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When someone says AK or Kalashnikov, we can all picture that rifle in our minds. It’s that universal. The AK12 from Kalashnikov, used by the Russian military, is not far off either. The gents over at Ultimate Weapons and Gun Breakers give some good background as well as abuse testing to see how it stacks up to its predecessor.

The AK12, in case you didn’t know, is one of the latest iterations from the Kalashnikov Group chambered in 5.45×39. It’s essentially the updated and modern version of the AK47. The AK12 came to be in 2011 by the Izhmash factory for the RATNIK trial by the Russian Army. After those trials, it was further developed by the Kalashnikov Group and received modifications and changes so that the rifle would meet military needs.

The main things that needed to be addressed were the concern of the overall cost to manufacture as well as the issues with accuracy and reliability in the original version in full auto. Several revisions to the rifle helped pare down the list of defects and concerns in the original versions. 

With a cyclic rate of 700 rounds a minute, this 415mm barreled rifle has a maximum range of 800 meters. The rifle also comes with standard 30 round magazines that have windows to help see the number of rounds left in the mag. Not only do they work with AK12 mags, but they are also compatible with AK74 magazines. To round out the features of the AK12, it has an adjustable stock, a large firing selector, and a cleaning kit tucked into the grip.

But how does the AK12 hold up to abuse? Well, Georgiy Gubich, a Kalashnikov specialist at Gun Busters, took on the challenge. In full protection gear that includes a flack vest, they started out with 1,000 rounds of ammunition, stacks of 30 round magazines and proceeded to do mag dumps in full auto.

Hot takeaways

• After 60 rounds, smoke can be seen coming out of the barrel
• After 180 rounds, smoke increases
• After 390 rounds, the barrel is red hot and has a glowing muzzle brake
• After 510 rounds, there are visible flames coming out of the handguards
• After 680 rounds, sparks and flames burst from rifle and the test ends

Georgiy runs magazine after magazine, not letting the rifle cool down. He notes the presence of smoke that doesn’t dissipate at 180 rounds. After shooting a constant 480 rounds, he notes the strong smell of plastic with the smoke still emanating from the rifle. When he hits the 510 round mark, there are visible flames coming out of the handguard, but he notes that there is no change in the rate of fire. Larger flames and muzzle flames start showing up around the 570 round mark. Once the rifle reaches the 620 round mark, Georgiy quips that he’s gone blind and then subsequently deaf after the 650 round mark. The barrel burst and is on fire at the 680 round mark, thus ending the abuse test.

Georgiy then extinguishes the flames and cools down the rifle to get a better look at it. He says that having a burst barrel is common in 5.45 or 5.56 rifles because of the thermal expansion which causes the bore to get tighter and slows down the bullets. The pressure shock happens and the barrel breaks at the stress point. Even with all the fire present in the test, the bolt and carrier are unchanged along with the muzzle brake.

Overall, the rifle withstood 680 rounds in rapid succession, which is three times the number required by the Ministry of Defense for the rifle. Not only that, but that number is 100 rounds higher than what the AK74 stood up to. Looks like the Russian military has a solid gun to work with.

Want to watch the overview video for yourself? Check out the Ultimate Weapon video here:

But if you want to see an AK12 catch on fire and ultimately burst, check out this one from the Kalashnikov Group:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSkFYI_TaWA

So, guess what? CMMG has released three firsts with one gun. First, the FourSix is the first AR platform to chamber the 4.6x30mm round. The second first is the first civilian firearm to utilize the 4.6x30mm cartridge. The third first is the first use of the new micro length gas system that uses CMMG’s patent-pending Micro gas block. The 4.6x30mm is one of two PDW calibers: the OG of PDW calibers of course is the 5.7x28mm cartridge. We’ll address 4.6mm vs 5.7mm in a bit. 

FN was smart and released 5.7 caliber guns like the Five-SeveN pistol and the PS90 to the civilian market, but HK has never even considered releasing a civilian MP7. The round has languished in the civilian market, even though Fiocchi makes plenty of it. The FourSix is an Mk4 AR pistol version of the CMMG Banshee. 

Note that CMMG also made a 5.7 Banshee, so this isn’t an all-or-nothing deal.

CMMG FourSix Review

Why would I, as a civilian, choose the 4.6x30mm over the 5.7? Well, mainly because 4.6x30mm can be cheaper. Significantly cheaper than 5.7×28 because it doesn’t require the lacquer coating the 5.7x28mm has. The big difference currently is all about economy of scale, so if the 4.6 gets more popular, the ammunition could be cheaper than the 5.7×28.

Now, this is my first real experience with 4.6x30mm, and obviously, my first experience with the CMMG FourSix, and I honestly think this could be a fantastic home defense platform.

But Why Not Just 9mm?

