M-1927A1 (Semi-auto) Spherical Charging Knob - Group Buy?

[WrenchNHammer]

I have an old West Hurley Auto Ordnance M-1927A1 with the cylindrical, knurled charging knob. I had been thinking to get one of the spherical knurled charging knobs from Kahr - but waited too long and found out that they no longer make those. So, I could make one on my lathe but don't have the equipment to do the knurling. A small detail but it would be nice to have all the details correct if possible.

I am wondering how many people here would be interested in a group buy from an established manufacturer? I would be willing to spend any reasonable amount for one of these - but I figure that if we get a reliable shop involved we could get the cost down to something more reasonable. 

So how many people here would be interested in this?  

[peter kohler]

id like a spare     

[68coupe]

I'd take two to five, depending on price.

[M40scoutsniper]

I’m game! I had talked to Indianapolis Ordnance about making some and they made a sample and sent pics. However, I hit em up a couple months later and they never got back to me. Ravenna Armory, now Columbus Ordnance was a no-go. I thought about trying 1921 Industries… I talked to Kahr as well and all I got was, “we’ll push your recommendations along, but have no plans of manufacturing the round, knurled cocking handle…”.

[WrenchNHammer]

I exchanged e-mail with Indianapolis Ordnance. They are interested in making these but are asking to see an example of the Kahr Arms model to copy from. I guess we would have to beg or borrow one from somebody here (I'll offer to 'rent' one if possible). 

My idea - I would fund this venture to get it off the ground. Order 15 or 20 more pieces than the total quantity requested by members here on the initial run - priced at an even split per piece (even cost per total piece count). Then, after everybody who is in on this group buy has their parts, I would sell the remainder with a little added to cover my costs of putting this together. 

Maybe I would sell these via Amazon under the title "Top Slotted Modular Gain Knob" - abreviated as "TSMG Knob". (just to avoid Amazon confusing this with actual machinegun parts)

[DARIVS]

Count me in for one.

[jld3713]

I can make them for you. shoot me a price to what you think would be fair to pay for one.

[jld3713]

Was also thinking about milling out some better disconnectors not a big fan of flimsy sheetmetal

[68coupe]

18 hours ago, WrenchNHammer said:

Maybe I would sell these via Amazon under the title "Top Slotted Modular Gain Knob" - abreviated as "TSMG Knob". (just to avoid Amazon confusing this with actual machinegun parts)

"Top Spherical Manual Grip Knob" rolls off the tongue easier, and actually refers more to what it does. LMAO

Whatever you decide to call them, I still want 5. Karl, 68coupe

[WrenchNHammer]

Hey jld3713! That would be great!  It looks like you would have orders for 9 pieces so far. I don't want to speak for everybody here - I would pay any reasonable amount for one of these. The main things would be that they are knurled and blued. 

So, what do the rest of you guys say about price? What do you think is reasonable? 

[68coupe]

10 hours ago, WrenchNHammer said:

Hey jld3713! That would be great!  It looks like you would have orders for 9 pieces so far. I don't want to speak for everybody here - I would pay any reasonable amount for one of these. The main things would be that they are knurled and blued. 

So, what do the rest of you guys say about price? What do you think is reasonable? 

Kahr's current price on the "Cheese grater" is 45bux. Their primary excuse for NOT making the spherical knob is expense. I say laziness. If one can turn and knurl a cylinder, they can turn and knurl a sphere. Given the small size, it literally takes an extra 3 minutes. If I had a mill and lathe, I'D do it, and make some money from Kahr's laziness. Cold bluing can be done if the part is impeccably clean and grease/oil-free (and I mean, don't even touch it with bare fingers).

If the price stays below $50ea, I'm in for 5. If not, I'm in for 2. If you want to make money by selling volume, go with $40ea. There's definitely a market for them.

My humble two cents, Karl, 68coupe

[TennesseeTaylor95]

Count me in for a knob or two as well!

Edited September 6, 2024 by TennesseeTaylor95
Info added

[Merry Ploughboy]

As the 27A1 is somewhat difficult to cock with a smaller, spherical cocking knob, and Howell Arms already makes both an easy pull recoil spring , hammer, and hammer spring assembly; and a tall cocking knob; would it not behoove one to see if they are interested in making a smaller, knurled, spherical cocking knob?  Perhaps to offer the smaller knob and easy spring assembly as a package?

