slide

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Lone Wolf Dawn 365 Slide

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  I was grateful enough to receive a Lone Wolf Arms Dawn slide for my plain Jane Sig P365. The slide came unassembled and the first thing I noticed when I opened the package was the great machining and beveled edges of the slide. The slide was gun metal gray and had an optic cut for the Holosun 507K footprint. The optic cut had a cover plate installed on it to prevent damage to the optic area. 

The Dawn slide is made out of 17-4 high strength stainless steel. It has a lot more beveling and serrations than the regular stock P365 slide. If you start at the front of the slide and work your way back you can see all of the improvements over the OEM slide. All of the leading edges from the crown of the slide back are either recessed or beveled all the way around for ease of holstering and less friction for a snag free draw or reholstering. The serrations are more aggressive than the OEM slide and have two extra lines for a total of seven compared to the stock slide with five. The serrations blend in from the top of the slide down and have great line transitions. It doesn't have the blocky feeling or look of the standard slide. On top of the slide it is also beveled around the ejection port with two triangle lightening cuts that are cut clean through to the barrel. I am not sure if this is to reduce weight or if this is to act like a type of compensator cut for the barrel. Moving on back you get to the optic cut which is nicely machined with very few if any machining tool marks in the optic cut. The slide is cut for your standard P365 dovetail drift sight, front and rear. On the back end of the slide are the rear serrations that are aggressive like the front ones and just as well as eye pleasing. Just like the front the rear has a nice transition from top to bottom on the serrations. 

  The Lone Wolf Dawn P365 slide was straightforward to assemble, and I used all of my stock parts from my OEM slide to build it out, including my sights. I pulled off the optics plate and added a Swamp Fox Sentinel that I pulled off another pistol. This was an amazingly easy process and everything bolted and fitted together perfectly. The point of aim when coming out of the holster and aiming at the target was very natural. It appeared more natural pointing than other firearms that I have.   

  At the range, the Dawn P365 slide ran just like I thought it would. The slide was easy to grab and pinch to manipulate. There were no malfunctions when firing. The holster I had was a perfect match for the slide and optic. I enjoyed the serrations on the front and rear even with gloved hands, the gloves seemed to grip the serrations just right and the slide never slipped. When I manipulated it with bare hands the serrations were just right and not too coarse to make it feel uncomfortable in the hand. 

  The QPQ coating (quench, polish, quench) on the slide is great and functional. The gray color of mine was dull enough for the sun not to shine off of it but yet is tough enough to resist me carrying it in wet weather conditions with no sign of corrosion. 

  So in concluding this article if you're looking to upgrade your stock P365 I do not see how you can go wrong with a Lone Wolf Dusk P365 slide. If you factor in the cost and time of machining a slide, I feel you're better off buying a slide to put an optic on. Lone Wolf has them for the stock P365 and the P365xl model. 

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Long time barrel and slide manufacturer

DIY slide for the Sig 365

Drop in fit

Bearing like slide action

Target Market:

People looking for drop in parts for the Sig P365

Compatible with all OEM barrels

Optic Cut

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product): 

  • Ready to use, pre-fit for a drop in installation

  • Slides fit SIG® factory frames

  • Compatible with Lone Wolf® DAWN 365 Barrels and OEM P365 Barrels

  • Coated for corrosion and wear resistance

  • Heat treated, high strength 17-4 stainless steel construction

  • Exacting tolerances produce greater shot-to-shot accuracy

  • Optic cut for Holosun® 507K footprint

  • Proudly made in the USA

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available

Made for the standard P365 and the P365XL

Numerous color options to choose from

Link to other reviews:

NRA Family 

Gun Mag Warehouse

Price point:

MSRP = $289.95

Retail = $289.95

I need it now! Availability:

Lone Wolf Arms

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • A great upgrade for a stock P365

  • Fills the gap between the Xl and standard P365

  • Optic ready

  • Great coating

  • Bearing like coating

  • Improved accuracy

Cons: 

  • I could not find a con for this product

Score: 8.00 Good 

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Zaffiri Precision P320 Compact Slide and Barrel

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  Zaffiri Precision is well known for making aftermarket slides. Starting out with Glock parts and slides, they have moved into doing Sig accessories as well. This includes their Sig P320 Compact slide and barrels. 

  As mentioned, the Zaffiri slide I received was for the Sig P320 compact. This slide would also be great for anyone building a P320 compact off of the Sig P320 FCU. Zaffiri also sent along one of their threaded and non-threaded barrels, more later on the barrels. I was looking for a compact slide so that I could run it on the Strike Industries modular 320 chassis with some accessories that needed a compact slide. I also installed it on a standard P320 compact grip module to see how it performed as a standalone slide.

  The Zaffiri ZPS.2 P320c slide is very nice. You’ll notice that the slide is lightened with, what I like to call, the Zaffiri slide cuts. These slide cuts consist of some small rectangle windows on the side and some angled smaller cuts on the top. It makes for a nice look. Then, as per any slide, there are some rear cocking serrations. A big feature about these slides is that they are cut for an RMR footprint. The slide has bosses to rest the optic on, as opposed to just screw holes. Zaffiri also supplies screws that they say to use for optic mounting. A cover plate comes installed on the slide, in case you don’t want to mount an optic.

