In Praise of Arex

[sisyphus]

I have a little problem that I think maybe some of you might share. I have two Dan Wesson 1911s and two CZ 75s and I still look at guns.

I had a very small Sig itch that needed scratching because the P228 was the very first handgun I ever owned. I was going to buy a Zastava Sig clone, because my Zastava AK is so reliable and perfect that it's almost boring, or at least confidence inspiring. But then this Slovenian Sig clone by Arex caught my eye because of Youtube videos. Initially the combination of decocker and manual safety was off putting, but Graham Baates videos eventually won me over. I ordered a Arex Rex Zero 1 with FDE G10 Hogue grips. The machining, fit and finish of the gun was excellent, and amazing at the sub $600 price. At our range, my oldest son and I both shot the best initial groups either of us had ever shot with any handgun out of this Arex. The G10 left side grip protruded a little from the curve of the frame, maybe 1/32", and cut my thumb when I was shooting, so I took some 600 grit to it when I got home and that solved it. First 500 rounds through this gun, not one failure, and it's as automatic shooting steels as my CZs.

It's big with a thick grip profile, but if you have man sized hands that just means it's going to feel good in hand, although I do have to use the middle finger of my trigger hand to hit the ambi mag release because that grip is fat son. Accurate and reliable out of the box. Big but not heavy and even then it seems to soak up recoil just fine and stay on target. Not snappy at all. 17+1 filled with Tac XPD and sits on my dresser when not going to the range.

I'll say it this way, already owning and loving two CZs, this Arex is not going to make me get rid of them by any stretch. However, in a world where I had never had a CZ in my hand, I would assuredly already own the compact version of this Arex by now. My Arex is an excellent full size 9. I will also carry it when it's hoodie and coat weather because it sits great in the pancake holster I got for it and wears better than my other full size guns although you'd never guess from holding it.

I can attest to the quality of this Arex. If like me you already have your preferences set but have a small Sig itch to scratch, it's a great gun at half the price of the original, and it may perform even better.

 

[Reinz]

Thanks for the good write up.

I have heard of these but have not seen any in the wild yet. It sure looks like a nice pistol.

Though I have a good number of Sigs, I think that they are overpriced and performance is lacking in MY hands. Guess I’m just too much of a 1911 guy.

It’s good to know that there are cheaper options.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

When these first came out to the US years ago, I played with one at the gun store.

The reviews online spoke so highly of it, but sadly the one I handled, I was severely disappointed.

It rattled, was sharp on every surface like a cheese grater, and had a garbage trigger.

I still see reviews singing its praises, so I have to assume I handled a lemon.

If I ever see one, I might have to play with it again.

Edit: I heard great things about their striker Delta series. I'm interested in that one

 

[5-SHOTS]

Thanks for the nice writeup.
I still haven't had a chance to see one in person but what I've seen on youtube have impressed me. It seems very well made and has some interesting features.

The polymer Rex Delta is also getting very favoureable reviews.

 

[sisyphus]

I struggled with my CZs at first because I was coming from 1911s, so I thought the CZ trigger was sheer garbage when I got the first one. I've done an about face on the CZ trigger. My full size 75 is just a range toy and probably will get an SAO conversion, but I am happy to carry the decocker version of the 75 Compact. To my mind it is SO much better carrying decocked than cocked and locked. I'm a corrections officer for 17 years now, and I am no stranger to crisis moments and what it does to your train of thought. I think with a 1911 carry gun you could get past the safety with training no problem, but with the decocker CZ it's no issue at all. Yeah that first pull is long and creepy in comparison, which you won't even notice when the adrenalin is pumping. I think not having to disengage a safety on a gun with a long, deliberate first pull is genius for carry and it's a new thing for me. To my mind there is almost no chance you could accidentally discharge a decocked CZ while carrying one. So I like that the Arex has a decocker, because it gives me peace of mind should I ever carry that one, which I will under a hoodie or coat despite its size.

So the Arex trigger, yeah it's not great. It's no CZ. Maybe 13 lb on that first pull, and it's a long trip. I shoot my Arex really well despite the trigger, so well that I think kindly of it compared to my 1911s and CZs, which all shoot fantastic and have good to great triggers. It's a sub $600 full size 9, so my point is what the Arex gives you in that price range is really quite amazing and to my mind is only outdone by what you'd get in a comparable CZ. It feels good in hand, shoots well, runs absolutely reliably, and I already have the CZs so it's a nice change of pace for me to have something different that I enjoy shooting as much as those. Ultimately each of us are going to have guns that just feel right regardless of brand or price, and for me the Arex is one of those.

 

[JDR]

I have a little problem that I think maybe some of you might share. I have two Dan Wesson 1911s and two CZ 75s and I still look at guns.

