The Glock Gen 3 patents have expired, and as a result we’ve seen plenty of what people are calling “clones” out there. Personally I don’t see them as clones, rather companies taking advantage of the leg work being already done. It’s like being gifted a house that is stick-built only. You can now spend your time and money deciding how it gets finished. What would your house be like if your cost was only to finish it? Would you change some things? Would it have nicer details?
That’s the same situation many manufacturers have found themselves in when entering the pistol world with a Glock-pattern gun. Just as you’ve likely got some feedback on what you’d want your house to be like, there’s more than 30 years of feedback on Glock’s design and almost as much time of aftermarket parts trying to fit into that old design.
BUL Armory was previously known mostly in the European competition circuits for their 1911s (both single and double stack). The polymer-framed, striker-fired Axe models are relatively new. The Axe is available in a couple different setups from mild to wild. The Tomahawk is the most premium of their builds.
For a close-up look at the design, and what all the $960 MSRP gets you, see the tabletop video below.
The BUL Armory Axe C Tomahawk is of course a bit flashy, but everything seems to have been done with good reason behind it, not just to look good. The top slide window shows off the fluted barrel, but also helps reduce reciprocating mass; a major source of both felt recoil and influence on how a gun settles in the hand after a shot.
By my measurements the BUL Armory Axe C Tomahawk’s slide is 15% lighter than a standard Gen 3 Glock 19 slide. If you don’t use a quality holster, or are concerned your frequent ground fights at the beach are going to get debris in the slide, BUL Armory has you covered with other models that don’t have a cut on the top of the slide.
Other enhancements can be summed up by one word, “ergonomics.” The entire frame and slide have been shaped and textured for the human hand. From intelligent grip texturing, to contours on the trigger guard, the BUL Armory Axe C Tomahawk is shaped so the gun works with what the human hand is trying to do rather than obstruct it.
Everywhere you look, the BUL Armory Axe C Tomahawk has an enhancement. Even down to dimpled pins, there’s not a single part of this gun that doesn’t appear to have had its own dedicated time in front of an engineer tasked with, “now make it better.”
Specifications as taken from the manufacturer’s website:
Caliber: 9X19
Barrel length: 102mm/4.02 inch
Slide: Tomahawk serrations with a weight reduction cut
Steel 3-Dot sights (glock dovetail)
Optic ready: Trijicon RMR footprint
Fluted barrel
Magazine capacity: 15 rounds X3
Weight without magazine: 560g
3.5 – 4.0 LB trigger pull
Available colors: Silver (Natural finish)
Integrated flared magwell with side cuts
High grip beavertail
Trigger Guard with a high Double Undercut
Reversible magazine release
Extended Slide Lock Lever (stainless steel)
Ambidextrous integrated thumb rest
Flat face trigger shoe
1913 Picatinny rail
Aluminum guide rod
Dimpled stainless steel pin kit
Curious how much “go” was put into all of this “show” we of course had to hit the range for our standard battery of experiences as well as to see which of the Glock-pattern magazines would behave and which would not. The Shooting Impressions video below shows two shooters including absolute first shots through the gun, full-magazine +1, multi-mag test, our trademarked “What’s For Dinner” test including ten different loads of ammunition, a sights and trigger control challenge, practical accuracy, and concluding thoughts from both shooters.
It would appear that some of our Glock-pattern magazines are either worn out (magazines aren’t forever after all) or the BUL Armory Axe C Tomahawk is built to tighter tolerances than some of those magazines could comply with.
The trigger feel is naturally better than a factory Glock, but wasn’t as “racey” as I was expecting. That makes sense for a gun sized for carry use, so I can’t really fault BUL Armory for that. Plus, if you really want to modify your trigger feel there’s 30 years of companies and products out there offering upgrades. We were recently impressed with the affordable option from M CARBO. More on that can be seen here.
So was it worth it? Fortunately, we found the BUL Armory Axe C Tomahawk below MSRP, however it still remains a bit above what I consider the normal price threshold for a quality pistol which tends to be in the $500-600 range. For the cost difference of a couple hundred dollars more, the gun came with a nice, usable case and three quality magazines. It’s also imported from Israel where labor isn’t the cheapest. I think the pricing is fair, and in exchange provides a gun that needs little done to it to perform well. Yes the trigger could be different, but that’s a matter of personal preference, not a necessity unless you lack shooting skill. Of course those who have yet to learn to “learn” a trigger are also less likely to cough out the bigger bucks this pistol demands.
Ratings (out of five stars):
Reliability * * * * *
No issues with the included magazines or quality Glock-pattern magazines.
Ergonomics * * * * *
The most comfortable adaptation of a Glock-pattern I’ve encountered yet.
Accuracy * * * *
Our own struggles with the trigger may have played a role, but I have no doubt in the mechanical accuracy of the firearm.
Concealability * * * * *
Before the age of “micro-compacts” the 4″-barrelled, 15-rd 9mm platform was the go-to for concealability and shootability.
Overall: * * * *
We thoroughly enjoyed this pistol, but the price is a bit steep. I know it’s still much less than trying to upgrade a Glock 19 to this level, but there are plenty of alternatives that avoid all that fuss. On the other hand, it’s a master craft evolution of a classic platform. Ultimately, as with all things, whether or not something is worth the price comes down to the individual.
