SSV Frankengun Project
- Thread starter guzzitaco
- Start date
This anomaly is best addressed with a LS/NL slide.
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Arguably, that's a better job of bluing than the factory did.
OP
Putting it back together...
Frame Re-assembly
After the bluing of the hammer and the trigger was done, I was ready to start putting the frame together. Thankfully, I had ordered some parts long ago from Midway, because they took 3 weeks in arriving due to the massive backlog caused by the pandemic.
Re-assembly was supposed to be easy, but I had some issues:
1) Contamination of the workbench: When I brought the frame back from blasting, I gave it a "bath" but I wasn't a good "bath" (like a 5 year old, dirt behind the ears). Some media ended on my workbench and got in all the frame parts and the frame itself. I had to disassemble, clean the parts, clean the bench, and re-start. A pain in the neck. Blasint media get's into everything.
2) Sharp edges on the new grips: The new grips that I brought from Brownells had an unfinished corner that rub and scratch the frame when I put it on. Believe it or not, the plastic grip did a scratch on the stainless finish and yes the grips were clean (no media in them). It was a tiny scratch, and luckily it was covered by the grips. I sanded the inside of the grip with some 400 grit paper and the issue was gone. (never had a similar issue with another 3rd gen grip before)
Some pics of the re-assembly:
more to come...
Frame Re-assembly
After the bluing of the hammer and the trigger was done, I was ready to start putting the frame together. Thankfully, I had ordered some parts long ago from Midway, because they took 3 weeks in arriving due to the massive backlog caused by the pandemic.
Re-assembly was supposed to be easy, but I had some issues:
1) Contamination of the workbench: When I brought the frame back from blasting, I gave it a "bath" but I wasn't a good "bath" (like a 5 year old, dirt behind the ears). Some media ended on my workbench and got in all the frame parts and the frame itself. I had to disassemble, clean the parts, clean the bench, and re-start. A pain in the neck. Blasint media get's into everything.
2) Sharp edges on the new grips: The new grips that I brought from Brownells had an unfinished corner that rub and scratch the frame when I put it on. Believe it or not, the plastic grip did a scratch on the stainless finish and yes the grips were clean (no media in them). It was a tiny scratch, and luckily it was covered by the grips. I sanded the inside of the grip with some 400 grit paper and the issue was gone. (never had a similar issue with another 3rd gen grip before)
Some pics of the re-assembly:
more to come...
OP
Slide re-assembly
Putting the slide together wasn't hard. I had only two concerns:
1) Installing the extractor
2) Installing the front sight, without scratching the finish
Extractor went in relatively easy, but it is a very tight fit. I used the extractor pin from a M910.
The front sight that came with the kit was in poor condition. So, I decided to order a new sight from Brownells (much faster delivery).
This is what it looked like before the front sight install
more to come...
Putting the slide together wasn't hard. I had only two concerns:
1) Installing the extractor
2) Installing the front sight, without scratching the finish
Extractor went in relatively easy, but it is a very tight fit. I used the extractor pin from a M910.
The front sight that came with the kit was in poor condition. So, I decided to order a new sight from Brownells (much faster delivery).
This is what it looked like before the front sight install
more to come...
OP
Hi Craig,
that's a M745 mag release...bought in Midway also available at Numrich (but I think they are closed). I have it on my M5906 TSW and I like it a lot.
Best...
Still looking real good. Great job.
Since you are using an over size mag release button I assume your end result is not about carrying this new wonderful pistol around.
I bought many of the Ed Brown's "extended" offerings a very long time ago and have an extended slide release that you can have if you want. Obviously it could work for you cause it's for the 6906/5906 series. It's almost brand new and still fits in tight. Maybe you could use it in this project? I don't need it so it's yours if you want it.
PM me your address and I'll get it going your way ASAP.
Jim
Since you are using an over size mag release button I assume your end result is not about carrying this new wonderful pistol around.
I bought many of the Ed Brown's "extended" offerings a very long time ago and have an extended slide release that you can have if you want. Obviously it could work for you cause it's for the 6906/5906 series. It's almost brand new and still fits in tight. Maybe you could use it in this project? I don't need it so it's yours if you want it.
PM me your address and I'll get it going your way ASAP.
Jim
Attachments
OP
OP
Front sight install
The front sight arrived on 5 de Mayo, so it took a lot of will to install it before having a few beers.
On a more serious note, I was concerned about the front sight install, since I didn't want to ruin the finish. I sent a PM to Bill to ask him for some advice. After reading his notes, I decided to tackle the job.
For the install, I used a small hammer and a couple of brass punches (I should invest in a cooper hammer).
I used different stones to cut the base (I need to invest n a couple of Norton bench stones).
I used some tape to protect the slide and the sight. I took my time only moving forward bit by bit.
Everything went well… front sight got installed…
more to come...
The front sight arrived on 5 de Mayo, so it took a lot of will to install it before having a few beers.
On a more serious note, I was concerned about the front sight install, since I didn't want to ruin the finish. I sent a PM to Bill to ask him for some advice. After reading his notes, I decided to tackle the job.
For the install, I used a small hammer and a couple of brass punches (I should invest in a cooper hammer).
I used different stones to cut the base (I need to invest n a couple of Norton bench stones).
