AREX
AREX is a Slovenian firearms manufacturer producing duty and defensive pistols to NATO military and law enforcement specifications. Their REX Zero 1 series — a DA/SA all-metal 9mm pistol — has earned a strong following among shooters who want CZ 75-style ergonomics and SIG P226-class build quality at an accessible price. The REX Delta and Alpha series expand the lineup with a striker-fired full-size option and a compact carry variant. All AREX pistols are built to the tolerance standards required for Slovenian military and police contracts, making them among the most rigorously manufactured imported pistols available to U.S. civilian buyers.
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AREX REX Zero 1: The DA/SA All-Metal Service Pistol
The REX Zero 1 is AREX's flagship — a full-size DA/SA 9mm pistol with an all-steel frame, an ambidextrous manual safety, a decocking lever, and a 17-round double-stack magazine. The ergonomics borrow from the CZ 75 pattern with the slide riding inside the frame rails rather than outside, producing a lower bore axis and improved felt recoil. The single-action trigger pull is excellent at approximately 4.5 lbs with a short reset; the first double-action pull is smooth and predictable. The REX Zero 1 competes directly with the SIG Sauer P226, CZ SP-01, and Beretta 92FS at a lower price point, and in factory form it arguably outperforms them in trigger quality. It is a genuine high-value option for shooters who want a full-size DA/SA service pistol without paying the premium of the European tier-1 brands.
AREX REX Delta: Striker-Fired Full Size
The REX Delta is AREX's striker-fired offering — a polymer-frame full-size 9mm with an 18-round capacity and a pre-cocked striker mechanism similar to the Glock and Sig P320. The Delta uses AREX's own trigger system with a flat-face trigger that produces a clean break and short reset. For shooters who prefer striker-fired simplicity over DA/SA complexity but want a full-size service pistol, the Delta provides AREX's build quality in a more familiar operating system. It is a newer addition to the AREX lineup and has been adopted by several European law enforcement agencies alongside the REX Zero 1.
AREX Build Quality: NATO Military Standard
AREX manufactures to the tolerances required for Slovenian Armed Forces and police contracts — meaning every pistol leaving the factory has been held to the dimensional and functional specifications that military procurement demands. This includes slide-to-frame fit, barrel lockup consistency, and trigger mechanism tolerances that exceed what most commercial civilian pistols are held to. The REX Zero 1's all-steel construction and tight tolerances produce a pistol that is noticeably more precise in feel than polymer-frame pistols at comparable price points. For a shooter who values the feel of a precisely made all-metal pistol, the AREX lineup delivers that experience at a price significantly below comparable European competitors.
AREX Magazines and Accessories
The REX Zero 1 uses proprietary AREX double-stack 9mm magazines in 17-round standard and 20-round extended configurations. The magazines are steel-body construction to NATO specifications and are highly reliable. AREX holsters and accessories are available through the importer and select aftermarket manufacturers. The REX Zero 1's grip dimensions are similar enough to the SIG P226 that some P226-pattern holsters fit with minor modification, though AREX-specific holsters are recommended for carry use. For competition shooters, the all-steel frame's weight provides a recoil-dampening mass advantage over polymer competitors that some Open and Limited division shooters find beneficial.
Frequently Asked Questions: AREX Pistols
What is AREX?
AREX (pronounced "A-Rex") is a Slovenian firearms manufacturer producing high-quality DA/SA and striker-fired pistols under the REX brand. The REX Zero 1 is AREX’s flagship — a metal-frame DA/SA 9mm pistol closely influenced by the SIG Sauer P226 design, offering similar ergonomics and trigger feel at a lower price point. AREX pistols are imported to the US and have built a strong reputation among DA/SA enthusiasts seeking an alternative to the SIG P226 at a more accessible price.
How does the AREX REX Zero compare to the SIG P226?
The REX Zero 1 is directly influenced by the P226 design, with a very similar metal-frame DA/SA action, double-stack magazine, and control layout. The REX Zero 1 typically sells at a lower price than a new P226, making it an attractive alternative for buyers who want the P226 experience without the premium price. Build quality is solid; fit and finish are generally considered slightly below SIG’s but well above budget alternatives.
What AREX models are available?
AREX produces the REX Zero 1 (full-size metal-frame DA/SA), the REX Zero 1S (standard variant), REX Zero 1CP (compact), REX Delta (polymer-frame striker-fired), and the REX Alpha (competition-oriented). All are chambered in 9mm.
See Also: Sig Sauer P226 • CZ 75 • Beretta 92FS • 9mm Pistols