Gone are the days of buying a pistol and simply enjoying it.
Welcome to the age of Gucci Glocks, where he who has the gun with the most mods wins.
Faxon Firearms has jumped into the Gucci market with a new line, the FX-19, a compact 9mm pistol that is essentially a Glock 19 with no Glock parts. So it’s a Glock. But it’s not a Glock.
I got a pair, got them to the range for a full test, and am going to tell you everything you need to know on how to be the ultimate Gucci Glock hipster.
Check out my full video review:
Editor: If that was awesome, give Johnny’s YouTube Channel some love. And get ready for weekly vids from the Hill Person himself.
Now onto the written review!
Faxon Firearms
Cincinnati-based Faxon has come on strong in recent years, and their AR barrels are used throughout the industry.
They do their own machining in-house, and it was just a matter of time before they came out with a full pistol.
American made, which I like.
The Patriot
The FX-19 line has two models. Up first is the Patriot which is designed for concealed carry.
The slide truly stands out. Serrations all around for your John Wick press checks, and the slide is already cut to accept an RMR or Holosun.
Front site is a fiber optic and is easy to locate. The Patriot comes with a match-grade stainless steel barrel that Faxon makes in-house, and ships with a 15-round magazine.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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The Hellfire
The Patriot’s big brother is the Hellfire.
The frame and slide are the same dimensions as the Patriot, but the Hellfire has a flared low-profile magwell, suppressor-height sights, and a threaded stainless steel match-grade barrel.
It ships with an extended 20-round magazine. The slide has serrations and is RMR ready.
Hellfire also has three substantial cutouts which decrease weight, increase slide cycling speed, and give keyboard warriors an opportunity to complain about getting dirt inside the slide.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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The Frame
The FX-19 is not is just another Polymer 80 build. The Patriot has a custom polymer frame with a 1911-style grip angle and excellent grip texture.
Featuring the Overwatch Precision Trigger and it is doggone heavenly. Take-up is medium length.
Break is crisp. But boy oh boy the reset is short. Yuge upgrade from a stock Glock trigger. And I like the red.
The Cases
Talking about how guns are shipped is usually lame-o.
But Faxon has brought the heat with the FX-19 cases. They are TSA approved and the foam is cut perfectly.
I think folks will enjoy actually using the cases instead of sitting them on a shelf next to the other Glock OEM cases.
The Range
We all know how Glocks are at the range. We know they are as accurate as the shooter, and personally, I know how Faxon barrels perform.
So for this test I was primarily interested in the overall feel and reliability of the new Faxon platform.
I did mag dump after mag dump and used Blazer brass ammo because I trust it and the OEM mags that came with the pistols.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Reliability
Spoiler alert: zero misfeeds and zero misfires. No problems to report.
The slides locked back every time minus one, which is excellent considering the springs are all new.
Both pistols functioned perfectly.
The Best
Besides the trigger and the aesthetics…and let’s be honest these guns are friggen gorgeous…my favorite is the ergonomics.
The double undercut trigger guard and side gas pedals make for solid purchase for your mitts.
I also like the grip texture and getting ahold of the FX-19 is just rad. Looks good and feels good.
The Worst
So much for my ergonomics praise, cause I got some serious slide bite. Was bleeding after the first mag.
This lessened after I lowered my grip, but I just wasn’t a fan of having to move away from my normal grip.
Keep in mind that I’m built like an orangutan, and folks with large hands often have a little trouble with slide bite from Glock and P80 style frames.
One My Little Pony band-aid and I was back in business.
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Need More Data
New guns are just that: new.
This line just hit the market and it will be some time before folks have enough rounds through them for us to really know how they perform.
We need testers, reviewers, and regular Joes to get 100K cumulative rounds down range. I’m doing my part!
Bottom Line
The FX-19 has a hefty price tag, especially for folks who only see a Glock with window dressing. But for those who want serious upgrades, the FX-19s are ready to go on day one.
No need to send the frame out for stippling, upgrade the trigger and sights, and send the slide out for serrations or an RMR cut.
The Patriot and Hellfire are Gucci-ready right out of the box, and the overall price is significantly less than many one-off custom Glocks.
By the Numbers
Reliability: 5/5
It’s a Glock…it runs. Well, it’s not a Glock, but it still runs.
Ergonomics: 4/5
The grip texture and undercuts feel fantastic. This would be 5 out of 5 if not for the slide bite I experienced, albeit because of big hands. But overall, the guns feel great and the slides are easy to grip from the front or rear.
Accuracy: 4/5
While the FX-19 is not a precision shooter, the match grade barrels in the right hands can do some serious groups. Perfectly accurate for home defense, conceal carry, or for suppressed fun at the range.
Customization: 5/5
The Patriot and Hellfire accept Glock aftermarket parts and there is no end to the nonsense guys will add to their guns. Have at it, boys.
