What gun projects did you abandon or will never finish?

RT468 · Feb 21, 2021

2012 got the urge to get FAL,G3 and another M1A receiver prior to the 2013 BS law for future builds. Ended up skipping the G3 which I wish I hadn't. Ended up going way overboard almost by accident on FAL parts though. Ended up with 2 NOS consecutive # Imbel and an early unbuilt DS upper. Two Argentine kits made from stripped new rifles minus upper receiver and matching barrel. Came with new no # barrels. A third mixed Imbel kit. Had 20 NIW mags plus probably as many new aftermarket. Wanted to do at least one of the 3 as a PARA, so ended up with 2 NOS Imbel Para lowers,2 NOS bolts and 2 DSA folding stocks along with a NOS Imbel barrel. So enough parts to do 3 complete guns. Set up a bench, bought several specialized tools, Gunplumbers how to video and book and just stalled from there. Rethought it all and decided I was going to do the mixed Imbel kit as the Para to look like a battlefield pickup beater and not the rifles. Traded the Argy kits and Imbel barrel off to get the parts purge started. Ended up trading for other type build kits that I didn't keep. Then said the hell with it all and sold the uppers,mags,tools and the other remaining parts and kit outright as a package. That was most of the aborted FAL build and thought process.

M1A much of the same. Fulton receiver. Most of a really nice TRW kit,minus barrel and flash hider. Again,ended up with 2 NOS TRW stripped bolts even though I only needed 1. Ordered a "Presentation Grade" Big Red Birch from Fred's. Found a NOS Birch E2 that I just had to have to justify driving to the gunshow so I bought it. Got hung up deciding on the barrel so haven't moved on with the build. Been a little more hesitant to completely abandon this one but have been thinking more lately of just offloading the parts. Not likely to complete it either.

KIBarrister · Feb 22, 2021

I have an AK74 - US receiver, full and very nice polish parts kit, and the 922r parts sitting in a box just needing assembly. But I am in over my head to attempt it myself without buying a bunch of tooling (and worried about destroying it being out of my depth).

I keep telling myself one of these days - but I’m like a squirrel when it comes to this stuff and quickly find something shiny and new (or not very shiny and used) that distracts my attention...

gtodave · Feb 22, 2021

I have a 80% 1911 frame that hasn't been touched. Mostly because I don't have the machining tools needed to complete it, but also partly because the tight tolerances needed on that build frighten me somewhat :lol2:

I've also been talking about getting a barrel threaded for a brake for about 8 years now...one day I'll actually do it.

teratos said:
I have a rusty BT-99 in pieces that I really want to finish.....

Damn, I was just looking at gunbroker at 99's. I'd like to pick one up one day.

teratos · Feb 22, 2021

KIBarrister said:
I have an AK74 - US receiver, full and very nice polish parts kit, and the 922r parts sitting in a box just needing assembly. But I am in over my head to attempt it myself without buying a bunch of tooling (and worried about destroying it being out of my depth).

I keep telling myself one of these days - but I’m like a squirrel when it comes to this stuff and quickly find something shiny and new (or not very shiny and used) that distracts my attention...

I had an AK receiver and a Russian parts kit. I ultimately had Duffy's gunsmith build it for me. He did a really nice job.

gtodave said:
I have a 80% 1911 frame that hasn't been touched. Mostly because I don't have the machining tools needed to complete it, but also partly because the tight tolerances needed on that build frighten me somewhat

I've also been talking about getting a barrel threaded for a brake for about 8 years now...one day I'll actually do it.

Damn, I was just looking at gunbroker at 99's. I'd like to pick one up one day.

If you ever want to finish it, plan a Saturday to come to Bel Air. I have the Matrix precision jigs. It could not be easier. You can have the slide fit to the barrel in a few hours. The rest you can finish from home with the right files and stones. 1911's are a lot of fun. All I ask is that you wear assless chaps when you are working. It's a fetish....

gtodave · Feb 22, 2021

teratos said:
If you ever want to finish it, plan a Saturday to come to Bel Air. I have the Matrix precision jigs. It could not be easier. You can have the slide fit to the barrel in a few hours. The rest you can finish from home with the right files and stones. 1911's are a lot of fun. All I ask is that you wear assless chaps when you are working. It's a fetish....

