Franken-Guns: the Good, the Bad, the Disasters

Redcoat3340 · #1 02-28-2021, 08:32 PM

I write an occasional article for a local gun club. I'm thinking of doing one on "Frankeguns;" you know, changing out slides and frames; converting calibers, going crazy with a dremel tool, etc.

Looking for some examples -- the good, the bad, and the really Bubba-ugly,

Anyone got some good stories, personal disasters, personal triumphs,( or ideas I might actually try with my S&W 1st, 2nd, or 3rd gens?)

Ben-Kenobi · #2 02-28-2021, 08:51 PM

Just Google "Boba Fett guns" and you'll see some truly horrific creations. On a large gun board here a guy had a Sig Sauer P226 that he had painted in this Star Wars theme. It took him over a year to sell it. I'm still surprised he did.

Baltimoreed11754 · #3 02-28-2021, 11:45 PM

Here’s my frankengun. It started out as an ordinay Ruger Mini 30 that I bought for Y2k. It was sitting in my safe for years minding it’s own business and then I retired and started doing projects. This was one. I had Accuracy Systems do their barrel brace, a m1a style muzzle break and trigger job. I installed a reduced gas port bushing too. I then modified a standard wood m1a stock to fit the smaller Ruger action. Lots of jbweld and walnut spacers. The steel Ruger mini 30 reenforcement fit the m1a reenforcement holes so I retapped the screw holes in the steel for the larger 2 hole screws that the m1a uses instead of the smaller slotted screws of the Ruger. The scope mount is an aluminum dummy as I used the Ruger built in mounts for the scope rings. Put a hole in the safety for looks. I found a correct Vietnam era 3x9 Redfield scope for it, not an ARTII. It’s the little details that make a build special. And rattlecan camo’ed the whole thing. Thinking that its a ‘good’ one but of course it’s not a Smith.

Double-O-Dave · #4 03-01-2021, 01:42 AM

Not a bad looking piece, but how does it shoot?

Thanks,

Dave

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baltimoreed11754

Here’s my frankengun. It started out as an ordinay Ruger Mini 30 that I bought for Y2k. It was sitting in my safe for years minding it’s own business and then I retired and started doing projects. This was one. I had Accuracy Systems do their barrel brace, a m1a style muzzle break and trigger job. I installed a reduced gas port bushing too. I then modified a standard wood m1a stock to fit the smaller Ruger action. Lots of jbweld and walnut spacers. The steel Ruger mini 30 reenforcement fit the m1a reenforcement holes so I retapped the screw holes in the steel for the larger 2 hole screws that the m1a uses instead of the smaller slotted screws of the Ruger. The scope mount is an aluminum dummy as I used the Ruger built in mounts for the scope rings. Put a hole in the safety for looks. I found a correct Vietnam era 3x9 Redfield scope for it, not an ARTII. It’s the little details that make a build special. And rattlecan camo’ed the whole thing. Thinking that its a ‘good’ one but of course it’s not a Smith.

BC38 · #5 03-01-2021, 02:25 AM

My only frankengun is a 15-5 that I had to replace the cylinder because one chamber was bulged. It worked out well - a complete drop-in. If you don't notice the different number on the face of the cylinder you'd never know.

6518John · #6 03-01-2021, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redcoat3340

Anyone got some good stories, personal disasters. . .

I don’t think this recent thread can be be topped in the “personal disaster” category. Gentleman polished the serial numbers off his own gun.

S&W getting sued by me after 5 year struggle w customer service

BAM-BAM · #7 03-01-2021, 07:56 AM

Sorry no pics..... but I and Squidsix built 6915s...... 6906 frames mated to 4 inch 915 barrels and slides......... concealed carry takeoffs on the Performance Center's 1994 "Stocking Dealer" model SD-9.

Kind of a high cap nine CCO..........

mikerjf · #8 03-01-2021, 09:54 AM

Any Fitz-Smolt's out there?

Baltimoreed11754 · #9 03-01-2021, 09:59 AM

Here’s a pre model 10 Fitz Smith that I put together. The frame was toast with pitting under the horned grips so I didn’t hurt it much. Put a set of old school grips on it. It has a super nice trigger.

THE PILGRIM · #10 03-01-2021, 11:36 AM

I did buy the 686 with the K Frame Sideplate.
Considering that the Sideplate is a Factory only part, we never could figure out how it got that way.

reccpd101 · #11 03-01-2021, 12:19 PM

Here's 3 Frankenguns:

top: 439 slide over 3913 frame

middle: 439 frame under 3906 slide

bottom: 5904 frame under 5906 slide

Everyone is a good shooter.

Also have a Beretta 92 slide on a 96 frame, with the original 40 slide & barrel and a 357 Sig barrel and a Glock 23 original 40 barrel & slide with 9mm & 357 Sig Conversion barrels. They are also good shooters in all 3 calibers although the Glock does better in the original 40 barrel & slide.

donk52 · #12 03-01-2021, 12:34 PM

Here's mine

reccpd101 · #13 03-01-2021, 12:54 PM

Very nice Donk52. What parts made it up?

CQB27 · #14 03-01-2021, 01:05 PM

I traded into a 1969 Marlin 336. I didn't have much in it and the finish was not the best. I know Marlin produced the 16 1/4 inch barrel Model 336 Marauder from 1963 to 1964, but they are kinda rare. (I also know the 336Y exists, but it's not the same gun). I wanted one so I made one. I know some purists might groan, but I like it, it's just right for me.

Franken Guns For The Win!

donk52 · #15 03-01-2021, 02:27 PM

This is a 39-2 with a 669 slide. The frame had some wear and scratches so I sanded the sides just enough to remove the finish.

