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[Video+Review] 80% Arms GST-9: Easy Gucci Glock

80% Arms GST-9 Shooting Tan Front
We build our own Gucci Glock using the 80% Arms GST-9 Kit to find out if it’s as easy as it looks. Can it compete with the G19? Find out.
We review products independently. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission to help support our testing. Learn more.
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    Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve likely heard about 80% firearms.

    They’re super popular right now.

    Polymer 80 GST-9 Tan
    80% projects are gaining steam among DIY gun owners.

    But you might be asking…what are 80% projects?

    The idea is that a polymer frame comes to you almost complete.

    Your job is to mill out some plastic, do some finishing work, and get it assembled the rest of the way. 

    80% Arms GST-9 Complete
    With a little work, you could have this.

    Sounds pretty simple and straightforward, right?

    Well, it is!

    While I took a stab at the 80% Arms Easy Jig Gen 3 to build out an AR-15, today, I’m trying my hand at the GST-9 Jig to make my very own Glock pistol clone.

    Update: As of November 2022, 80% Arms is exempt from the current ban so you’re able to buy both jigs and receivers together.

    Polymer 80 GST-9 Parts
    80% Arms GST-9 bits and parts.

    Using 80% Arms GST-9 frame and jig, I’ll do a complete project, top to bottom.

    By the end of this, I’ll have a G19 clone, and you’ll know whether or not making your own Glock is right for you.

    $149
    at 80% Arms

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    If you want to see the GST-9 process and watch me sling some lead at the range, check out my full video review below.

    Also, make sure you check out the Pew Pew Tactical channel on YouTube for more gun goodness.

    Table of Contents

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    GST-9: What’s That?

    As I mentioned before, the GST-9 is 80% Arms’ take on the very popular Glock 19 model pistol.

    In short, it’s a way for you to get a Gucci Glock without the Gucci price.

    Gucci

    For this project, I opted for the GST-9 Complete Build Kit.

    Price right now for the entire kit is $799. But you can always just go with the jig, which is priced at $29.

    $30
    at 80% Arms

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    Keep in mind; this is NOT a firearm. What that means for you is that it ships straight to your door.

    The jig comes with all the drill bits you need to work on the GST-9 in addition to Glock rails.

    80% Arms GST-9 Jig and Bits
    80% Arms GST-9 Jig and bits.

    On the other side of things, the Complete Build Kit ships with a completed Wraith RMR Cut Slide, G19 barrel, and a pair of grips.

    Basically, the kit has EVERYTHING you need to complete the project!

    80% Arms GST-9 in Jig
    80% Arms GST-9 in Jig

    You provide a drill, hammer, and punch. That’s it.

    Pro Tip: I also used some sanding blocks to make everything feel nice and smooth.

    $149
    at 80% Arms

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    Building the GST-9

    The GST-9 comes with clear directions you follow step-by-step.

    You’ll focus your attention on the yellow and red sections and then drill three holes into the frame using the jig.

    Directions for drilling are on the side of the jig — literally, that easy.

    80% Arms GST-9 Instruction Manual
    The instruction manual makes it pretty easy to follow along.

    First step, put the jig together.

    It comes with bolts, and it’s quick to assemble.

    80% Arms GST-9 Assembling Jig
    Pretty easy to assemble, if I do say so myself.

    From there, begin the milling process.

    I used wire cutters to work out the big pieces.

    80% Arms GST-9 Milling
    Mill using the included bits and your own drill.

    Then I went to town milling the plastic frame with the included bit.

    I took my time. Remember, you can always take plastic off, but you can’t put it back on. Go slow!

    After I cut everything out, I sanded the frame down and got it slick and smooth.

    80% Arms GST-9 Sanding Frame
    I chose to sand things down for a smoother finish.

    Then I…oh wait, that’s it. We’re done!

    Well, not entirely, but from here, it’s just building as you would any other Glock — dropping in the trigger, rails, etc.

    80% Arms GST-9 Parts
    Drop in the rest of the parts.

    If you’re new to this, no worries.

    80% Arms offers a nice video with directions on YouTube to walk you through this process. It’s quick too, taking mere minutes.

    80% Arms GST-9 Parts
    Finishing up using the 80% Arms YouTube video.

    After you tap in three pins, throw on the slide and select the grip you want to use…and your Frankenstein Glock is finished!

    80% Arms GST-9 Complete
    Look at that! All done!

    Have you tried the GST-9 Build Kit? Rate it below!

    Readers’ Ratings

    5.00/5 (1263)

    Your Rating?

    A Little Range Testing

    Before I hit the range, I raided my stash and collected every Glock magazine I could find to run in the GST-9.

    I also grabbed some ammo — Blazer Brass and cheap Russian steel, to be precise.

    80% Arms GST-9 Glock Mags
    My Glock mag stash.

    How did the gun do?

    I’m happy to say…it ran great!

    It fed, fired, ejected, and loaded perfectly. Not to mention, it locked back on empty.

    80% Arms GST-9 Shooting Tan Left Side
    Having some fun on the range.

    How does it feel to shoot, though?

    Well, it feels like a Glock BUT with a better grip. I really enjoyed it.

    While it ran well, I did encounter one problem with a generic magazine.

    80% Arms GST-9 Shooting Black Right
    Only had one issue with a cheap knock-off mag.

    The steel didn’t feed consistently.

    Not a huge deal since the genuine Glock mags ran flawlessly, but it’s worth mentioning.

    The Good and The Bad

    The project went perfectly for me, but as with anything, there are some things to be wary of.

    As I mentioned, knock-off cheap mags may be an issue.

    80% Arms GST-9 Shooting Black Front
    It ran pretty darn good!

