Gather round, my children, and let me tell you about one of my favorite African-Americans: Robbie Barrkman. Mr. Barrkman was born in South Africa and emigrated to the United States, where he founded Robar Guns in Arizona—a legendary custom shop that redefined what a Glock could be long before the factory’s Gen6 polish. We’re talking the early 1990s, when Robbie’s crew was hand-crafting masterpieces like the Custom Glock 22, transforming that chunky .40 S&W duty gun into a sleek, precision instrument with their signature SRP (Special Robar Polymer) finish, match-grade barrels, and ergonomic wizardry. This wasn’t some spray-paint job; it was bespoke artistry that made Glocks reliable enough for elite LE and competition shooters who wouldn’t touch a bone-stock plastic pistol.

What makes this story gold for the 2A community? Robbie Barrkman, the South African immigrant who out-hustled the naysayers, embodied the American dream of innovation under fire—literally. In an era when Glock haters dismissed them as plastic junk, Robar’s upgrades proved customization was the great equalizer, paving the way for today’s aftermarket explosion from companies like Agency Arms and Grey Guns. The Custom G22 wasn’t just prettier; it addressed real-world gripes like recoil management and holster wear, influencing Gen6 evolutions like the Marksman barrel and improved ergonomics. Implications? It screams that 2A rights thrive on private ingenuity—bureaucrats in Austria couldn’t dream up what free-market gunsmiths like Robbie did. Without pioneers like him, we’d still be arguing over whether polymer frames could hack it.

Fast-forward, and Robar’s legacy endures in the collector market, where a pristine Custom G22 fetches premiums that humble new Gen6s. For shooters today, it’s a reminder: don’t wait for Glock’s R&D. Grab your Gen5, hit up a modern custom shop, and channel that Barrkman spirit. The 2A community wins when we build better, not beg for permission—Robbie’s Glock 22 was proof, and it’s why we’re still carrying hot.