Why use 4.6x30mm over a simple 9mm subgun? I have a 9mm Banshee, and I love it. Is 4.6x30mm ever going to be 9mm cheap? I can’t say, but it will take a long time for it to reach 9mm prices. However, there is a reason these PDW rounds were developed. NATO wanted a round that outperformed the 9mm from an SMG-style platform. The main concern was max range and armor-piercing capability.

The 4.6x30mm isn’t quite a rifle round, but it flies faster and further than any 9mm. The 4.6x30mm flies at a speed of 1,900 feet per second with my cheap Fioochi loads. It flies much further than the 9mm. At 100 yards, the 9mm can have a foot of drop! With the 4.6X30mm, I’m seeing about 4 inches with the 4.6x30mm out of the CMMG FourSix.

The CMMG FourSix packs an eight-inch barrel, and honestly, I’m using a red dot, but I think a 1-4X LPVO or even a 3x or 4x prism would be a superior option to take advantage of the gun’s accuracy and max range. At 100 yards, in a good stable position, I’m scoring beautiful headshots on an IPSC target.

It’s not a proper rifle round, so you won’t get the same superb accuracy out of it as a 1 MOA 5.56 rifle. However, it’s easily accurate enough for practical applications. I can quickly kill coyotes at that range with decent headshots. That spitzer-style bullet and retained velocity ensure good penetration.

CMMG FourSix in Detail

The CMMG FourSix uses the AR platform we all know and love. In terms of changes to the gun for the 4.6x30mm, there aren’t many. First, the magazines are proprietary, but they are built in the shape and design of a standard 5.56 magazine. This allows the magazines to function in a Mil-Spec lower receiver so you can purchase a CMMG build kit and build your own FourSix.

Additionally, these magazines fit AR 15 magazine pouches without issue. This opens up your ability to carry spares with ease. The CMMG 4.6x30mm magazines hold 40 rounds of 4.6x30mm and interact without issue with your last round bolt hold open.

The gun utilizes an 8-inch barrel, which taps out the velocity of the 4.6x30mm round. At the end of that barrel sits a CMMG SV brake. The FourSix comes with an M-LOK handguard, a CMMG/SB Tactical RipBrace and tube, as well as a Magpul pistol grip. The ergonomics are standard AR-15 with ambidextrous safety and massive charging handle.

Like any CMMG AR, the FourSix is exceptionally well made. The receiver fit is tight, the castle nut is staked, and the handguard isn’t moving. Also, it uses the standard direct impingement system like every other rifle caliber AR-15.

The use of CMMG’s new micro length gas system and micro gas block make the FourSix a fascinating design that doesn’t require a blowback action. The FourSix is super lightweight at only five pounds and six ounces.

Using 4.6 for Home Defense

Is the CMMG FourSix the best choice for home defense? Best is relative, and I’d say a 5.56 rifle is likely best for most people. However, if you are a petite person, someone with strength issues, or disabled, I’m more likely to recommend the 4.6x30mm to the 5.56 or even the 9mm. If you don’t plan to train, the 4.6x30mm is also quite handy.

At the range, the gun barely even moved between shots. I started firing combating drills like failure to stop, box drills, and the VTAC 1-5 drill. The gun barely moves between shots. It handles like a loud 22 LR, to be honest. I could shoot blazingly fast and accurately. With the light recoil, my double-taps were nearly on top of each other.

For failure to stop drills, I was scoring below 1.5 seconds at 15 yards. I dropped rounds directly into the -0 of the head and chest of my targets. The super-light recoil and the non-existent muzzle rise make it very easy to control. The fact the gun is light and short also helps keep things sweet and easy to control. I can dump long strings of fire into the target with the gun barely moving.

Ballistic Capability

I might need that because, ultimately, the 4.6x30mm doesn’t have the energy of a 5.56, and expansion isn’t nearly as good as a 9mm. The main advantage is good penetration and the fact the round tumbles. The 4.6x30mm penetrates deep enough to kill but relies a lot on shot placement and lots of rounds. The 40 round magazines and easy-to-control design make it easy to put several rounds into an attacker with absolute ease.

I fired the 9mm Banshee side by side with the 4.6x30mm FourSix Banshee, and the difference in recoil is night and day. The 4.6x30mm delivers much lower recoil and gives me 40 angry little bees in the magazine. Handling the FourSix with a single hand shows a serious advantage to the 4.6x30mm in terms of control and accuracy.

The Navy SEALs, specifically DevGru guys, use the MP7 with the 4.6x30mm round and have put lots of bad guys in the ground. They went on the bin Laden raid and have turned lots of terrorists into good terrorists. According to the limited information on DevGru post-ops, it seems like more is better with the MP7. They often dump a controlled burst into the bad guy.

Does that mean it’s necessary? Well, maybe. But to be fair, if someone is worth shooting once, they are worth shooting over and over. You don’t shoot once, pause, and make sure the bad guy is still a bad guy. You can shoot a half dozen rounds in a second, which might be pretty tempting in a violent encounter.

