Machine-shop/CNC metal slide and frame/barrel?

[Bob the Angry Potato]

Machine-shop/CNC metal slide and frame/barrel?

Recently, I’ve been giving thought to my handgun, a WA Beretta Cougar. It’s an amazing gun, which shoots hard, is accurate as hell, and in my opinion, looks amazing. However, after taking it apart, I have one serious gripe with it.

I noticed this before, yet thought nothing of it- then when taking it to a game and letting Flabeo play around with it (his comment was ‘it feels really plasticky’), and using it a bit, I believe that the only to make this antique (they aren’t made anymore, not for a few years now) gun better is to replace the only 3 serious plastic parts on it with something metal- the slide, the frame and the rotating barrel.

After taking all the metal parts out (not including slide parts, I’m not really sure how to take it apart), I picked up the frame in my hand- it feels dollar-store light. It certainly wasn’t flimsy, but it was uncomfortably light. The barrel had the same effect, and the slide seems that way as well.

The only reason it works with Propane right now is because of a flow-restrictor, the gun breaks if used with propane with the current slide. Once a metal slide is in place, I’m sure I could remove the restrictor and have get the realistic feeling with it, while using propane as well.

Folks in the US that’ve had slides made for them have said they’ve paid 250-300 dollars US, for slides and frames much, much bigger then mine (Beretta M9 slide and frame with massive, Equilibrium-style compensator cost one 250. Owning an M9 as well, the Cougar is much more short and simple). However, there is a massive difference between American and Canadian prices- though I’m not sure that would carry over to machine shop prices. I’m cautiously optimistic, searching held extremely mixed results.

This doesn’t have to be CNC, it can be hand-tooled or anything. Whatever has good results, and as long as it isn’t extremely poor quality pot metal I’m fine. Aesthetics are an issue, but not so much an issue it becomes an inconvenience. I could buy a new GBB with the money, but I’d rather use the money to make this one last as it was a bargain to begin with, yet performs far better then I thought it would (last time, I didn’t even touch my HiCapa or M9, I simply left them behind or rented them out).

The original plastic has enough dents, it’s getting fairly annoying looking at the (fairly well hidden) bits where the shiny blue plastic shows. It’s an amazing performer, only way to make it better is to give it a metal kit.

Pictures-






















Anyone have any comments, suggestions, recommendations or just any idea how I should do this?

[Mantelope]

I can't help, but if you find a maker I'm sure Manthrax would want a set of metal parts as well. Anodized flat black, however =P

[vondnik]

about 80$ to 100$ is you standart machineshop billing cost, CNC can double

[Drake]

Man, I feel your pain. I have a similar problem with finding a slide that will fit my WA 1911 (Stryker 45, which is a SA Operator clone).

[Tankdude]

I have yet to take Man 1 or 2, but what about lost wax casting? I saw it on DC on How It's Made.

I went to the company site that did it and they have done gun parts before. I have no idea on the pricing, but in theory you could have it made from aluminum, steel, titanium, or any other metal that they have there.

Just guessing I would say in the high hundreds. But you never know

http://www.alphacasting.com/

the frames I mentioned

[Bob the Angry Potato]

Originally Posted by harleyb

I can't help, but if you find a maker I'm sure Manthrax would want a set of metal parts as well. Anodized flat black, however =P

Oh really?

I’ll get in touch, we may be able to split some design costs. As long as she doesn’t have the new S&W version, they should be the same.

Originally Posted by vondnik

about 80$ to 100$ is you standart machineshop billing cost, CNC can double

Not too bad, at least. Machine shop’s good, CNC isn’t necessary but would be nice. Still, whatever gets the job done. Thanks- if there’s anyone you know or anywhere that could do it, please tell me. I have a feeling walking into any random machineshop with one wouldn’t get the best reactions

Originally Posted by Drake

Man, I feel your pain. I have a similar problem with finding a slide that will fit my WA 1911 (Stryker 45, which is a SA Operator clone).

If I find someone, I’ll be sure to refer you to him if you want.

That’s the only problem with Western Arms, I find- the plastic.

Originally Posted by Tankdude

I have yet to take Man 1 or 2, but what about lost wax casting? I saw it on DC on How It's Made.

I went to the company site that did it and they have done gun parts before. I have no idea on the pricing, but in theory you could have it made from aluminum, steel, titanium, or any other metal that they have there.

Just guessing I would say in the high hundreds. But you never know

http://www.alphacasting.com/

the frames I mentioned

Lost wax casting?

Looks nice, when looking for a CNC shop I found your thread where you had an Uzi body made- it looked amazing. High quality metal isn’t a must, though- but it helps.

I’ll check out the site, thanks.

[Tankdude]

I didn't get it made. It was just an idea I had kicking around since it was the best GBB I have ever owned but the shell was plastic. If it had metal you could have clobbered someone to death with it.

400FPS on co2 full auto has the respect. Wicked little thing it was.

[Bob the Angry Potato]

Oh, really? You posted some pictures, thought they were metal. Certainly looked like it.

Whoops

[Lakonian]

hey! alphacasting is in quebec aswell? hmm, I wonder if I can get a usp frame done...

[rx78gp02]

Originally Posted by vondnik

about 80$ to 100$ is you standart machineshop billing cost, CNC can double

thats per hour of work it takes them to complete it....

[Bob the Angry Potato]

Alphabet casting looks neat. Later on I'll E-Mail them with details and ask for a price quote. If it costs more then I paid for the gun, then I'm going somewhere else.

Haven't got in touch with Manthrax yet, my MSN's bugging out on me and I haven't added her or PM'ed (it seems my mouse is broke, I'm using this through the Tab button).

This shouldn't take too long to finish, the frame's fairly simple and small. I haven't taken the entire slide apart yet (no manual) but will find out somehow.

80-100 bucks an hour isn't too bad if they can get it done reasonably quickly- it took about an hour and a half to make a full sized Beretta M9 slide frame with a massive compensator for a KJW M9- totalling 250, including R&D and everything else.

Any other comments or suggestions would be nice. If anyone else wants to join in once we've found a place, we may be able to put a nice little group-order together. Just a thought.

[Tankdude]

Always thought it would be great to get a GBB made out of an aluminum alloy and then heat treated.

Be super hard and light as hell.

[Jayhad]

Tank dude; one concern with aluminium and heat treating doesn't it become ultra brittle? would hate to drop it.

I don't know with aluminium haven't worked with it alot.

[Tankdude]

See anything?

[Bob the Angry Potato]

That's just place win/awesome. Doubt it'd be necessary for Airsoft, but if it is, and it's cost-effective... damn.