  Zaffiri Precision has 4 standard color options for the ZPS.2 P320c slides. They are: FDE, OD green, Sniper grey, and Armor black, which is the one that was sent to me. In the custom line of P320 slides you have a vast selection of colors and patterns. Camo colors only add around an extra $90, total, over the standard 4 colors. The Armor Black is beautiful, probably a testament to the applicators. It’s smooth and didn’t even chip or wear off when installing the iron sights. The top notch machining used to produce these slides, also aids in the fact that the coatings look so good.

  Now let us discuss the Zaffiri Precision P320 compact 9mm barrels. Zaffiri actually sent me both a threaded and non-threaded (Flush and Crowned) barrel. The flush fit was needed for the Strike Modular Chassis, and the threaded is for future add-ons. Both came in a black nitride coating. SS, TiN, and Spectrum are also available. All the Zaffiri barrels have a swirl pattern on the outside. The threaded barrel comes with a thread protector and is threaded ½-28. Both barrels have conventional rifling and a polished chamber and bore. One can definitely tell that the bore and rifling is polished when looking through the barrels. From shooting both of these, they appear to be very accurate. Or at least better than my shooting ability.

  This Zaffiri slide and both barrels performed flawlessly. Both in the Strike Chassis and in a standard grip module. The P320 slide has way more time in the Strike chassis with the standard flush fit barrel. But this doesn’t take away that it works nicely in a grip module. In the Strike chassis, I used it without a slide mounted red dot. When in the 320 grip frame, I mounted up a Swampfox Liberty green dot. The slide functioned great with or without the optic. Lock up with the barrel is super tight. Slide to frame fit is not sloppy. Essentially, in both applications, the performance was good. Plus, the slide and barrel look good, which we all know that looking good is key. 

  If you are in the market for some aftermarket Sig P320 stuff, Zaffiri Precision has what you need. The ZPS.2 P320c slide and barrels are really well machined and just beautiful to look at. But that’s not all, they perform well too. So if you are building out a P320 compact, or just upgrading the one you have, I would recommend that you check out the stuff from Zaffiri Precision.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Compact Sig P320 slide with RMR footprint optic cut

Target Market:

Anyone building or upgrading their P320

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

Slide:

  • 17-4 Stainless Steel

  • Black anodized cover plate

  • Supplied optic mounting screws

  • RMR optic footprint cut

  • Tighter tolerances

  • Made in USA

Barrels:

  • Fit: SigSauer® P320 Compact compatible – Drop in fit – 9mm

  • Twist: 1:10

  • 416R Stainless Steel

  • Stress relieved and heat treated to RC 40-42

  • Target crown and oversized lock up area.

  • Fully supported chamber (SAMMI spec) and improved feed ramp design

  • Conventional rifling with a polished chamber and bore to perform well with lead, plated and jacketed bullets

  • Finish Options: Stainless Steel, Black, Titanium Nitride TiN (Gold)

  • Large “ZP” Logo machined on the Port Side of the lockup.

  • Made in USA

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

FDE, OD Green, Sniper Grey. Custom cerakote colors are also available

What others are saying?:

Nothing found as of publishing

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found as of publishing

Price point:

MSRP:

Slide = $349.99

Barrel = $169.00 - $179.00

Retail = Same

I need it now! Availability:

Zaffiri Precision

Our Rating:

Pros:

Slide:

  • Tighter tolerances

  • Excellent machining

  • Custom options

  • RMR footprint cut

  • Made in USA

Barrel:

  • Polished chamber and bore

  • Coating options

  • Threaded barrel has thread protector

  • Made in USA

Cons:

  • Slide fit could be slightly tighter

  • Cover plate machining doesn’t match slide machining

Score: 9.00 Amazing

Favorite Link:  VIRIDIAN RFX 35 REVIEW  

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XS Sights DIY sight pusher

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 I have always needed a sight pusher to install handgun iron sights. The old brass punch and hammer system was getting old. When XS Sights told me they were coming out with some sight pushers, I was all in. XS came out with two different styles, both for Glock style pistol slides. They are the “DIY” and the “Gunsmith” version. The DIY sight pusher is what I received. It’s a no frills sight pusher, but gets the job done with ease.

  XS DIY sight pusher is a convenient way to install Glock sights. It also works to remove the old ones. The DIY sight pusher isn’t very large at all, it fit’s on a workbench or table top with ease. It’s under 6” long and 2” wide. The size makes it super convenient for throwing in your range bag. That way if you need to adjust your sight at the range, it’s really easy to do so. The pusher tool has a screw on the end which is used to push on a brass piece using the provided allen wrench. This brass piece is what pushes the sight in. Then there is an open channel where your pistol slide fits. Also included is a plastic wedge to hold the slide up tight against the tool. A Glock style front sight tool is also included. 

  A cool thing about these XS sight pushers is that you can also get them in a kit. The XS kit includes the sight pusher and a set of XS R3D night sights. This is actually the kit they sent out. The R3D’s are not a tall sight, so they are not for use with red dots or suppressors. So I rounded up a normal slide and went to work installing them. The R3D front sight has an orange ring around a tritium insert. The rear is blacked out with just 2 tritium dots on both sides of the notch. This gives you a 3 dot sight picture in low light and a very fast regular sight picture under normal conditions. I can’t say enough good things about the XS tritium sights.

