The world of 9mm polymer-framed striker-fired guns is vast and seemingly ever-growing. Every major company has some form of that pistol. Even small, relatively unknown companies known for their metal-framed, hammer-fired guns are making polymer frame striker-fired guns.
Arex is more or less known for its metal-framed SIG P226 style clones. Recently they moved into the crowded market of striker-fired 9mms known as the Arex Delta Gen.2 series. Today we are looking at the compact variant, the Delta Gen.2 M.
M, I assume, stands for medium as it’s the medium-sized compact variant in a family incorporating an X or full-sized model and an L or longslide model. Additionally, there are optics ready versions and a tactical version.
Today’s variant is the simplest model, with no optics cut and an all-black frame. It has a Glock 19 barrel length. The Arex Delta M is fairly standard as far as modern handguns go.
The striker is partially cocked and technically a double action, but there is no re-strike capability. The Arex Delta series uses a double stack magazine, and the M comes with a 15-round magazine and a 17-rounder with a +2 extension. The guns ship with a small self-contained cleaning kit. Inside the box are the standard instructions, as well as three additional backstraps.
In just reading that, it seems like it’s just another modern polymer handgun in a very crowded market, but I was pleasantly surprised by the Gen.2 M. These Slovenian pistols might not break the mold, but they do an excellent job of making the mold better. Heck, it even looks nicer than most of its competition.
Ergonomics
The Arex Delta M really excels in the ergonomics department. GLOCK rules the market, so they’re often the gun I go to to make comparisons. When compared side-by-side with the G19, the Arex Delta series immediately stands out. The grip is much thinner and much less blocky than the GLOCK’s and is more akin to the CZ P10 series.
With that said, the Arex Delta M series is seemingly even thinner than the P10 series. It’s one of my favorite polymer frame grips. The trigger guard has a fantastic undercut, and the grip swoops upward and allows for a high grip on the pistol. The gun’s texture is fairly aggressive and wraps around the entirety of the grip.
It’s easy to look at the design and think it’s a GLOCKish, but when it’s in your hand, the difference is night and day. Arex Delta Gen.2 M comes with ambidextrous controls. Not reversible, truly ambidextrous. There’s a slide lock and magazine release on the right side and they both work well.
I’m especially fond of the slide lock/release. Mostly because even though it’s placed fairly far rearward, my thumbs don’t pin it down. The slide release sits tight to the frame and avoids being inadvertently pressed by a thumbs-forward grip. Although it’s tight to the frame, it’s plenty easy to hit it when you intend to, although I’m a bigger fan of slingshotting the slide.
The magazine release is fine. It’s functional and easy enough to reach and activate. It won’t blow your mind, but it’s completely functional.
At the Range
With a pile of steel-cased Winchester Forged fresh from my local Academy store, I hit the range and started tossing ammo down range. This grimy, dry, and dirty stuff is an awesome way to test guns and also the cheapest means for me to do so.
The Delta Gen.2 M’s magazines load easily enough, and you feel the +2 extension and the tension it adds for those last two rounds.
I started at 10 yards with some basic slow fire to get a feel for the Arex Delta Gen.2 M. I don’t have a dedicated holster, but I found that the gun fit my quasi-universal Phalanx Defense Stealth Operator holster. This allowed me to mix in some very basic combative drills. I shot some failure drills from the holsters and found the sights to be easy and quick to acquire.
These are metal sights and fairly basic. The front sight has a white dot, and the rear sight is blacked out and serrated.
The sight radius is an interesting development. They pushed the rear sight all the way back as far as they possibly could to extend the radius. The black serrated rear sight is non-reflective, and the front sight drops right into the rear sight for quick and easy aiming.
I scored an all-black 10-10-10 drill in a hair over seven seconds on my first try. Tracking the front sight and getting back on target between shots is very easy, which makes accurate, rapid-fire shots easy.
Backing On Up
I took the Arex Delta Gen.2 M back to 25 yards and went 10 for 10 on a ten-inch steel gong, then I went to 35 yards and repeated this process. I scooted back to 50 yards and gained a new appreciation for the front sight. It’s fairly small, and just small enough to still see the gong at that distance.
I don’t have the skill to go 10 for 10 at 50 yards with iron sights, but 6 out of 10 isn’t terrible, right? I went 10 for 10 on a full-sized steel IPSC target. I put four in the A zone, four in the C, and two in the D zone. I did so fast enough to pass the Dickens drill.
The trigger feels like plastic rubbing on plastic, and it’s not super great, but it’s functional. There’s some take-up and then a wall with a consistent break and a great reset.
Controlling the Arex Delta Gen.2 M is very easy, and the recoil from a 9mm isn’t exactly known for being punishing. The gun also ate through three of the 150-round packs of Winchester Forged without a single failure.
I approached the Arex Delta Gen.2 M without being too impressed. The Arex Delta seemed like yet another in an endless series of polymer frame, striker-fired 9mms, but it really stood out once it came time for the lead to meet steel.
Global Ordnance provided this pistol for test and review from their stocks, so give them chance if the Arex Delta Gen.2 M strikes your fancy.
Specifications: Arex Delta Gen.2 M
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Length: 7.2 inches
Width: 1.18 inches
Height: 5.1 inches
Weight: 22 ounces
MSRP: 469.99 (Street Price 449.99)
Ratings (out of five stars):
Ergonomics * * * * ½
The Ares Delta Gen.2 M is a strong contender for best striker-fired grip. It’s pretty impressive as these things go and surprised me enough that it really does stand out. It might not be a CZ-75 or 1911, but it’s solid for a polymer frame.
Accuracy * * * *
It’s not a competition-grade tack driver, but for practical accuracy, self-defense, and concealed carry, it’s perfectly capable.
Reliability * * * * *
Not a flaw to be found. The people of Slovenia make finely tuned firearms.
Overall * * * * 1/2
Prior to the Arex Delta M, I’d say the CZ P10C was my favorite striker-fired polymer frame 9mm handgun. The Arex Delta Gen.2 M might have taken over that top spot. It’s functional, accurate, reliable, and even good-looking. Plus, at less than $500, it’s a bargain.
