Exclusive for over 100 sporting disciplines: Arex WForce1 in 9mm Luger

The WForce1 from Arex was already presented at IWA 2024, as we reported on at the time. The objective: a 9mm pistol that covers as many disciplines as possible in as many shooting sports as possible. As quickly as the wish list was filled, the Slovenian firearms manufacturer Arex translated it into reality. The new model, the (Arex) WForce1, was quickly made available for testing.

Arex WForce1 – technical details

The aim of the optional sight configuration of the Arex WForce1 was to achieve the greatest possible compliance with the sporting regulations of all associations. Red dot sights are not only a welcome aiming aid for people with presbyopia, they are also permitted in many dynamic disciplines of most associations.

It's the little things that make the WForce1 so versatile. For example, the weight, which is now around 1,290 g. Thirty grams more than the Arex Alpha Race model? Doesn't sound like much. But the extra weight is where the slide cuts in the Arex Alpha Race are visible – at the front, at the muzzle. So a so advanced position, the additional "barrel weight" is definitely noticeable when firing. And if you are confident of being able to hold a good three pounds over a longer period of time without fatigue, you can add mass by means of weights on the Picatinny dust cover rail.

The front sight is all-black to emphasise the pistol's sporting orientation.

What features does the Arex WForce 1 offer?

Red dot mounting of the Arex WForce1 is the other way round: in this model, the adapter plate is screwed on from the bottom to the top.

In contrast to the Arex Race models, the rear sight of the WForce1 does not sit directly in the slide, but on an adapter plate. Other adapter plates allow the use of red dot sights. This is possible in a whole range of mostly dynamic disciplines.

The two enclosed plates allow the mounting of red dots from the following manufacturers: Docter/Noblex, Meopta, Eotech, Insight, Burris, C-More and Nikko Stirling. The trigger characteristics are very important for sport shooting. These are excellent, as already established with the Alpha models already tested. Clear take-up, internal trigger stop, no jerking or creeping. But the trigger pull weight is significantly lower with the WForce1. The trigger blade with a medium recoil spring has a pull weight of around 1,500 grams, while the light spring delivers a pull weight of around 1,400 grams.

Arex WForce1, good ideas spread quickly: the floor plate of the magazine base pads (left) can be pulled with the thumb. Tools for disassembling the magazine are no longer necessary.

With the Arex WForce1 on the shooting range

Rather virtual, but still absolutely comprehensible in real life. Groupingss of around 50 millimetres (here from an S&B FMJ) are no problem for the Arex WForce1.

The sharp contrast of the open sights leaves nothing to be desired. The glare-reducing serrations on the rear sight are also found on the front sight. The slightly convex aluminum grips are ideal for medium-sized hands, but can quickly make your fingers freeze in cold weather. Properly gripped, i.e. high, with a tight fit under the pronounced grip beavertail, this minimises the muzzle rise. Holding something sophisticated in your hands is also conveyed by the trigger.

New guns lose between 30 and 50 grams of pull weight after about 1,000 shots. About 300 grams above the (safety) limit of 1,100 g would hardly be noticeable, and the subjectively perceived quality is more important here. Even with a weak shooting hand, there were no malfunctions or problems. From the pistol rest, the test gun was very consistent. No fabulous groupings, but no outliers either. In terms of accuracy, the mass of the test loads was easily enough for the 50 millimetre diameter 10-ring of the ISSF target. There were no malfunctions during operation from the rest.

Technical specifications and price of the Arex WForce1 (OR)

Model:	Arex WForce1 (OR)
Calibre:	9mm Luger
Capacity:	20+1 rounds
Dimensions (LxWxH):	226x42x158 mm
Barrel Length:	5"/127 mm
Sight Radius:	180 mm
Rear Sight Notch:	3.0 mm approx.
Front Sight Width:	3.0 mm approx.
Trigger Pull Weight:	1,400 - 1,700 g approx. (a total of three springs included in the scope of delivery)
Weight:	1,290 g
Price (German RRP):	2,499 euro
Equipment:	Two adapter plates, two 20-round spare magazines. Virtual 25 m test group with ammunition indication. Silver-coloured nitriding, front slide serrations, Picatinny rail under the dust cover, high-quality cleaning kit, aluminum grips and magazine base pads, skeletonized sports trigger. Internal trigger stop, micrometer rear sight, undercut front sight, polymer case.

Disassembling the AREX WForce1 is as straightforward as with all Arex Alpha models. Only when removing the right-hand grip you have to be a little careful because of the small, long-legged coil spring. Bottom right: the low trigger weight of the medium-strength recoil spring (approx. 1,500 g) measured on the WForce1 shows that the Arex Alpha series still has a lot to offer. There were no ignition problems even with the weakest (unpainted) spring.

Our test conclusion on the Arex WForce1

Older shooters will still remember the beginnings of the Smith & Wesson Target Champions. A few but important changes to the standard 686 model created a centerfire sporting revolver that was more suitable for many sporting disciplines. The WForce1 pistol is suitable for over 100 disciplines of all shooting sports associations. This is one of the reasons why we highly recommend it.