Arex got off the ground making Slovenia-built SIG P226 clones but have steadily grown into their own category of striker-fired, semi-automatic handguns. The Arex Delta Gen.2 series is here and offering affordable firearms for the masses. They’ve produced several variants of the gun, and today we are looking at what they call the Delta Tactical variant. Alongside the tactical, we have an X, a Long boi, and a standard model.
The base of the Delta Gen.2 series is a compact frame firearm in the same realm as the Glock 19. The L model features a longer 4.5-inch barrel, the M model is the standard, and the X Model features an extended grip but a compact length barrel.
Let’s look at the numbers. That gives us a better idea as to what the gun is and does. The barrel is 4.6 inches long with threading. The gun is 7.7 inches long and 4.9 inches tall. It’s 1.2 inches wide at its widest, and it has a grip that’s only 1.18 inches wide. The Delta Tactical only comes in 9mm and has both a 15-round flush-fitting magazine and a slightly extended 17-round magazine. These magazines are also compatible with the CZ P10C series.
Ergonomics
It’s fairly average when it comes to specs outside of the rather thin grip module. At 1.18 inches, it’s thinner than most standard double-stack guns. It’s considerably thinner than Glocks, FNs, CZs, and the usual suspects. It feels great in hand, and I appreciate its somewhat lithe nature.
The grip texture is suitably aggressive and locks the gun into your hands quite well. It’s easy to hold onto. You get three backstraps that allow you to customize the grip to your needs. Slide serrations top the front and rear of the slide with an aggressive and grippy texture that makes them easy to manipulate.
The magazine release is an extended version with the tactical model, and while it’s right-handed, Arex included a left-handed version in the box for an at-home swap. The extended device is an excellent feature, and it really sticks out nice and far for easy engagement and quick mag swaps.
Overall it’s a solid showing in the ergonomics department. It’s not going to blow minds, but it’s impressive, and for the price, even more so. Its much slicked than a Glock lower.
At the Range
The Arex Delta Tactical handles, like most 9mm, compact frame pistols. It’s not going to be a handheld revolution, but it doesn’t need to be. Recoil is plenty controllable, and the combination of a nice high grip with the aggressive grip texture gives you an unmovable gun.
The big steel sights are nice and co-witness well with standard red dot sights, and with my Primary Arms optic, I have no issues snapping on target. The trigger is a bit more refined than most striker-fired options. It follows the trend of partially cocked actions but offers a smooth and consistent pull with an audible and tactile reset that leans on the shorter side. I started at 15 yards and backed out to 50 yards, and consistently landed shots at every distance in between.
A red dot makes it easy, but so does a gun that’s easy to shoot. The Delta Tactical was capable of hitting an IPSC target at 50 yards with ease in the hands of a mediocre shooter. From 15 to 35 yards, I kept a 10-inch gong swinging back and forth but got a bit more challenged by it from 40 yards. It’s sufficiently accurate for concealed carry, home defense, and even duty use.
The good thing about Eastern European guns is that they tend to run reliably, and that was the case here. It ate through steel, and brass-cased ammo, some JHPs, and even a handful of old 95-grain reduced recoil 9mm rounds. After 400 rounds without issue and a handful of weird ammo, I can say the gun runs and runs well.
What’s Impressive
The combination of the gun’s parts makes it a solid contender in a crowded market. The Arex Defense Delta Tactical might not blow the roof off the industry, but there is an impressive feature I haven’t mentioned yet. The price. The gun retails for around 550 dollars. That’s average for most pistols, but most pistols aren’t coming optics ready, with a threaded barrel, suppressor height sights, and extended controls.
It’s a solid gun for the money, and I’d declare it a downright bargain. I’ve found myself going to it more than less, even among my many similar handguns .it’s an above-average polymer frame pistol with a below-average price, and I can certainly respect that.
