Robin Taylor

Hey Guys, I can't believe it's taken THIS LONG for the 9mm sight block (now nicknamed a "Speed Block") to get to the top of the job board. As they say, being super busy is a good problem to have. . . but it's still a problem. Bowen is right, we totally re-did both styles. Much less weight, leading to better function with the 9mm and faster slide speed on the .40. New profile works with Gen. 3, Gen. 4, and Gen 4-retrofit-to-Gen 3 recoil systems (big improvement over the first model). The set screw is MUCH beefier and better supported, and the whole thing was CNC'ed in house by Mike Fox on our newly-activated 4th axis -- instead of by a contractor on a 3-axis setup. What's the difference? Much more precise throughout. Even the threads are CNC machined (not tapped in the conventional way). Got some LW barrels in this week as well, so we've got the whole kit ready to roll. Shooting mine in a steel match tomorrow.

RE: For the G17 or for a G22 with a conversion barrel? Working on new versions for both slides. The current part would fit a conversion-barrel gun, but the resulting slide would be very heavy for caliber. I'd be surprised if it worked with anything but full-power 9mm loads -- rather like putting a conversion barrel into a Glock 24.

Nothing yet, still waiting for space to open up on the mills. We're playing catch-up after being hit by some big orders from Midway, Brownells, and some LE organizations. It's a good problem to have, but it's delaying new stuff like the 9mm Sight Block and a magwell/basepad set for the Walther PPQ.

I see a post or two here from people interested in doing this to a S&W M&P. Do you folks have a suggestion as to what threaded barrel you'd like to use? I'm not 100% committed to doing an FSB for the Smith, but if the 9mm Glock variant goes the way we hope, a 9mm Smith will be right behind it.

Hey All, The skeletonized 9mm version has been through five different variations. The struggle continues to be finding a design that works for both "Gens" and looks right. Attached please find a screenshot of what I suspect (with some corrections) will be the final product. Compared to the earlier model, this matches the slide profile better, and has a built-in "chin job" common to custom Glock 24s.

Second try on attaching the photo. (Forgot to hit "attach this file.)

Hey Folks, I won another steel match shooting the 9mm prototype this weekend. (The Pac NW Steel Championship.) Don't be impressed, the PACNW is a small regional match -- I mention it because the "system" ran beautifully. No malfunctions for roughly the last 500 rounds, and I managed to stay ahead of similarly-skilled shooters (notably Richard Morgan, who drove a conventional Glock 34). Load is a 135-grain MT Gold RN, driven by 4.2 grains of 231, loaded long. Sight block is radically lightened, and topped with a Hi-Viz green fiber. Recoil spring has the Dale Rhea (of Rhea Guns fame) trick done to it. (Put your stock recoil spring in an electric drill, like it was a drill bit, then -- with the drill running, use a bench grinder or belt sander to grind down the sides -- putting a wide "wasp waist" into the spring. Narrowing the middle of the spring creates a progressive-weight recoil spring -- easy unlocking, rapid closing.) Attached photo shows the system in action (taken earlier).

Not yet, but I did sit down and modify all the remaining 40-cal Sight Blocks to work with a Gen 4-to-Gen 3 recoil spring conversion. I'd set them up originally for the Gen. 3, not realizing that the Gen. 4's larger-diameter spring moves the recoil guide rod down slightly. Next version I'll be looking for ways to run a stock Gen. 4.

You're looking at about $125 for the barrel, $50 for the block, and a Gen 4 to Gen 3 conversion kit (LWD, Carver, whomever, maybe $40). Tell me you're using it on a Gen 4 and I'll drill out the hole slightly to accept the conversion unit -- because of the larger diameter, it attaches lower than the Gen 3. Robin

G17 FSB: Several of you have asked about creating G17-based FSB guns. I just sent a couple of blocks (one stock, one radically lightened) to a customer who custom-ordered a KKM Glock 34 barrel, threaded to 9/16X24 to match. I shot my prototype G17FSB at the Man Of Steel invitational last weekend and managed to take Top Limited (the top guys shot Open). I had some cycling issues with the prototype last year, but with a sample size of ONE it has been tough to know whether lightening the sight block was the answer, or tuning the load, or whether I was having some sort of break-in issue with the barrel. I do have to gauge my ammo (which is annoying in a Glock), but so long as I feed it gauged ammo, this combo rocks. Built sheet: LWD G34 barrel w/prototype sight block, stock spring, stock rear, Hi-Viz fiber front (green). Running 135-grain MTG RN's over 4.X 231. Ghost rocket trigger, with an old Lightning Strike stainless magwell. I only poke my head in the door of the Forum every once in a while, so ping me direct if you need an answer in real time.

To answer some of your questions: Why LW barrels? I designed around the LW barrel because it was the most readily available -- and inexpensive. (We consumed several barrels figuring this out). I've since heard from several people that aren't big fans of LW -- any barrel with the same thread pitch will work. Has anybody used it? Yes, but I can only speak for myself. I've been shooting up a pile of 175-grain cast lead I bought at auction, alternating between that and 155-grain MTG's for steel. I'm running stock springs, stock striker, and stock sights to demo the concept. Lighter springs should give you faster/flatter cycling and improved weak-hand reliability. I'm not a great USPSA shooter, but I managed 2nd Limited at the Wa State ISSA match shooting those 155s at about 150 PF. (ISSA has taken over all the Steel Challenge events in the Northwest.) And some other questions people have asked: What's it like? When I shoot it, it's easy to "follow the bouncing ball" into the next target. The overall effect is different than a "normal" pistol, and definitely "calmer" than the standard G22. John Wiley (a local Glock jockey) helped me with some test firing, and he wasn't sure whether to keep his G24, or switch to this system. Can I use an over-length guide rod? No, the extended guide rods hit the set screw that holds the shroud in place. G17 length steel/tungsten rods are fine. Can I use it on a G35? Yes. If you need one for a G35, I'll cut one to fit. How do I clean it? Just take the guide rod out and let the barrel fall fully forward in the slide -- this exposes the breech for easy cleaning. Robin Taylor www.taylorfreelance.com

Taylor Freelance HQ logging in. We built our brass "bling" basepads with IDPA SSP and USPSA Production in mind (legal for both). One ounce helps the mag fall, neutralizes the balance a little, and the gold color looks pretty cool. Profile is the same as stock.

Hey all, Taylor Freelance HQ logging in. Thanks for all the kind things you've said about our mag extensions. I've been listening to feedback lately, and getting the basepad off easier is common request. With that in mind, I cooked up a batch of easy on-off Fort Knox retaining plates for our Taylor Freelance mag extensions. (Based on an old mod by Michael Chludenski.) We call them "Black Magic" plates since they're A: Black, and B: Spin out of the way like magic. I've got some friendly shooters experimenting with them now, but so far no issues. If you folks are interested in trying one, ping me back through www.taylorfreelance.com .

The Glock 35 is the go-everywhere, do-everything Glock. I vote for the G24 as the best "limited-only." Look inside the slide on a G34 sometime side-by-side with a 35, and the extra strength in the slide is obvious. The 24 maintains the full-width slide walls (unlike the 17L) making it a really beefy machine. It's a personal preference thing from there.

Hello All, Thought you might like to know that the European Annual issue of Front Sight hits the streets this weekend. We've also launched a digital version, which you can see at: www.uspsa.org/EuroAnnual11 Thanks for the kind words about Front Sight! Robin Taylor Assistant Editor Front Sight magazine