  I was really impressed with how the DIY sight pusher worked. I took my slide, set it up against the pusher surface. Lining up the sight with the center of the brass pusher piece. I slid in the plastic wedge until it was snug. Then took the allen wrench and started turning the screw. Put some oil on the screw threads before each use so it won’t bind up. The old sight pushed out with ease. So I backed the screw back out and removed the slide. I then took the new R3D rear sight, pushed it into the dovetail, by hand, as far as it would go. Then re-installed the slide in the pusher as before. Turned the screw and watched the new sight push in with ease. Once the sight was visually centered, I stopped. To tell if the sight is in the center of the slide, just turn the slide around in the tool and look at the reference marks. They are on the brass pusher, as well as the frame of the pusher itself. Once the same marks line up, with the slide in the tool on both sides, you know the sight is centered. The DIY pusher also works with an optic mounted on your slide. The only difference is that you have to use the edge of the brass pusher instead of the center. 

  The XS DIY sight pusher has really good instructions. They are included as a hard copy, but are also available online. I like the hard copy because I can reference it, if needed, on my workbench, without having to pick up my phone. Being that the DIY sight pusher is an open top design, it also makes it much easier to see what is actually going on with the sight install. On a side note. Even though it is for Glock style sights and slides, I did find it to work on my Sig P320 rear sight. So it may or may not work on other handgun manufacturer slides.

  XS Sights did a pretty good job with the DIY sight pusher. I don’t think I will probably wear it out in my lifetime. If you change a lot of sights, it’s worth the money. If you change even more sights, look into the Gunsmith version for only a few bucks more. The DIY sight pusher made easy quick work out of changing sights. Go take a look at the DIY pusher over at XS Sights.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Do It Yourself sight pusher for Glock style slides

Target Market:

Those who frequently change sights

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Tool Life Span: 50 – 100 Installations

  • Kit includes semi-professional sight pusher and steel Glock front sight tool

  • Fits all Glock OEM and Aftermarket slides

  • Glock MOS Compatible – Install sights with optic mounted on pistol

  • Non-marring brass bit prevents scratching sights or slides

  • Built-in Centering Scale – 1/16” scale

  • Bolt Thread Pitch: 1/16” – 1.5 Bolt rotations equals 1/16” of travel

  • Weight: 1.4 lbs.

  • Sight Tool Dimensions (LxWxH): 5.5" x 1.75" x 1.5"

  • Designed and Manufactured in Fort Worth, TX

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Gunsmith version

What others are saying?:

Nothing found

Link to other reviews:

Shoot On 

Price point:

MSRP = $150.00 

     Bundle with XS sights = $254.99

Retail = $150.00

I need it now! Availability:

XS Sights

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Super easy to use

  • Can get as a kit with sights

  • Size makes it useful anywhere

Cons:

  • Price if only doing one or two installs

  • Only for use on Glock style slides

Score: 7.50 Good

Favorite Link:  Kaiser US 

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Tactical Kinetics Complete G19 slide

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  When I think of Tactical Kinetics, I typically think of barrels. After all, they refer to themselves as "the barrel guys." Well, they have branched out into making Glock style slides for gen 3 pistols. You can have these slides either stripped or complete. A complete Tactical Kinetics slide is what arrived in my mailbox. 

  Speaking of a complete slide. When Tactical Kinetics say complete, it means complete. It comes fully assembled with their slide completion kit, and one of their excellent Glock barrels. Complete slides can be had either with a threaded barrel, or without. This one came with a threaded one, which includes a knurled thread protector. As a finishing touch, the slide also comes with sights. The sights on this slide were standard 3-dot white ones. The sights are made from steel, unlike factory Glock sights. They are nothing special, but having them makes it a complete ready to use product. My only complaint is that the slide is not cut for any kind of pistol optic. 

  The Tactical Kinetics slide also has some features some shooters might want. The slide has some very nice front and rear cocking serrations. They are angled and straight at the same time. What I'm saying is that the top portion of them is angled forward and the lower portion is more vertical. These serrations are cut pretty deep toward the top, and then less deep near the bottom. I really appreciated how deep the cut was near the top. I was always able to get a good grip on them. Having the slide serrations cut deep like this, can help with getting a better grip on them, with muddy hands, or if mud and dirt get packed into them. The slide also has a slightly recessed cut on the sides. This cut probably reduces a little weight, but really it just makes it look better. However, there are some slight machine marks in this area. They won't hurt anything at all, just noticeable up close. 

  The slide is also a "closed style." By closed style, I mean there are no extra cuts for dirt to enter into the internal part of the slide. For a carry gun, I think this style works better. It won't prevent everything from getting into the slide, but it will help. 

  To protect the slide and barrel, Tactical Kinetics nitride finishes them. The black nitride finish is well done and smooth. The slide is also a hardened stainless steel, adding to the durable finish. Between the hardened stainless steel and the nitride coating, the slide should last a very long time. 

  I won’t go too much into the barrel, as there is already a review HERE for one of their G17 barrels. But I will mention that it is a very nice barrel that locks up nicely to the Tactical Kinetics slide. It is made from 416R stainless steel, has a 1 in 10 twist, and is button rifled with 6 grooves. This particular one is threaded ½-28. If you need a stand alone barrel, these are a great option.

