While I’m waiting on certain other necessary components for the EVO320 project to come to market (and saving up funds for them), I figured I’d both organize my thoughts and explain a bit about the purpose of the project and what I’m hoping to accomplish with the end result.
First and foremost, while a frame-mounted pistol optic system will still generally immediately conjure up images of a designated USPSA Open division competition-only pistol, I want to be very clear that this build is NOT intended primarily for competition use: It is my intent to use this project to illustrate a leap further towards applying the advantages of certain traditionally competition-exclusive features and philosophies to a handgun primarily intended to be used for duty, home defense, and yes, even concealed carry. It’s my belief that the robustness and capabilities of certain models and manufacturers of miniature RDS technology has surpassed the risk/benefit threshold that would otherwise make the loss of BUIS on a handgun an untenable proposition. It is readily apparent to me that I’m not alone in the industry in making this assessment, with several manufacturers having recently introduced various duty-oriented handguns that also rely solely on non-reciprocating optical sighting systems. Many of us have already been comfortable living with and depending on RDS-only duty and defensive rifles for many years now, and I believe the capabilities of certain handgun optics have reached a similar point of reliability. My thoughts on specifically which model(s) of RDS that thinking applies to will be further explained as the components are purchased and the build progresses.
I have gone back and forth a bit on how closely I wanted the EVO320 to utilize the same components as the RS320 project, and have settled on maintaining as much mechanical consistency as possible within the limitations of the differences necessary to make the transition from slide-mounted optics to frame-mounted optics. Therefore and perhaps disappointing to some, I plan to use the same Bar-Sto barrel, Springer compensator, Surefire X300U, and Apex trigger kit in the EVO320 project that have already proven themselves through the pair of RS320 builds. This is not to say I am of the opinion that only these specific components are of high enough quality to be applied to the P320 platform - aftermarket support for the P320 has expanded rapidly in recent years and there are many high-quality products from other manufacturers which are more than worthy of consideration. This is of course very much a matter of personal preference, but I’ve come to the conclusion that my desire to exemplify an evolutionary step beyond the current RDS handgun format is bolstered by maintaining some extent of consistency between the two final platforms. Simply stated, the EVO320 is meant to signify the next evolution of Roland Special/RS320-type duty guns (hence the EVO moniker).
Hopefully this gives a bit more insight into my thoughts, plans, and intentions behind this new endeavor. As always if anyone has any questions or thoughts, always feel free to post here or send me a message and I’ll gladly explain further to the best of my ability. Hopefully those of you still following this thread will appreciate what I’m attempting to illustrate by undertaking this new build, and hopefully the finished product that’s already been meticulously constructed, torn apart, redesigned, re-constructed, and detailed down to the last nut and bolt dozens of times over in my mind will be of as much interest to you as it has been to me over the several years of waiting for it to become a possible reality.
This is a project I’ve wanted to do for a very, very long time, and I can’t wait to document it all here for all of you!