SMSgt · #16 03-01-2021, 04:49 PM

Best I can do is an AR. I built an upper in a .223 wildcat caliber, 6mm Mongoose, to go on my ArmaLite AR lower. Danged thing would not feed to save its life. Tried everything, no help. Finally I borrowed my son's lower and the Mongoose upper ran like a champ! Odd thing is I've never had a malfunction with the ArmaLite lower on its own upper. I finally built a new lower using the same brand receiver as the upper and all is well now.

Dieseltech56 · #17 03-01-2021, 05:32 PM

This is a franken gun

Looks ordinary because I kept almost all S&W parts in it but it started life as a 64-5 round butt DAO 4" with a MIM trigger. The barrel is a 3 inch from a 65, the cylinder is brand new for a 65/66. The hammer and trigger are a matched set from a model 10-10. The cylinder stop is a power custom oversized and the rebound spring is a 14#

This is also one. Started life as a 10-7 2" shipped overseas and back over here with no barrel and sold by J&G sales. The barrel, cylinder and ejector rod are from a 10-8 that I converted to a model 13. You can tell the 4" heavy barrel doesn't mate up to the pencil barrel frame perfect. It shoots great however bad it looks.

This is a 10-8 that I converted to 3" 357 with a parts kit from a 13-3. The original 4" heavy barrel and cylinder were the most worn while the frame had very little bluing loss. The leftover barrel and cylinder were used on the gun above this one

Baltimoreed11754 · #18 03-01-2021, 05:34 PM

CQB27, nice work on your Marauder. Man after my own heart, if you can’t buy one build it yourself. I also like your double action Smith and it’s stags. Just built myself an 1894 .45colt Trapper. Not quite done.

CQB27 · #19 03-01-2021, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baltimoreed11754

CQB27, nice work on your Marauder. Man after my own heart, if you can’t buy one build it yourself. I also like your double action Smith and it’s stags. Just built myself an 1894 .45colt Trapper. Not quite done.

Post some pics when it’s done!

Buford57 · #20 03-01-2021, 08:19 PM

Guess this qualifies: EAA Witness .45 blued frame with a .38 Super Wonderfinish slide. That makes it a 3-caliber gun as I also have a .22LR match upper.

Nedroe · #21 03-01-2021, 11:21 PM

13/19 Frankengun

a couple of fixed sight 44 mag snubbies

a 3.5 inch pre war 3844HD

a 3 inch 681 round butt

a 3 inch 617-1

a 3 inch 17-8

a round butt 53

a shortened Rock Island XT22

Last but not least a 17/19 Frankengun 2.5 inch barrel

Enjoy

Ned

Baltimoreed11754 · #22 03-02-2021, 12:14 AM

Ned, That 17/19 is gorgeous. Nice build.

Grayfox · #23 03-02-2021, 01:22 AM

I've shown this one several times before. But it certainly fits the Frankengun theme.

3 1/4" .45 Colt snub.

The frame is from a Model 28-2
Barrel from a 25-2 and was originally 6"
Cylinder from a 25-5
Standard hammer
.312" Smooth Combat Trigger
C&S Extreme Duty rear sight.
Internals from various sources.
This one is my pride and joy as I did all the work myself.

hammy5150 · #24 03-02-2021, 02:32 AM

All the different 3rd Gens I have but none are similar enough to frankengun up...

I did briefly have a 4013TSW and a 5906TSW at the same time, would I have been able to swap the 4013TSW slide onto the 5906TSW to make a 4006TSW SSV of sorts?

challer61 · #25 03-02-2021, 07:27 AM

I have a complete 10/22 without a single Ruger component. Built that way from the ground up. Better than any 10/22 I’ve owned. And the SIG fcu program is all about frankenguns.

Green Frog · #26 03-02-2021, 12:13 PM

I’m on the wrong iPad and don’t have my picture file here, but I first applied the term “Franken-Smith” to my custom 639. I wanted the old school two tone look and a steel frame (rather than aluminum) so I bought a beater 639 and added a 439 upper. That worked out so well I decided to go forward(?) a bit more and replaced the slide with one from a Model 915. Fortunately it all fits together well and has no bolts projecting from the neck or stitch marks showing. It’s a lot more attractive (to my eye, at least) than the original Frankenstein monster. I’ll try to add a picture later.

Froggie

RufusG · #27 03-02-2021, 04:21 PM

I swapped around various 3rd gen slides to make SSVs and LSVs and color combos. Only one I have left is a 5944 slide for my 6946.

Years ago I had a Model 25 cut down to 3.25" and cut for moon clips so you could shoot ACP in it. I've sent a lot of guns down the road but regret letting that one go more than most.

Green Frog · #28 03-02-2021, 10:52 PM

Here’s the Model 639 based Franken-Smith along with the earliest gun I gave the “Franken-“ designation, my “Franken-Ballard” that was made up of parts literally gathered from Virginia to California.

I guess you could say they are the Good and the Ugly. I don’t have an example of Bad right now.

Froggie

squidsix · #29 03-02-2021, 11:01 PM

I make Frankensmith and Frankenrugers from time to time.
Too much to cut and paste here but if you look at threads I have started you will see some.
The Ruger SBH/BH .357 gets shot and toted a heck of a lot.

JohnHL · #30 03-03-2021, 12:48 PM

This is an interesting thread about "Frankenguns" posted in a S&W semi-auto sub-forum, and most of the posts are about revolvers or rifles.

Here is a link to an older thread about "customized" S&W semi-autos that I think may be worth a "re-boot":

BMCM generosity karma. Many more items added!!!

I hope you all enjoy it.

John