Earlier this year at SHOT Show 2025, we introduced the 120R Receiver, a modular fire control insert compatible with GLOCK® Gen3 components, and gave a first look at our open source PDW concept. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and we’ve been hard at work implementing mass production solutions, which are now in the final stages of development to meet the growing demand. While we originally planned to release the PDW design files shortly after returning to Texas, we decided to take a step back and refine several elements to ensure they meet our standards for safety, durability, ergonomics, and functionality.
Now, after months of testing and refinement, we’re ready to move into production, and to kick things off, we’re launching a limited 100-batch presale with fulfillment scheduled to begin in November.
Safety
The original design did not include a manual safety. After carrying early prototypes in bags or compartments, we realized this was a necessary addition. It’s just too easy for a stray pen or finger to enter the trigger guard unexpectedly. We added a cross-bolt safety (like grandpa’s 870) that locks the trigger shoe when engaged. While we won’t recommend storing it with a round in the chamber, this adds another layer of safety if you choose to do so.
Engaging and disengaging the safety is simple and follows a traditional manual of arms. Click to the right for SAFE, click to the left for FIRE. It’s placed where it’s easy to reach and manipulate when grabbing the grip, making the transition from draw to fire seamless.
We also realized the rear portion of the chassis was too short. When the slide reciprocates, it extends past the chassis, and if your face is too close, there’s a risk. While this never actually an issue during testing, we saw the potential for it. We addressed it by extending the rear of the chassis to match the full travel of the slide. This now provides a clear visual indicator and a physical barrier to keep your face at a safe distance. It also gave us space to add sling QD points, a housing for the brace deploy spring, and a few other features.
Additionally, the compact G19 slide inherently places the muzzle short of the end of the platform. It’s possible to accidentally break the muzzle plane when gripping hastily. To address this, we’ll include a chassis-mounted compensator that extends the muzzle to the end of the platform and discourages forward finger placement. Since the compensator is decoupled from the barrel, you don’t need to tune the guide rod or springs, nor be selective with your ammo. The comp can also be easily removed if you’d prefer to run a standard barrel-mounted muzzle device up to 1.5 inches in diameter.
Durability
Our early prototypes were 3D printed on desktop machines. While they worked, we knew our production version would need to be far more robust. We tested several Multi Jet Fusion materials and designs, but ultimately found MJF lacked the durability we required. It never failed during regular use, but cracks or chips could occur when dropped on hard flooring.
In an abundance of caution, we transitioned to all metal construction. The Palisade is now precision CNC-machined from aircraft-grade 6061 aluminum, then black anodized.
Ergonomics
Designing the brace was one of our biggest challenges. It needed to be compact and lightweight, while remaining clear of any controls whether collapsed or deployed. It also had to deploy to a dropped position that allowed the user to naturally align their eye with iron sights or slide-mounted optics without craning their neck or interfering with headgear. Our initial design, which featured a straight eject path, proved awkward to use.
After several iterations, we landed on a new style of brace using a kinematic four-bar linkage. This allows the brace arm to slide into the chassis for compact storage, and when deployed, it expands downward into a more ergonomic position allowing comfortable use for both left and right-handed shooters. It’s been a showstopper at trade events and is proving to be a highly effective solution.
We also reworked the primary grip. Originally, we tried to make a grip larger than a G19’s while still accepting 15-round mags, but it ended up being uncomfortable. We scrapped that and reshaped the grip to accept 17-round magazines instead. The result features a comfortable palm swell, proper knuckle clearance, a generous flared magwell, a rear grip cut for stripping mags, and the all-important trigger guard finger groove.
Functionality
Our original design used G19 Gen3 magazine catches, which are designed for right-handed users. We’ve since upgraded to Gen4 catches, which are reversible for left-handed users. Combined with the open-top design and drop brace, nearly everything, except the slide stop lever, can now be operated ambidextrously.
In the first version, deploying the brace required two hands. One to depress a stiff button, and the other to manually pull the brace from its housing. While simple, it wasn’t ideal for one-handed operation. We’ve now engineered a system that balances two opposing forces, one to retain the brace in the collapsed position, and another that assists with deployment when activated. This can now be done one-handed. More on that soon.
Closing Remarks
The PALISADE isn’t just another firearm. It’s the result of over two decades of hands-on experience in firearms design and manufacturing. Built with proven safety features, precision-machined components, and performance that exceeds what you’d expect from a pistol, all while weighing less than a lightweight stripped AR-9, it’s a platform we’re proud to bring to the community.
We know many of you are waiting for the open-source CAD files. They’re coming. We’re currently reworking a few elements to shift from machining-optimized to print-optimized designs. Expect the 120 Palisade DIY | Hardware Kit + Download to launch around November 1st.
GLOCK® is a registered trademark of GLOCK, Inc. and is one of many trademarks owned by GLOCK, Inc. and GLOCK Ges.m.b.H. Neither G100 nor this product is affiliated with or endorsed by GLOCK, Inc. or GLOCK Ges.m.b.H.