  As usual, I used the TK slide on a few different pistol frames. As expected, the slide to frame fit was excellent. I would say almost match grade. It fit very snug at first. Probably taking about 50 rounds, or so, to get it to cycle 100%. It now lives on a Polymer 80 OD frame. The slide works well with the Polymer 80 frame. Plus, it’s lines look good with the Polymer 80 platform. Using an 80% frame and the Tactical Kinetics slide gives you a complete pistol for around $500. The whole combo is quite accurate. I didn’t put it on paper, but on steel it was really good, as one can see the splatter marks from the hits. 

  Tactical Kinetics has done a fine job with this complete slide. It has everything you would want in a basic slide. All you need to do is put it on your frame, and you’re ready to go. Not having an optic cut is a bummer, but that’s the only negative for the complete slide. Everything in and on the slide is top quality and all of it is made in the USA. Go check out Tactical Kinetics for a Glock slide, or any number of their great barrels. 

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Complete Gen3 G19 slide

Target Market:

Primarily builders of Glockish style pistols

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Front and rear cocking serrations

  • Made from 17-4 stainless steel 

  • Heat treated 

  • Threaded 416 SS black nitride coated barrel

  • Thread protector included

  • Standard 3 dot sights

  • Fully assembled

  • Black nitride finish

  • Made in USA

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Non-threaded barrel or stripped

What others are saying?:

Nothing found, they are pretty new as of writing

Link to other reviews:

Ditto

Price point:

MSRP = $395.00

I need it now! Availability:

Tactical Kinetics

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Complete with sights

  • Nice cocking serrations

  • Threaded barrel with thread protector

  • Glock Gen 3 compatible

  • Made in USA

Cons:

  • Machining marks

  • No option for a red dot optic

Score: 7.50 Good

Favorite Link:  Atibal Optics

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Strike Industries LITESLIDE

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  Strike Industries has been introducing new products at a phenomenal rate. Some of these products are for Glock style handguns. One of them is called the “Liteslide.” The Liteslide is a slide for Gen 3 Glock 17 and 19 size pistols. This includes Strike Industries “Strike 80” 80% pistol frames. The Liteslide can be had in black or FDE, Strike Industries was kind enough to send me one of the black coated ones.

  Pistol builders, and those looking to modify a current pistol, are the primary market for the Liteslide. After all, it is a Glock Gen 3 style slide. The slide is a drop in replacement for those wishing to do so. However, it comes in the “stripped” form. Meaning it has none of the parts to make it function.. Strike Industries does make a “completion kit”, and a barrel, so that you can make it a fully functioning slide. The tighter tolerances, used during manufacturing, can possibly lead to better accuracy and a tighter slide to frame fit.

  One reason someone might want a replacement slide is to allow the mounting of pistol sized optics. The Liteslide has you covered here. It has a machined out flat, on the rear of the slide, to mount optics on. What Strike Industries did was make this a multi-optic mounting surface, or the “SI Universal Optics Mount cut.” This was done by adding a bunch of different screw holes. The optics that fit are mentioned below in the “FNB’s”. But essentially, it’s most of the ones currently available EXCEPT the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro and the Sig ROMEO 1 PRO/03. Strike Industries supplies a bunch of screws and pins for the various mounting of the aforementioned optics. Also included is a cover plate, in case you aren’t mounting an optic to the slide. The cover plate is just a machined piece of plastic that matches the lines of the slide.

  The Strike Industries Liteslide abounds with features. The slide is fully enclosed. It is not one of the ones with lightening slots or holes, but it is still lightweight. It is lighter than a factory slide, giving it reduced momentum during cycling. This can aid in faster follow up shots for the shooter. Since there are no cut-outs in the slide, there is less of a chance that dirt and grime can get inside the slide to cause problems. Front and rear, angled, cocking serrations are cut into the slide too. They are sharp on the front side, and angled on the back side. They give a fantastic grip when manually cycling the slide. The Liteslide also has angled cuts between the top and the sides of the slide. These give the slide a nice slim profile and look. There are a few other machined out cuts to help aid in the looks department too. Also, on the left side is a “SI’ and on the right side is a “19”. These are not obtrusive. In fact, I usually forget they are there. As expected, it uses Glock front and rear sights. However, some rear sights may be too deep/long to work with an optic, as they may interfere with the optic sight. Strike Industries sights, however, do not have this problem. Strike Industries also gave the Liteslide a black nitride coating, which should help it last a lifetime.

  Since the Liteslide comes in a stripped form, it must be assembled first. I just used a G19 upper parts kit that I purchased from an on-line retailer. All the parts went in just fine and worked as expected. The internal machining of the slide is fantastic. I didn’t notice any machining marks, which probably led to the ease of assembly. I already had a barrel to complete the build, and it dropped right in.

  I used the Liteslide with both Iron sights and an optic. When I first received the slide, I installed a set of Night Fision sights. The front screwed on and fit great. The rear also pressed in like normal. Then after using it for a while with iron sights, I installed a Swampfox Liberty. The Liberty uses a RMR pattern, which is one of the options on the Liteslide. This style of optic sits toward the front of the “Universal Optics Mount cut.” I installed some of the supplied pins, along with screws, to hold it down. It mounted up nicely. Because the Liteslide has a universal mounting cut, the Liberty sits toward the front, leaving about an ⅛” gap at the rear. This gap doesn’t hurt anything, it just looks a little odd. This is really the only downside to Strike Industries universal mounting cut. Otherwise it works great.

