Jump to content

Making Trigger Frames - Step By Step...


Recommended Posts

I know some of you take an interest in this. One of the big machines is now set up to

make trigger frames. We start with a raw bar of steel and machine it into a blank. Then

it goes in the machine and the first step is to machine the left side. See photos. When this is

done we engrave the fire/safe and full auto/single markings while there is a flat solid piece

to absorb the engraving.The order of operations after this is right side, bottom, top, and front.

I will post another picture when the right side is done. (Hopefully not too long from now.)

 

 

IMG_8363.JPG

IMG_8364.JPG

IMG_8365.JPG

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Recon Bob,

 

Just thinking out loud.

 

Ever try a 6061-T6 lower to check out the tool paths? Might be fun to try one to lighten the Thompson Gun for younger shooters (especially with the 22LR conversion installed).

 

Bad idea?

 

Grasshopper

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would say the receiver is easier because you start with a rectangular bar and the finished receiver

is also a rectangle which is easily clamped

or held in a variety of fixtures. The trigger frame is tough because it is wide at the front and narrow

at the back. So you can't just clamp it or hold in a vise without making special jaws or fixtures. We are

doing the bottom now and this is the fixture I had to make to be able to machine the bottom. The entire

fixture (or tombstone) rotates. At 90 degree rotation the side of the trigger frame faces the spindle so

the bottom of the frame can be profiles. Then it rotates 90 degree and now the bottom (as you see in

the picture) is facing the spindle to do the 45 deg cuts at the back the buttstock lug, the buttstock

screw holes etc.

 

Bob

IMG_8386.JPG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bob

This is very informative.

How long does it take to machine a lower frame?

Have you determined a price for the lower yet?

Thank you for posting.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bob, the process is really interesting to see. Thanks for sharing. Does it take a seperate jig to create 1921/1928 style lowers?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Can you make custom lowers for the semi autos (WH,Kahr) too ? Doug once made some street legal ones that did away with the .1" receiver height difference and mag catch problem.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am making the trigger frames for the blank guns. In the past

there was almost no interest and the few that I sold ended up selling

at a loss. I am not posting this to sell trigger frames but to show

what is involved in making them. If I was to put a price on them it

would be $495.

 

Bob

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have one of Bob's blank guns and the trigger frame (and the rest of the gun) is beautiful. The frame is completely interchangeable with an original, and takes original parts.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very interesting. Can you show it finished? Do you usually finish them in bright bluing, dull black/blue like ww2 M1s, or park? Or does it depend on customer request?

 

Andrew

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...