I had a very small Sig itch that needed scratching because the P228 was the very first handgun I ever owned. I was going to buy a Zastava Sig clone, because my Zastava AK is so reliable and perfect that it's almost boring, or at least confidence inspiring. But then this Slovenian Sig clone by Arex caught my eye because of Youtube videos. Initially the combination of decocker and manual safety was off putting, but Graham Baates videos eventually won me over. I ordered a Arex Rex Zero 1 with FDE G10 Hogue grips. The machining, fit and finish of the gun was excellent, and amazing at the sub $600 price. At our range, my oldest son and I both shot the best initial groups either of us had ever shot with any handgun out of this Arex. The G10 left side grip protruded a little from the curve of the frame, maybe 1/32", and cut my thumb when I was shooting, so I took some 600 grit to it when I got home and that solved it. First 500 rounds through this gun, not one failure, and it's as automatic shooting steels as my CZs.

It's big with a thick grip profile, but if you have man sized hands that just means it's going to feel good in hand, although I do have to use the middle finger of my trigger hand to hit the ambi mag release because that grip is fat son. Accurate and reliable out of the box. Big but not heavy and even then it seems to soak up recoil just fine and stay on target. Not snappy at all. 17+1 filled with Tac XPD and sits on my dresser when not going to the range.

I'll say it this way, already owning and loving two CZs, this Arex is not going to make me get rid of them by any stretch. However, in a world where I had never had a CZ in my hand, I would assuredly already own the compact version of this Arex by now. My Arex is an excellent full size 9. I will also carry it when it's hoodie and coat weather because it sits great in the pancake holster I got for it and wears better than my other full size guns although you'd never guess from holding it.

I can attest to the quality of this Arex. If like me you already have your preferences set but have a small Sig itch to scratch, it's a great gun at half the price of the original, and it may perform even better.

You mentioned a owning 2 each DW’s and CZ’s and then you mention a “problem” and I’m having an issue comprehending one to the other. My DW and my CZ’s are never a problem. The only problem I hear is getting rid of a P228 and I gave up the original one I had but I still have the replacement one. That AREX looks like a decent gun and it might work for you at least until you get another P228. Or an M11-A1 which I think Sig still sells, but it’s such a good gun and I enjoy mine so much, that I’m sure Sig is planning on killing it off!

 

[Old Dog]

Well, it's nice the OP is enjoying his Arex.

However, it's a mistake to call it a "clone" of the SIG P-226; parts are not interchangeable, nor are the magazines compatible. The Arex is a pistol that copies, but does not replicate, many features of the SIG P-series pistols.

The Arex pistols I've examined (admittedly a small sampling of exactly two) do not have fit and finish comparable to even the base model SIG. The DA triggers,sorry, felt simply atrocious.

Also, the Arex (at $599) is hardly less than half the price of a SIG (unless you're talking the high-end models, the Legion, Elite, etc.). The base model 229s and 226s are still well under a grand.

Finally, there's the matter of support. SIG has support all over the world, with small parts, replacement parts and aftermarket accessories available from a myriad of distributors and vendors. The Arex? Not so much.

Also, with a SIG, you can procure superb Mec-Gar magazines at great prices, factory mags readily available at a premium. Where are the Arex mags?

 

[sisyphus]

well that's that, the Arex is crap. You heard him.

 

[Old Dog]

Please don't put words in my mouth. Nowhere did I term the Arex as "crap." I'm sure it's a worthy pistol.

I merely pointed out that it's not a clone of a SIG and a few differences. It does no one a service if one attempts to portray a low-priced handgun with no support as "the same as" a proven gun with a long legacy of support.

Not trying to crap on your thread either, so no need to take it personally. But if you put up a comparison thread between any budget firearm and a well-established, proven gun, be prepared for discussion.

 

[Jim Watson]

Best thing(s) about the Arex, you don't have to pull the heavy DA because there is a properly located thumb safety. And the big slide release/decocker means you don't need a search warrant to find Sig's teeny button to drop the slide.
I'd like to see one.

 

[JR24]

Best thing(s) about the Arex, you don't have to pull the heavy DA because there is a properly located thumb safety. And the big slide release/decocker means you don't need a search warrant to find Sig's teeny button to drop the slide.
I'd like to see one.

I assume you refer to the Legion slide stop? The basic Sig slide stops are pretty big, big enough that I accidentally trip them all the time

 

[JR24]

Nice pistol OP, I looked at once once and it seemed pretty nice.

 

[Jim Watson]

I assume you refer to the Legion slide stop? The basic Sig slide stops are pretty big, big enough that I accidentally trip them all the time

Nope. I have a West German CPO P226 with every IDPA allowed improvement. A good crunchenticker for IDPA SSP except my 1911 thumb could not manage the teensy slide stop. I thought the Legion SAO would be better, but it isn't. If I wanted to silver solder on an extension, it might be made usable, but I did not care for the idea of an $1100 DIY kit. I retired the P226 to home defense and resumed the 1911 for competition.

 

[jhb]

I own this gun. great, until ya have a problem and youre on your own pretty much. I know first hand.