  I’ve shot the Liteslide on various pistol frames. It has been used on 3 different Polymer 80 frames and a Lone Wolf frame. It’s permanent home is the Lone Wolf frame, as I feel it looks the best on it. However, function wise, it worked flawlessly on all 4 frames. It fit the tightest on the most recently built P80 frame, but still functioned fine. I’ve used the current setup in a pistol match and really liked the way it handled. As previously mentioned, the slide serrations work very well for manipulations. The Liberty has stayed where it’s supposed to also, probably a testament to the mounting pins that help secure the sight from moving. The Liteslide is really nice, especially if you're looking to add an optic to your pistol.

  Strike Industries Liteslide would be a great addition for anyone looking at a Glock 19 slide. This could be a builder or just someone wanting to add an optic to their pistol. It performed well for me, the machining is great, it’s heat treated for years of use, and it just looks great. If you’re in the market for anything like the Liteslide, go check out Strike Industries. They don’t just make Glock parts.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Gen 3 Glock slide with optic mounting options

Target Market:

80% builders or those upgrading their Gen 3 Glocks

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Stripped slide for Gen 3 pistol frames

  • Black Nitride coated

  • Front and rear serrations

  • Multi-cut optics mount

  • Cover Plate included

  • Various screws and pins for optics mounting

  • Standard cuts for Glock sights

  • Made from heat treated 17-4 Stainless Steel 

  • Weighs 9.8 ounces

  • Made in USA

  • RED DOT COMPATIBILITY: Trijicon RMR, Burris FastFire, C-More RTS/STS, Doctor Red Dot Sight, EOTech MRDS, Holosun 407/507/508, Leupold DeltaPoint, SIG SAUER ROMEO 01, Swampfox Optics Kingslayer/Liberty/Justice, Sightmark Mini Shot M-Spec FMS, Vortex Viper/Venom

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Flat Dark Earth (FDE)

What others are saying?:

5 stars on Optics Planet

awesome slide 

The Strike Industries Series Slide was created with optimal accuracy and performance in mind. Machined in the USA from billet 17-4 Stainless Steel using clockwork precision to ensure increased consistency in barrel lockup that results in levels beyond than match-grade accuracy. The Strike Slide weighs significantly less than the factory production model, reducing the recoil momentum, and allows faster and more efficient follow-up placement. Strike Industries proudly designed the Strike Slide with Durability and Function in mind, giving the slide a premium Black Nitride Coating that is protective against scratching and scrapes. We’ve also improved the silhouette with unmatched aggressive styling from the Angled Forward Serrations Points on the front and large

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found with any substance 

Price point:

MSRP = $249.95

Retail = $191.96 at Primary Arms

I need it now! Availability:

Strike Industries, Primary Arms, or various other places

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Fairly slim profile

  • Front & Rear cocking serrations

  • Multi use optics cut

  • Pins and screws included for optic mounting

  • Slide cover plate

  • Fantastic frame fit

  • Enclosed style

  • Made in USA

Cons:

  • Some rear sights are too long to work with an optic

  • Hard to find “in stock”

  • Cover plate is plastic

Score: 8.50 Great

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Favorite Link:  Primary Arms

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Patmos Arms Judah 43 slide

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  JSD Supply has been selling 80% kits and supplies for some time now. They offer the Patmos Arms’ series of slides, as well as other parts. They kindly sent this complete Patmos Arms Judah 43 slide out to me. The Judah 43 is for a Glock 43 or 43x size pistol. I actually installed it on a SS80 kit from the Glockstore. It proceeded to work great on that little SS80 frame.

  As noted, the Judah 43 is for a Glock 43 sized pistol. This includes the actual G43 and G43x, along with the SS80 and other 80% slimline frames. The Judah 43 comes in 2 configurations, stripped and complete. This review is for the later, as it came with internal slide parts and a match grade barrel. It does not come with sights, though they did install a set of factory plastic sights for me. It uses any standard G43 sights.

  The Judah 43 is a very nice simple slide. It has front and rear cocking serrations. Both of which run perpendicular to the slide. All the exterior edges have large chamfers, so nothing is extremely sharp. The interior and exterior machining are super smooth. Very few, if any machine marks can be seen on the inside, and Zero machine marks can be seen on the outside. Lastly, the Black Nitride coating is top notch and should last a very long time. Even if it were to wear through the Nitride coating, the slide is manufactured from 416 Stainless Steel, so corrosion should never be a problem.

  When the complete Judah slide was received, I realized that the upper parts were not installed in the slide. Not a problem for me, more of a heads up for someone purchasing a Judah slide. The parts not being installed actually worked out better for the review, since I was able to assemble the slide with the parts provided. All the parts fit great and were easily installed. No loose or ill-fitting parts were noticed when the slide was assembled. 

  Being a complete slide, a match grade barrel was also included. The barrel fit tight in the slide, but not so tight that the slide didn’t function properly. The slide also fits nice and snug on the SS80 frame. I'm sure it would have the same fit on other frames as well. I don’t know if it’s the barrel, or the whole pistol/slide combo, but this little pistol build shoots fantastic. I didn’t put it on paper, but on my tiny A-zone steel, it was keeping shots on target out to 15 yards with no problem. 

  I did install a set of XS Minimalist sights onto the Judah 43. As expected, the front sight fit snug without any side to side play. The rear sight had the typical interference fit, so I had to use a sight pusher and a small punch to install it. It’s just another point of reference to the quality of the machining.