Penetration Concerns

The big advantage of the 5.56 round is the fact that it tends to tumble and lose energy quickly through drywall. Buckshot and 9mm tend to keep popping through, but 5.56 tumbles. 4.6x30mm, in theory, should do the same. The little 4.6x30mm should strike, tumble, lose energy and help prevent overpenetration. The best way to prevent over-penetration is not to miss, and the CMMG FourSix makes that easy, but crap happens.

Call me a fan. I hope the CMMG FourSix becomes a success and more and more companies produce 4.6x30mm firearms. I want to see the price drop for ammunition, and I think the 4.6x30mm could be a great round, in short, PDW-type platforms. The CMMG FourSix will certainly help the 4.6’s case as a fantastic firearm.

Does the 4.6x30mm appeal to you? Yes? No? Let us know below what you think.

CMMG FourSix

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd1qAOms1zQ

Currently, there is a staggering selection of pistols that are very small and lightweight, carry quite a few rounds, and can easily be dropped into a pocket. It’s the trend these days, and many shooters eat them up. And for lots of people, these tiny pistols fill the bill nicely for defensive purposes. I have a couple of smaller pistols myself. In light of this, why would I choose a Glock 19X as my next handgun? Surely, there are lighter, smaller choices for concealment.

As mentioned, I already have that base covered, and I intended to fill another niche; I was after a fighting pistol that could allow me to prevail in a hostile environment. If that pistol happened to be relatively concealable, that would be an added bonus.

Let’s face it, if we’re expecting real trouble, we’re going to bring something a bit more serious than a pistol to the fight (better still, we’d avoid the fight altogether). That is assuming things are ideal. Which, thanks to Murphy’s Law, they usually are not. Pistol bullets are not efficient bad-guy-stoppers due to their generally low velocity.

On the other hand, it’s not always convenient or possible to have a long gun with us, and so the pistol is frequently the tool that we have to work with, which brings me to the point of this article.

Glock 19X

What is now the Glock 19X was initially submitted to the military as a competitor for their XM17 MHS (Modular Handgun System) a few years back. The point of the pistol was to be a standard-issue sidearm for use in enclosed spaces, such as with vehicle crew members, for example. The pistol needed to have substantial magazine capacity (it certainly does) and be supremely reliable (it certainly is). A manual safety was included on the military submissions, but Glock elected to omit the safety on the pistol that is sold to civilians.

Ultimately, the military chose the Sig P320 for reasons I won’t reiterate here, although the word on the street is that cost was the straw that broke the camel’s back. It’s likely that a book could be written about all the details of the Service Trials, and my purpose is not to plow that row again. Suffice to say, both the Sig and the Glock are great handguns, and I know many people who own and are happy with both brands. I really like the Glock for the reasons that I’m about to go into momentarily. The fact that well over half of the law enforcement agencies in the US (along with some military units) issue Glock firearms also doesn’t hurt.

Tech Specs

The technical specifications of the 19X are a barrel of 4.02 inches, weight (with empty magazine) is 24.83 ounces, and a height of 5.47 inches.

To simplify those dry technical specs above, the 19X has the grip of a Glock 17 and the slide of a Glock 19. Full-size grip, shorter slide.

At first, many in the shooting community came close to experiencing nervous breakdowns, and antacids were being consumed by the 55-gallon drumful to quell the indigestion that this caused. You see, many shooters wanted the opposite; a shorter grip (all the better to conceal the pistol with) and a longer slide (longer sight radius to hit faraway targets with).

But did they really know what they wanted? Fast forward to the present day, and we see that hordes of gun people are singing the praises of the 19X and its “backward” anatomy. I personally know a couple of dozen people who are in love with the 19X in a big way. Well, what in the world happened to turn peoples’ opinions around?

To better understand it, let’s harken back to around 1970 when the Combat Commander concept was put into the flesh (or, shall we say, into the steel). It comprised a 1911 with a…wait for it…full-sized grip and short slide!

The same concept applies to the Glock 19X (as well as the Glock 43X) as it did to the Combat Commander. A full-sized grip allows a good purchase on the grip as well as a full load of ammunition.

The shorter slide accomplishes a few things.

First, it clears the holster faster because there is obviously less slide to drag out of that holster, and in a gunfight, that fraction of a second could very well make all the difference. A faster draw stroke is always a Good Thing. The difference between the slide length of the G19 and the G17 is approximately one-half inch, with the G19 obviously being shorter.

Next, the shorter slide allows the shooter to index targets faster. Again, there is less slide to be swinging around, and at close range, the user can aim in faster. Is it a huge advantage? Not dramatically, but as with the faster draw stroke, we’re shaving fractions of a second off of our reaction time, and that can add up. As such, the shorter slide helps on both of these fronts.

