P-12 Conversion Thread

sqlbullet · August 02 2012 01:12:24 PM MDT

Post Office says the slide will be here tomorrow ${$default_cheesy_smiley}$

sqlbullet · August 04 2012 08:44:51 AM MDT

Slide is here.

I really like the look. Do you see the problem?

Yeah. The dust cover lacks .220" of meeting the recoil plug housing. So...Email is in to Mars guns to see if they can extend the dust cover .250" on the frame. I just need them to weld it. I don't have a Mig welder and it has been 25 years since I used one anyway. Not like I am really up to speed on welding.

Quote from: harrygunner on July 31 2012 01:40:06 PM MDT
In addition to the slide, barrel and bushing, you'll need to change the ejector and the slide stop.

And, I don't need a new ejector. Officers guns come with the wider ejector from the factory.

One other item of note. In addition to being from barstock vs the cast slides that Para's come with, this slide is .025" wider. Little better than .010" on each rail. It only weighs .7 oz less than the gov't slide on its big brother. So, if I can get the spring rates right, I should have a pretty durable package. Especially since as a carry gun it will be "carried alot, little shot". Couple hundred rounds to break in. then maybe 500 a year in practice.

Hopefully welding up the frame won't cost an arm and a leg, especially since I will blend it.

EdMc · August 04 2012 10:31:50 AM MDT

Wait a minute.....where are the front serrations? ${$default_cool_smiley}$

Bro KV · August 04 2012 10:52:31 AM MDT

And the sights

sqlbullet · August 04 2012 03:03:51 PM MDT

The sights will be similar to 10-8 performance sights. Mars Guns makes some that I really like.

sqlbullet · August 09 2012 05:15:15 PM MDT

Update

Steve at Mars Guns took a look at this on Monday afternoon. He was not in favor of welding up the dust cover for two reasons. First, he has had poor results welding these cast frames. Tend to get defects when the metal heats and end up chasing your tail trying to fix them all. Second, he felt the slide had WAY to much travel with that metal missing from the recoil plug housing.

His idea was a reverse plug with a .250" flange on the back. I have asked for a quote on a custom one from Briley. I also have a local machinist getting me a quote on one made from 4140.

However, if Briley can't make one for a reasonable price I had another thought the other night. Gonna buy a Briley supported Gov't reverse plug, then thread the part that sticks out the back of my commander slide, and have a ring made to thread onto it. Then a little silver solder and some filing and bingo. Nice homemade one for very little dough.

Will update again after I finish the reverse plug.

Harleycolt · September 04 2012 08:37:00 PM MDT

Anymore updates on this? Found the link you sent me, now I'm waiting for a Warthawg to do the what you're doing ${$default_shocked_smiley}$

sqlbullet · September 05 2012 07:41:40 AM MDT

Well, I don't have any new pictures. I have changed my mind on the barrel and will be calling Storm Lake later today to order the Drop In Bull barrel from them. It is $50 cheaper than the Schuemann, and will be a better barrel for me to learn about fitting since it will require far less of it.

I finally gave up on finding a reverse plug with the .250" flange I need to fill the gap between the dust cover and slide. I created a makeshift lathe by clamping a 1/2" drill to my workbench and turned down what I wanted from a 1/2" X 2.5" medium carbon steel bolt. It is currently out getting flat bottom drilled. Will post pics when it is back and document the heat treat process.

At that point I will be waiting for the barrel, and then off to the range to test it out.

REDLINE · September 06 2012 02:57:05 PM MDT

Quote from: sqlbullet on September 05 2012 07:41:40 AM MDT
I have changed my mind on the barrel and will be calling Storm Lake later today to order the Drop In Bull barrel from them.

How did that turn out?

sqlbullet · February 26 2013 08:05:04 AM MST

Well, indecision is a wonderful thing it appears.

I ended up going with Schuemann for the barrel, and got it a few weeks after christmas. I have finished fitting the barrel hood since then. The top lugs engage well, but the firing pin hole is not centered, so I need to do some more work on the top lugs before I start on the feet/lower lugs. I hope to get to that this weekend.

I have the custom reverse plug back. It turned out OK, but I may well make another one down the road. It will also still need some file work after the barrel is fully fitted as right now it interferes with the barrel. I will have to relieve some metal. I don't want to heat treat it before I do that. I will try to post some pictures later tonight.

REDLINE · March 01 2013 07:02:31 PM MST

Interesting. Even with the change of plan it all seems to be coming along well and keeping you busy at the same time. Would love to see the pics when you get around to them.

sqlbullet · March 04 2013 10:37:21 AM MST

I snapped a few pics the other day with my phone of the barrel, but they aren't good enough to show anything other than that I have the barrel.

I will try to get some better pictures once my wife is back from her trip, since she has the Nikon.

d762nato · March 05 2013 04:47:21 PM MST

I found your Para CCO conversion thread SB. I can't wait to see the finished product and are you also going to have it coated?

sqlbullet · March 06 2013 07:30:05 AM MST

Plan to park underneath, but instead of an oil bath to finish the park, I will spray and bake Cerakote. I have plenty left.

gandog56 · March 21 2013 11:00:34 AM MDT

Quote from: sqlbullet on July 31 2012 01:58:39 PM MDT
STI slide is already on the way. Found one that a gunsmith had ordered and the customer didn't like and got it for $170.

EGW FPS is a must, plus a 25 lb mainspring to tame the slide. Based on Ned Christensens testing this should put the frame batttering back in to the same realm as 45 ACP is. Plan on a 20 lb recoil spring.

All Para frames are already cut for a ramped barrel. The Clark/Para cut in fact ${$default_cheesy_smiley}$ No frame milling required as it is already cut for the barrel I want.

I plan to build a whole new top-end, not re-using any of the 45 acp top end. This will give me a multi-caliber set-up.

Magazine is the area that I see possibly being a real challenge. I don't see a huge challenge on the feeding end of things, as the mags in my current P16 work fine and I expect/hope they will feed a commander length top end just as well.

No, the issue is the other end. I will have to modify a magazine to get the right length. Plan right now is to use a Mec-Gar body I have that has good feed lips for Para 40/10mm but a blown out base. I plan to chop it to the correct length and rebend the bottom to properly hold the base pad. That may prove to be a challenge. Or not. Just not something I have done before.

Hmmmm, my brand new Fusion Firearms 10mm came equipped with only a 20 pound spring, although they also provided me with some other poundage springs in case I needed to go higher. I haven't so far.