PSA Takes on GLOCK with 9mm Dagger
Palmetto State Armory just announced their 9mm Dagger – a heavily Glock-inspired, budget-priced handgun. The polymer-framed, magazine-fed handgun bares more than a passing resemblance to the Austrian gold standard for reliability.
That’s because the new 9mm Dagger has near 100% parts compatibility with third generation Glock handguns. At first glance, this seems like it must be a patent violation. But apparently, most of Glock’s patents on their Gen 3 pistols have expired. This allows companies like PSA to swoop in and bare their manufacturing might to undercut Glock.
A Glock by any other name...
Though in this case, Glock has no issues gaining acceptance among American shooters. Quite the opposite. But given the rising number of polymer-framed, striker-fired handguns being released by dozens of companies, Glock has to innovate to stay relevant. But many shooters believe that Glock has yet to surpass their third generation handguns. For all intents and purposes, the PSA Dagger is a Glock of another name.
In fact the only real differentiating factor on the Dagger versus a Glock handgun is the trigger. It closely resembles that of a S&W M&P handgun instead of the blade safety featured on Glock handguns. That, and the initial model offered by PSA will be a compact (a la Glock 19) instead of a full-sized combat handgun. Accordingly, it will hold 15-round 9mm Glock-pattern magazines flush inside the magazine well.
While the previous traditional pistol offered by PSA wasn’t quiet up to snuff, the Dagger is more likely to succeed. Not just because the industry surrounding Glock clones pistols has experienced astronomical expansion and thus gives them an inexhaustible supply of references.
But also due to the fact that PSA picked up a custom arms maker who brought decades of firearms engineering experience to compliment the knowledge base already at the SC company. Because of the this, the Dagger is very likely to be a huge hit.
A Sight for Soar Eyes
The Dagger event accepts standard Glock sights, though many would prefer the slide utilize a standard dovetail cut. Still, given the availability of Glock-pattern iron sights, this is likely the most economical choice. The 9mm Dagger should be hitting store shelves around Summer 2020, and retail for $299. But if past PSA guns are any indication, it will sell for even less than that during sales. For more information, visit www.palmettostatearmory.com
Jim is a freelance writer, editor, and videographer for dozens of publications who loves anything and everything guns. While partial to modern military firearms and their civilian counterparts, he holds a special place in his heart for the greatest battle implement ever devised and other WW2 rifles. When he’s not reviewing guns or shooting for fun and competition, Jim can be found hiking and hunting with his wife Kimberly, and their dog Peanut in the South Carolina low country.