infamous209
Member
you sir are genius, I had this same thought the last time I went to the range but never acted on it, you have, great job.
Dust cover for the 15-22
- Thread starter PainterlyShotgroup
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Shooting Padre
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Kydex
Kydex is a plastic type material many of the tactical holsters are made of now. There are other names for it, my CrossBreed holster is partially made of it. It is molded to the shape of the gun. Check on Black Hawk holster site for an example. And yes, the hinge on your prototype is exactly right, my mistake. In my mind I was thinking the spring was the hinge. Anyway, it is really a great design. I don't think it is an absolute necessity on the 15-22, but just try to keep anyone from wanting it!! It is just too great to not have one. I'd probably order one even if I didn't own a 15-22.
Kydex is a plastic type material many of the tactical holsters are made of now. There are other names for it, my CrossBreed holster is partially made of it. It is molded to the shape of the gun. Check on Black Hawk holster site for an example. And yes, the hinge on your prototype is exactly right, my mistake. In my mind I was thinking the spring was the hinge. Anyway, it is really a great design. I don't think it is an absolute necessity on the 15-22, but just try to keep anyone from wanting it!! It is just too great to not have one. I'd probably order one even if I didn't own a 15-22.
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Citoriplus
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Not without a lot more effort than its worth.
Our 15-22's don't have the bosses molded into it for the covers pivot pin the way an AR has and the ejection port is less than half its size.
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PainterlyShotgroup
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@kcmitch: I'll look into kydex. I need to find where I could get just sheets of it, if in fact that is how it comes. Using a high strength plastic that is easy to mold would definitely be a plus.
CPTBeaker
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I bet this stuff could be used for the dust cover:
World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools - BROWNELLS
MOLDABLE GRIP SYSTEM
World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools - BROWNELLS
MOLDABLE GRIP SYSTEM
Knifekits.com sells it by the sheet in a few different thicknesses.
Easiest way to mold kydex is to cut out a small section (score with a razor and snap the sheet) and bake it in a toaster oven or full size oven for 2-3 minutes. A heat gun will also work, but it's pretty imprecise.
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PainterlyShotgroup
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I'm liking what I see. They have all different colors and patterns.
I'm going to have to order some different thicknesses and see which has the best workability-to-strength ratio.
It is going to mean possibly sacrificing my prototype to make a mold, but as long as they come out looking and working good, it will be worth it...
I don't have a 15-22, i've got the 5.56, just happen to click on this forum by accident. I saw a guy guy today on a local range with a 15-22 and he just ordered a regular 5.56 dust cover replacement and trimmed it up a little to fit his needs with a few simple hand tools. He did a good job with it, looks like it came standard on the weapon and seems to work fine.
So, why don't you just buy a replacement dust cover for a 5.56 model and cut it down and trim it up to fit?
I'm sure S&W has them - I know colt does - and you can find them via google. About $20.00.
So, why don't you just buy a replacement dust cover for a 5.56 model and cut it down and trim it up to fit?
I'm sure S&W has them - I know colt does - and you can find them via google. About $20.00.
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CPTBeaker
Member
The 15-22 upper does not have the protrusions (bosses) that stick out like a AR upper does. There is no place to connect the dust cover hinge pin into.
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I didn't go into details with him on it, but come to think of it, from what I saw it looks like he may have drilled the lower receiver and put in what looks like a couple of screws with no heads and holes in them for the hinge pin.
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PainterlyShotgroup
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I thought of using an existing cover at first but then just decided to try it out with what I had lying around.
I'm sure it is possible though and if you see that guy again ask him how he did it. I think work wise you'd be putting in the same amount of time and effort, if not more, as making your own from scratch. Yes it gives you a starting point but on the other hand it also gives you the constraints of trying to make a pre-existing product into something else, rather than working with raw material.
I think the other big issue at hand, is that most people here, don't want to risk voiding the warranty on their gun. If that guy really drilled into the upper of his rifle, he may have done just that (albeit, from what Brettvista says, a replacement upper is only like $20).
industrialfish
Member
I just picked up a factory cover with hinge pin and spring for less then $6 on Midway.
The mounting tabs that we lack can be fabricated in a no more then a few minutes. Bend a strip of sheet metal like this: |____| and drill a hole in each end. Attach to lower receiver with double sided tape.
The mounting tabs that we lack can be fabricated in a no more then a few minutes. Bend a strip of sheet metal like this: |____| and drill a hole in each end. Attach to lower receiver with double sided tape.
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PainterlyShotgroup
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You gave up on the one you posted pictures of? Am I wrong for questioning this, but why would you mount the dust cover to the lower receiver? Aren't they mounted to the upper? In any case I look forward to pictures of your build
!
!industrialfish
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Oops, yeah I meant lower half of upper receiver, or something.
After seeing your video, my light plastic is not the way to go. I need something strong enough to be spring loaded like yours.
After seeing your video, my light plastic is not the way to go. I need something strong enough to be spring loaded like yours.
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PainterlyShotgroup
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Well as I said, I originally thought of using a real AR dust cover, so I am very curious how this turns out. Please keep us updated!
How do you have the cover attached to the gun? How do you have it hinged and the spring attached?
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