Critics wailed about the shorter sight radius and how it would be detrimental to accuracy. The question one has to ask is, how far does he plan on engaging targets? Even at extended ranges, the Glock 19 length slide can engage as well as most other combat pistols out there, so the shorter slide is not a massive handicap. When weighing the pros and cons, I’ll go with the shorter slide because it’s handier, faster, and still gets the job done quite well, thank you very much!

Looking at all of these factors, Glock has not come up with a new, novel concept with the “X” series, in that it was invented decades ago. However, I give them credit for re-embracing the concept and incorporating it into their line of firearms. They went against the grain and came up with a better product for it.

As mentioned, if I were looking for a Glock to simply carry with defensive use and concealability in mind, I’d go with the Glock 43X (as a point of fact, that is exactly the route I went with) or a Glock 19. Both are capable pistols. However, because of the reasons mentioned earlier, I went with the 19X. This article is, therefore, a bit of a comparison, at least in the philosophies of the missions that pistols cover.

Glock 19X Extras

Backstraps

Four interchangeable backstraps are included with the 19X to fit various hand sizes and shapes—two for medium and two for large-sized hands. One each of the medium and large size have a beavertail configuration for users who wish for such a grip. I will say that these backstraps are very nice. They are  installed by driving out a pin in the grip of the pistol, snapping the backstrap into place, and then reinserting the pin. It’s easy enough to accomplish. Personally, I haven’t installed any of them, as I wanted the smallest grip possible for my medium-sized hands. The grip is already substantial and I did not wish to add any more length toward reaching the trigger.

That said, even my medium hands have no problem getting a nice grip on this 19X. For me, it’s not quite as comfortable as my 43X, which has a slimmer grip that I’ve found to be my very favorite grip among Glocks.

However, when firing the 19X, that extra grip girth gives the advantage of spreading out the recoil over a larger area, translating into better control. Not that the 9mm in a full-sized handgun is anywhere close to a problem to control, but more control is always better. The 19X’s grip does not have the finger grooves that some other Glock models have, and many of us are happy that they have been omitted. The RTF (Rough Textured Finish) is used on the grip, and it does a superb job of providing traction when gripping the pistol without being obnoxious to the skin.

Steel Sights

Other additional items come standard with the 19X, and these really put it ahead of other offerings from Glock. The first items that I was really excited about it coming standard with are steel night sights. Bravo, Glock! These should be standard with every single pistol that they sell. They are a very simple 3-dot affair that is powered by Tritium, and their nighttime glow is very bright.

All in all, I love these sights (in case you haven’t already picked up on my enthusiasm). Being steel construction, they are very robust and allow the pistol to perform in all conditions. One of the only things that Glock lovers complain about loudly is the Polymer sights that most of their pistols are equipped with, and Glock has eliminated that issue with the 19X.

Magazines

To sweeten the deal even more, Glock has included a total of three magazines with the 19X (most Glocks come with one spare magazine). These magazines deserve special mention because some thought has gone into them, and they are truly stellar. One is a 17-round, flush-fitting magazine, the same as their Glock 17 magazine, so there’s nothing earth-shattering here. However, the other two magazines have factory-installed +2 baseplates, bringing their capacity up to 19 rounds.

With one of these in the mag well and a round in the chamber, the user now has 20 rounds of 9mm on tap, and that’s nothing to sneeze at! With all the included magazines and a round in the chamber, we have 56 rounds with us.

These magazines all wear the same color as the 19X; Coyote Brown. The color coordination is nice and the overall color of the pistol and mags is quite fetching in my opinion. I’ll admit it’s part of what attracted me to the 19X initially. In this day and age of so many pistols being black, this color was a pleasant departure. The 19X’s slide wears a coating of nPVD that sort of resembles a bronze color and closely resembles the Coyote Brown, which prohibits corrosion. It seems to work well and be durable because I’ve not had an issue of corrosion with my pistol. And Glock is known for the durability of their finishes, so this one is good to go.

Getting back to the magazines, I really have to give serious kudos to Glock in this department, and not just for the 19X, but for all their pistols. I’ve been through a number of shooting schools and training over the years, and one thing has become blatantly apparent: Glock magazines can take one hell of an ass-kicking and come out on the other side asking for more. I’ve seen them slammed onto concrete floors during mag changes countless times and I’ve yet to see one give up the ghost. Magazines from other brands of pistols frequently are not even close in the durability department. For this, Glock gets the highest marks. Perhaps it’s the fact that they have a Polymer outer layer over top of the metal insert. It seems to absorb impacts better than magazines that only have metal construction.

