Estimated studying time: 7 minutes
Glock pistols have earned their place as one of the vital trusted and broadly used handguns on the earth. However regardless of their reliability, many shooters are at all times looking for methods to make their Glock shoot flatter, quicker, and extra comfortably. That’s precisely what Angled Spade Applied sciences got down to enhance with the Imperium 9C slide meeting. This whole drop-in higher combines a proprietary ported slide design with a shortened barrel, built-in sights, and optics reduce for a turn-key recoil discount answer.
Imperium 9C – Drop-In Match with a Customized Really feel
Earlier than diving into the main points, it’s value noting I had my Imperium 9C customized Cerakoted in a Multicam sample by Rising Creek Customs. Angled Spade ships the slide with a clear and sturdy Melonite QPQ end that resists corrosion and put on. The added Cerakote has held up effectively by way of testing and provides additional safety alongside the upgraded look. For those who’re contemplating a end improve, I can personally vouch for his or her work.
The Imperium 9C slide meeting is designed to drop straight onto any Glock 19 decrease, no matter era. I paired mine with a Gen 3 Glock 19 decrease that was beforehand stippled by Clutch Kinetic. Proper out of the field, the Imperium 9C mated up cleanly and required no becoming or tuning.
This whole higher consists of Angled Spade’s proprietary 3.25-inch barrel, a front-ported slide, blacked-out Ameriglo raised sights, and a mud cowl adapter for Gen 4/5 compatibility. The optics reduce is obtainable for RMR, 509T, or Acro footprints. I ran an RMR on mine. The match was tight and centered without having for additional shims or tweaks.
Recoil Discount You Can Really feel
Capturing the Imperium 9C is the place this slide shines. I ran a couple of hundred rounds by way of it, principally 124gr Blazer Brass. I additionally ran Hornady 115gr, 124gr +P, 135gr, and 147gr defensive hundreds. All through my testing, I skilled zero malfunctions or failures. The pistol ran cleanly and reliably throughout the board.
Recoil mitigation was instantly noticeable. The built-in slide port sits simply ahead of the barrel’s finish, venting gases upward with out the necessity to port the barrel itself. This retains the barrel crown intact and prevents a few of the typical carbon fouling or reliability points related to conventional comps. The port is massive and efficient. It delivers a definite discount in muzzle rise and conserving the pistol flatter in speedy strings.
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Even with a bummed hand and up to date stitches that prevented a full grip, I used to be nonetheless taking pictures constant 2-inch 5-round teams at 7 yards. 4-round clusters have been usually sub-1-inch, with one flyer in every that I chalked as much as my grip. By way of management and pace, the Imperium 9C makes the Glock 19 noticeably simpler to handle.
Actual-World Chrono Knowledge
There’s a trade-off to the shortened 3.25-inch barrel: velocity loss. I in contrast the Imperium 9C’s barrel to a 4.5-inch SilencerCo threaded barrel utilizing the identical lot of 124gr Blazer Brass and noticed a median 53 fps drop. That interprets to a couple of 5% discount in muzzle velocity.
For many customers, this minor loss in power is greater than made up for by the improved pace and management. Particularly when operating defensive or +P hundreds, you might be nonetheless effectively inside efficient terminal efficiency zones. And for vary, competitors, or carry functions, taking pictures flatter and quicker is usually well worth the commerce.
Optics-Prepared with Backup Sights Constructed In
The optic reduce on the Imperium 9C isn’t excessively deep, however it’s exact and clear. When paired with my RMR, the included Ameriglo sights supplied a decrease 1/5 co-witness. This retains the irons unobtrusive whereas nonetheless being useful if the optic ever fails.
I appreciated the sight alternative. Easy, blacked-out metal with a serrated entrance and flat rear. No busy dots or tritium to distract from the dot. It’s a wise pairing for an optics-driven pistol.
Fashionable Design
Weight-wise, the Imperium 9C is about 14% lighter than a manufacturing facility Glock 19 slide and as much as 50% lighter than some ported rivals. It accomplishes this with additional machined pockets and lightened geometry that also preserves structural integrity.
The slide serrations are useful with out being overly aggressive. They provide good traction, and the added prime and facet cuts lend it a premium look.
One of the best half? All of this suits customary Glock 19 holsters. I carried the pistol in the identical Trex Arms Sidecar I’ve used for practically 8 years with none clearance points.
READ MORE HERE: Battle of the Plastic Pistol: Anderson vs. Glock vs. Savage
Ultimate Verdict on the Imperium 9C: Definitely worth the Improve?
For shooters trying to improve their Glock 19 with a high-performance slide meeting, the Angled Spade Imperium 9C checks lots of packing containers. It’s a flat-shooting, visually putting, and sensible improve that doesn’t sacrifice reliability or compatibility. At $680, it’s not a finances improve, however when paired with an OEM Glock body (which may usually be discovered for round $220), you’re a full-featured customized construct for below $900. That’s a compelling worth contemplating the efficiency positive aspects.
Between the built-in port, shortened barrel, and slide lightening, it feels extra controllable than a inventory Glock. The truth that it’s an entire system with optics-ready compatibility and Ameriglo sights makes it much more interesting.Â
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Mitchell Graf is a devoted hunter, aggressive shooter, and firearms fanatic. As a former teacher and president of Oklahoma State’s Sensible Capturing Staff, he has a powerful basis in marksmanship and competitors taking pictures. Today, he spends as a lot time as doable chasing pigs and coyotes with evening imaginative and prescient and thermal optics.
When he’s not within the discipline or on the vary, Mitchell works as a full-time Mechanical Engineer within the Aerospace and Protection trade and manages a part-time farming operation. Whether or not he’s behind a rifle, designing elements, or working the land, his drive for precision and efficiency stays the identical.
Expertise:– Mechanical Engineer – Full-time skilled within the Aerospace/Protection trade.– Aggressive Shooter & Teacher – Former President and Teacher of Oklahoma State’s Sensible Capturing Staff.– Evening Imaginative and prescient & Thermal Hunter – Obsessed with evening time predator and hog searching.– Half-Time Farmer – Working to offer for my household, and lift meals for this nice nation.