  After using this Judah 43 slide for some time, I can say it is great. It does exactly what I want it to do. It’s very accurate. The finish is nice and smooth. There are no sharp edges, except on the slide serrations. But those are not sharp, per say,  just squared off. My only complaint is that it does not come optics ready at this time. The Judah would be a great fit for an 80% build or to turn your Glock 48 into a 43x size pistol.

  So if you are looking for a great slide, check out the Judah series at JSD Supply. It’s a quality slide at a great price. It comes stripped or complete with a match grade barrel and parts. If you're building a G43 type pistol, you can’t go wrong with the Patmos Arms Judah 43 slide, or probably any of the other Judah slides as well.

  

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Complete slide for Glock 43 or 43x

Target Market:

Anyone wanting a slide for their Glock 43 or 43x build

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Stripped or complete options available (Complete slide was given for review)

  • 416 Stainless Steel

  • Nitride coated

  • Front and Rear cocking serrations

  • Match Grade Nitride barrel

  • Complete upper parts kit included

  • Fits Glock 43 and 43X

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

None, but also available for other Glock models

What others are saying?:

Nothing found

Link to other reviews:

Nothing substantial 

Price point:

MSRP = $149.99 stripped - $299.99 complete (as tested)

Retail = Same

I need it now! Availability:

JSD Supply

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Price

  • Top notch machine work

  • Accurate

  • Front slide serrations

  • Nitride Coated Stainless Steel

Cons:

  • No option for red dot sight

  • Comes unassembled 

  • Plain looking

Score: 8.50 Great

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Favorite Link:  Atibal Optics

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Swampfox Wolverine slide and Justice red dot combo

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Written by: Rusty Odom

This review is on the new Swampfox optic Justice 27mm red dot pistol sight and the Steel City Wolverine combo. Let me start by saying I am an average Joe shooter with a huge interest in firearms. I am always looking for the latest greatest item or something to improve on an older firearm to make me a better shooter. For this review I chose a Glock Gen 3 model 22 in .40 S&W to convert to 9mm. The firearm was purchased some years ago for around $295 and it was a local police trade in. I tossed it in the gun safe, knowing one day I’d do something like this to it. 

The Swampfox Justice red dot and Steel City Wolverine slide combo. The slide is in a distressed green pattern and is available for the Glock 19 and 17 Gen 1-3 only. The slide comes with the channel liner already installed and with suppressor height fiber optic sights. They are in the combat configuration (rear sight in front of the optic), the slide is smooth with no machine marks on the outside, except in the area of the optic cutout. The threads on the mounting service were nicely tapped and debured. When mounting the optic it is a nice snug fit. It also comes with 3 sets of screws and Allen keys to mount the optic. The slide has great machining in the front for a good grasp to reload with wet or sweaty hands. It’s texture is just the right combination of aggressiveness, not to be uncomfortable when sharply grasping the gun. It has a lightning cut above the barrel, I assume to reduce weight. I have a concern of dirt or debris getting into it and causing issues in a real world situation. 

The optic is clear and crisp, it has an 27mm window and is made out of 7075 aluminum. There is a Liberty version that has a smaller window of 22mm. These are duty rated and have a new and improved hood over their last model. It has a top load battery that takes the CR1632 battery. Not Chad’s favorite. It weighs 1oz without the battery, its height is 1.04”, length 1.78” and width 1.24”. It has the normal parallax free, fog proof and ruby coated lens. 

It claims to have a greater battery life and new and improved shake a wake motion sensing illumination. The slide and optic are both for the RMR mounting option. Assembly of the slide is straightforward, just like your normal Glock slide would go together. A Brownells Glock completion kit was used for final assembly. 

The initial sight in was done by co-witnessing the dot and the front sight post. Once the impacts were on target I did a ⅓ co-witness, raising the dot above the front sight post to declutter the sight picture. The slide had a few failures to feed, but after some lubrication and some dry fire, it ran flawlessly. The optic is easy to pick up, with some practice, for someone that is new to the red dot game. So far I have fired 350 rounds of 115 grain 9mm with no problems after the initial FTE. I was able to keep all the rounds in the 10 ring at 10 yards. Even with astigmatism the dot was clear with some adjustment of the intensity level. 

In my honest opinion I do believe that this will make a great setup for someone that wants to put an optic on their Glock and doesn’t want to have their slide cut, or wants the benefits of having one frame with two different calibers. After my initial testing and what I know of some of the other optic I own from Swampfox, this appears to be a quality red dot. The slide is nice and clean, the battle worn or distressed coloring gives it some character. 

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

A quality optic red dot with a standard RMR footprint, with a cost half the price of others. An improved hood to protect the glass, as well as shake awake technology. It claims to be rated for law enforcement and duty use. 

The slide is well textured, nice smooth and rounded corners. Assembly was simple, machining was good. 

Target Market:

People who want to get into the red dot game and not have to have their original slide machines. Also those who have a .40 or .357 Sig that want to convert it to 9mm for cost reasons. 

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Ease of assembly 

  • Clear optic

  • Battery life one year. 

  • Great light intensity of dot 

  • One year warranty 

  • 1500G’s rated

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

There is a smaller Liberty optic available. 

