Dagger? Gut check reviews...

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Looking for 1st hand reviews and observations. I have a friend that is trying to get into Run n Gun on a budget. He has his eye on the PSA Dagger Full Size-S (what's that "s"?) for a handgun.

Thoughts on reliability and durability?
Ammo sensitivity? Ball ammo, we don't care about HP/SD at this point.

He's looking at the bundle that comes with 10 PMags. Are the magazines reliable?

Is this a pistol that you would trust your life $125 match entry fee to?

I'm not a Glock guy...for holsters, these things are basically G19s, right? Or is the Dagger "Full Size" more G17 size?
 
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I have two frames, the S and the compact but just a compact slide at the moment. Initially I had issues with ejection on both frames. On the recommendation of a member here I added Glock gen 4 ejectors to both frames and no more issues over several hundred rounds. I imagine PSA would have made it right but for $14 in parts and twenty minutes of my time it wasn’t a big deal. I wouldn’t rely on one for self defense until I’ve shot it a lot more and it’s been malfunction free but I’d feel confident shooting a match with it.
 
I had one, standard model with no fancy features. Sold it to another member here if he wants to out himself with any updates on my particular sample.

The fit, finish and metallurgy seem to be lower quality than an actual gen3 G19. Trigger is the same mushy (but with a different safety), frame ergos are... actually a little nicer. Different if you're a glock shooter but less 'plastic 2x4' if you're not used to that.

It shot fine, ran fine (although I used actual glock mags and not the included magpul one). No complaints there. Only ran steel case 115gr FMJ.

For a starter, I can't see the downside. If you wear it out, PSA will probably make it good. And.... if you manage to wear it out then you'll (or he'll) know much more about what the next pistol should be with that much live fire time.
 
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From my limited experience with the G19 sized Dagger, it was not compatible with a kydex glock holster.
 
It's a Gen 3 Glock 19 (or Glock 45 for the Full-Size S). Mine has been boringly reliable and accurate to boot.

The only negatives to me at the hinged M&P 1.0-type trigger (easily replaced with a Glock OEM G17 trigger), roll pins instead of solid pins for the locking block & FCG pins (1/8" roll pin punch required IMO), and PSA's updated trigger pin is a mother-bear to get out. I would also replace the ejector with a Gen5 47021 ejector for more betterer ejection pattern.

ETA: I also hate all the fudging Gucci speed holes on the RMR-cut slides, but that's not a functional issue.
 
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Have the 19 size, hated the SW style trigger safety and the swells on the grip. Replaced the lower with a factory P80, love it. Slide is fine, sight holes are in spec which isn't always the case with cheap Glock slides.
 
Purchased a Dagger this spring. It is the Glock 19 sized. I have factory Glock 19 gen 3
I picked up that Dagger as a spare and the shape and sculpting on the frame make it easier for my wife and daughter to get a solid firing grip. So far we have about 1200 rounds through the dagger. Mostly reloads and some factory - has digested everything
Accuracy is on par with factory Glock
Trigger is slightly better than factory Glock
Fits in all holsters I have for my Glock 19 gen 3. In the Safariland level 3 holster r the he fit is a little loose, but does work including the retention

Don’t see how you you could find a better deal. All Gen 3 triggers and parts drop in
Works well with low cost Magpul mags
 
Pmags released sticky for me when fully loaded due to them bulging slightly. I save those for practice and use OEM Glock mags when it matters, which drop free without issue.
 
I’ve got about 500 rounds give or take a few through my Dagger compact without any issues at all. Took the thing right out of the box and ran 100 through it without oiling it or anything. For $250 it’s a steal IMO. That said if I planned to put thousands and thousands through one I’d buy two Daggers before I bought one Glock 19.

I’ve only used Glock brand mags so cannot comment on the Pmags.
 
I'd be looking for used or police trade in Glocks and used mags if I wanted to get competing on the cheap.

When he decides he wants to upgrade to the new hotness, he won't lose a dime selling the package.

Here is an early Gen 5 G17 with the little half moon mag cut out for $360. Just an example.

