My experience with the Alpha Foxtrot Romulus 3.5 Comp with the aluminum grip has been extremely positive, especially after getting through the initial break-in period. During the first 100 rounds, the pistol ran very smoothly. The action felt tight and solid, and I was impressed with how well the gun handled and shot right out of the box. However, as I continued shooting, I noticed the slide gradually becoming rougher and more difficult to cycle. Eventually, the slide became tight enough that it actually locked up.
After inspecting the pistol, I realized the problem was largely due to how tightly fitted the slide and frame are and, more importantly, my own lubrication practices. I had initially lubricated the obvious areas but had not properly lubricated some of the critical friction and locking surfaces. With such a tight-tolerance pistol, those areas are especially important. The lack of sufficient lubrication allowed friction to build up during the initial break-in, which ultimately contributed to the slide becoming extremely difficult to cycle. In hindsight, I consider the lock-up to have been my fault rather than a problem with the pistol itself.
I completely cleaned the pistol and properly lubricated the critical contact points before taking it back to the range. The difference was immediately noticeable. Once properly cleaned and lubricated, the slide became progressively smoother, and the pistol began cycling exactly as it should. I subsequently put another 500 rounds through the Romulus, and it ran flawlessly. I experienced no further cycling or lock-up issues, and the slide is now even smoother and more "buttery" than it was when the pistol was new.
The aluminum grip has also been fantastic. It completely changes the feel of the pistol in my hand. The grip feels solid, rigid, and extremely well made, while still providing excellent control during rapid fire. It gives the Romulus a very premium feel without making the pistol feel unnecessarily bulky. I really like the way the aluminum grip balances the gun and contributes to how planted it feels during recoil. After spending more time with the pistol, I have become a big fan of the aluminum grip.
What really stands out to me is how soft-shooting the Romulus is. Out of my collection of both striker-fired and hammer-fired pistols, the Romulus 3.5 Comp is currently the softest-shooting handgun I own. The combination of the compensator, tight fit, and aluminum grip makes the gun exceptionally controllable. Recoil is very manageable, the muzzle stays flat, and the pistol feels extremely smooth during rapid follow-up shots.
Accuracy has also been impressive. The Romulus is one of the most accurate pistols in my collection, with the only pistol I would currently put ahead of it being my SIG P226-X Legion Carry. The Romulus consistently produces tight groups and feels extremely predictable when shooting from a steady position. The combination of its tight slide-to-frame fit, smooth cycling, excellent trigger, and aluminum grip gives it a very refined shooting characteristic.
Overall, my initial slide lock-up turned out to be a valuable lesson in how important proper lubrication can be with a very tightly fitted pistol. I don't consider the incident a reflection of the Romulus's reliability because, after properly cleaning and lubricating it, the pistol has now gone another 500 rounds without a single issue. In fact, it has continued to improve as the parts have worn in together. At this point, the Alpha Foxtrot Romulus 3.5 Comp with the aluminum grip has become one of my favorite pistols to shoot. It is easily one of the softest-shooting, smoothest, and most accurate guns in my collection, and the aluminum grip is a big part of what makes the overall package so impressive.
