I can’t remember a time I pulled a new gun from the box and was completely satisfied. There is always something I want different. I know what works for me and am willing to achieve it. I think this desire becomes more acute with knowledge and skill: the end user knows what will enhance performance. Avoid trends, they seldom aid skill development.

The Ruger/Magpul RXM “kicked up a few notches:” ported slide, Osight SE Enclosed Optic and Bowie custom frame make for a potent carry package. The stippling was done by hand as was the trigger guard contour and thumb pads. This is the true form of customization.

Years back, I was asked to the Ruger facility in New Hampshire to consult on a new pistol. Ruger has achieved huge success in the hunting and sporting arenas, but they have never achieved the same success in the tactical/self-defense markets. While their compact pistols, like the LCP, have been popular, they have never hit a home run with a service-grade offering. The old P-Series were reliable, built like a tank really, but they never had the “come take me home” appeal of offerings from other manufacturers.

After a few attempts, we got the Ruger/Magpul collaboration. The RXM is a home run. It has all the features I suggested and I believe is an “improved” Third Generation Glock pistol. A quality, reliable, combat grade semi-auto that can be bought for under 400 bucks, the RXM checks all of the boxes. Its modular fire control with the ability to exchange frames proved to be a hit. You would think I would be satisfied, after all, I gave them my input. While I could certainly carry and teach with this gun, I want a Grand Slam instead of simply a home run. I want it set up FOR ME.

First, I want a black frame instead of gray. A little thing that was easily and inexpensively purchased locally. I then sent the frame off to David Bowie of Bowie Tactical Concepts for a series of modifications I specified. The grip angle of the RXM is good, much like a 1911. That said, I wanted the circumference reduced and a more aggressive grip texture applied. I also asked for a reduced tang, an addition to the heel of the grip, a deeper undercut at the junction of the trigger guard and grip, thinner bottom of the trigger guard and a longer thumb pad on the left side.

Why? I have very small hands; I wish I didn’t. David can reduce the grip and make it more comfortable. The grip tang is great for folks with more meat on their hands, but for me it’s just another hook I don’t need. The grip addition on the back strap helps with reloads and offers a more solid grip while not adding bulk. The deeper undercut aids in a more reliable draw stroke while the thinner trigger guard allows me to get my support hand higher on the frame. The Magpul frame comes with thumb pads molded into each side, but they are too short for me to get my thumb where I want it as I use these pads to ensure I get proper support hand placement.

The recoil reducing ports are cut into the slide, not the barrel. The barrel crown is intact and is responsible for the Imperium’s high level of accuracy.

What I really appreciate about David’s work is it’s all done by hand. There is no assembly line-style machining or etching. Each pistol is truly a one-off custom job. It’s hard to find that these days. I get the features I want, not something offered to me. His hand stippling is second to none. It is aggressive without being abrasive and allows my skin to fill the void created by each groove, not have my skin stabbed while I shoot. David’s work takes longer than the assembly line stuff, but it is worth the wait.

In a previous TACTICAL WIRE feature, I reviewed the G19 replacement slide produced by Angled Spade Technologies. This compensated slide really impressed me. Called the lmperium C, it is a proprietary slide assembly that is optics ready and features a recoil reducing integrally ported design. The Imperium slide assembly will keep a shooter locked on target for faster follow up shots. It is a complete slide assembly which is compatible with all generations of the G19.

The Osight enclosed optic was purchased online and mounted using a C & H plate. It has proven to be quite reliable so far. Quality optics are coming down in price.

Made in the USA, the lmperium 9C is 14% lighter than stock slides and up to 50% lighter than slides equipped with compensators. Angled Spade claims a 24% reduction in split times as compared to a stock slide. What I like is it maintains the same overall length of the stock pistol for compatibility with all standard G19/RXM holsters. It should be noted that there is no barrel porting, so the supplied barrel maintains a full crown at the muzzle. In my previous testing, I discovered the shorter barrel of the Imperium 9C did not affect accuracy out to 25 yards nor bullet velocity.

The Osight SE Enclosed Optic was purchased online and mounted to the AST slide using a mounting plate from C & H Precision.

Spaulding ran the Bill Drill with the factory slide and then the AST slide. The reduction in recoil was obvious.

I may have been unfair to the Angled Spade previously. I was more concerned with accuracy and really did not let the ported slide “run.” I decided to change that in this review. The Bill Drill is considered the quintessential test of recoil control so I decided to use it. I shoot it very seldom, so it would be a true test of the Imperium’s recoil reduction system. I don’t believe in pleasing the timer over the target, so I shot no faster than I could hit. I shot two runs with the factory slide and two runs with the Angled Spade slide. Both slides were equipped with carry optics. My times were as follows:

Factory Ruger RXM slide: 2.92, 2.87

Angled Spade Imperium C: 2.22, 2.27

David Bowie performs all his custom modifications by hand and they are not restricted to polymer frames. He also custom modifies slides.

That’s a reduction of almost 3/4 second by just changing the slide with no loss of accuracy. My ability to reacquire the dot was VERY noticeable with the dot staying in view. Angled Spade’s claim of a 24% reduction in split times is certainly valid. Is this important for a combat pistol? I will leave that up to you but there is something to be said for being able to stay on the dot. I am more than happy with my custom carry RXM. It fits me and certainly enhances my skill, which is all I can ask for.

— Dave Spaulding