    The GST-9 didn’t seem to like those very much. Genuine Glock mags ran fine, though.

    The other issue I ran into during the process was that the pin holes were really tight.

    80% Arms GST-9 Pin in Frame
    The pin holes were pretty tight but with a little extra love, I was able to make it work.

    I ran the drill back through by hand and gently worked some extra polymer off.

    After that, the pins went in no problem.

    $30
    at 80% Arms

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    Overall, though, I had a blast with this project! I loved that everything I needed was right there in the box.

    I don’t need to send the frame out to be stippled, and I don’t have to worry about having the slide finished — all that is already done for you.

    80% Arms GST-9 Tan in Box
    You got all you need in the box.

    Even better, the slide is RMR compatible, so it’s ready to accept a red dot.

    Can’t beat that!

    80% Arms GST-9 Tan Slide
    The slide comes ready to toss on the completed pistol.

    Conclusion

    If you’re after a Gucci Glock without spending a fortune, the 80% Arms GST-9 is the project for you. With an hour or so of work, you get a Glock 19 clone in Black, FDE, or OD Green with RMR cut slide.

    80% Arms GST-9 Shooting Tan
    So cool!

    The jig was easy to use and the directions were refreshingly clear.

    With a price hovering around $800 for the complete build or $30 for the jig, this is a fun, easy project for pistol lovers.

    $149
    at 80% Arms

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    Don’t forget to watch the full video review of the GST-9 by 80% Arms below.

    Have you built your own pistol or rifle using an 80% kit? Let us know how it turned out in the comments below. Also check out our review of the 80% Arms Easy Jig Gen 3, and check out our list of the Best 80% Lower Receivers & Jigs for all your AR needs.

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    12 Leave a Reply

    • Rigoberto P

      You should rehost that video on Rumble. It appears Youtube has struck it down. Other's like Hickock45 and MrGunsNGear have been uploading there since Youtube is against the firearms segment.

      February 10, 2024 4:29 pm
    • CaptKirk

      Has anyone experienced the front locking block not sitting level with the frame? What fixes did you take? Other than 80% Arms, where can a replacement locking block be purchased?

      June 19, 2022 2:17 pm
    • Tj

      You guys dont deliver to Canada?

      February 26, 2021 9:31 am
    • lt moon

      80% builds are fun projects. I haven't used this particular supplier. I have built both 80% billet and Polymer80 ar-15 lowers, obviously polymer is easier for the home hobbyist to work with, and I don't recommend aluminum billet unless you have access to a full-blown floor stand (not a bench stand) drill press, or a machine mill. Pistol polymer type 80's are quite easy if you're the DIY type of car/home owner with good basic tools. I've completed polymer kits for G19 and Sig P320. Sig was an all-Sig kit except for "JSD frame & required jig" and while reasonably easy to complete with normal hand tools, it requires some skills with those tools and some patience in assembly, the outcome is a more desirable weapon than the Poly80 or GST9 G19. However ... a poly 80% is very easy to home complete - a Dremel is nice to have but really just a quality 1/2inch or even just 3/8inch electric hand drill, bastard file, fine sanding block, punch drives and small hammer, assorted small screwdrivers and needle nose pliers. Make sure to watch manufacturer's recommended videos, follow instructions, take your time, use manufacturer or very high grade 3rd party parts to complete your build, and then take pride and enjoy your handiwork.

      February 6, 2021 2:38 pm
    • Patrick

      OK,, the one really important question I did not see answered is... How does it compare to Polymer 80's??? If given the choice between the two, which would you choose?

      February 5, 2021 4:59 pm
      • Steven

        I have been trying to find out exactly that. It would be great to have a comparison between the 80% Arms and Polymer80 pistols.

        February 7, 2021 7:43 pm
    • Dan

      The issue with 80 percent arms is that they don't have stock to fulfill orders. You can't order this kit currently and their website is saying orders from April, 2020 are shipping at the end of this month, February, 2021.

      February 5, 2021 3:21 pm
    • Jim Day

      Built 3 , but used Polymere80 lowers ... And most important for builders is to seek out and try and use only OEM GLOCK parts kits if you can find them because they work best ... Not that others don't work but it's best to start out with what works for the factory first , he sure your build works correctly before changing to aftermarket stuff ... As far as the pistol lowers go , they are ridiculously simple ., Going slow it takes about an hr and after you've done one the next one takes about 20 min . 10x easier than milling an AR 80% lower ... They'll argue about it but these things are almost a joke calling them an 80% because I consider them about a 95% they're so simple a kid could build one .. And I built 2 for the price you paid for 1 because 800.00 is expensive as hell for a kit ... I paid 420.00 for complete kit , all oem parts as well ... That brand is the one that I hear took forever to get them out , after taking pre orders ...
      Done building now but good luck for those wanting to build a pistol as your so called President is gonna make 80% build tough to get .. If not illegal to build ... Eff em

      February 5, 2021 10:26 am
      • Joel Bronson

        where did you purchase your kit for $420 and how long did it take from purchase to doorstep?

        February 18, 2021 4:13 am
    • Ben

      Great write up, one issue with these 80% lowers is getting holsters for them. I make holsters for the p80's and these look to have the same issue of not working with standard glock holsters.

      February 5, 2021 8:24 am
      • Patrick

        Compatible with Glock 3rd generation parts, holsters, & aftermarket accessories. GST-9 is the first and only 80% lower that is compatible with Glock holsters
        (From companies website)

        February 5, 2021 5:43 pm
    • Uniball Lenny

      Great review and video. Your video editors and videographers do such a great job, keep up the awesome work! Oh and I am mad at you guys because now I’m gonna spend more money on another gun!

      February 4, 2021 8:21 pm
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