I used some tape to protect the slide and the sight. I took my time only moving forward bit by bit.
Everything went well… front sight got installed…
more to come...
Last edited:
JohnHL
Member
Bravo!
She shines like a new penny!
John
She shines like a new penny!
John
OP
the end is here
Cost Summary:
I always see a lot of questions about costs, so instead of being asked, here is a summary:
Frame + Slide + parts kit = 152 + 140 = $292
Recoil spring + 2 ejector springs + grip + oversize mag catch nut = 2.49 + 1.99 + 1.99 +19.29 + 7.22 + shipping = $37
Front sight = 14 + 4 = $18
Recoil guide rod = $13
Blast media + hopper gun + plastic container = 44 + 20 + 16 = $70
Bluing materials = $16
Hours of joy and frustration in the middle of a pandemic = free
Grand total = $446
I am not including the gunsmithing cost, for this you should contact BMCM (Bill) directly.
Also, not including the cost of other small things that I normally keep in my garage such as: acetone, simple green, masking tape, sandpaper, etc.
Some pics of the finished gun:
I took pics with different lighting so you can see the different tones under a different light.
Thanks, and Acknowledgments
Thank you all for all the likes and the kind words.
Thanks to squidsix, 4T5GUY (Jim), 1775usmarine, TercGen, BLUEDOT37, JohnHL, GerSan69, Craig19, Electromotive, stansdds, jsbethel, Jaymo for all your comments in this thread.
Thank you 4T5GUY (Jim) for your generosity.
Thank you BMCM (Bill) for all your help and advice.
Range report after the range opens...
Final thoughts:
The past 60 days have been very tough on me, I guess on all of us. At some point in time I doubted if I was going to be able to get out of this mess. There have been many sleepless nights.
This project allowed me to focus on something else. I have enjoyed it tremendously (despite the fact that my wife complains that I am playing with my guns instead of doing house chores).
Smith & Wesson is a fantastic company that made fantastic guns, like the 3rd gens that we all love. All of this under American ingenuity and creativity. Its is that same ingenuity and creativity that will take us forward and help us get out this crisis.
God Bless
PS: I will re-open my business on Wednesday...I am going back to work
Cost Summary:
I always see a lot of questions about costs, so instead of being asked, here is a summary:
Frame + Slide + parts kit = 152 + 140 = $292
Recoil spring + 2 ejector springs + grip + oversize mag catch nut = 2.49 + 1.99 + 1.99 +19.29 + 7.22 + shipping = $37
Front sight = 14 + 4 = $18
Recoil guide rod = $13
Blast media + hopper gun + plastic container = 44 + 20 + 16 = $70
Bluing materials = $16
Hours of joy and frustration in the middle of a pandemic = free
Grand total = $446
I am not including the gunsmithing cost, for this you should contact BMCM (Bill) directly.
Also, not including the cost of other small things that I normally keep in my garage such as: acetone, simple green, masking tape, sandpaper, etc.
Some pics of the finished gun:
I took pics with different lighting so you can see the different tones under a different light.
Thanks, and Acknowledgments
Thank you all for all the likes and the kind words.
Thanks to squidsix, 4T5GUY (Jim), 1775usmarine, TercGen, BLUEDOT37, JohnHL, GerSan69, Craig19, Electromotive, stansdds, jsbethel, Jaymo for all your comments in this thread.
Thank you 4T5GUY (Jim) for your generosity.
Thank you BMCM (Bill) for all your help and advice.
Range report after the range opens...
Final thoughts:
The past 60 days have been very tough on me, I guess on all of us. At some point in time I doubted if I was going to be able to get out of this mess. There have been many sleepless nights.
This project allowed me to focus on something else. I have enjoyed it tremendously (despite the fact that my wife complains that I am playing with my guns instead of doing house chores).
Smith & Wesson is a fantastic company that made fantastic guns, like the 3rd gens that we all love. All of this under American ingenuity and creativity. Its is that same ingenuity and creativity that will take us forward and help us get out this crisis.
God Bless
PS: I will re-open my business on Wednesday...I am going back to work
Last edited:
1775usmarine
Member
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- Nov 1, 2013
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She looks rip roaring and ready to go. Your thread made me start working on my 5906 target project. Need to order a few stones, and different hammer, but so far so good. Will have my local smith machine me a rmr rear sight plate adapter if he's got the time.
OP
Please let us know how it goes...
the RMR mount situation on a 5906 is an un-answered issue...
I have been looking for a slide to do a target slide with a RMR, but I haven't been able to figure it out. I got an email from John at BME mounts and he is willing to help. I also exchange an email with AmeriGun USA and they also can make a mount...
I would like to mill the slide, so the RMR isn't mounted as tall..but I am not sure it is possible...
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1775usmarine
Member
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2013
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I was thinking of buying a parts kit with adj sights as well, but will work with what I got. Maybe I can get him to mill somthing for the front sight like the gp 100 rail. Ill be sure to post my final product when its done.
nocents
Member
Thanks guzzi.....this thread has been a joy to follow....your finished results speak volumes...you should be rightly proud...congrats
.......AND.....good luck on reopening your business
.......AND.....good luck on reopening your businesssquidsix
Member
Looks perfect. Great job
