TSMG28 Posted September 29, 2023 Report Share Posted September 29, 2023 I just received shipment of all of the parts after the bluing operation. Tomorrow, we will be installing the ejectors on the barrels and tigging them in place. I will then begin assembling the bolts and testing each in several different guns to insure proper operation. I will not guarantee that the kits will work in West Hurley guns. Those guns have too many dimensional differences that could affect operation with the kits. Just because your gun works fine with .45ACP does not guarantee that it will work with .22LR. Ask me how I know. For those who have requested kits already, you are on my list, and I have confirmed that to you. The cost of the kits will be $1,500 plus shipping. Unfortunately, I encountered a lot more work than I expected taking the parts to their final operational condition. I hope to start shipping kits to those on my list before the end of October. I will also be selling magazines with the kits. Thirty-round Black Dog box magazines will be $75 for five magazines. I will not be selling magazines individually. We have ~300 Merle-modified box magazines, so we should have enough for at least 10 magazines for each kit. I also have 70 fifty-round Black Dog drum magazines, but I do not have that many Merle adapters for them. There is also a unique adapter required for WH guns compared to Colt/WWII guns. Once I sort out some of the issues, I will provide each of you with a price for drums. For those who requested only replacement parts for kits that they already own, I have you on my list, but I will not be supplying any spare parts until I know I have enough parts to complete all of the kits that I can. I will be contacting each of you once I have a better picture of available parts. If you have not previously requested a conversion kit from me, I will be glad to put you on a list. I have some parts to complete probably 8-10 more kits, but I am still working out acquiring the necessary parts to complete those kits. I am working with potential suppliers, but I do not have anything definite at this time. I do believe I will be able to complete at least those 8-10 kits. Beyond that, we will have to determine the cost and difficulty of sourcing all of the different components that Merle created for these kits. If you want to communicate with me directly, please use Email instead of PM. My Email is roger.herbst@att.net. Roger 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brveagle Posted September 30, 2023 Report Share Posted September 30, 2023 Thanks for the update. Can't wait! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbc230 Posted September 30, 2023 Report Share Posted September 30, 2023 E-mail sent. Thanks Roger! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MauserMatt Posted October 2, 2023 Report Share Posted October 2, 2023 Excited to get my hands on one! Thanks for the update!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ppgcowboy Posted October 2, 2023 Report Share Posted October 2, 2023 Great news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Quaid Posted October 6, 2023 Report Share Posted October 6, 2023 email sent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryo Posted October 7, 2023 Report Share Posted October 7, 2023 OMG.. Want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSMG28 Posted October 24, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2023 Well, the Merle saga continues... I was able to assemble 25 bolts for testing. Each one required hand fitting of nearly all of the parts. I tested the bolts in three different guns - a Colt, an AO 1928, and a Savage M1. Only one of the bolts worked in all three guns. Another worked in the WWII guns, but not the Colt (tighter tolerances). The rest of the bolts would not work in any of the guns. I believe I have identified both problems with the bolts and made a mod to several of them for further testing. I also discovered that Merle cut nearly all of the barrel retaining nuts, both short and long, to an outside diameter that will not insert into a barrel. This will hopefully be an easy fix once I have access to a lathe, but it also means more delays. I am struggling to understand why Merle manufactured nearly all of the components slightly oversized, requiring machining of each part for assembly of the kits. Perhaps he just had not yet gotten to the final manufacturing step on each part. Stay tuned... Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brveagle Posted October 24, 2023 Report Share Posted October 24, 2023 Thank you for the update Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandman1957 Posted October 24, 2023 Report Share Posted October 24, 2023 I had to "hand fit" 3 kits back in the day once I received them. I thought it was amazing that they worked at all. Once hand fitted, mine all ran well. Best, Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grasshopper Posted October 24, 2023 Report Share Posted October 24, 2023 Hi TSMG28, I'm with Sandman57. I had one of the black delrin boxed early kits and 3 of the oak boxed later kits. Each one took a bit of fitting. You could see where Merle had "faced" the front of the bolt carrier a bit to make the bolt bottom on the 22 barrel and the bolt carrier bottom on the inside of the receiver at the same time. Hammers were then adjusted after the bolt fitting operation. I'd venture to guess that the barrels may be matched to the bolt in any given kit. You have to love Merle's later kits for the '28's with the nice cocking piece that sits in the top of the bolt carrier. I thought that to be a significant improvement. On the M1 kits I changed the cocking piece to be very similar to the one used with the 45 bolt (it went through the bolt carrier and was held in by the recoil spring). Thanks for helping everyone by getting these kits together. They are worth the trouble to get them running. Enjoy, Grasshopper 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john Posted November 20, 2023 Report Share Posted November 20, 2023 Just waiting patiently. Keep me posted. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrMike Posted September 12, 2024 Report Share Posted September 12, 2024 Any updates on the 22 conversion kits -progress on the second list Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbc230 Posted February 27 Report Share Posted February 27 PM Sent to Roger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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