Glock has dominated the gun industry for decades now. It’s no surprise that Glock style handguns are among the most popular at SHOT. This year, Glock clone handguns were being displayed by big-name manufactures, and smaller companies as well.
One reason Glock compatible handguns are so popular is because of the various upgrades that are possible. If you want a different color, some cool serrations, ports, or any other modification, it’s out there somewhere.
In the past, Glock clones were pretty much all based on the Gen3 model. Last year I noticed several companies were making most of the guns Gen 3 compatible but using Gen 4 mag releases. While Gen 3 Glock clones are still the most popular, the rise in Gen 4 clones has begun. It won’t be long until Gen 4 clones are the new “normal.”
As I walked the isles of SHOT 2026, there were several companies producing some variant of a Glock pistol that stood out to me. Here they are in completely random order.
Derya Arms: DY9 Island
Derya Arms produces budget-friendly Glock handguns with some models retailing for under $300. When I spotted the DY9 Island however, my curiosity was piqued and I had to get a closer look.
At first glance, this was probably the most non-Glock looking Glock clone I’ve seen so far. I think the grip is what changes the looks of this gun. But the extremely aggressive serrations on the slide also give it a different look.
With Truglo Green rear sights, an RMR footprint on the slide, and ported barrel, this gun has a lot of “custom” things going for it. It’s one thing to find a budget-priced clone, but not with all the extras this one has.
I will note the barrel is a custom barrel that works with this specific slide. You can see in the photo above that Derya cut the barrel with block style porting in the top. The slide has a cutout that slides over the ported block.
It’s based on a Gen 3 Glock (with a Gen 4 mag release). Most internal components and the magazine are Glock compatible. Derya Arms uses a Black Melonite finish on the slide
From what I understand, this gun will retail for under $500, giving you a lot for your money.
Ruger RXM
In the Glock clone world, Ruger’s release of the RXM last year has set them apart from other manufactures. The RXM is affordable, and its partnership with Magpul provides a removable fire control system so you can change the grip module.
In my first review of this gun last year, I swapped out the compact grip for a different color. But since then, Ruger and Magpul have released a large frame and sub-compact frame for the RXM. That means you now have three grip module sizes to choose from.
Replacing the grip does require a little work but it’s not hard. A few pins must be punched out and a few other pieces will fall out when the fire control group comes apart. The video below walks you through the process step by step.
There are a lot of cool Glock clones out there, but Ruger is the first to make an interchangeable grip module. For those who want quality and options, this is a great choice.
Black Rain: Frontline Handgun
I’ve reviewed the Frontline handgun before, and it was a great shooting gun. Black Rain guns always stand out to me because of their unique finishes designs and colors.
This year, they had several new designs and they looked great. Black Rain is one of the largest users of Cerakote in the nation. With an entire department of artists who do nothing but design and mix colors, they have some cool finishes.
The one that stood out the most at SHOT 2026 was the Frontline Competition edition. It has a stainless, threaded barrel, so you can use a silencer (and they’re making those too), and some cutouts in the slide. This reduces weight on the slide, which reduces recoil.
Like all their Frontline models, the grip is what you notice the most when you hold the gun. It’s angled just a bit more than a Glock handgun and I like it. They also bult up the gas pedal area so your thumb easily finds it and has good support.
If you want a custom Glock-style pistol these are your guys. They can make a custom color and design just for you.
Sarıçam Arms: S-17 Red Spider
Another company that does a lot of custom finishes is Sarıçam. Made in Turkey, they are distributed in the US by Sabattus Mt. Trading CO in Clearwater Florida. They offer some “upgrades” like slide cutouts and porting, but most of their pistols are more of a standard Glock clone.
One thing that is different, however, is Sarıçam Arms offers a line of clones that are completely Gen 4 compatible. They have a lot of cool finishes on their guns, with many offering slide cutouts. They added some finger grooves to the front of the grips which some like and some don’t. I personally always like the finger grooves in the older gen Glocks.
You can find them in the US from companies like Atlantic Firearms where they start at $299.99. With most models, you get a decent carrying case with two mags, a complete cleaning kit and small bottle of lubrication.
For a Gen 4 clone, this is a great price on what appears to be a well made Glock clone.
Zev Technologies: OZ9 Comped
If you want a high-end Glock clone, Zev Technologies is about as close to “Gucci” as you’re going to get. Many of their newer models combine a lot of Gen 5 parts while maintaining a Gen 3 recoil system.
The OZ9 series can be customized a great deal when ordering. For the premium models, you can select an aluminum grip, threaded barrel, and multipole color combinations between the grip, slide, and barrel.
You can also order a compensator with your pistol, although integrated compensators are becoming more popular. For that, you can upgrade to the OZ9 V2 Elite Hypercomp model. At just $1,899 (not including an aluminum grip upgrade) it’s a steal, right? Ok, it’s a little above my price range for a Glock-style pistol, but it’s still a cool gun, and one of the nicest Glock clones at SHOT 2026.
Questions and Answers
What makes the Derya Arms DY9 Island stand out among budget-friendly clones?
The DY9 Island distinguishes itself by offering premium “custom” features—such as a ported barrel with a matching slide cutout, Truglo Green sights, and an RMR optic footprint—while maintaining an expected retail price of under $500.
How has Ruger expanded the versatility of the RXM series this year?
Building on the RXM’s unique removable fire control system, Ruger and Magpul have released new large-frame and sub-compact frame modules, allowing users to swap between three different grip sizes on a single serialized internal unit.
What is the primary appeal of the Black Rain Frontline series?
Black Rain is known for its high-end aesthetics and ergonomics; they have a dedicated team of Cerakote artists for unique finishes and have redesigned the grip angle and “gas pedal” thumb support to improve handling compared to a standard Glock.
Why is Sarıçam Arms significant for fans of later-generation Glock designs?
While most clones are based on the Generation 3 platform, Sarıçam Arms offers a line of pistols that are completely Generation 4 compatible.
What distinguishes Zev Technologies’ OZ9 series in the high-end market?
The OZ9 is a premium “Gucci” clone that blends Gen 5 components with a Gen 3 recoil system. It offers extreme customization, including aluminum grip upgrades and integrated compensators, as seen in the Elite Hypercomp model.
