Can I make my own FA .45 bolt?

[paroikoi]

Hello,
Hopefully I am not off my rocker. From what I have read, some FA .45 bolts out there are 9mm SMG bolts which have had extra material welded onto them to be able to support a .45 ACP case (granted, some machining would also be required). Anyhow, I am a home hobbyist with a welder. Is there any reason I couldn't weld up my own bolt since I have a spare? The biggest issue to me seems to be how I can re-heat treat the bolt after welding, which would anneal it. With that in mind, does anyone know what alloy UZI bolts are usually made from? That would allow me to come up with some reasonable hardening and tempering temperatures.

Thanks a lot,
Josh

[Old Guy]

I say go for it. Just TIG a small piece of tool steel onto the bottom and it's localized enough that heat treat is not needed. I repaired a MAC 10 bolt like this. But the hard part would be turning the bolt face if you don't have access to a lathe.

[barrelxchange]

I'll be starting a run of 45 bolts very soon, these will be new production patterned after original IMI FA openbolt. 4140 steel, might even through in a couple of stainless steel just for kicks

Troy

[paroikoi]

Hi Troy,
Thanks for the info. I would like to buy one of your bolts, the problem is simply the availability of enough dollars to do so. You don't happen to know if original IMI bolts were made out of 4140, do you?

Josh

[abundigas]

Stainless, I like the sound of that. When When When... :)

I'll be starting a run of 45 bolts very soon, these will be new production patterned after original IMI FA openbolt. 4140 steel, might even through in a couple of stainless steel just for kicks

Troy

[6530]

Do you happen to have available (or can you make) .45 barrels? And then what would be needed to complete a .45 conversion? (other than mags, I guess.)

EDIT: Oops, just found your Web site. I guess that's a yes!

Edit #2: Duh. I just checked the Library and it looks like bolt, barrel, magazine, and recoil spring. Are the recoil springs the same for 9mm as 45? I wouldn't expect they would be...

[barrelxchange]

I'm lining everything up for the run right now. I'll let everyone know in the next week or so. Looks like I'll have about 10 Stainless steel bolts made unless I hear you all want more. I will be doing some custom closed bolts also.

From what I understand it's the same recoil assy for 9mm or 45, although I would recomend using a new(er) recoil assy for 45

Barrels are available from Vector, Semi or FA and they have them made in such large quantities that I can't compete with thier price.

Now if you want a Mini or Micro/Pistol 45 barrel that I can do.

Troy

[abundigas]

I am not much of a material guy, is there any pro or con between the Stainless VS what ever the regular bolt is made of ? Or does the Stainless just look cooler?

[Oswald2001]

I have never seen a stainless bolt.

This results in a cool factor of at least: 8

Now, the more rare the bolt, the cooler.

An SMG stainless 9mm bolt would have a cool factor of at least: 8.

A Mini or Micro stainless 9mm bolt would have a cool factor of at least: 9-10

When you get more exotic, like heavy bolts or semi-bolts (9mm or 45), you would have a cool factor of at least: 12+

And this out of a possible 10. LOL!

[m4fun]

Stainless? Geez Troy, haven't I sent enough $$$$ your way and now you come up with this idea!!!

I need to find other ways of funding this habit.

Brian

[barrelxchange]

I am not much of a material guy, is there any pro or con between the Stainless VS what ever the regular bolt is made of ? Or does the Stainless just look cooler?


Just Bling. Though I understand that there are Group Ind Stainless guns out there. Suppose I'll have to get some Stainless barrel stock also.

Could have some Mini Stainless made also, but not sure. I do want to make a few semi SS bolt to have on hand

Troy