Admittedly, the +2 extensions do add some length to the grip, and considering that this is a Glock 17 grip already, the length that they add is definitely going to affect concealability. In short, that grip with the mag extension is a handful, which is why Glock meant for these to be spare magazines, intended for use when the fecal matter hits the fan. I personally carry a standard magazine when carrying concealed and keep the 19-rounders as spares. Once a battle begins, and if a mag has to be changed, I’m not going to care how far the extension hangs out the bottom of that magwell. As it is, 17+1 rounds in a carry pistol is more than adequate.

One criticism that I have (as do many others) is that Generation 5 Glock magazines cannot be used in the 19X. This is because of a solid tab on the front of the magazine well, and the Gen 5 mags have a baseplate that sticks out, which won’t allow the magazine to seat in the 19X magwell. I was told that this tab on the grip was requested by the military. There is an easy fix: simply replace the Gen 5 baseplates with those of earlier generations, which would be an advantage if you have a pile of Gen 5 mags that you’d like to use in the 19X. As an aside, 19X mags will work in other Glock generations, including Gen 5 pistols.

More Features and Extras

One item that I removed immediately was the lanyard loop from the magwell, as I do not foresee having a need for it, and it would be more in the way than being of any use. Those in the military, especially operators working from heights or above water, would benefit from the lanyard loop to keep from losing the pistol.

There is an ambidextrous slide release, which many will consider to be a useful feature. Aside from lefties, many of us train to shoot from either side.

The trigger on the 19X is pretty good, as well. The takeup is smooth and the break is clean, making it a pleasure to use. No, it’s not a competition 1911 trigger that breaks like a glass rod, but for a striker-fired pistol, it is a joy. Especially when compared to the triggers from earlier Glocks, this one is much improved. The weight at which it breaks is around five pounds.

As with all other Glock pistols, the 19X comes in a plastic case. This particular one is Coyote Brown and matches the pistol and magazines perfectly. It comes complete with a magazine loader and a cleaning rod & brush, along with a gun lock. All in all, it rounds out the package nicely.

The GMB (Glock Marskman Barrel) comes standard, which Glock claims enhances the accuracy of their pistols. It appears to work well, as the 19X is a very accurate pistol. To put it bluntly, it’s just a very “shootable” pistol! The recoil is surprisingly soft, the action is super smooth, with minimal muzzle flip, and it just puts the rounds where you want them. Glock really hit a home run on this one!

At the Range

At the range, the 19X made an excellent showing. There were a series of steel plates that showed themselves and simply had to be engaged. With the 19X, I had an enjoyable time making them ring with regularity. At 20 yards, it was child’s play to ring them almost as fast as I could pull the trigger, proving that this pistol does precisely what it is intended to do, which is to rapidly and accurately engage targets.

As far as accuracy goes, the Glock 19X is more accurate than my aging eyes are. Groups of just over two inches at 25 yards from a rest are not unheard of, though, and better shooters will undoubtedly achieve better results than I’m capable of.

Some simple shooting drills proved that the 19X will engage multiple targets very quickly. Moving from target to target is a joy, given the short slide.

This pistol is a real joy to fire, and it really became addicting; we didn’t want to stop shooting! Unfortunately, with the state of ammunition being what it is these days (difficult to find and worth its weight in gold), we had to reign ourselves in far sooner than we’d have liked to. Ammo hoarding because of uncertain times is, at the time of this writing, a major thing.

That said, the 19X handles like a dream. It’s hard to explain, but it has a sort of unique feel to it, unlike most other Glocks. It seems that the hand-filling Glock 17 handle, coupled with the Glock 19 slide, gives it this unique feel. One description I’d use is that it feels “handy,” in that it is quick-handling, which I attribute to the shorter barrel. It just feels right. Beyond that, you’re going to have to try one out for yourself to truly get the feel of one.

The more I handle this pistol, the more I like it. The way it looks and handles is outstanding. I believe one major factor in the lack of recoil and smoothness in shooting is attributed to the double captive recoil spring that Glock is now using. The unit works like a charm, and the fact that the pistol is full-sized doesn’t hurt either, and goes a long way toward its soft shooting nature. As I remember back to the late 1980’s when I bought a Glock 17 when they first began being imported into the country, I marvel at how far they have advanced.

Is the Glock 19X superior to the Glock 19 and Glock 17?

For its intended role as a combat pistol, I believe so. It combines the best of both pistols without sacrificing much aside from the 19’s concealability.

Granted, the 19X is not the best pistol for concealed carry, but it certainly can be concealed. I’ve carried it on many occasions and had no major problem concealing it. These days, we’re spoiled with the tiny pistols that fit into a pocket, so some will consider the 19X to be the equivalent of a horse-drawn artillery piece. But those among us who hearken back to the days of the Sig P226, full-sized 1911s, and the Beretta M9, which we used to carry concealed, will scarcely have issues concealing the 19X.

