one manufacturer to another, but generally performs the same function in disassembling and securing the slide.
The barrel does not need a retaining pin. Aftermarket barrels or high-end Glock clones with precision barrels provide more accuracy.
A chief benefit of Glock clones is magazine compatibility. If you run a Glock knockoff, it will use a Glock-compatible mag. The Glock mag is so popular that some pistol caliber carbine manufacturers are also using them.
The original Glock also offers different palmswells or backstraps. Change it to make the grip smaller or larger to fit your hand. While some Glock clones offer this, some do not. If the grip cannot be changed, make sure the gun is comfortable in your hand before you buy it.
Benefits of Choosing a Glock Clone
Straight from the factory, a Glock is a plain gun. It can be modified, or you can buy a Glock clone that already incorporates all the features you wanted.
Some Glock clones come with a metal frame. Aftermarket manufacturers also sell replacement or build-your-own metal frames. A metal frame is most used by tournament shooters who want the extra rigidity metal provides.
Good Glock clones can have ports in the slide to reduce weight. Some have aggressive cuts on the slide to make it easier to rack it, including rear slide serrations that improve grip and handling during press checks or malfunction clearing.
The best Glock clones also come with improved triggers to make shooting easier and more accurate.
When a Glock Clone Might Be Better Than an Original
A Glock clone might be better than an original for several reasons.
Price
Glock clones are popular due to their price. You can buy a reliable Glock look alike and a healthy supply of ammo for the same price as a genuine Glock.
Ergonomics
A chief complaint about the Glock is the 22.5 degree grip angle’s ergonomics. It is just not as comfortable as it could be to some shooters. Glock clones offer different angles, allowing you to find the one that best fits your hand and shooting style.
A differently textured grip is a very common feature on a Glock clone. Sometimes, the grip texture is more aggressive or less aggressive than Glock. Choosing a grip is entirely subjective. Go with what your hand likes. Some clones even come with an undercut trigger guard to allow a higher grip on the pistol and better recoil control.
Sights
Some Glock clones come with an included optic. Some offer a cutout for an optic.
If iron sights are your thing, some models come with raised sights for use with a suppressor. Others offer tritium sights for improved night shooting. Speed and precision iron sights are mostly an aftermarket option.
Trigger
The original Glock has a two-part trigger. This is the only safety. The center piece in the trigger keeps the trigger from fully engaging until both parts are pulled at once.
No manual safety means the gun is faster to shoot. Bear in mind that pulling the trigger is all you need to do to shoot when a round is chambered.
Some Glock clones have an external manual safety and some do not.
How you shoot
What and how you shoot is the real choice when it comes to the original Glock or a competitor. For instance, Glock offers a competition model, but it is just a 9mm with a longer slide and barrel. It is a stock Glock, in other words.
A better trigger, precision barrel, better grip and better sights are just a few standard items in many of the best Glock clones.
With any handgun, the different grip angle cannot be changed, so get a model with an angle that fits you.
Some features, like a metal frame, will make the standard Glock clone more expensive than a NIB Glock.
Since Glock clones are mass-produced, they can be cheaper than purchasing a Glock and having a gunsmith modify it. Economies of scale work in your favor here.
Popular Glock Clone Manufacturers and Models
The most popular Glock Clone manufacturers and models stick to the 9mm. Almost all are Glock 19 clones or Glock 43 clones.
Palmetto State Armory’s Dagger series is one of the best bang-for-your-buck Glock clones on the market. With a 20-degree grip angle and a durable polymer frame, the Dagger offers solid ergonomics and compatibility with most Glock-pattern parts and accessories.
While the trigger has a bit of a spongy feel and the mag release protrudes more than I personally prefer, those are minor gripes considering the price point. For under $300, it’s hard to beat as an entry-level handgun or even a budget-friendly carry option. The Dagger is primarily offered in 9mm, with some .45 ACP options popping up occasionally. If you want to shoot a different caliber, PSA makes it easy to grab a stripped frame and customize it with the upper of your choice.
In short, it’s not perfect, but the PSA Dagger punches way above its weight class.
Shadow Systems, which is one of my personal favorites, offers a series of 9mm Glock clones for about the same price as the OEM models, but with features that many folks would likely need a gunsmith to do without purchasing aftermarket parts. Slide cutouts reduce the weight. Threaded barrels and compensators are standard on some models.
As someone with larger hands, Shadow Systems offers backstraps to let you change the grip angle. These also change the size of the grip and, to a lesser extent, the grip angle. As the angle gets larger, the backstrap gets wider.
I recently played with a Lone Wolf that offers Glock clones with a 19-degree angle on the grip. As you can likely tell, I prefer this to the OEM Glock angle. The company also offers models with a threaded barrel. The grip texture is also different. The price is comparable to a Glock. It is available in 9 mm and .45 ACP.
