The Rex Delta Pistol

A Force to be Reckoned With

Late in 2018, Arex organized a press junket in Slovenia to promote a new firearm they were about to release. The trip included a factory tour and a range day to promote the Rex Delta, a polymer-framed, striker-fired 9mm handgun, roughly the size of a Glock 19.

Having spent more than half my life in this industry, with a good measure of that in the import and export game, I was expecting to see another clone of another pistol that would maybe cost a few dollars less. Nothing could have been further from the truth. The Arex Rex Delta Pistol is an entirely new design from the ground up. Similarities to the Glock 19 will be drawn, of course, but that’s just a base form of reference.

Then, as most of us might’ve already assumed, there’s the Slovenian factor.

With no knowledge of Slovenia, other than it was part of the former Yugoslavia and declared its independence around 1990, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Arex’s U.S. importer and distributor, FIME Group, has always had an eye for great products.

Visions of a third-world factory with workers turning out firearms on machinery made before the Second World War swirled in my head. While I was impressed with the company’s previous offerings that are very similar to the SIG P226, I had no idea how these firearms were made.

What we saw was one of the most advanced gun-making facilities I had ever seen, staffed by 120 hardworking and enthusiastic employees. Their products seem well made, are reportedly reliable, and have great potential in the concealed carry and law enforcement markets.

The mandrel used for making barrels was particularly impressive to witness in action. One of the employees mentioned Arex used the same process to make barrels for FNH. A bit skeptical at first, further research proved this was part of a contract for the Slovenian Army and their purchase of 14,000 FN F2000 rifles a few years ago.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

One of the first things that catch your eye when looking at the pistol are the aesthetic front and rear cocking serrations. Normally, I’m not a fan of front cocking serrations as they ruin the classic lines of most pistols, but the serrations on the Rex Delta’s slide have a very appealing elliptical look to them.

The frame looks a bit unusual, with molded bumps here and there. The name “delta” in the molded plastic grip frame appeared a bit NASCAR-ish, and there’s some rough textured stippling near the top. It looks like it’d need a custom stippling or texturing job before anything else.

Surprisingly, it’s very comfortable and feels like shaking hands with an old friend. The Rex Delta also ships with four interchangeable backstraps in order to provide a custom fit for an individual shooter’s hand.

However, the highlight of the Delta is the way it breaks down. Pull the slide slightly to the rear, push down the two front tabs, push the slide forward, and take it off. There’s no need to pull the trigger or push down on an internal lever as one would do with a Glock or Smith & Wesson M&P. To reassemble, you simply place the slide on the frame and pull it rearward.

CONTROLS

There’s a provision to add a manual safety. However, the pistols won’t ship with one. This option is in anticipation of requirements from police departments or folks who live in states where a manual safety is required on semi-automatic handguns.

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