ZRO FKS-9 Review

When I first heard about the Zro Delta FKS-9, I was intrigued. Mainly because it is a Gen3 Glock 19 clone for $400. The name also made me laugh “Zro Fks 9”, you get the point. The FKS-9 also had “upgrades” that should make it better than a G19. Which is probably why you are here reading this. So let’s get started.

As mentioned, the FKS-9 is essentially a G19. It is the same size and uses the same parts, or at least Glock gen 3 parts. What that means to you is that Gen 3 Glock triggers, sights, barrels, slides, and magazines will work with the FKS-9. The only part that is not Gen 3 compatible is the reversible Gen 4 magazine release button. In my experience, it will also fit in my G19 and G17 Holsters.

The frame on the ZRO FKS-9 is where the real differences are. To start with, it has excellent texture on the pistol grip. It is not too harsh, but still gives a good grip when firing. There are no interchangeable backstraps with this one. All you get is a molded in curved style. This grip seems to fit various size hands comfortably, except maybe some smaller ones. The extended beavertail and double undercut trigger guard help the FKS-9 to fit those larger hands without much trouble or slide bite. Instead of a picatinny rail at the front, Zro Delta decided to go with the standard Glock light rail. This is fine since there are plenty of lights out there that will fit it. My favorite part of the frame is the “Control Ledges” that are above the front of the trigger guard. These ledges do two things: they give you a reference point to index your trigger finger when not shooting, and they give you a spot to rest your support hand thumb, thus helping to dampen muzzle flip. These ledges actually have a textured ledge to them. This ledge extends out from the frame about 1/16th of an inch to give you some real bite with your thumbs. The magwell is ever so slightly beveled to help with reloads. Lastly, the frame also has a 18 degree grip angle instead of the Glock's 22 degree angle. This grip angle makes it point better for most people.

Up top of the ZRO FKS-9 is a nice looking slide. It is made from 416 stainless steel and then black nitride plated. The slide has no identifying marks on it. Instead, the 4 inch match grade barrel is marked with the ZRO logo. There are front and rear angled slide serrations. These are cut nicely and give it a good grip, even with gloved or wet hands. On top sits a set of 3-dot steel sights. These sights are usable, even if they are pretty plain. Inside the slide sits a one piece style recoil spring assembly that rides on a stainless rod. The rest of the parts are just normal gen 3 slide parts. All this makes the FKS-9 shoot pretty accurately.

Now it is time for my relationship with the ZRO FKS-9. The pistol doesn’t live up to its name. Yes, I really like the grip angle, even though the pistol felt a little bit snappy to me. It also carries nicely in a holster. The texture didn’t kill my skin while carrying, a bonus I would say. Now the bad. I had a lot of stove pipe failures, like 2 in the first 50 rounds, then about 1 every 150 rounds past that for a total of 6 in the 750 rounds I shot. I even used 4 different types of magazines on separate trips out, as well as various types and brands of ammunition. The front sight also came loose at the 280 round mark. Luckily I noticed it before it went flying downrange. I then loctited it in and didn’t have any problems with it coming loose after that. The trigger pull weight also came in at 6.25 pounds after breaking it in. I know it is a Glock trigger, but I was hoping for the stated 5.5 pounds. I would have also liked the base model to come with an optic cut and a few more magazines. The FKS-9 didn’t live up to the quality that I expected from Zro Delta.

