I just got back from shooting a couple of new Glock 19 clones. The Palmetto State Armory Dagger my daughter just picked up, and my new Shadow System MR920 Elite. I just thought I would give a quick report on these.
Dagger:
PSA really did their homework on this. I can tell you I would take this over my old gen 3 Glock even if the price was the same. The grip angle and texture are so much better than the gen3 or gen 5. The grip texture is much like a Sig P320 which I think is perfect. The grip is not small but my daughter with small hands still thinks it is the most comfortable. Guys with big hands will find the grip a little crowded, just like on a G19, but PSA has a long grip version for you (like a G45). Recoil is identical to the gen 3 Glock but the superior grip makes it a bit easier to control.
The sights are a simple steel 3-dot arrangement. Nothing amazing but much better than the Glock plastic bucket sights. The trigger was a nice surprise. It is not an amazing trigger, but its easily better than the gen3. I wasn't sure how I would feel about the hinged trigger but I honestly don't notice it. The pull is smoother than my gen 3, but less smooth than the gen 5. Reset is between the two as well. I hear the excellent and affordable Overwatch Precision PolyDAT works in the Dagger if the factory trigger isn't good enough for you.
I think the Dagger is nicer to look at than the Glocks. The angular slide with carry cuts is nice looking and nicely machined. A little CZ P07-esque. They have optics cut versions for a small premium as well as different cuts and finishes.
If I had to nit-pick I would complain about the gas pedal cut as my thumb would just slip off every shot. They have a notch on the front of the trigger guard that locks in your off-hand index finger. I know nobody teaches shooting with that finger on the trigger guard anymore but it really works on this pistol. Another nit-pick is how much the magazine wobbles front to back in the mag well. Doesn't effect function at all, just seems excessive.
Hard to believe this gun was purchased under $300 (Buying the slide and frame separately on separate weekend deals she has about $300 in with tax, shipping, and transfer)! The pistol has been 100% reliable for us so far and it shoots very well. When people come asking for a $300 or less gun recommendation I finally have something to give them that doesn't make me cringe. It’s an incredible value.
Shadow Systems MR920 Elite
For those unfamiliar, Shadow systems is a Texas company making Glock clones with all the upgrades people do to Glocks after the fact. They do charge a premium price tag over Glock, but cost a lot less than buying a Glock and upgrading. They probably have the best optic mounting system out there, at the expense of modifying the proven Glock extractor. They also give a very complete package with a nice case, magwell, all hardware and thread lock to mount an optic, and even a tool to help swap out the backstraps.
Instead of a small-med-lg backstrap they have different angles. The high angle is very Glock-like, the medium is much like my CZ P10c or PPQ, and the low is close to a 1911. With the low grip module installed this gun is a very natural pointer for me. The grip texture is perfect like the P320 or the Dagger, but a bit more aggressive. I see every gun company going to something like this soon as it never hurts and never slips.
The sights are among the best I have used except the pistol hits low with a normal hold. You have to do the Euro hold where the dot is centered on the target and still it hits slightly low of center. I may check with SS to see if that is normal or if it can be addressed.
The pistol’s looks are about as subtle as a lime green Lamborghini with all the slide cuts and windows, and the unique barrel plating (copper colored), but I think it looks amazing! That said I can’t wait to see it and use it all blacked out with the Radian Ramjet/Afterburner I have on order.
Recoil feels snappy as the gun is noticeably lighter than the G19 with the fluted barrel and all the slide cuts. In fact, I installed a TLR7a and the SS still weighs LESS than the Glock with no light! Still it is very controllable. Again I can't wait to see how the Ramjet/Afterburner effects this. With my Omega 9K mounted recoil was very soft.
Any downsides?
Well, the trigger is supposed to be premium, and does have a nice aluminum shoe, but the pull is really no better than the G19 gen 5 in my book (though it is worlds better than the gen 3 and easily beats the Dagger as well). It has a shorter pull and reset but is not as smooth as the gen 5. I may go to a Johnny Glock or something like that someday -or maybe not. It is not a bad trigger, but it’s no PPQ/PDP either. One of the Pmags included with the pistol has an issue where the follower hangs up in the tube but I won’t blame SS for that. My main complaint with the MR920 is the 200 round break-in. I only had a couple hiccups (both FTRB) in the first couple mags but a break-in seems unnecessary for a polymer pistol in this day and age.
Is it worth the premium?
It is better than the G19 gen5 in most ways, especially the sights, optic cut, and grip (angle, texture, and more), while the Glock recoils smoother and softer. I only paid $791, or about $150 more than a gen 5 MOS so for me it was worthwhile just for the sights, grip angle, and threaded barrel so I can run a suppressor. Everyone that handles it falls in love, starting with me, so I would say it was worth it. Next step is the 507C X2 with ACSS Vulcan reticle.
