does anyone make custom parts?

[ChivalryLives]

I've been learning a lot from this site for a number of years now (every time I have a question about fire arms and google it there's at LEAST 3 good posts on this site that tell me what I need and then some), and have finally found the need to create an account to get a few answers I can't find already posted. I'm mainly wondering if gunsmiths can make custom parts or do custom work for me at a reasonable cost (or even at all). Can anyone make a 9mm barrel for a yugoslavian m57? I've heard of conversions kits for the chinese tokarevs, but those are nearly impossible to find. Likewise, since stormlake quit selling them, .40 super barrels for a 1911 patterned pistol are nonexistant. Shouldn't a capable gunsmith be able to make me one of these? Those are what i consider reasonable requests of a professional gun crafter, now for something of a dream project. I would love to attach a 10.75 in .460 S&W magnum barrel to a raging judge magnum (are these still being produced?) I know its pretty damn impractical, would be bulky and ugly as sin, but my god I just plain want it. Does anyone know a gunsmith that can do (has done) anything I've mentioned and ,if it's possible, a ballpark cost for such projects? I know there are cheaper and easier ways to shoot a gun, less obscure calibers, ect. but these are the ones that give that warm tingly feeling inside. Thanks for any info you guys can share.

 

[BBBBill]

Within the normal restrictions of parts swapping, other Tokarev barrels should fit. Any swap should be checked for proper headspace and lockup, but that's true of any gun.
Here's a Yugo Tok in 9mm - http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=343097470
No reason why you couldn't ream a 40 S&W barrel to make it into a 40 Super. The round has sort of died a quiet death.

 

[ChivalryLives]

Wow!, thanks for the quick response, so I should be able to buy a m70 barrel and place it in my m57 with some fitting then? As for reaming the .40 S&W barrel, ive never done anything like that, would it be expensive to have it done? It's sad about the .40 super, from what I've read reloaders can push it well above what double tap loads the cartridge to.

 

[BBBBill]

Well fitting a barrel is involved. Not rocket science, but not something you just dive into without a learning curve. The Tok is like a 1911 in that they are from an earlier generation of guns that require every component to be fit. Not like current generation stuff that is CNC'd to almost fall into place,

Finding a reamer for the 40 Super will be the problem. You will most likely have to get one custom ground. In stock reamers will run you around $70-75. Figure on an upcharge from that. Contact Clymer, Manson, and Pacific Tool & Gage for availability. Then there's knowing how to use it. Better to send it and your barrel to a smith. But then the barrel has to be fit to the gun, too. If you're going to spend the coin on a barrel and reamer, you might as well get the bang for your buck, i. e. match fit for best accuracy, function and longest life.

 

[ChivalryLives]

Thank you for your very knowledgeable responses. I'd have no problem spending the extra cash to get exactly what i want. I'm also wondering which .45 longslides would be best to convert to .40 super. i was thinking an hk usp because i read that they are compatible with .45 super right out of the box (i.e. i want something strong enough to take the high powered round, fully supported chamber ect.) but would like a few opinions about which .45s are considered strongest within the $1,000 range.

 

[BBBBill]

I don't have enough experience with the HKs to comment other than that there may not be any aftermarket barrels available in a 40 bore that will fit in a 45 slide. Many of the modern guns have different frame and slide sizes for the different calibers.

As for 1911s, a well fit gun using the correct components should live just fine. The differences in the slides between calibers is the breach face width, firing pin, and ejector slot cut. With a 45 dimensioned cartridge base, the 45 slide will work fine. The 40 cal barrel external dimensions are the same as a 45 barrel and will be able to be fit to the slide lugs with no problem. I would recommend the Caspian slide as a start point because of the smaller firing pin/firing pin hole (reduced primer flow on the hotter round), although I don't think a regular 45 firing pin would be a show stopper. 6" slides are available. http://www.caspianarmsltd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=6 You might also consider a compensator. http://www.egwguns.com/top-of-the-gun/ Stronger (25-27#) mainspring, square bottom firing pin stop, and careful barrel fitting for maximum engagement to the locking lugs and slide stop pin will ensure a sound gun. 45 Super brass is strong enough that I don't believe a "fully supported " chamber is needed, however, that type barrel is readily available for a 1911, requiring milling of the frame to clear the ramp.