Glock pistols have earned their place as one of the most trusted and widely used handguns in the world. But despite their reliability, many shooters are always searching for ways to make their Glock shoot flatter, faster, and more comfortably. That’s exactly what Angled Spade Technologies set out to improve with the Imperium 9C slide assembly. This complete drop-in upper combines a proprietary ported slide design with a shortened barrel, integrated sights, and optics cut for a turn-key recoil reduction solution.
Imperium 9C – Drop-In Fit with a Custom Feel
Before diving into the details, it’s worth noting I had my Imperium 9C custom Cerakoted in a Multicam pattern by Rising Creek Customs. Angled Spade ships the slide with a clean and durable Melonite QPQ finish that resists corrosion and wear. The added Cerakote has held up well through testing and adds extra protection alongside the upgraded look. If you’re considering a finish upgrade, I can personally vouch for their work.
The Imperium 9C slide assembly is designed to drop straight onto any Glock 19 lower, regardless of generation. I paired mine with a Gen 3 Glock 19 lower that was previously stippled by Clutch Kinetic. Right out of the box, the Imperium 9C mated up cleanly and required no fitting or tuning.
This complete upper includes Angled Spade’s proprietary 3.25-inch barrel, a front-ported slide, blacked-out Ameriglo raised sights, and a dust cover adapter for Gen 4/5 compatibility. The optics cut is available for RMR, 509T, or Acro footprints. I ran an RMR on mine. The fit was tight and centered with no need for extra shims or tweaks.
Recoil Reduction You Can Feel
Shooting the Imperium 9C is where this slide shines. I ran a few hundred rounds through it, mostly 124gr Blazer Brass. I also ran Hornady 115gr, 124gr +P, 135gr, and 147gr defensive loads. Throughout my testing, I experienced zero malfunctions or failures. The pistol ran cleanly and reliably across the board.
Recoil mitigation was immediately noticeable. The integrated slide port sits just forward of the barrel’s end, venting gases upward without the need to port the barrel itself. This keeps the barrel crown intact and prevents some of the typical carbon fouling or reliability issues associated with traditional comps. The port is large and effective. It delivers a distinct reduction in muzzle rise and keeping the pistol flatter in rapid strings.
Even with a bummed hand and recent stitches that prevented a full grip, I was still shooting consistent 2-inch 5-round groups at 7 yards. Four-round clusters were often sub-1-inch, with one flyer in each that I chalked up to my grip. In terms of control and speed, the Imperium 9C makes the Glock 19 noticeably easier to manage.
Real-World Chrono Data
There is a trade-off to the shortened 3.25-inch barrel: velocity loss. I compared the Imperium 9C’s barrel to a 4.5-inch SilencerCo threaded barrel using the same lot of 124gr Blazer Brass and saw an average 53 fps drop. That translates to about a 5% reduction in muzzle velocity.
For most users, this minor loss in energy is more than made up for by the improved speed and control. Especially when running defensive or +P loads, you are still well within effective terminal performance zones. And for range, competition, or carry purposes, shooting flatter and faster is often worth the trade.
Optics-Ready with Backup Sights Built In
The optic cut on the Imperium 9C isn’t excessively deep, but it is precise and clean. When paired with my RMR, the included Ameriglo sights offered a lower 1/5 co-witness. This keeps the irons unobtrusive while still being functional if the optic ever fails.
I appreciated the sight choice. Simple, blacked-out steel with a serrated front and flat rear. No busy dots or tritium to distract from the dot. It’s a smart pairing for an optics-driven pistol.
Modern Design
Weight-wise, the Imperium 9C is about 14% lighter than a factory Glock 19 slide and up to 50% lighter than some ported competitors. It accomplishes this with extra machined pockets and lightened geometry that still preserves structural integrity.
The slide serrations are functional without being overly aggressive. They give good traction, and the added top and side cuts lend it a premium appearance.
The best part? All of this fits standard Glock 19 holsters. I carried the pistol in the same Trex Arms Sidecar I’ve used for nearly 8 years without any clearance issues.
READ MORE HERE: Battle of the Plastic Pistol: Anderson vs. Glock vs. Savage
Final Verdict on the Imperium 9C: Worth the Upgrade?
For shooters looking to upgrade their Glock 19 with a high-performance slide assembly, the Angled Spade Imperium 9C checks a lot of boxes. It’s a flat-shooting, visually striking, and practical upgrade that doesn’t sacrifice reliability or compatibility. At $680, it’s not a budget upgrade, but when paired with an OEM Glock frame (which can often be found for around $220), you’re looking at a full-featured custom build for under $900. That’s a compelling value considering the performance gains.
Between the built-in port, shortened barrel, and slide lightening, it feels more controllable than a stock Glock. The fact that it’s a complete system with optics-ready compatibility and Ameriglo sights makes it even more appealing.
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