Understand, I’ll not be carrying the 19X everywhere I go, as I have other handguns that fill the role better. But for certain situations, the 19X will be coming along with me, and that is comforting. Especially in colder weather when we wear bulky coats and for walks in the woods where concealment is not paramount. It is one of the most versatile, capable pistols on the market today as far as combat pistols are concerned.

Recently, the folks at We The People Holsters sent me one of their holsters for the 19X to review, and I’ve been carrying it in their holster (AIWB). I’m happy to report that the 19X carries well, although it is obviously heavier than my 43X and the butt of the grip extends out slightly more. Aside from that, it is not a problem to conceal and works well.

The extra mile that Glock went with the spare magazines, steel night sights, and the color really set this pistol apart from the company’s other offerings. At the time of this writing, my local gunshop had the 19X for $569. That’s around $100 more than most standard offerings from Glock. If we were to shop for those extra goodies and purchase them individually, the price tag would be well over $100, so the slightly higher price of the 19X is more than justified and represents a solid value. And even though this particular Glock is on the higher side for the company’s offerings, it’s still less expensive than many other combat pistols from other manufacturers on the market.

All in all, you’re getting an accurate combat pistol that is uber-reliable for a reasonable price. It handles like a dream and covers significant bases. The grip texture is comfortable and offers a solid purchase that cements it into the shooter’s hand. The extra features that are included just sweeten the deal that much more. Were I heading into trouble and had a choice of any pistol, the 19X would be my pick.

Give one a try, I’m pretty sure you’ll agree that the 19X is a champion, along with legions of other shooters who have already decided.

Glock Perfection might be the worst marketing Glock could use. Glocks are great guns, easily some of the simplest, most reliable firearms on the market. The problem is people love to tinker, so jokes about ‘Glock’ perfection are often made after someone slams a few hundred bucks in upgrades onto their Glock pistol. On top of that, the market for Gucci Glocks has grown. Why buy and a gun and do the upgrades yourself when someone else will do it for you? That’s exactly what Adam Arms did with the AA19, their Glock 19 clone.

I know what you’re thinking. Adam Arms is a AR 15 company. Yep, very true, they make some fantastic piston guns, and that’s more or less their bread and butter. Well, until now. Calling the AA19 a Glock 19 clone is underselling it since Adam Arms went a fair bit further than just making a clone. They started from the ground up to produce an extremely high-quality handgun that can trace its lineage to the Glock 19.

It’s like saying I’m a clone of my grandfather. We might share a common gene pool, but there are significant differences worth noting. Those differences are what we are going to talk about today.

How does the AA19 differ from the standard Glock 19?

Well, let’s find out.

The AA19 Trigger

“Just okay” perfectly describes your basic Glock trigger. It’s nothing fancy, but it works. Lots of people hate the sharp nature of the trigger and the safety dingus, and after a high round count day, I see why. The Glock trigger has never been bad. They are decidedly average, and that’s not bad praise for a stock gun.

The AA19 isn’t a stock gun — it comes with a Vickers Tactical Carry trigger. With this trigger, we get a metal trigger shoe, a flat face, and yes, we still get the safety dingus.

However, it’s a much more comfortable trigger overall. It doesn’t dig into your finger. The Vickers Tactical Carry trigger isn’t a crazy light trigger and is completely appropriate for defense or duty use.

It’s much smoother overall. Less grit and grime as it travels. We get a little take-up that’s noticeably smoother than the stock Glock trigger. The wall seems to take pounds to break, but just barely so. Overall the AA19 trigger is much smoother and superior to the Glock’s stock design.

The Entire Grip

The whole ass grip is better with the AA19. I won’t comment on finger groove because Glock wisely got rid of them on the Gen 5 guns. However, I will say the AA19’s use of the Polymer 80 grip module was wise. It’s not a pure PF940 grip and has been customized to Adam Arms standards.

We get the more American grip angle. By American, I mean 1911 like. Grip angle might not affect much besides personal comfort, but the difference bears mentioning. I prefer it personally.

The grip texture reaches extreme levels, stick, and stipple. The stock Glock grip texture is okay, but they get the stipple treatment for a reason—the AA19 rocks on with a very aggressive grip texture.

AA19 also did a double undercut with the trigger guard. It’s super aggressive and allows me to get my hand much higher on the gun. Seriously, at first grip, I thought they lengthened the grip. With a normal Glock 19, about half my pinky hangs over the edge of the grip.

With the AA19, my entire pinky sits on the grip. Outside of pinky height, the undercuts allow both my firing and support hand to get nice and high. A high grip means more control. That high grip works extremely well with the large beavertail at the rear of the grip. You can get your hand high without worrying about slide bite.

Seeing the Sights

Most of your Glock ranges from good to okay, but the sights, well, the sights just freakin’ suck. These plastic ‘target’ sights just plain suck. They always have, and I’m still surprised Glock clings to them.