The slide as of now comes only in distressed green 

What others are saying?:

So far the only reviews are on the Seampfox instagram page. All the once noted were high reviews including my own.  

Link to other reviews:

None found

Price point:

MSRP -

Wolverine slide $349

Optic $249 to $259

Combo $599

I need it now! Availability:

Swampfox Optics

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Optic has a good design

  • Improved hood

  • Ruby clear glass

  • Good light intensity 

  • Ease of adjustments of dot

  • Shake a wake feature

  • Slide has great texture 

  • Channel liner already installed 

  • Good machining with limited tool marks

  • Nice tall  fiber optic sights preinstalled 

  • Great customer service 

Cons:

  • Does not have the time on market as other manufacturers so durability is a concern 

  • Lightening cut in the top of slide

Score: 8.50 Great

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Freedom Flag G17 slide w/Nevada Cerakote

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  If you haven’t heard of Freedom Flag Products, you should go look them up. About a year ago, they collaborated with Nevada Cerakote to send me one of their G17 slides. When they ask what model or cerakote I wanted, I left it up to both of them. Freedom Flag also makes AR products, as well as other Glock style slides. The review slide they sent me is in their “Track Style”, without an optic cutout.

  I can’t really describe the “Track Style”, but it is not a typical cookie cutter slide. It has some oblong, straight up and down, cuts at the rear for cocking serrations. Then down the rest of the slide it has, what I like to call them, mathematical shaped recesses. At the front of the slide, there are also 2 angled cuts with 3 slots cut in them. On the top front, is also a diamond shape recess with 2 slots. So a compensated barrel might work with this slide. Freedom Flag’s slides are for Gen 3 style pistols, this includes Polymer 80’s. They also come in 5 more standard cuts, in case you don’t like this style. An RMR cut is $50 more, if that’s your thing.

  As I would expect, the machining on this slide is spot on. I couldn’t detect a single mill mark. Yes you can see marks through cerakoted parts. The Glock slide parts kit installed with zero problems and everything works smooth as butter. This is the second slide that Freedom Flag has sent me, which is why the review has taken so long. The first slide they sent had a very, and I mean very, small tool mark on the angled cut. I was okay with it, but they pretty much demanded I send it back, so I did. That’s top notch service. I don’t know if this slide is the same one, or a new one, but I suspect it’s new. The rear sight cut was spot on, and I had zero problems installing the rear sight. The front slot seemed a tiny bit larger than I needed, I could twist the front sight ever so slightly when tightening it down. I measured it, and it was within Glock factory specs, so it must have been the front sight and not the slide. All in all, they do an excellent machining job.

  All Freedom Flag’s slides are Cerakoted. As mentioned, this slide was sent to Nevada Cerakote for some magic. I told them to also surprise me and that it was being installed on a gray Polymer 80 frame. Nevada Cerakote did not let me down. They did a 4 color gray/black camo on it that looks amazing. The colors are blended together so smooth that you can’t even feel where one ends and the other begins. 

  Nevada Cerakote is pretty big in the cerakote market. They have their hands in lots of one off coatings for trade shows, like SHOT. They are factory trained and certified by Cerakote. But really, they just do a great cerakote and have great ideas for patterns. If you are looking to have something coated, please go check out Nevada Cerakote.

  The Track Style slide is a great addition to my Polymer 80. In fact I purposely bought the Poly 80 frame for the original slide. The slide mounted up easy. It slid right on and cycled smoothly. Frame to slide fit was phenomenal. Not so tight that I needed to break it in, but not loose either. I can barely wiggle the slide. To top it all off, the pistol cycles fine, even when the slide was brand new. When I first installed the slide, if you rode the slide closed on an empty magazine, it would stop about ¼” from going into battery. After 50 or so rounds, that stopped. It never did it using the slide release or sling shotting the slide. I’m using as Faxon barrel with the Freedom Flag slide. As expected, it shoots great. Both a testament to the slide and barrel.

  When using the Track Slide, I used it in a few OWB holsters. It fit fine in both of them. I did have to loosen the tension screws on both. I attributed this to the fairly squarish style of this slide. Not a big deal at all, more of just a heads up. To go along with this, the cerakote has not worn off the edges either. Another testament to the Nevada Cerakote quality.

  If you are in the market for a Glock slide, Freedom Flag does a fine job. They even make a slide that converts a G19 size frame into a G17 length slide and barrel. The slide is 100% made in the USA and at a competitive price. Definitely go give Freedom Flag a look, as well as Nevada Cerakote.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Fully machined Glock Gen 3 slide with cerakote

Target Market:

Those wanting a unique, quality slide for their Glock or Glock style pistol

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • “Track Style”

  • Designed for Gen3 guns, will not fit a Gen4

  • Cerakoted 

  • Optional Laser Etching

  • Tighter tolerances for increased accuracy, reliability, and performance

  • Precision machined from heat treated 4150 barrel steel

  • Barrel lock-up manufactured with tighter tolerances

  • When used with a match-quality barrel, accuracy will be greatly increased

  • 100% Made in the USA

  • Compatible with Polymer80 Frames

  • Tested for function

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Lots of single colors, or ask about special Cerakote

What others are saying?