It's a date!

teratos · Feb 22, 2021

gtodave said:
It's a date!

I meant slide fit to the frame. I also have the sear and hammer jig from Marvell for a perfect break.

Bertfish · Feb 22, 2021

I feel like I should do a 1911 frame just in case they get banned but the frame price always scared me off

teratos · Feb 22, 2021

Bertfish said:
I feel like I should do a 1911 frame just in case they get banned but the frame price always scared me off

https://fusionfirearms.com/fusion-pro-line-80-1911-frame-government-size

They aren't too bad. A 1911 is not a cheap gun, necessarily. You could do one for $500 if you went with a cheap kit from Sarco.

You really just need a frame and slide to get started. Get those fit and you can buy piecemeal.

Bertfish · Feb 22, 2021

Actuslly that's not awful

Do you buy them with the ramp cut already? Looks like it's an option to not have it cut

teratos · Feb 22, 2021

Bertfish said:
Actuslly that's not awful

Do you buy them with the ramp cut already? Looks like it's an option to not have it cut

There are a lot barrels that have the ramp integrated, and you don't need to cut a ramp in the frame.

RegularJay · Feb 22, 2021

When cleaning out my late fathers place I came upon a completely disassembled Stevens visible loader .22 pump rifle from the '20's in a paper bag. Every 5 years or so I get it out, figure out the couple bits I need to put it back together and then get discouraged because it would cost way more than it's worth for a small handful of doo-dads to put it back together.

Bertfish · Feb 22, 2021

This isn't a situation where the ramp is partially on the frame and partially on the barrel?

teratos · Feb 22, 2021

Bertfish said:
This isn't a situation where the ramp is partially on the frame and partially on the barrel?

No. Ramps are 100% on the barrel. Mine works fine.

Bertfish · Feb 22, 2021

Then why even offer the option to cut the frame? So strange. I feel like I need more research in to this before I commit

teratos · Feb 22, 2021

Bertfish said:
Then why even offer the option to cut the frame? So strange. I feel like I need more research in to this before I commit

I don’t know enough to tell you. Hopefully a 1911 expert will be by.

https://www.guntechtips.com/rampedbbls.htm

Bertfish · Feb 22, 2021

Perhaps certain barrels can be had without a ramp. So for 189 I could have the frame, that really isnt awful.

teratos · Feb 22, 2021

Bertfish said:
Perhaps certain barrels can be had without a ramp. So for 189 I could have the frame, that really isnt awful.

Ramped barrels abound. Very easy to find.

67temp · Feb 22, 2021

Mine is a Marlin 25s I wanted to bring back to shooting condition. It's a pump action gallery gun only produced in 1909/10. I worked on it enough to get it firing a single shot at a time but have an issue with feeding from the mag tube. One of these days I'll get back to it.

JB62 · Feb 22, 2021

Mine project is a 6.5 Grendel build. Had been slowly building “top of line” precision build, just needed a barrel and was going between lengths when The rona struck. Went to order a barrel and could not get what I wanted so kicked the can a little. Now with the vanishing of 6.5G ammo just have lost interest and will pick up if ever can find decent supply of food for it.

teratos · Feb 22, 2021

JB62 said:
Mine project is a 6.5 Grendel build. Had been slowly building “top of line” precision build, just needed a barrel and was going between lengths when The rona struck. Went to order a barrel and could not get what I wanted so kicked the can a little. Now with the vanishing of 6.5G ammo just have lost interest and will pick up if ever can find decent supply of food for it.

On the bright side, if you have no barrel, you could 6mm ARC or any of the new superstar calibers.

What gun projects did you abandon or will never finish?

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