Some of you may know I’ve been in Slovenia touring the Arex Factory this week. I just left the factory floor, and it was impressive, to say the least. The quality control and redundancy that goes into constructing the Rex borders on obsessive-compulsive. I may do a TFBTV video on the factory tour at some point, but the important news for today is that Arex is launching two new models of the Rex Zero 1.

The most significant debut is the Alpha. The Alpha is meant to be an out-of-the-box competition gun: It has a 5 inch barrel and commensurately extended slide, however the slide cuts (pictured) are not for a compensator as it might appear, but, in fact, it’s a weight reduction measure incorporated to decrease the overall cycle time of the slide. The sights will be a serrated flat black rear with a red fiber optic front. The frame, unlike the standard Rex Zero 1, will be all-steel construction. The trigger is a little bit lighter and smoother than the standard Rex, but there’s not a spec sheet on what the trigger weight will be on the production model, although I glean that it may be marketed as a competition trigger and available to install in the Rex Zero 1. The diamond plate grips are very aggressive, and it also includes an extended beavertail. I should mention, however, that this is still a prototype gun. Arex was generous enough to give us a first look at the Alpha (and I will be shooting it tomorrow), but it will be formally introduced to the public at SHOT Show next year.

Also new is the nickel-plated Rex Zero 1 in both standard/full-size and compact configurations. This gun looks stunning with wood or the factory standard grips as pictured. It is functionally identical to the Rex Zero 1, including use of an aluminum frame. This is a true nickel-plated gun, it is not cerakoted or or otherwise coated, and as you can see from the photos below, it is completely nickel-coated inside and out. MSRP on the Rex Zero 1 standard model is $670, the nickel version should run about and additional 10% over the price for the standard Rex Zero 1. Look for the nickel plated version to drop this fall or winter. Again a big thanks to Arex and to their exclusive U.S. importer, FIME Group,  for letting us get this sneak preview. Be sure to check TFBTV for upcoming video content on Slovenia and the Arex pistols.

While there isn’t a spec sheet for the Alpha, click the link to see a .pdf of the nickel spec sheet. REXZERO1CP-N

Alpha internal view of frame.

Alpha slide.

Alpha upper.

New nickel Rex Zero 1 pistols.

New nickel Rex Zero 1 pistols.

New nickel Rex Zero 1 pistols.

We swapped uppers and lowers on the standard and nickel plated versions of the Rex. It was very handsome, and this impromptu experiment at our press conference led to Arex developers commenting that this could be a combination they may offer in the future.

New nickel Rex Zero 1 pistols.

New nickel Rex Zero 1 pistols.

The slide cuts on the Rex Alpha.

Rex Alpha with a good view of the grips, extended beavertail, and more aggressive slide serrations.

Nickel internals of the nickel Rex Zero 1.

Nickel internals of the nickel Rex Zero 1.

Nickel Rex Zero 1.

Nickel Rex Zero 1, exploded view.

Prototype grips for the Alpha.

The Arex Zero 1 Compact is ideal for tactical fanny pack carry.