Sorry to deviate from the actual question.

www.gtdist.com

Used Glock 17 Generation 5 9mm Pistol

Used Glock 17 GEN 5 (Condition shown is typical. If you require something specific, please call us for options. ) Comes with 2 mags 9mm Full Size Glock The frame design of the GLOCK 17 Gen5 removed the finger grooves for more versatility but still allows to easily customize its grip by using the...
www.gtdist.com www.gtdist.com
 
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I've had a few, 3 compacts and one "S". All were reliable with the limited number of rounds I put through them. Heck, I think I only fired two of the compacts. The others were sold before I ever put a round through them. I don't mind the hinged trigger, I actually prefer the trigger shoe over Glock. The trigger feel & weight varied pretty greatly in my examples. One was absolute trash but that's an easy fix as with any Glock clone. The two things that bother me most are the placement of the finger groove and the way the slide drops when the trigger is pulled. The finger groove could be sanded off, I suppose. The slide moving didn't seem to effect accuracy but it bothered me that there was so much movement.
 
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Not a PSA fan boy, but it's a really good intro good for RnG.
-I bought the slide that had all the bells and whistles for a can when they hit $200 2 years ago. It's on a factory G19 lower, I only have 500 rounds and it's been dead reliable. Granted, it took them over 6 weeks to get it to me, but it's a one off color so I think it took them a while to work it into production l.
-I got the Dagger 19 clone a few years ago. Like other stated, the ergonomics on the grip and stippling were better than my actual Glock 19. I never had a chance to actually shoot it as a buddy offered me +$50 then the retail cost because he couldn't time the buy when it was in stock.
 
I have the g19 size and the g45 size, ball and jhp ammo though them…. has been good to go. I have a g23 and slapped the upper on it and no problems whatsoever. For a 299.00 pistol and a red dot it’s a great deal!!
478CB53A-1677-4B2A-8E50-CADAD0928899.jpeg

and with the 40sw upper

372FDD50-0415-467D-884F-4C6A56CE2C62.jpeg
AE7492A1-4928-4F6E-A9B4-15CAFEC19771.jpeg
 
Tim said:
Looking for 1st hand reviews and observations. I have a friend that is trying to get into Run n Gun on a budget. He has his eye on the PSA Dagger Full Size-S (what's that "s"?) for a handgun.

Thoughts on reliability and durability?
Ammo sensitivity? Ball ammo, we don't care about HP/SD at this point.

He's looking at the bundle that comes with 10 PMags. Are the magazines reliable?

Is this a pistol that you would trust your life $125 match entry fee to?

I'm not a Glock guy...for holsters, these things are basically G19s, right? Or is the Dagger "Full Size" more G17 size?
Click to expand...
I have a compact and standard. Glock trigger vastly improved the trigger on the standard. The compact was fine out of the gate. I don't have any PMags but the Glock 19 and 17 and the 33 round mags work just fine. Not a hickup. I have several Glocks but I really like the Dagger at the current price point too. I've started using the Daggers as my car/truck guns to save my Gen2 and Gen3 Glocks some wear and tear.
 
Daggers fix things I dislike about Glocks: grip ergos are excellent; I prefer steel 3-dot sights, and; the middle of the trigger does not have a dingus sticking out.

My Dagger compact ran fine, but the lip at the bottom of the grip cramped my little finger. I sold the compact and bought a full-size S (short dust cover and slide and long grip like a Glock 45). The S also runs fine and has more space for my hand.

I'll be the heretic about magazines. Magpul mags run fine, but they can bulge a little when loaded, so I would not trust leaving them loaded all the time. And now for the real blasphemy ... I use KCI Gen 2 mags and they also run fine. When I buy KCI mags I check for the historic QC problem of polymer overflash inside the mag tube. If I find overflash, the mag goes back to KCI for replacement, although KCI has improved QC with their American subsidiary. Otherwise, the KCI mags are just like Glock mags.

Holsters are interesting, as Daggers fit in many but not all Glock 19 holsters. I suspect some issues arise from Glock switching from 32mm width on Gen 3 slides to 34mm width on Gen 5 slides that have forward cocking serrations like the Dagger. However, differences in trigger guard shapes could also cause issues.
 
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No issues or complaints about mine.

I hate Glock grips but like Glock parts availability. The Dagger feels so much better than a Glock but I don’t shoot it much because I prefer Shadow Systems and P80. For $300 it’s tough to argue against a Dagger, especially when that gets you an optic cut just in case.
 
Jerzsubbie said:
No issues or complaints about mine.