This only Glock Gen 3 clone that think worth buying. This gun kept action of Glock and can use Glock factory magazines . Than they improve on ever things that some people have been complain about Glock for years. This only Glock type clone you can get from factory come in stainless steel.
(in a very unexcited, slow, and monotone voice)
Oh boy. I am so excited. Another polymer semi-auto pistol chambered in 9mm Luger.
(back to normal voice)
This is, what, the 417th polymer semi-auto pistol to hit the market? Wake me up when something truly exciting comes along.
uncommon, and no disrespect to Mr. Baates. However, for me it’s reliability, ergonomics and a reliable caliber. And logistics, Logistics. So. I’ve been through Glock’s LEO armorer school at least three times. I own a few. Every time I read an article that compares a weapon that the Glock is the weapon that is the standard. Show me a handgun that has that support system. Of course, God carries an M-1 rifle and a 1911. Because, God can.
None taken. This is based on the expired patent but improves every practical aspect of the gun. Glocks are everywhere in the LEO scene because they undersold the competition among other tricks. Glock has a successful business, but their designs left plenty of room for improvement especially for shooters looking for more than just “a pistol”.
If you […] are concerned your frequent ground fights at the beach are going to get debris in the slide…
True story, bro. A couple of years ago, I was in a multi-day shotgun course, and on Day 3 we went through live fire skill drills utilizing various parameters (open, concealment, cover) positions (standing, prone, kneeling, ambidextrous), targets (steel, paper), and distractions (instructors yelling, tugging at your pant leg, tossing gravel on you to introduce stress), etc.
At one point during all the commotion of the fast-paced drills, I had to dive to prone and scoot up under a low obstacle to obtain proper line-of-sight on a target. As I did so, my pump shottie contacted the ground and happened to scoop up a small amount of the gravel. When I racked to advance the next shell, a tiny piece of hardened debris lodged itself in the action, bending one of the twin “follower stops” (small spring steel arms) and effectively rendering the gun unable to advance shells.
I had to have a gunsmith replace the set with new pieces. Ugh. It was a good reminder of how a long gun can unexpectedly fail on you, and why you need a backup sidearm.
an excellent reminder that things go wrong and you need backup.
One is none.
Two is one, one is negative one. 🙂
Oh! Haz, that was just Murphy at your elbow. He loves a gunfight. I hope he was gentleman enough to provide his own lunch. He sure as shit ain’t bringing you any extra ammo.
Not for me, but if someone likes it, it’s their money… 🙂
“Accuracy * * * *
Our own struggles with the trigger may have played a role, but I have no doubt in the mechanical accuracy of the firearm.”
In other words you don’t know.
I like the grip having a gun with something very close to the one on this gun, but overall not something really that attractive for me.
Do you have to fire that pimp looking thing while it’s held in the horizontal position?
I think we call that gangster grip–or more accurately gangsta grip!
Good review.
I own a Bul Cleaver, a less expensive version.
You have to really work at it to prove it but it does outshoot the Glock. By a margin.
That said the support system is superior for the Glock
But Glock parts fit!
Random thought… Desert Eagle mark VII clone when? 😛
Bul Armory’s double stack 1911s look interesting. I’d like to see a high round count review of one of those.
Can’t speak towards this company’s offerings. But I’ve had some double stack 1911 clones. I rather like them, even if they were a little on the heavy side. I’d be interested in a review of Bul Armory’s offerings for that model myself.
Glock triggers can only get so good. I think it has to do with the geometry and how the mechanics function. The gen 4 and 5 are about as good as they can ever get out of the box. All things considered if you can’t make a Glock trigger work for you I would say you got some bad habits in need of being fixed. They are no Cadillac but they accomplish the job well.
having several Glocks I can say that’s true for me. They work fine out of the box and do the job. But there comes a time when you want to ‘indulge’ a little maybe and upon exploring the various options find a trigger that works to satisfy that and feels really comfortable.
You’re trying to make a duty gun into a target gun. You need both.
$960 for something you can build in your basement for $400.
No thanks.
What’s with the huge open window on the top of the slide, looks like a catchall to me for every kind of debris you don’t need….
It is, looks cool but is highly impractical for anything other than a range toy/competition gun/BBQ gun. Fortunately they make a version without the window cut.
Have a similar one on my primary carry, Norrso Reptile EDC slide without window cuts. Weight reduction offsets the comp nicely. Those serrations are great for a sure grip in a hairy situation.
Graham Baates
If trolls bothered me I wouldn’t have a YouTube channel. The poor trolls are likely just upset that they spent more money than they needed to. Emotional immaturity is rife on the internet.
I WOULD JUST STICK WITH GLOCK
BUL Armory is a lesser-known gun designer that’s been in the firearms market for only about two years even though the company was founded in 1997. Here you check this Earthworks wellington and get more new ways for wall painting. It’s sort of an “underground” firearm manufacturer at this point, which is exactly what we want if you’re looking for full-tang knives. The BUL Armory Axe C Tomahawk (BATT) has a full 3/16″ thick 1095 spring steel that packs quite a bit of punch behind it when swung.
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