The best thing about the Zro Delta FKS-9 is its name. And from the problems I had, maybe they don’t give any. The pistol has some good things going for it, I just think they need to refine their quality control a bit. Then the ZRO FKS-9 might be something that will compare to the pistol it copies. Either way, if you want to check out the ZRO FKS-9, you can head over to Zro Delta and take a look at it.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Decently priced G19 clone with 1911 grip angle

Target Market:

Those wanting a Glock compatible G19 size pistol for less than the price of a Glock

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

Caliber: 9x19mm
Advanced Polymer Frame and Handle
Reversible Ambidextrous Magazine Release
Improved 18-degree Grip Angle
416 Stainless Steel slide
4140 Precision Match Barrel, 4”
15 Round Capacity, 1 Magpul magazine included
Sights: White Dot Rear/Front
Trigger Pull: 5.5lb
Width: 1.25”
Weight: 21.5 oz
Enhanced Beavertail
Double-undercut Trigger Guard
Control Ledge above trigger guard
Glock® Gen3 compatible
Made in USA

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

RMR cut or Plate System

What others are saying?:

Not much found as of publishing

Link to other reviews:

Athlon Outdoors

RTT: Guns & Gear on YouTube

Price point:

MSRP = $399.99

Retail = $350.00

I need it now! Availability:

ZRODelta or your local gun shop

Our Rating:

Pros:

The NAME
Grip texture
Uses Gen 3 Glock parts
Magazine well
Undercut Trigger Guard
Beavertail

Cons:

Trigger pull is a little stiff
Random stovepipe failures
Base option should come with RMR cut
Front sight came loose

Score: 6.00 Okay

Favorite Link: AR Build: A young woman's perspective

It seems as if everyone is getting into the custom Glock barrel making business. Faxon Firearms is no exception, or is it? Faxon has been making rifle barrels for some time now. What’s the next logical step, pistol barrels, of course. Faxon was gracious enough to send me 2 of their Glock barrels. One for a G19, and then one for a G17. We will mainly be talking about the G19 barrel.

The G19 barrel that came in was the TiN (titanium nitride) one. This coating gives the barrel a great looking gold plating. Not only does it look good, but it should last a lifetime. Not only does the barrel have Tin coating, the Tin coating is actually done over a QPQ salt bath nitride. These “Match Series” barrels are made from 416-R Stainless Steel. Faxon also does a flame style fluting on the outside of the barrel. On this type of barrel, I would have to hear some really good data as to why, except that it looks good.

These barrels are what they call “Drop in”. Yes, it did drop into my slide without any fitting, and I would expect it to for almost any slide. Because it has tighter tolerances than a stock barrel, the lock up is tighter and the fit in general is better. According to Faxon, it has a 9mm SAAMI chamber. It doesn’t mention a “match” chamber. The barrel also runs a 11 degree target crown. Faxon uses a conventional button rifling. This means that you can shoot any type of bullet out of it, including lead. The lock up was nice and tight. The barrel has very little, if any, noticeable movement front to back or side to side. There are some wear marks around the barrel, but that is to be expected. I guess those tight tolerances are working correctly without being too large to cause problems.

I want to mention difference that I noticed with this barrel. The hood of the barrel (the top part that fills up the ejection port) has a tapered cut at the front. This allows the slide/barrel to unlock more smoothly, at least in my opinion. Other “match” barrels that I have are just squared off in this location. After a little use, they show a wear mark, but the Faxon barrel does not.

S - Sig 115gr. 3 rounds shown, other 2 rounds are covered by tape measure

Now that I’ve bored you with the details, how does it shoot? My answer would be good. I tested accuracy with 7 different ammunition manufacturers. These groups were shot at 15yds with me resting the pistol on a bag. I used a Polymer 80 frame with a Grey Ghost Precision slide. The 5 shot groups ranged from just under 1.5” to around 7”. I also shot the same ammo through a different barrel and the 7” stuff was just as bad. Most of the groups averaged around 2.5” - 3”. This barrel has worked great from the first round and on up. The best group was with Sig 115 gr Elite ball FMJ, and the worst group was HSM 124 gr. I know this is not a Ransom rest accuracy test, but I thought it was more practical and probably gives a better idea of real world accuracy.

If you are in the market for a new, or replacement Glock barrel, look into Faxon. Besides the one here, they make different color options and threading also. Plus, they are made 100% in the USA in Faxon’s production facility. A great barrel option for Glock style pistols.