I’ve been talking about this one for a couple years now as evidenced by the thread below.
http://www.glocktalk.com/threads/where-is-this-thing.1540328/
Well, last week I finally picked up one after having the pleasure of shooting one at the range a couple weeks back. The Strike One pistol is a gun that really liked from the moment I picked it up. Its a Russian gun that’s built in Italy. The design itself is very cool and unique, which can be seen in the videos below.
I love a low bore axis and this is one of the lowest in the industry. In fact, its so low that it makes a Glock feel tall by comparison. It points extremely well for me, so I find it real easy to shoot good. What little recoil there is comes nearly straight back. The low barrel gives the Strike One virtually no leverage to flip whatsoever.
As many on GT likely know, I’m not a man that’s easily impressed, particularly with new production handguns. The build quality of this pistol is stellar in comparison to just about all the other polymer pistols on the market. The polymer frame is thick. There is no flex whatsoever. The steel rails are long, aiding the pistol’s accuracy. The slide is smoothly finished, but not slippery, and has perfect serrations for getting a secure grip. The frame texturing, while a bit odd looking, feels great. The barrel is thick and sturdy. The fixed steel sights are placed to maximize the 5“ barrel’s sight radius. The whole thing just feels rock solid and makes other polymers feel a lot like toys. As mentioned above, the grip position is just about perfect for my tastes. The bore axis is as low as an HK P7, which is quite a feat these days. Its hefty in weight for a polymer framed gun at 32oz empty, but I like a heavy gun, so this is a good thing for me. Despite a barrel that is an inch longer, my G17L weighs over 5oz less.
There are some drawbacks. The Strike One is only available full size and only in 9mm at this time. Since I prefer full size pistols and 9mm is my favorite caliber, these aren’t drawbacks for me. The controls are not ambi. Since I’m right handed, that also isn’t a drawback for me. My one complaint is the trigger. Its good, but not great. It lacks that precise feel of a PPQ or VP9, though it feels much more solid than either of those.
Price wise, the Strike One isn’t cheap at $750-$800. However, when I compare it to other polymers in that price range, the Strike One is nicer by leaps and bounds. I’ve handled the Walther Q5 and Grand Power and both honestly feel like cheap junk when compared to the Strike One. HK’s line is better, but I prefer my Strike One to my P30 from a build quality standpoint, which says a lot considering the P30 is a quality gun. I just really like this new striker fired handgun from Russia. Its highly impressive, in my opinion.
I thought the gun was ugly when I first saw it, but its really growing on me. Then again, I don’t buy polymer pistols for their looks anyway. I think Arsenal Firearms has a winner here and I hope they continue with it. It comes with a nice case, extra mag, and a comprehensive cleaning kit. Even the manual booklet is full color and high quality. Its just an awesome package all around.
Does anyone have one of these? :dunno:
As always, enjoy the pics and share your thoughts.
Thanks! :supergrin:
Here is some footage of the 2014 SHOT show and a nice review on YT.
![Image]()
http://www.glocktalk.com/threads/where-is-this-thing.1540328/
Well, last week I finally picked up one after having the pleasure of shooting one at the range a couple weeks back. The Strike One pistol is a gun that really liked from the moment I picked it up. Its a Russian gun that’s built in Italy. The design itself is very cool and unique, which can be seen in the videos below.
I love a low bore axis and this is one of the lowest in the industry. In fact, its so low that it makes a Glock feel tall by comparison. It points extremely well for me, so I find it real easy to shoot good. What little recoil there is comes nearly straight back. The low barrel gives the Strike One virtually no leverage to flip whatsoever.
As many on GT likely know, I’m not a man that’s easily impressed, particularly with new production handguns. The build quality of this pistol is stellar in comparison to just about all the other polymer pistols on the market. The polymer frame is thick. There is no flex whatsoever. The steel rails are long, aiding the pistol’s accuracy. The slide is smoothly finished, but not slippery, and has perfect serrations for getting a secure grip. The frame texturing, while a bit odd looking, feels great. The barrel is thick and sturdy. The fixed steel sights are placed to maximize the 5“ barrel’s sight radius. The whole thing just feels rock solid and makes other polymers feel a lot like toys. As mentioned above, the grip position is just about perfect for my tastes. The bore axis is as low as an HK P7, which is quite a feat these days. Its hefty in weight for a polymer framed gun at 32oz empty, but I like a heavy gun, so this is a good thing for me. Despite a barrel that is an inch longer, my G17L weighs over 5oz less.
There are some drawbacks. The Strike One is only available full size and only in 9mm at this time. Since I prefer full size pistols and 9mm is my favorite caliber, these aren’t drawbacks for me. The controls are not ambi. Since I’m right handed, that also isn’t a drawback for me. My one complaint is the trigger. Its good, but not great. It lacks that precise feel of a PPQ or VP9, though it feels much more solid than either of those.
Price wise, the Strike One isn’t cheap at $750-$800. However, when I compare it to other polymers in that price range, the Strike One is nicer by leaps and bounds. I’ve handled the Walther Q5 and Grand Power and both honestly feel like cheap junk when compared to the Strike One. HK’s line is better, but I prefer my Strike One to my P30 from a build quality standpoint, which says a lot considering the P30 is a quality gun. I just really like this new striker fired handgun from Russia. Its highly impressive, in my opinion.
I thought the gun was ugly when I first saw it, but its really growing on me. Then again, I don’t buy polymer pistols for their looks anyway. I think Arsenal Firearms has a winner here and I hope they continue with it. It comes with a nice case, extra mag, and a comprehensive cleaning kit. Even the manual booklet is full color and high quality. Its just an awesome package all around.
Does anyone have one of these? :dunno:
As always, enjoy the pics and share your thoughts.
Thanks! :supergrin:
Here is some footage of the 2014 SHOT show and a nice review on YT.