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Dagger:
PSA really did their homework on this. I can tell you I would take this over my old gen 3 Glock even if the price was the same. The grip angle and texture are so much better than the gen3 or gen 5. The grip texture is much like a Sig P320 which I think is perfect. The grip is not small but my daughter with small hands still thinks it is the most comfortable. Guys with big hands will find the grip a little crowded, just like on a G19, but PSA has a long grip version for you (like a G45). Recoil is identical to the gen 3 Glock but the superior grip makes it a bit easier to control.
The sights are a simple steel 3-dot arrangement. Nothing amazing but much better than the Glock plastic bucket sights. The trigger was a nice surprise. It is not an amazing trigger, but its easily better than the gen3. I wasn't sure how I would feel about the hinged trigger but I honestly don't notice it. The pull is smoother than my gen 3, but less smooth than the gen 5. Reset is between the two as well. I hear the excellent and affordable Overwatch Precision PolyDAT works in the Dagger if the factory trigger isn't good enough for you.
I think the Dagger is nicer to look at than the Glocks. The angular slide with carry cuts is nice looking and nicely machined. A little CZ P07-esque. They have optics cut versions for a small premium as well as different cuts and finishes.
If I had to nit-pick I would complain about the gas pedal cut as my thumb would just slip off every shot. They have a notch on the front of the trigger guard that locks in your off-hand index finger. I know nobody teaches shooting with that finger on the trigger guard anymore but it really works on this pistol. Another nit-pick is how much the magazine wobbles front to back in the mag well. Doesn't effect function at all, just seems excessive.
Hard to believe this gun was purchased under $300 (Buying the slide and frame separately on separate weekend deals she has about $300 in with tax, shipping, and transfer)! The pistol has been 100% reliable for us so far and it shoots very well. When people come asking for a $300 or less gun recommendation I finally have something to give them that doesn't make me cringe. It’s an incredible value.
Shadow Systems MR920 Elite
For those unfamiliar, Shadow systems is a Texas company making Glock clones with all the upgrades people do to Glocks after the fact. They do charge a premium price tag over Glock, but cost a lot less than buying a Glock and upgrading. They probably have the best optic mounting system out there, at the expense of modifying the proven Glock extractor. They also give a very complete package with a nice case, magwell, all hardware and thread lock to mount an optic, and even a tool to help swap out the backstraps.
Instead of a small-med-lg backstrap they have different angles. The high angle is very Glock-like, the medium is much like my CZ P10c or PPQ, and the low is close to a 1911. With the low grip module installed this gun is a very natural pointer for me. The grip texture is perfect like the P320 or the Dagger, but a bit more aggressive. I see every gun company going to something like this soon as it never hurts and never slips.
The sights are among the best I have used except the pistol hits low with a normal hold. You have to do the Euro hold where the dot is centered on the target and still it hits slightly low of center. I may check with SS to see if that is normal or if it can be addressed.
The pistol’s looks are about as subtle as a lime green Lamborghini with all the slide cuts and windows, and the unique barrel plating (copper colored), but I think it looks amazing! That said I can’t wait to see it and use it all blacked out with the Radian Ramjet/Afterburner I have on order.
Recoil feels snappy as the gun is noticeably lighter than the G19 with the fluted barrel and all the slide cuts. In fact, I installed a TLR7a and the SS still weighs LESS than the Glock with no light! Still it is very controllable. Again I can't wait to see how the Ramjet/Afterburner effects this. With my Omega 9K mounted recoil was very soft.
Any downsides?
Well, the trigger is supposed to be premium, and does have a nice aluminum shoe, but the pull is really no better than the G19 gen 5 in my book (though it is worlds better than the gen 3 and easily beats the Dagger as well). It has a shorter pull and reset but is not as smooth as the gen 5. I may go to a Johnny Glock or something like that someday -or maybe not. It is not a bad trigger, but it’s no PPQ/PDP either. One of the Pmags included with the pistol has an issue where the follower hangs up in the tube but I won’t blame SS for that. My main complaint with the MR920 is the 200 round break-in. I only had a couple hiccups (both FTRB) in the first couple mags but a break-in seems unnecessary for a polymer pistol in this day and age.
Is it worth the premium?
It is better than the G19 gen5 in most ways, especially the sights, optic cut, and grip (angle, texture, and more), while the Glock recoils smoother and softer. I only paid $791, or about $150 more than a gen 5 MOS so for me it was worthwhile just for the sights, grip angle, and threaded barrel so I can run a suppressor. Everyone that handles it falls in love, starting with me, so I would say it was worth it. Next step is the 507C X2 with ACSS Vulcan reticle.