Value: 4/5
As mentioned above, the price is hefty, but there is value in the overall package. Buying a stock Glock and subbing out the slide, trigger, and grip work would be higher priced than the FX-19 in most cases. Expensive, yes, but it’s a Gucci Glock, not a Hi-Point Glock.
Overall: 4/5
Solid value. Fantastically reliable. Great looks. I do want to get more rounds through it, but overall I’m happy.
Parting Shots
It’s a polymer framed, striker-fired 9mm.
If you are on a budget, go buy a Glock and enjoy it.
But if the hipster life is calling you, and you have the discretionary income, the FX-19 line is solid. Plus it has a red trigger.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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What is your take on Not-A-Glocks? Let us know in the comments! Looking to fill in that RMR cut – check out the Best Pistol Red Dots!
13 Leave a Reply
I purchased the Patriot model. I liked the fact that it was a 9MM and weighed 20oz empty. 8 oz lighter than the Glock and 18 oz lighter than my favorite Kimber 1911. Not sure what employee or what day mine was built but after 150 rounds screws started falling out of it. I assume do to no Loctite being use. I benched it also at 20 feet and it did shoot a ferly tight group. 95 % hit 1 inch to the left and 2 inch's low. Four days now trying to get any kind of support to get a replacement screw and no one has called or E-mailed me back from Faxon. So what good is there life time warranty if you can't contact anyone. Love the gun just not the support for a pistol that's over a 1000.00 dollars.
My Son in law works for Faxon and says he can get me a really good deal on either gun, that being said im not a big Glock fan. I just dropped 1,175 on a sig 226 legion that I love. Im waiting on them to get one in at the range I can rent and try, but I dont see spending what they want for either of these. I already have an edc that I like well.
I never was a fan of the Glock either, I don't like striker fire guns and that trigger safety...thing, what is that about? Yeah, yeah guys are telling me their finger is the safety and sadly I have to remind people that humans are the biggest reason for safety devices, that includes their fingers. The thing I never understood was Fanchi came out with a true combat safety back in the eighties and had it on their SPAS-12 assault shotgun. A marvel of human engineering and no one has ever tried to incorporate it into a handgun.
Now if you are a Glock fan, that's fine, just don't try and lead me to a saving knowledge of the stinking Glock. I don't force my guns on anyone else and I expect the same from everyone else.
What's that? What gun do I carry? I carry the FNX .45 Tactical a seriously bad ass pistol, external hammer, thumb safety, no damn trigger safety and fifteen rounds of rock'em, sock'em .45 caliber power. Glock boys can't work it because they think guns aren't suppose to have safeties or hammers.
In ballistic industry, NIJ is considered to be the leader in testing methods for body armor, and the HOSDB’s is considers best at stab and spike tests. Also NIJ and the HOSDB work together with each other on their testing methods. It is accepted if a piece of body armor that passes NIJ standards will also pass the equivalent HOSDB standard.
Don't like glocks. Don't like the trigger. But like a steel gun.
Nice review and sweet looking Glock. But I have to agree with most here, $1500??? C'mon.
My Sig P320 is by far a better deal Shooters "Gun of the year" and you can take it home for about $500 or less. While it doesn't hold a passel of rounds (10+1) it does the job I expect for my everyday concealed carry. Those kind of prices are what I paid for a "STEEL" 1911 Para Black-Op's. I don't think there is a $1500 Polymer pistol worth that, even if I had the extra cash. But best of luck Faxon!
1300-1500 for a glock. ok, cool no dif then a wilson combat 45. or an ed brown or a kimber. well except its a 45acp and they are steal so you dont have to worry about your dog thinking its a toy to chew on. i will add to the bottom of my "i wont the lottery and can buy a small thirdworlchithole" list. thanks for the review
I'll buy another G-20 and a third G-32....have about $400.00 for ammo.
Gun writers all the same...like politicians.....much talk, no action.
$1500.00 for a Glock copy?
Cz sp01 phantom already has better ergo, no slide bite no matter how high you grip it, probably a trigger that's on par(for sa), comes standard with sandpaper on the sides, and it's not a glock so big plus there. Not to mention it's a 3rd the price
Sorry, I don’t have $1500 to spare for a toy. More power to those who do. But Faxon needs to ask themselves this: why in the world would anyone pay $1500 for almost-a-Glock when anyone in the world can spend $1500 and get three Glocks?
Faxon, I’d pay $500 - a reasonable price - to try your almost-a-Glock, but I see no reason to make your house payment too.
1300-1500 really? really? Like the car dealers say “there’s a ass for every seat”
Yup
Kinda ugly to me. Maybe they should have added “Grip Zone” also to a very over decorated sideshow pistol. I like plain looking guns without all the science fiction crap. Just my take so don’t pay attention to me if you think it is lovely. One plus: I guess with all those cutouts the police will have a hard time adding scroll numbers when they confiscate it.