Adam Arms utilizes a set of all black and all-metal sights from Ameriglo. Specifically, the Defoor EDC sights. These all-black sights are super easy to Dsee. All black sights aren’t for everyone, but I’m growing to like them.

The front sight is nice and thin, and the rear sight is wide enough to provide plenty of air between the sights.

This makes the sights both fast and accurate at longer ranges. It’s a great setup overall that feels excellent for both close quarters shooting and longer range stuff. Plus, they aren’t made of cheap plastic, so you can drop them without worry.

The Slide

AA19 uses a very Gucci-slide with deep cuts into the slide for both front and rear serrations that are angled rearward and very easy to grip and grab. Over the top, we see a slight shoutout to reduce slide weight and to certainly look cool. Not a bad place to put the cut if you plan on attaching a muzzle device to the threaded barrel. This ensures a little bit more balance in this situation.

Glock slides are Glock slides. I have no complaints, and I doubt other people do too. I like the look and feel of the AA19’s slide, but a standard Glock 19 slide won’t get me kilt in the streetz.

The AA19 comes optics-ready and can work with a variety of plates to accommodate a wide variety of optics, like an absolute ton of different optics including Trijicon, Vortex, Holosun, Burris, Docter, and so many more. The Glock 19 MOS series provides the same option, so you can mount a wide variety of optics to a stock Glock as well.

A Real Rail

Glock’s rail is, well, it’s a rail. It’s not exactly a Picatinny rail. It can also, on occasion, require the use of special keys, like in the case of the Streamlight series of pistol weapon lights. It works, but the standard 1913 Picatinny rail present on the AA19 is an actual universal rail system. No special keys are needed, and this gives you the Glock 19 that isn’t snowflake-like.

The Barrel

Finally, a barrel is often a barrel, but the AA19 does utilize a match-grade barrel for superior accuracy. The new Gen 5 Glock 19’s utilize the new Marksman’s barrel that also enhances accuracy. I’d say the barrel quality is the same, but the AA19 has a slight edge.

It comes with a threaded barrel. You can easily attach a suppressor or compensator to the gun and go full Gucci.

What about the price?

The Adam Arms AA19 has an MSRP of $999. That’s on the higher end of the pistol spectrum, admittedly. The Glock 19 MOS costs about $650 for the Gen 5 model. So it’s cheaper, but how much cheaper when you factor in the price of the extra accessories.

• Glock 19 MOS – $650
• Ameriglo Sights – $45
• Vickers Tactical Trigger – $41
• Adam Arms Threaded Barrel – $150
• Double Grip Undercut – $60
• Extended Magazine Release – $27.99
• Total Price – $973.99

This doesn’t count shipping or tax on the parts, pieces, and guns themselves. With that in mind, if you don’t want all the extras, then this doesn’t matter. You’ll have a competent pistol with the Glock 19 MOS. However, the Adam Arms 19 provides the extras at a reasonable price point if you want to take that route.

The good news is that capitalism provides options. With that said, which would you take? What accessories or features are a must-have for you? Let us know below!

Roller delayed blowback actions, and 9mms go together like extra cheese and pizza. The MP5 made it so, but since it’s not the 1980s, we’ve moved well beyond the 1911 or SMGs and PCCs. For example, we have the JP5. The JP5 is an AR-based roller delayed 9mm rifle designed with PCC competitions in mind. Obviously, JP5 sounds a lot like MP5, but JP Enterprises produces the rifle, so it’s clever marketing that happens to make sense.

If you’re not familiar with JP Enterprises, you are missing out. They build fantastic rifles that are often the cream of the crop in some competition circuits. The GMR-15 is used by something like over 20% of USPSA PCC shooters. The JP5 is a premium-grade follow-up of that rifle that tosses in a roller-delayed blowback system. Don’t get me wrong. JP Enterprises makes more than PCCs and competition guns. They have duty-grade rifles, AR 15s, AR 10s, bolt actions, 22LRs. Hell, just go check them out.

Let’s get back to the JP5. There are three models of this gun, the All-Purpose, the Competition, and the Steel Challenge model. I have the Competition model that has an MSRP of $3,269 dollars. Yep, it’s an expensive gun, but it should be noted it’s not your standard PCC for plinking and range use. It’s a serious competition-grade gun and is priced accordingly.

Why a roller delayed system?

We all know simple blowback works exceptionally well and provides a reliable operating system for a pistol-caliber carbine. The downside to a blowback system is the rather harsh recoil it delivers. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not like a 12 gauge or even painful in any way. However, the recoil is excessive for a pistol caliber. Direct blowback systems also require heavy bolts, or heavy buffer springs, or a combination of the two.

The JP5 uses a roller delayed system to reduce that recoil and eliminate the need for a heavy buffer spring or a heavy bolt. JP5 builds the rollers into the bolt of the weapon, and two rollers help delay the bolt from moving until chamber pressure drop to a safe enough level. It’s a neat system and compared to the Garrow Arms solutions, and it’s a fair bit simpler.

