Does anyone have an idea where one can have a new slide made from ‘scratch’? I have a pistol that has been out of production for decades. Spent the past half year trying to find a replacement slide to no avail. Drew a blank w / Gunparts, Jack First and several used part purveyors. No luck on forums related to the manufacturer either. No luck on machinist drawings either so it would take some reverse engineering. Cast stainless so I believe welding is out too.
As you can see at the tip of the paper clip there is a crack on the underside of the slide starting at the breech face and tapering off to the side of slide. The crack doesn’t show on the breech face or in the extractor slot above the crack when slide is right side up. I removed the extractor and from what I can see under 10 power magnification it is only on this surface on bottom of slide.
I’ve been thinking I could drill & tap one or maybe two #2 or #4 machine screws from the outside of the slide through to the center of the slide and tap them into the center block between the slot below the extractor and the ejector relief cut on the other side of block under the bore for firing pin I can’t cant understand the purpose for the slot on the bottom of slide below the extractor. Nothing on the frame appears to ride in it. I could put a small block of steel in the slot, drill & run my screw(s) through it too.
I don’t think the crack resulted from an over pressure load. The breech face doesn’t restrain the base of cartridge case and there isn’t any sign of the crack on breech face. Dimensionally the space between the slide rails is constant, which seems to indicate the ejection port side of slide didn’t start to blow out. I’m inclined to think my crack is a result of poor casting quality since ( I’ve read) this pistol was one of the first all stainless steel pistols made and has been know to beat itself to point of failure.
I guess I’m looking for
1) knowledgeable opinions or alternative ideas on my repair idea,
2) a reason for the slot machined into the bottom of the slide on the extractor side
3) a machinist that could make a new slide.
I could just drop $1,200 or so on to replace this pistol but I could also wind up with another pistol having the same or bigger problem. I realize my repair would destroy the pistol’s value. A new slide wouldn’t help value either. I just really like shooting this pistol and would hate to write it off.
Thanks
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