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Strike Arms Compact Pistol Frame: Your Next “Glock” Build?
Just before we all headed out to Vegas for SHOT Show this year, Strike Industries announced its new firearms division, Strike Arms. It was only a matter of time before we saw a serialized firearm come from Strike, as it has been producing some of the most popular aftermarket parts and accessories for various platforms for years.
Enter the new Strike Arms Pistol Compact Frame (SAP-C).
Strike on Strike looks good.
While Strike Industries has all the parts you could imagine to build out your SAP-C, you can also simply throw on a Glock 19 Gen3 slide assembly and call it a day. And if you’re like me, you already have plenty of Glock magazines lying around, so you won’t have to worry about stocking up on any…well, unless you want to. Who am I to tell you not to buy more?!
But is it too late in the game to enter the aftermarket Glock frame space? Let’s take a closer look at the SAP-C, and then you can decide.
First Impressions
My first thought upon picking the SAP-C out of the box was how hefty and solid it felt. It is not heavy, but it feels exceptionally well-built, especially compared to some of the other frames I’ve handled.
The frame came assembled and ready for a slide.
It comes fully assembled with all the internal lower components installed so that you can plug and play with your compatible Gen 3 slide assembly. The finish was on point; you can tell that Strike Arms paid attention to all the little details.
A Closer Look
Starting at the bottom, you’ll notice a slightly flared magwell, and directly above it, you’ll see the start of semi-aggressive texturing that wraps around most of the grip. It’s not overly aggressive like some custom stipple jobs are, but it provides solid purchase with minimal effort.
Any bit of flare helps for reloads.
Moving upwards, you’ll find a double undercut trigger guard, an extended beaver tail, and scalloped areas for your thumb(s) that all come together for a pleasantly ergonomic feel.
Remember I mentioned Strike paid attention to the small details? The grip angle was even considered and made to resemble a 1911 closer. Additionally, Dynamic Control cuts are made near the front, which helps mitigate recoil. Once you add those two features, the pistol becomes easier to keep on target. The trigger is nothing to write home about, but let’s be honest, a standard Glock trigger isn’t either, so don’t expect much different.
I love an undercut trigger guard
Lastly, you have an accessory rail to mount most of your favorite lights or lasers. On paper and from handling the frame, the SAP-C has the makings for success.
Final Thoughts
As you’ve likely noticed, I’ve paired the SAP-C with a Strike Industries slide and barrel to get the full “Strike experience,” but I haven’t taken it to the range yet since I’m still deciding on which sights and optic to run. I’ve mounted a Swampfox red dot for now, but that can quickly change before the first range trip.
Picking sights can be a tough decision.
The term “you get what you pay for” popped into my head as I wrote this, as it’s not the cheapest frame on the block, but it also feels more premium than many others. Once I get some trigger time with the SAP-C, I’ll report back if there are any genuine issues to note. If I don’t update the article, you can assume I’m too busy having fun at the range.
So, I’ll leave you with the question from the beginning of the article to answer for yourself. Do you think it’s too late for the SAP-C to enter the market and be successful against the plethora of competition? If you’re on the fence, trying one out for yourself never hurts!
As always, stay safe, train hard, and have fun.
