THE GLOCK 19 GEN 3 ROBAR PROJECT PART 2

As I discuss below, after the Robar Model 19 gets back from Robar, it's next stop after a little shooting with the trigger being installed will be Zev Technologies. 

As I discuss below, I daily carry a Zev Spartan Model 19 and it is one of the finest firearms and shooting irons I've carried for self defense over the past 30+ years in law enforcement. It takes the Glock to a new level. 

So since Zev will install all their parts that you buy, my reduced grip Glock will go to Zev, perhaps where I can get it back as a Christmas present.

At Zev, I plan to have all Zev internal parts installed, along with their dimpled match barrel. I'll keep my stock Glock slide on the gun, since I don't plan on running an RMR on this gun. I love the Zev slides, but that's a big expense and will keep the Zev part of the project far cheaper. 

After I recover financially from all the Zev work discussed above on the Model 19 Robar project, the second Robar project I want to do will be a bit more expensive, but still reasonable, but is also something I've wanted to do for quite a while.

I've got a nice 1989 Browning Hi Power that I'd like to do a few mods on. I don't have several thousand bucks to get full stippling of the fore and back grip and a light jewelers stipple on the top of the gun. Or a carry job removing all the sharp edges.

I plan just to get some trigger work and hammer replacement done. Perhaps a coating on the internals of one of Robar's durable finishes, as thats a service they offer, and of course replacement of other internal parts like springs, firing pin, etc with some high end products.

The IWB holsters I use are leather and do a great job of preventing contact of the gun with my torso/belt line. So I'm not concerned about a carry job or any of the plethora of other fine features this gun has that don't directly concern the trigger mechanism.

My gun that I'm sending in runs a set of Pachmayer grips that feature both a rubber front grip strap and a rear grip strap rubber covering as well. It's a nice feeling grip. I'm a big Pachmayer fan and have been for 37 years now, so it's no surprise I favor these grips on the Hi Power.

What I do want Robar is:

1. A magazine safety disconnect job;
2. Install/tune the  Cylinder and Slide trigger assembly/job;
3. Have the Cylinder and Slide round hammer installed;
4. Install night sights (I'm not sure of what kind yet but I'll have them install some modern night sights);
5. Install a left side only safety;
6. Replace all internals springs, guide rod, firing pin, etc parts
and have them coated in one of Robar's durable finishes.

Then I'd like all the external pieces gold plated by Robar, i.e. :
-Trigger
-Hammer
-Slide Release
-Safety
-Mag release button.

Just 'cause. I'd like to end up with the "non-external work" version of the Hi Power featured in this article. 

I don't see on the Robar website that they doing blueing, and particularly the type of DEEP rich blueing for which some BHP's are famous for, and although my gun features sort of a flat gray finish of some unknown type, I want it deep blued after the trigger work.

So I need to find a place to send it to for a deluxe blue job. Then that would be that.

The third project I'm contemplating with Robar is a similar grip reduction job like the one being done now but with a Gen 3 Model 21 SF. I don't know if the SF would make for a smaller grip than the regular 21 via the Robar reduction process and finger groove removal, but I've got one so that's whats going to go. Again, I'll go with light texturing, or may ask them to leave it reduced but untextured for the next step in the process.

The 21 will leave Robar and then go to Zev Technologies.

My carry gun for the last year has been the Zev Tech Spartan model Model 19. About the only thing left Glock about it is the frame. The Zev trigger is fabulous, and really just a perfect trigger for a striker fired gun. The only thing my Zev Spartan lacks is the reduced grip, as Zev does remove finger grooves.

I particularly like Zev's grip stippling, so I'd like to have this Model 21 Robar project stippled at Zev after reduction at Robar. Zev will install FOR FREE all parts you buy, and in the future Model 21 Robar project, as well as my current Model 19 Robar project, I'll be using the stock Glock slide.

I don't plan on putting RMRs on these guns, as they will be purely carry and are being downsized to accentuate their concealment quotient as well as be more comfortable in the hand. Thus, I'll use a stock Glock slide.

I DO like the Zev barrels, and I plan to ultimately get both the Model 19 and the Model 21 to Zev for a barrel, internal parts and their trigger. Springs, stainless steel guide rod and all those other parts that Zev makes.

THE ROBAR GLOCK 19 GEN3 PROJECT HAS LAUNCHED

Recently, a friend of mine who owns a gun shop and who is quite the machinist, artist, mechanic and all around good guy, Iraq/Afghan Special Forces type fellow, showed me a Glock he had done a frame reduction on.

After hours of whining on my part for him to sell it to me, as it was a work of art, he agreed to do one for me, but advised that it would "take some time", meaning, quite a while. I intend to take him one of my G19 Gen3s as I have several. 

The Gen3 G19 is one of my carry favorite guns, and until the G19 Gen 5 came along, it was the stock Glock that had the best trigger for me. With exceptions where I wander back to my roots of various calibered Colt 1911s, Browning Hi-Power or the occasional revolver carry, its my G19 that is with me every day.

I didn't like the Gen4 triggers at all on the 19, the 34 or the 41 that I have. I traded both the 19 and the 34 and put an Apex Trigger on the 41. Big improvement. 

I really think the Gen 5 trigger is a huge improvement over the Gen4 and even the Gen3, but I've moved to installing Zev triggers on all of my Glocks save for a few kept stock. 

And onto the Robar project. After seeing my friends G19, which had a grip reduction (rear hollow space) and a finger groove elimination, resulting in a FAR THINNER grip on the G19, much closer to a Commander with fat grips than a regular G19. His had a lot of other custom frame features, such as double undercut trigger guard, grooves on the side of the grip to aid mag extraction (I didn't care for this) and a very cool area on the front right and left side of the front vertical part of the trigger guard, a slightly scalloped area where I normally rest my finger when it's not on the trigger.

I did some research on the internets and then ran into an LEO buddy I work with who had just had his G34 done at Robar. The grip reduction and finger groove elimination were well done, and the aggressive texture he chose was nice.

I myself went with the light texturing on my order. I sent a NIB G19 Gen3 OD frame/Tennifer Slide to Robar to have the grip reduction and finger groove removal and texturing, including the frame flats, double undercut trigger guard and having some night sights and a new trigger installed. 

I'll keep you posted on the update. They got the gun last week and I'm looking at several months til I get it back, although they are known for beating their estimated work time significantly.

I can't emphasize what a different feeling gun the Glock 19 is with the hollow of the rear of the grip removed. Not only does it make the gun smaller in an area that aids concealment, it's far more comfortable to shoot a gun that fits your hand well. It fits my hand well, anyway.

Robar mentions that the grip reduction is far more noticeable on the large frame Glocks, but I found it dang noticeable on the 19. I'm pretty sure I'm going to like the work Robar does, since I've already seen it and felt it, but the next gun I send will be a Gen 3 G21 SF to see how significant that reduction is. What I'm wondering is whether the SF would make a smaller grip than a regular Gen 3 G21.

Glock should be doing this themselves, along with the flat front grip of the Gen 5.  To me, the hollow space has always been a mystery, and I've long thought that a much better grip could be had by eliminating it. Soon, I'll find out.