Now, she is new to the party, but with a grip angle of 20.5 degrees, the Ruger RXM splits the difference between Glock and some clones with a more acute grip. The grip texture is mild compared to some other clones. Currently, these are only available in 9mm. However, at the price point of just over $400, this is one of the better bang-for-your-buck clones on the market. I have been very pleased with Ruger’s performance on this release.
Some other Glock counterparts that I have not tested are made by Anderson, Faxon, Rock Island Armory, Matrix Arms, and Bul Armory. Most of these are 9mm.
If you want a tournament-ready “Gucci Glock” right from the box, Zev and Shadown Systems are the leaders. These handguns bring a suite of features only available from a gunsmith and aftermarket parts.
Fluted barrels, improved trigger, more metal parts, and ported barrels with the slide cut for the ports are some of the choices.
Budget-Friendly Options Under $400
PSA leads the pack in providing reliable Glock clones at budget-friendly prices. But the Ruger RXM comes in a close second and will only be a few bucks more than the PSA, with overall better features.
In these wallet-friendly models, you are getting a bare-bones handgun. If you need upgrades, consider a more expensive model. Getting what you want as a factory gun is cheaper than getting work from a gunsmith.
These options are good guns for the casual shooter and personal defense.
Premium Glock Clones and Their Advantages
The chief advantages of a premium Glock clone are the standard features and materials. For instance, some high-end models come with more internal steel parts.
Precision triggers and barrels are preferred for shooting in tournaments. If you buy an original and modify it, you could spend more than the cost of an NIB premium Glock clone.
If you want to run a can, you need a threaded barrel and either an optic-ready slide, suppressor-height iron sights, or both. These are often standard on the “Gucci Glocks.” Many shooters see these premium models as factory-finished Glock upgrades without the need for aftermarket work.
Legal Considerations for Glock Clone Owners
99.9% of Glock-style pistols made by licensed manufacturers are legal. Stripped frames are also legal. The direct copies are possible because Glock’s original OEM patent has expired on Gen 3 and earlier models.
Some manufacturers incorporate their own ideas into the guns. These changes, like grip angle, set other manufacturers apart from the original. Others push innovation even further with features like a removable fire control unit, allowing easier customization or replacement of the core firing components.
If you want to modify your handgun, you must follow state and federal laws regarding these guns. Some states limit magazine capacity. Turning one of these guns into a full-auto weapon is also illegal unless you have the necessary federal tax stamp or permit.
Unfortunately, many of the state laws, like magazine restrictions, infringe on gun owners’ rights. NAGR is leading the fight in state legislatures and Congress to repeal these laws. Where necessary, NAGR is also asking judges to overturn unconstitutional laws.
How to Choose the Right Glock Clone for Your Needs
Here are ideas for how to choose the right Glock clone for your needs.
Size – Do you want full or compact?
Grip – What angle and texture feels best in your hand?
Caliber – 9mm is by far the most popular. If you need a .380 or smaller, you may have to build your own.
Use – If you target shoot, get a full-size. If you carry for defense, a compact is much easier to conceal.
Accessories – Do you want an optic? Do you want a light or a laser under the barrel?
Try – Before you buy, handle some models. Gun stores will let you try the grip before you buy. Some gun stores with a range will even let you shoot a few rounds before you drop the cash.
Compatibility Considerations
Glock clones can usually accept Glock OEM parts. Others have proprietary parts that only come from that manufacturer. If you plan to mod the gun, make sure you can buy the parts you want before buying the gun. Glock-compatible frames are also widely available, giving you even more options to customize or build your perfect pistol.
Glock parts are among the most widely available in the handgun world, making upgrades, replacements, or repairs easy and affordable for most shooters.
Glock and its clones have the most aftermarket parts available for handguns.
Common Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Glock Clones
Are Glock clones as reliable as actual Glocks?
Glock clones can be as reliable as Glocks. Glock built its reputation on super reliability. Glock clones are expected to follow this.
Will my Glock holster work with a Glock clone?
Your Glock holster will work with a Glock clone if the profile closely or exactly matches the Glock. Even the grip angle can affect whether the clone will holster or not. Take your holster with you to buy a Glock clone.
Which Glock clone has the best value for money?
The Glock clone that has the best value for your money depends on what you want to do with it. If you are shooting in tournaments, get a high-end model. If you want personal defense or just plinking, you can buy a good one for less than an original Glock.
Important
Glock clones fill an essential market. Some Glock clones are cheaper than the original. Some clones also offer standard features that will cost you more than a NIB Glock. NAGR is here to give you the information you need to make the right decision about your next handgun, no matter what that is.
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About the Author
Taylor Rhodes is the Director of Communications at the National Association for Gun Rights. A seasoned political strategist and unapologetic defender of the Second Amendment, Taylor has led high-impact campaigns at both the state and national levels. He lives in Hoover, Alabama, with his wife, Madison, and enjoys bourbon, golf, and collecting firearms—especially his 12.5” Geissele Super Duty.
