Lock plug. Now taking orders to ship next week.

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epj

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As some of you may know, I've been manufacturing sight pushers for several years. It all started on this forum and has grown into a pretty busy part time business. I have the capability of manufacturing a plug for the lock hole. I am still on the fence as to whether John Whitt is going to show back up. If he does, I wouldn't consider it. Frankly, given what I know of the situation, I fear the worst for John. Anyway, give me some feedback as to the interest in a plug. It might be just exactly like John offered, or might be a bit different. Probably very similar. I'd probably start with the stainless K,L,N and go from there. Give me your thoughts and we'll go from there.
Ed Jennings
Jennings Machine and Tool

My buddy the pro machinist called this morning. He and I met last week and nailed down what we think are the right dimensions, harvested from a L plug. Anyway, he has two prototypes that he delivered to my house. I haven't gotten home to see them yet, but if they look ok, I'll try installing one in one of my guns and see how it looks. He says he's got to tweak the tooling to make the parting cut just a little. I have a couple of ideas that might help with that. Anyway, we may be getting close. Stay tuned for further updates.
Here's the latest: last night I took the original plug out of my 686 and tried one of ours. It fit great, except it was about .040-.050 too short on the frame side. We had taken dimensions from a lock, and failed to take into account that the lock is a tad recessed. At least that's what it seems. The location of the locking groove and the protrusion inside the frame were perfect. The original fork and spring hold it in place very securely. My partner in crime is going to make a handful tomorrow or Monday for me to inspect. If they look like they are ok, we will start shipping them. These will be KLN frame stainless. Sort of a brush finish. I'll address the J frames soon. Got to find what my wife did with hers last time she hid it :D. If you go anywhere in my house, there is a loaded gun nearby. You just may not know where it is!
I'm going to produce some in carbon steel as well. I will probably cold blue or black parkarize them. Don't really want to fool with Delrin.
Looks like cost for one plug will be about $35, with additional plugs at $32. This is based on the machine time necessary to make them. If we can get the time down with more experience, we'll price them accordingly.
That's it for June 27. More as it develops. See first page of the JMT ad in the accessories section for ordering info. At the bottom, underneath the pushers.
 
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I may have some interest since I never got one from John. Regardless of who or how many people may decide to manufacture a plug in the future and unless a patent is violated, competition is a good thing and how manufacturers of products are encouraged to make changes to better the product.
 
I need one for a J frame (642) with a Semi-Bright Stainless Finish.
 
I'd love one for my J frame 438, blued if possible - but would be glad to have a stainless one (can blue it myself).

Are the lock sizes different on the different frames or is it the thickness of the frame?
 
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Well, Ed, I am still waiting for my order to John to be filled at this point. I placed the order for three plugs (two for J Frames and one for K Frame) in mid January. John has communicated with me a couple times in the interim and indicated he intended to complete his standing orders but would not likely be taking more orders, at least not anytime soon. I haven't bugged him about these because of the health related situation he faces. I've been thinking about trying to contact him again and see if he would prefer to just cancel the order and refund my payment to him. My feeling is that if he were able to complete my order, he would do so. I'm not complaining here ... stuff happens, and I believe what has happened to John is certainly pretty much beyond his control. I think he fully intended to complete my order and has just not been able to do so. I do not know what his chances are for recovery to be able to do so. At this point, I have my doubts, and for that, I am sorry! I would guess he might respond to an email from you and shed some light on that situation. He has been willing to do so with my inquiries.

I'd say if you are willing to take on this task, there would be some interest, based on comments and questions here on the forum, but I can't say if the level of interest would be worth your time and effort to get them into production. I'd say being able to produce the plugs for all three frame sizes eventually would increase the number of orders.

I've considered restoring the external plug with the spring and yoke that holds it in place internally and leaving out the flag portion that causes the problem. I can't really see any reason why those parts would not stay in place, but since the only gun I've removed the lock on is my EDC, I've been hesitant to take a chance on that. I can live with the hole, and as things are now, there is nothing in place to come loose and cause a problem when I least need one.

So, I would tell you that I definitely would be interested, especially for the M642 J Frame I speak of. I'm glad to hear that you are considering this project. Based on my experience with your sight pusher, I have no doubt you'd do a great job of producing these items. Since I have not received my plugs from John, I don't know exactly what his product contains as far as parts are concerned. If it's just the plug, which uses the existing internal parts to hold it in place, then my concern would evidently be unfounded if I were to put my existing lock plug back in place minus the flag.

I hope things work out for John, whether or not he is able to ever continue manufacturing his plugs. I also hope you can decide whether or not you can start production of these without crowding his business. I appreciate your concern for that. Good luck!!
 
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