Beyond the Roller Delay

This isn’t a 3,000 dollar AR 9 packed with a roller delayed system and then a bunch of average parts and pieces. No, everything installed into the JP5 Competition rifle is premium grade. Starting at the barrel, the JP5 gives us a 14.5-inch stainless steel barrel with a massive compensator that’s pin and welded. However, it really looks like it’s a one-piece design. It’s insanely well done and installed/pinned in place well.

The handguard is this massive JP Enterprises MKIII Rapid Configuration. It’s a big aluminum tube with M-LOK slots and a number of lightening holes. The handguard comes textured heavily, is lightweight, and provides an ergonomic option for mounting accessories and getting a grip. The furniture comes from Hogue and includes an adjustable stock as well as a Hogue pistol grip.

The ergonomics, in general, are absolutely fantastic. The JP5 comes with completely ambidextrous controls. The magazine release, the bolt release, and the safety come ready for right or left-handed shooters. On top of that, the charging handle is a massive Radian Raptor and makes charging and clearing the weapon easy enough. The gun comes with last round bolt hold-open device and a beveled magazine well for quick reloads.

At 6.1 pounds, it’s lightweight and is very handy. It’s what a PCC should be — light, easy to handle, and incredibly ergonomic. The design from the ground up is for competition, and it certainly shows. That being said, it’s tough not to say the JP5 couldn’t be adopted for home defense.

At the Range

Holy crap, the JP5 is the lightest recoiling PCC I’ve ever handled. I tossed a Holosun AEMS on the gun, and my first few shots were zeroing the optic to the weapon. From the first shot, I was impressed by just how well the light recoiling the weapon was. It’s absolutely delightful. I was firing three rounds slowly to zero the gun, and the JP5 was also incredibly accurate.

One three-shot group was so tight I thought I initially missed two of the three rounds until I got close to the target. Zeroing took all of 9 rounds, including my confirmation group. Once we zeroed in, it was time to light it up.

With a variety of fun targets setup, I committed to blasting through way too much 9mm. The JP5 trigger is the JP EZ trigger, and it’s incredibly light, short, and smooth. The trigger is 3.5 pounds on the light side, and that certainly contributes to the gun’s accuracy and helps you shoot it rapidly and accurately. Dishing out rapid double taps or long strings of fire in an accurate manner is easy.

I Wanna Go Fast

I fired five-round strings as fast as I possibly could at a 6-inch gong and landed all five shots with ease over and over again. That trigger is absolutely fantastic, and running fast splits wasn’t an issue. I ran through four gongs from 10 to 4 inches and did so in slightly less than three seconds. I did snapshots at 25 yards on the head of an ISPC target in under a second with repeatable accuracy.

Sub three-second failure to stop drills wasn’t an issue, neither was a PCC modified Bill Drill. I shot the Bill Drill from 14 yards, starting at the low ready, and scored all six shots in the A-zone for the majority of my runs and did it right around 3 seconds for each run. With more time behind the gun, I’m sure I could trim a bit of time off of that.

The reason you can go so fast with the JP5 involves the roller delayed system making it nearly recoil-free and the massive compensator that keeps the gun almost entirely still between shots. Seriously, my red dot barely rises off between shots, making it extremely controllable for fast and accurate shots on target. It’s crazy easy to control, and the JP5 is fantastic in that department.

Shooting Straight

The JP5 delivers some awesome accuracy as well. The stainless steel barrel certainly helps, as does the outstanding trigger. At 100 yards, your average 9mm PCC is challenged, but the JP5 seems to persevere. I used the AEMS reticle to elevate the dot and to compensate for bullet drop. I put the dot on the head of the IPSC target, and the rounds dropped right into his chest.

This was from the standing, and I went five for five in under 10 seconds at 100 yards with the JP5. My time was 7.59 seconds, and I felt quite good about that time. The fact that the gun barely rises between shots makes it easy to stay on target.

At 50 yards, I went against a standard paper IPSC target in a supported kneeling position and fired three rounds. All three landed in the A-zone of the head of the target, and I stopped there. I didn’t want to ruin my streak at that point. I think the JP5 is one of the more practically accurate guns for competitive use.

Pop, Bang, Pow

The JP5 is accurate, fast, ergonomic, and also reliable. I dived through four hundred rounds of 9mm without a single complaint. When I pulled the trigger, the gun went bang. It didn’t matter the ammo or the magazine. The gun worked fine with ETS, KCI, Magpul, and Glock OEM magazines.

I love this gun. It’s so easy to handle and shoot. It makes me feel like I’m a better shooter than I actually am. I feel like it’s going to be tough to go back to a standard rifle after handling the JP5. It’s superbly sweet, and I can see why it demands such a high price point.