Metal Kits

[Twin#1[Op-for]]

Oh, so it's pretty much the equivalent of a silencer...just better looking! Do metal slides also increase kick?

[ujiro]

Yep! Heavier moving parts = more kick. Makes it a lot more fun :P. Also makes it sound way way better. Plastic makes an okay sound.. Metal kits make it sound that much better when they slam around.

[Twin#1[Op-for]]

More realistic feeling As for compensators, can you buy them separately? I'd done some research and I've only found them with slide combo's. Is this because they are matched with certain slides to match? Also, the race gun style Magwells are just for quicker reloading right?

[ujiro]

Compensators can be bought separately, but if they are, they typically require a threaded barrel of some sort. They are tougher to buy separately than bought already matched with a barrel/slide. However for some guns, some frame-mounted compensators/strike kits are available and bolt straight on with no issues.

And yeah, they are for quicker, easier reloading. Allows the mag to smoothly slide in, and allows it to guide the mag in, so you can quickly load the mag in without having to insert it at a perfect angle.

[Twin#1[Op-for]]

Oh alright! And is it common for people to use magwells for gaming too? Or just CAPS style competition shooting? That sounds like it would b practical for gaming as well.

[ujiro]

It would be practical for gaming, though I have yet to actually see anyone game with one.
However I am sure plenty of people game with them. I would.

[Twin#1[Op-for]]

Yea, plus I prefer the bigger looking base. Thanks a lot!

[ILLusion]

Originally Posted by Twin#1[Op-for]

With a race gun, what do compensators do besides esthetically look good?

They are generally used to hide longer inner barrels. It's a good way to add 2" or more to your inner barrels for greater power and accuracy.

Originally Posted by Twin#1[Op-for]

Is there a difference in gas usable between a plastic and metal slide?

Yes. Upgrading to a heavier metal slide and enhanced recoil springs can dramatically increase gas consumption.

Originally Posted by Twin#1[Op-for]

Oh, so it's pretty much the equivalent of a silencer...just better looking! Do metal slides also increase kick?

Generally, increasing any moving weight will increase blowback power significantly, at the expense of gas.

Originally Posted by Twin#1[Op-for]

More realistic feeling As for compensators, can you buy them separately? I'd done some research and I've only found them with slide combo's. Is this because they are matched with certain slides to match?

You can get them separately, but they generally don't look too good, as they don't mate up well with the slide. You'll also need to find a way to mount them.

Originally Posted by Twin#1[Op-for]

Also, the race gun style Magwells are just for quicker reloading right?

Pretty much, yes. Aesthetically, it also balances out the look of longer pistols.

Originally Posted by Twin#1[Op-for]

Oh alright! And is it common for people to use magwells for gaming too? Or just CAPS style competition shooting? That sounds like it would b practical for gaming as well.

That depends on the gun. It's pretty rare to see anyone step on to a field or combat scenario with a honking huge 3" wide Dawson Precision Ice or SHPD mag well. On the flip side, it's not uncommon to see 1911 tactical shooters use a magwell on their single stack. Generally, those magwells are much more subtle.

That's not to say you CAN'T use such a huge mag well when you game... just realize that it will be more difficult to handle and store on your body, due to the larger size.

[Twin#1[Op-for]]

Thanks Illusion! As for gas consumption, how much are we talking here? Like a two or three full mags down to one? Or two? None? :P

EDIT: More difficult to handle? Why, just because of the difference of size and weight added? I believe Op-for here is starting something similar to CAPS and I'd like to get into that, but I need a pistol first lol. What my thought was to make a gun that can double, as a race gun AND a gaming pistol, So not too far on either side esthetically.

[ILLusion]

Originally Posted by Twin#1[Op-for]

Thanks Illusion! As for gas consumption, how much are we talking here? Like a two or three full mags down to one? Or two? None? :P

My experience with the P226, in stock form, you can get 2-2.5 mags worth of BBs out on one gas charge.

However, once you upgrade to metal slide and enhanced recoil spring, you'll probably just barely get a little over 1 mag worth.

[Twin#1[Op-for]]

What I'm specifically looking at is the TM 5.1 Hicapa, would that be any different on gas consumption? Even if it isn't, one mag per fill could work, the price to pay for nice kick and looks I guess haha

[ILLusion]

Okay, if you go with the TM Hi-Capa series, that's a totally different ball game. In stock form, you could probably get 2-3 mags worth of BBs out of the 31 round mag. Once upgraded with a metal slide and spring, you'll get 1.5-2.5 mags out.

So at the minimum, that means you should get at least all rounds out of a 31 round mag with full power. Due to the double stack nature off it, the gas capacity of these mags are comparatively huge, and allow for greater expansion room, thus, more consistent velocity from shot to shot. This reason (among many others), are why the TM Hi-Capa series dominates the scene.

[Twin#1[Op-for]]

Well that is great to hear. Now I have another question purely about aesthetics, I'm interested in the chrome version, but I've heard that it looses its shine quickly, and gets scratched easily. Is this correct information? If so, can you give it a fine sanding and polish it? I've also heard the black version has a distinct grey colored frame, which I'm not very fond of.

[ILLusion]

Originally Posted by Twin#1[Op-for]

Well that is great to hear. Now I have another question purely about aesthetics, I'm interested in the chrome version, but I've heard that it looses its shine quickly, and gets scratched easily. Is this correct information? If so, can you give it a fine sanding and polish it?

Are you referring to the 4.3 dual stainless? That's the only "chrome"-like finish in the entire TM Hi-Capa lineup.

Originally Posted by Twin#1[Op-for]

I've also heard the black version has a distinct grey colored frame, which I'm not very fond of.

Well... it's more like an extremely dark grey. It's not "black", but it's not such a distinct grey that you'll be pulling your hair out every time you look at the gun...

Best advice: get out to see a real one.

[juicy]

Hahahaha told you so, Twin. Come take a look-see at mine on the 27th. Yes, I rock a magwell on mine at all times, and yes it works for increasing the speed at which I can reload (though, I'm still pretty slow).

ILLusion, you raise a good point about any magwell being kinda annoying to carry in a holster - it is. Even with the smaller... uh, oval ones - just the expanded width alone makes my Hi-Capa prone to dig into my ribs.

Also, you raised a point about magwells balancing out the look of longer pistols - yes, and no. It depends how much longer your Hi-Capa is, and it depends on the shape and size of the magwell. I can tell you that a 5.1/1911-type slide looks alright when mounted on my Hi-Capa's lower, but it does look just a little bit better (IMO) with a 6" slide. I purposely chose an oval magwell to match the rest of the patterning on my gun.

And finally, in reference to the silver slides getting scratched up easily - that was probably me who told Twin that. That was in reference to the polished bits on SD two-tone slides... though I have no personal experience, I've been getting real-time feedback from palucol's build.