ETA: As the 27A1 that I have was made in 2012, it came with the small, knurled cocking knob; and I have since swapped in the Howell Arms easy pull recoil spring assembly.  IMHO, it's a nice mating of components.

Edited September 6, 2024 by Merry Ploughboy
further imfo

[68coupe]

47 minutes ago, Merry Ploughboy said:

As the 27A1 is somewhat difficult to cock with a smaller, spherical cocking knob, and Howell Arms already makes both an easy pull recoil spring , hammer, and hammer spring assembly; and a tall cocking knob; would it not behoove one to see if they are interested in making a smaller, knurled, spherical cocking knob?  Perhaps to offer the smaller knob and easy spring assembly as a package?

ETA: As the 27A1 that I have was made in 2012, it came with the small, knurled cocking knob; and I have since swapped in the Howell Arms easy pull recoil spring assembly.  IMHO, it's a nice mating of components.

Great thought, although the Howell Arms kit, while it may or may not not be patent protected, might draw their (HA) ire. We don't really want to piss off any other supporter of our favorite firearm. My humble two cents.

Karl, 68coupe

[Motorcar]

From Doug Richardson's catalog years ago, I should have bought several...

 

[68coupe]

5 minutes ago, Motorcar said:

From Doug Richardson's catalog years ago, I should have bought several...

 

That has been quite a long time ago. His property was destroyed by fire. I want to say, at least 20 years back, before he was completely blind. We can only hope that we carry the torch well.

Karl, 68coupe

[Merry Ploughboy]

2 hours ago, Motorcar said:

From Doug Richardson's catalog years ago, I should have bought several...

 

FWIW, according to the internet, $50 in 2004 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $83.32 today.

 

 

 

[68coupe]

1 hour ago, Merry Ploughboy said:

FWIW, according to the internet, $50 in 2004 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $83.32 today.

 

FWIW, They were NLA (no longer available) at the time, too.

Karl

[Motorcar]

They were available.

I talked with Doug several times, enjoyed his conversation, and lamented only purchasing one.

It was less than 20 years ago, not sure on the date or if he sent a receipt with it.

[Motorcar]

From a post two years ago, cheese grater turned down on lathe to original spec without knurling, NOT Richardson's handle.

[68coupe]

3 hours ago, Motorcar said:

They were available.

I talked with Doug several times, enjoyed his conversation, and lamented only purchasing one.

It was less than 20 years ago, not sure on the date or if he sent a receipt with it.

I was referring to the parts directly from WH(Numrich) & Kahr. Doug had them right up until his property burned to the ground in one of the annual SoCal wildfires, although I can't remember which year. He possessed a wealth of knowledge, and was a real hoot to talk with. We didn't know each other vey well, as we only spoke a few times. I had great respect for him, especially as his sight dimmed and ultimately he lost it entirely.

Karl

Edited September 14, 2024 by 68coupe
left out a word

[68coupe]

Is there any progress on this? I'm still in, but the number of units I want depends entirely on end price, per unit. It's at least two, but might be up to five, if cost effective for me.

V/R Karl, 68coupe

[BillyDixon]

as far as i can rember dougs house that burned was in malibu, the shop was in an industrial park in chatsworth and was un touched, i had visited there, it was full of unfinished projects, doug didnt have any one work there, he was scared they would steal stuff,  as his sight detoriated he couldnt work anymore, he moved to beleze central america with his wife ( no 2 ), he died there, so what happend to the shop in chatsworth, ii beleve it was rented,  any body know more about this ? just sayn

[deerslayer]

The shop was emptied by Philadelphia Ordnance  Bob, and much has been sold on gunbroker.  

 

 

[ACARLG]

On 9/14/2024 at 4:13 PM, Motorcar said:

From a post two years ago, cheese grater turned down on lathe to original spec without knurling, NOT Richardson's handle.

 

Anyone capable and willing to make a round unkurled out of a straight knob, like this?

 

And yes, depending on unit cost I'd be in for one kurled round cocking knob.