Clint introduces the topic of “Glock perfection” at Take Aim Training and Range and sets up a comparison between several striker-fired pistols. On the table are the Glock 19X, Shadow Systems MR920, ZEV OZ9, and a pistol representing the Marine Corps’ adopted SIG M18, part of the M17/M18 military contract. The Glock 19X is described as Glock’s submission for that contract. Clint notes that the 19X did not fully meet the Department of Defense requirements, such as a manual safety and a modular frame, while the SIG design ultimately won. He emphasizes that this is not a Glock bashing session, acknowledging Glock’s reputation for highly reliable pistols, and prepares to start shooting and evaluating the guns on the range.
Clint loads a 20-round magazine for the Glock 19X, noting that it ships with one 17-round and two 20-round magazines, providing substantial capacity. He highlights the integrated night sights as a meaningful improvement over standard Glock factory sights. On the range, the 19X feels good in the hand, combining the shorter Glock 19-length barrel with a Glock 17-length grip, which aids control and allows the higher-capacity magazines. He remarks that the pistol functions as expected from a Glock. All the pistols on the table are striker-fired, and he briefly explains striker operation by comparing it to a spring-loaded ballpoint pen. Examining the 19X trigger, he observes some take-up before the break and a reset with a bit of travel, judging it acceptable and somewhat improved over earlier Glock triggers like his Gen 4 Glock 19.
Attention shifts to the SIG M18, described as essentially the militarized version of the P320 with a shorter barrel than the M17, as preferred by the Marine Corps. Clint mentions that, as a Marine Corps reservist in a support unit, he expects to keep using the M9 rather than seeing the M18 in service. On the range, he immediately appreciates the front slide serrations for press checks and the presence of a Picatinny rail instead of Glock’s proprietary accessory rail, while noting that most common weapon lights like SureFire and Streamlight work on both. The M18 includes a factory optics cut, a feature not present on the Glock 19X in this comparison. He finds the 9mm recoil impulse of the SIG slightly more pleasant than the Glock, with a similar configuration of shorter barrel and full-size grip. The M18 adds a manual safety and ambidextrous slide release, along with integrated night sights whose finer rear dots make the front sight easier to pick up. He also likes the slide stop placement, which prevents his strong-hand thumb from riding it, a problem he has experienced with Glock slide releases.
Clint moves to the Shadow Systems MR920, previously discussed in another video. The pistol is equipped with a Trijicon RMR, but he leaves the optic turned off to focus on the factory sights. Unlike the Glock 19X and SIG M18, the MR920 uses an illuminated or luminescent front sight with a plain rear, still providing a clear sight picture and fast target acquisition. He clarifies that the MR920 uses a Glock 19-size frame, while another pistol on the table has a Glock 17-length frame, affecting magazine compatibility. On the range, the MR920 feels good, and its trigger is noticeably better than a standard Glock trigger. He describes the recoil as somewhat snappy, attributing this to the pistol’s light weight and extensive slide cuts and milling. The reduced mass makes the gun easier to carry but can increase perceived recoil. At the same time, the lighter slide may cycle faster, influencing how the recoil feels. Examining the trigger, he notes a semi-flat face, a clean break after some pressure, and a short, positive reset that should improve further with more use.
Finally, Clint evaluates the ZEV Technologies OZ9, the most expensive pistol on the table. He describes its prominent slide serrations, factory optics cut, enlarged and flared magwell, and aggressive yet comfortable stippling with an undercut trigger guard. The frame includes a Picatinny rail, and the overall design is modular, allowing changes such as lengthening the slide and barrel or shortening the frame to suit different applications. The OZ9 uses a thin fiber-optic front sight rather than night sights, which should allow more precise sight alignment and potentially better accuracy. On the range, the OZ9’s recoil impulse feels very controlled, with a low bore axis that keeps the reciprocating mass closer to the hand and directs recoil more straight back rather than flipping the muzzle upward. He demonstrates this behavior and comments that the pistol feels very good under fire. The flat-faced trigger has some initial take-up, a slight wall, then travel into the break, followed by a reset with a bit of movement, leaving a positive overall impression of the trigger system.
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