Before You Buy - The Strike Arms SAP-C

The Glock 19  Gen 3 is probably one of the most copied, loved, hated, and shot pistols on the planet. First released in 1998, the 3rd generation of Glocks has since become the basis for most aftermarket Glock clones, which includes today’s subject - the new Strike Arms SAP-C. Fresh from the newly minted Strike Arms brand, the firearms division of Strike Industries, the SAP-C is built on Glock 19 Gen 3 bones, and while you can use a complete Gen 3 Glock 19 upper to complete the process for a working handgun quickly, I decided to build one completely from Strike Industries parts. Today, I’ll break down my hands-on time with the SAP-C to see if it’s worth your hard-earned cash or if it’s just another Glock wannabe that you have to assemble yourself.

Specifications and Key Features

The SAP-C is a bold first swing at a serialized firearm, taking the Glock 19 Gen 3 platform and giving it a serious glow-up. Even if you already own a Gen 3 Glock 19, the SAP-C frame itself can be considered an upgrade with its better grip texture, more comfortable grip angle, and, of course, its dust cover rail - something Gen 3 Glocks lack. Standard Glock mags, of course, work with the gun, but for this build, I used some of Strike Industries’ “Strike Mags.”. Where Glock sticks to its utilitarian roots, the SAP-C leans into a much more loved 1911-inspired grip angle, a crisp striker-fired trigger, and a pre-installed lower parts kit that saves you the hassle of assembling some of the other intricate parts of a Glock. However, Strike Arms also announced at SHOT 2025 that they’d be doing something similar to a fire control group with different frame options.

Official Description on The Strike Arms Website

“The Strike Arms SAP-C is a compact 9mm pistol frame designed for builders and shooters who demand more. Compatible with Glock 19 Gen 3 components, it’s a ready-to-roll platform that blends superior ergonomics, aggressive styling, and rock-solid reliability for carry, duty, or range days.”

• Striker-Fired Trigger with 1911-Style Grip Angle
• Gen 3 Glock Parts Compatibility
• Polymer Frame with Aggressive Stippling
• MSRP: $149.95 (frame only); ~$800 fully assembled with Strike Industries parts

Upper Assembly

Assembling the Strike Arms SAP-C is pretty simple and can be accomplished with minimal tools - just a punch and a small hammer in most cases. Strike sells completion kits if you’re interested in making sure you get everything you need, including some of the more unique tools for assembling the slide. 

I used a small punch set and a 4-oz brass hammer to nudge stubborn parts, but you could get by with less. First, build the firing pin assembly: slide the spacer sleeve over the firing pin, add the spring, compress it, and cap it with the spring cups. Then, assemble the extractor components—insert the plastic bearing into the spring, followed by the plunger—and set both aside. Next, tap the firing pin channel liner into the slide (rounded end first) using the included tool or a 7/32 punch, followed by the firing pin safety (beveled end out) and its spring. With a thumb holding the safety down, slide the firing pin assembly into the channel (raised portion down) until it locks in place.

From there, it’s onto the extractor and final touches. Drop the extractor into the slide’s ejection side (rounded end aligned), then insert the plunger assembly—spring, bearing, and plunger—through the rear hole to hold it. This keeps your SAP-C from being a one-shot wonder, so don’t skip it. The slide cover plate is the trickiest bit—tight on the Strike slide—so I used a punch to depress the firing pin and extractor assemblies while tapping the plate into place with a hammer. A vise or pistol block helps here. 

Once the slide’s done, it’s a standard Glock field-strip setup. The Strike Liteslide includes an optics cover plate, but I opted for Tyrant CNC Night Fission sights and a Trijicon RMR HD, mounted with the provided hardware. Slap it onto the SAP-C frame, and you’ve got a fully assembled Glock clone ready to roll—no gunsmithing nightmares required.

Range Performance

Glock clones have become insanely good in terms of shooting comfort and performance, and the SAP-C is another one I think I can add to the list of brands I like. Picking it up, the 1911-style grip angle feels instantly familiar if you’ve ever shot a classic single-action pistol—it points naturally, unlike the Glock’s steeper slant that some folks wrestle with. With the 15-round flush mag, I get a full grip (average hands here), and the slightly extended beavertail also helps keep the gun firmly in your hand during shooting.

Over the past few months, I’ve put about 1,000 rounds through this setup—mostly 115-grain and 124-grain FMJ—and it’s been a bit hit and miss. During my first few outings, it was extremely cold out, and the gun tended not to want to go into battery when feeding from a fresh magazine. This problem, over the last couple of months, has happened much less, and that leads me to the conclusion that the SAP-C and other Strike components used for this build just need a bit of time to gel together into a smoother operating firearm. 

Strike Arms cut its teeth on aftermarket parts, so it’s no shock the SAP-C feels like it was born for the range and less like its meant for CCW duty. Adding a weapon light like an X300 or a TLR-HL1, and recoil stays flat enough to keep your dot on target making it extremely fun to shoot on the range or during a competition on the weekend. At 23 ounces unloaded (with a typical G19 slide), it’s light enough to carry appendix or IWB without dragging your pants down, and the slimmed-down profile—barely over an inch wide—hides well under a jacket which is the only way I’d be able to carry this gun with everything I’ve got bolted onto it. The 4-inch barrel gives you a smoother shooting experience than micro compacts, and the stippling locks it in place without digging into your hands during extended range sessions. It’s got a low-key cool factor that I think would pair with any holster material.

On the range, the SAP-C’s balance shines. Recoil is snappy but controlled—less flip than a Glock 43X, thanks to the slightly longer barrel and that grip angle tweak. The trigger’s a cut above most striker-fired compacts, with minimal mush and no overtravel. All in all, for a first outing in genuine firearms, I think Strike Industries has managed to hit the sweet spot between looking cool and actually functioning well as a customizable Glock platform. 

Pros:

• Common parts, mags, and sights for easy customization
• Better factory trigger than an OEM Glock
• Weaponlight ready with endless Glock 19 Gen 3 compatibility everywhere else
  
• Affordable entry point for a custom build
  

Cons:

• Seems like it needs a “break in” period after assembly
• Possibility of incompatible parts/tolerance stacking
• Much higher price than a stock Gen 3 Glock 19
• Reliant on your own G19 upper or Upper Kit for full assembly

My Final Thoughts

Strike Arms isn’t a household name—yet—but the SAP-C makes a strong case for their debut. I’ve run close to 1,500 rounds through mine so far, mixing cheap FMJ with some occasional mags filled with old CCW ammo that’s being cycled out - it’s eaten everything, even though sometimes it doesn’t want to feed properly from a fresh mag. Durability’s looking solid: the frame’s tight, the stippling’s holding up, and there’s no play in the slide-to-frame fit using all-Strike parts. If you’re after a compact 9mm that’s carry-friendly, range-ready, and ripe for customization—all without breaking the bank—the SAP-C’s frame price is a great place to start for a good-looking Glock clone that I think looks better than a lot of boutique pistols. It’s not perfect, but it’s a damn good start for a brand swinging for the fences. I think this is a project worth looking into for the weekend warrior.