I hate Glock grips but like Glock parts availability. The Dagger feels so much better than a Glock but I don’t shoot it much because I prefer Shadow Systems and P80. For $300 it’s tough to argue against a Dagger, especially when that gets you an optic cut just in case.
Click to expand...
Off subject…
How are you liking the Shadow Systems pistols? Any reliability issues?
 
gc70 said:
Magpul mags run fine,
Click to expand...
When they first came out I was excited to try them, and they wouldn't run with steel case for crap. Contacted magpul and asked what's up, they said to not use steel case. Sigh.

gc70 said:
When I buy KCI mags I check for the historic QC problem of polymer overflash inside the mag tube.
Click to expand...

I've got a few of their 33-ish round sticks and saw this issue with them. cleaned them up by hand and they've worked just fine in a few sub2ks, a ruger pc9 and a FX-9. Perfectly fine for trash blasting at the range with steel case.
 
Might consider a factory Glock instead. Leo trade ins can be had almost as cheap as a dagger. Just a thought.

Even if you had to settle with a .40 it doesn't cost that much to grab a conversion barrel.
 
I have a friend who bought one when they first came out. He had ejection issues. He had to send it back. Don’t remember the details but between trying to get responses and a replacement he had over a month in headaches.
 
Damn_Yankee said:
Off subject…
How are you liking the Shadow Systems pistols? Any reliability issues?
Click to expand...
I love my MR 920. No issues with reliability and shoots better than my Glock 19s. Now back to your regularly scheduled thread 😁
 
Damn_Yankee said:
Off subject…
How are you liking the Shadow Systems pistols? Any reliability issues?
Click to expand...
After removing the Timney trigger that one had, no issues at all. I reallllly like them, specifically the MR, it fits my hands very well. I don’t want to ramble on too much in this thread about all the things I like about SS, but I’m a fan. Actually looking to sell my DR(17) and pick up another MR(19).
 
Jerzsubbie said:
After removing the Timney trigger that one had, no issues at all. I reallllly like them, specifically the MR, it fits my hands very well. I don’t want to ramble on too much in this thread about all the things I like about SS, but I’m a fan. Actually looking to sell my DR(17) and pick up another MR(19).
Click to expand...
Your DR is still tempting me.
 
I have had several and my boys have too. They are nicer in hand for some. All mine shoot fine with no issues however i have swapped out the psa trigger and bar for a factory gen 3 glock one and then added a spring kit. Just what I like in my glocks. This coming from a guy who carries a g23 daily.

Buy it you wont be disappointed
 
Frack N Cylons said:
I'd be looking for used or police trade in Glocks and used mags if I wanted to get competing on the cheap.

When he decides he wants to upgrade to the new hotness, he won't lose a dime selling the package.

Here is an early Gen 5 G17 with the little half moon mag cut out for $360. Just an example.

Sorry to deviate from the actual question.

www.gtdist.com

Used Glock 17 Generation 5 9mm Pistol

Used Glock 17 GEN 5 (Condition shown is typical. If you require something specific, please call us for options. ) Comes with 2 mags 9mm Full Size Glock The frame design of the GLOCK 17 Gen5 removed the finger grooves for more versatility but still allows to easily customize its grip by using the...
www.gtdist.com www.gtdist.com
Click to expand...

Gen 4 G17 for $299....

www.kingsfirearmsonline.com

17 Gen 4 9mm W/ 2 Mags & Case

Glock 17 Gen 4 9mm W/ 2 Mags & Case for sale from Kings Online.
www.kingsfirearmsonline.com
 
Tim said:
Looking for 1st hand reviews and observations. I have a friend that is trying to get into Run n Gun on a budget. He has his eye on the PSA Dagger Full Size-S (what's that "s"?) for a handgun.

Thoughts on reliability and durability?
Ammo sensitivity? Ball ammo, we don't care about HP/SD at this point.

He's looking at the bundle that comes with 10 PMags. Are the magazines reliable?

Is this a pistol that you would trust your life $125 match entry fee to?

I'm not a Glock guy...for holsters, these things are basically G19s, right? Or is the Dagger "Full Size" more G17 size?
Click to expand...
There’s a torture test I saw on YouTube, you would think the dagger is made out of titanium lol. Seems solid
 
I'd suggest he look at some Canik packages before he marries the Dagger. With the exception of the 10 mags there are similar Canik deals and I'd run one of them before a Dagger, even if I had to kick down for a few more mags. The preferred Canik holster might be harder to source though.
But overall, turn-key and ready, the Dagger is probably the best bet.
 
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