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The list of Glock-based guns is growing and for good reason. The design is simple, reliable, and uses minimal parts. The part Glock didn't want you to know about is that they are also inexpensive to produce. So with expired deisgns that are still relevant today we now get a wide variety of Glock-based guns that are quite affordable and often offer something more than Glock ever has.
What is it? The Saricam S-19 is one such gun, coming to us from a manufacturer I had not heard of before. The S-19 follows the same size configuration of the Glock 19 with a 4" barrel and 15-round capacity, and of course using Glock-pattern magazines, but weighs in at only 24.5oz
Who's it For? This size of 9mm pistol became mainstay for a reason. The gun is large enough to be comfortable for range use, has enough capacity to serve as a house gun, yet is also small and light enough to make for a reasonable carry for most climates and people. The current asking price of $299.95 also makes it an affordable option
...but Why? The flood of Glock-based guns offering features and styles not offered by the namesake. That's what must be done to overcome the origin's brand equity; features and price. Here's what I have noticed is different about the Saricam S-19:
Lower price.
Steel Sights
Slightly different ergonomics and texture
Reduced weight: The Saricam S-19 is lighter than the Glock 19 by over 5 ounces.
Steel dual-spring guide rod
A cleaner trigger. Not lighter, but very clean and predictable. No "dragging a trash can through gravel" here.
Stylized Slide
About that Slide I know it's fun to make fun of "speed holes" or to bring up the frighteningly common fear of getting in a grapplig gun fight in a grain silo, but the reality is it's physics. The lighter your slide is the quicker it will cycle and the less recirpocating mass you hand has to stabilize. Lighter slides result in reduced felt recoil and and easier time refinding sights for follow shots.
Take a Look at the Saricam S-19 for yourself in the tabletop video below. Rumble video link HERE.
Specifications:
Model: S-19
Colors: Black, Green, Tan, Grey
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 15+1 (two magazines included)
Barrel Length: 4"
Weight: 24.5oz
US Retail Price: $299.95 direct from Saricam USA
Contact Paul@smtimports.com to order.
Is it Any Good? Right out of the box I was taken back by how light it was. I also immediately noticed a sluggish slide that I highly suspect was the result of cerakote on the rails. This caused the above-pictured failures for the slide to return fully when handling the gun dry. I've seen this happen with cerakoted guns and it's not a big deal as it typically goes away after 50-100 rounds of firing wearing off that cerakote.
As to the rest of the performance, that's what the GBGuns range protocol was created for including:
Cold Shots: Truly the first rounds through the gun. No warm up, no practice.
Full Magazine +1: Suprisingly some modern guns still struggle with this. It's a test of how much play is in the magazine as well as how the slide cycles with pressure. This is also when I do my best to learn the trigger.
Multi-Mag: When a firearm uses a common magazine pattern I like to try a few to see how they fit. Not all aftermarket magazines have the same dimensions and fitment. In the Saricam S-19 I tried a P-Mag, Ulti-Mag, ETS, Extar, Go-Safe, and BUL Armory.
What's For Dinner™: A test to see what ammunition the gun will eat. Does the gun feed the round from slide lock, will it cycle and feed another round of the same type, does the slide lock to the rear on empty, and is there any notable point of impact change with different loads.
For this gun the following ammunition was used:
Priced and linked where found at the time this article was written
70gr Federal American Eagle Lead Free $32.99 / 50 direct from Federal
110gr Koenig JHP $49.69 / 50 at Optics Planet
115gr Hornady American Gunner $20.99 / 25 at KYGunCo
115gr Sig Elite Defense V-Crown $39.99 / 50 direct from Sig
124gr Sig Elite Defense V-Crown $44.99 / 50 direct from Sig
124gr Federal Premium Tactical HST $39.99 / 50 at Target Sports USA
130gr Federal Syntech PCC $29.99 / 50 direct from Federal
147gr Sig Elite Defense V-Crown $44.99 / 50 direct from Sig
147gr Fiocchi Defense Dynamics JHP $20.36 / 50 at Global Ordnance
165gr AMMO, Inc Stleth FMJ $26.21 / 50 at KYGunCo
Range Ammo Magtech 115gr FMJ $234 / 1000 at TrueShot
Sights & Trigger Control: on a 6" spinner target at a distance of 12 yards. We got this from Titan Great Outdoors and use it to gauge how learnable the trigger is and usable the sights are for forced, timed, precise shots.
Practical Accuracy: Five shots from a distance of seven yards at a one inch target. This isn't so much about printing a tight group as it is a culmination of our shooting experience and time for us to collect thoughts prior to making a conclusion.
After Shots: Final impressions and reflections from the range session.
See for yourself how the Saricam S-19 performed int he range video below. Rumble link HERE.
Ammunition seen in our Shooting Impressions video was made possible by our Patrons and supporters of our ammunition savings account through Ammo Squared.
On the Range the sluggish slide appeared a couple of times, but worked itself away as expected. The trigger is, in my opinion, excellent for carry in that it's not too light, but very predictable and crisp. I did find the texture to be a little slick while shooting in the rain, but my hand size also puts my fingers on the peaks of the finger grooves creating a worst-case scenario. Texture is also easy enough to add to a gun.
Overall the pistol was very comfortable to shoot, I think in part due to the lighter slide. It ate everything I fed it, was easy to time shots with, aside from some personal preferences It's a good gun. As far as I know this pistols is currently only available directly from Saricam USA as linked above.