5/5 stars - Fantastic and Durable Slide

I bought a graphite black slide a few months ago to go with a Polymer 80 G17 I built. Taking it out of the box, it's a really good looking slide. The front serrations are very tactile and the back are equally good. When fitting it to the gun, it was indeed a very tight fit, but that really is a good thing. I did have to file a little bit on the inside of the slide around the barrel lock-up, but that was primarily due to the aftermarket barrel being a little out of spec. Once I fixed that, it worked great. I now have over 1k rounds through the slide and no issues. I've used it in the Limited Division at a USPSA match and it was great there, even got a couple compliments. I highly recommend filing in the logo on top of the slide with white to make it pop. Overall, I could not be happier. The customer service is very good and personal, and the shipping was quick. If you're on the fence about it, just do it! You won't find a better custom slide for the money

Link to other reviews:

Holster Reviewer on YouTube

Price point:

MSRP = $249.99, $400 as tested

MSRP (Cerakote) - $150 for 4 color camo

I need it now! Availability:

Freedom Flag Parts 

Nevada Cerakote

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Tight slide to frame fit

  • Good barrel lock up

  • Custom Cerakote finish

  • Unique design

Cons:

  • Square (holster fit)

  • No front cocking serrations on this model

Score: 8.5 Great

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Favorite Link:   Axelson Tactical

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Rock Slide USA - RS2

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 Rock Slide USA has come on the market with some pretty nice products. Of which is their Glock slides. The slides come in two different versions, with options available for both models. The model I received for review is their RS2, with a RMR cut, in black, for a Glock 17. This was a stripped slide, meaning it had no parts in it.

 When I first opened the box, I was impressed. The machining was beautiful. As was the black coating. Rock Slide Cerakotes all of their slides, so this RS2 is black Cerakote. I immediately installed my Glock parts kit. All the parts went in like they should. Since this slide has a cut-out for an RMR, I proceeded to install my Holosun 507 as it uses a RMR mounting platform. I did notice that the 507 moved a tiny bit back and forth on the slide’s studs. The RS2 has studs that the red dot sight goes over and then the sight screws go into the studs. This movement was minor and didn’t cause any problems. The stud option allows for a tight fit without having to have a custom milled slide. So, I tightened down the Holosun. Rock slide also sent me a cover plate. I did put it on just to see how it fit. As expected, it fit and lined up great. They also make this slide with a Vortex Venom cut, for those wanting a less expensive sight.

 Rock Slide did a nice job with the aesthetics also. Being that this is the RS2, it has vents cut out on the front of the slide. The RS1 does not have these. The vents are cut at an angle toward the rear. I also found that these vents are large enough to act as front slide serrations. Speaking of serrations, the ones on the rear are angled and sharp enough to give good grip. The slide is also beveled on top from the ejection port forward. It gives a distinct appearance and makes it not look so Glock like.

 I mounted up the Rock Slide to a Polymer 80 frame. The slide was a nice snug fit without hardly any side to side or up/down play. It is also using a Faxon Firearms barrel which it also mated very nicely too. For the record, I did not install any iron sights on the RS2, but it does have the rear dovetail and front oval hole for standard Glock sights. This slide makes the handgun shoot great! Better than another slide I have used. So Rock Slide’s claim of better performance are spot on.

 Ever since receiving the slide, I have shot this handgun more than any other. The RS2 runs smooth. I have shot it in a Speed Steel match with zero problems. Not counting the other times I have shot it at the range. I am very impressed with the accuracy and functionality of this slide. Plus I think it looks good.

 Please go take a look at Rock Slide USA. This RS2 slide is great. Rock slide also manufactures barrels for these slides. The slides start at $200, with options to basically have a complete slide with sights and an optic! Different color options too. They are also made in the USA with a lifetime warranty.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Precision machined Glock Slide

Target Market:

Pistol builders, Glock users that want a complete slide cut for a miniature red dot

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Tighter Tolerances

  • Made from 416R Stainless Steel

  • Cerakoted

  • Vented

  • Optional cover plate

  • Tapered - not square (adds a non-glock look)

  • RMR cut (optional Vortex Venom cut)

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

With or without optics cut and vents.

FDE, ODG, Burnt Bronze, Tungsten, Pink, Unfinished

What others are saying?:

Rusty M. - 5/5 stars at Rockslideusa.com

Top notch company!!! I received my slide within a couple weeks after ordering, it looked and ran great, unfortunately there was a small ridge on the chamber face that I didn’t even notice until I ran some rounds through it. It was just enough to slightly dent the fired case head, I reload my ammo or I probably wouldn’t have worried about it. I gave Rock Slide a call, they said no problem, sent a postage paid return label and I had a replacement slide within two weeks. The slide is flawless, the finish is awesome, it fits the frame great, looks and runs great. I had the venom sight cut which fits absolutely perfect. I couldn’t be happier with my purchase and the great customer service. I highly recommend Rock Slide USA to anyone who is looking for a quality custom slide. Check out the other products they offer too, I picked up a SilencerCo threaded barrel and extra mags for my Glock 17 and the pricing on everything is very reasonable.

Link to other reviews:

YouTube review by Dark Knight Adventures

Price point:

MSRP = $219.99, $239.98 as tested

Retail = $199.99-429.98 depending on options

I need it now! Availability:

Rock Slide USA

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Price

  • Vent cutouts

  • Precision machined

  • RMR cut

  • It just looks good

Cons:

  • Not machined for individual optic

Score: 9.00 Amazing

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Favorite Link:   Axelson Tactical

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