Converting an UZI PRO to top cocking?

[Greenscale]

Good evening! Long time lurker, first time poster.

I've got an UZI PRO pistol with the threaded barrel and brace that I've been wanting to convert to a top cocking format rather than the side charging one. From what I can tell, the UZI PRO receiver quite a few of the other parts match up with most UZI pistol and Micro UZI parts. The bolt appears the same as any UZI pistol bolt, aside from the little hole for the side charging handle, so this shouldn't be too hard to accomplish.

As understandable as the side charging handle is for the UZI PRO, I really wanted an UZI pistol but they ended up being too expensive to justify. So I figure I'll just take a cheaper UZI PRO and rework a couple parts to be more UZI pistol like.

My questions are:
1. What parts am I going to need to make this work?

2. Where might I source a UZI pistol lower/grip? I see plenty of regular UZI lowers, but not pistol ones.

3. (For when I eventually get my SOT classification) Can the fully-supported-lip closed bolts be sourced or are they unobtanium?

 

[sniperdoc]

Welcome!

 

[Bret]

I can't really answer your questions, but I can offer an alternative for scratching your top cocking itch. My suggestion is a Masterpiece Arms Defender. They're not as sexy or as well known as the Uzi's, but in my opinion they're significantly easier to shoot accurately. I have a Vector Mini Uzi SMG, an IMI Micro Uzi pistol and a Masterpiece Arms Defender that I converted to an SBR. I don't really fully understand why, but the Defender is just incredibly accurate. The Uzi's are not really accurate. While the Defender evolved from the Mac 11 - Nine, it's made with significantly more precision. Plus, you can get them for around $500. Anyway, just an option for you.

 

[kanewtervalve]

I would just bite the bullet and get the original Uzi pistol off Gunbroker, had one and loved it but had to part ways due to unforseen circumstances.

 

[Operator45]

Good evening! Long time lurker, first time poster.

I've got an UZI PRO pistol with the threaded barrel and brace that I've been wanting to convert to a top cocking format rather than the side charging one. From what I can tell, the UZI PRO receiver quite a few of the other parts match up with most UZI pistol and Micro UZI parts. The bolt appears the same as any UZI pistol bolt, aside from the little hole for the side charging handle, so this shouldn't be too hard to accomplish.

As understandable as the side charging handle is for the UZI PRO, I really wanted an UZI pistol but they ended up being too expensive to justify. So I figure I'll just take a cheaper UZI PRO and rework a couple parts to be more UZI pistol like.

My questions are:
1. What parts am I going to need to make this work?

2. Where might I source a UZI pistol lower/grip? I see plenty of regular UZI lowers, but not pistol ones.

3. (For when I eventually get my SOT classification) Can the fully-supported-lip closed bolts be sourced or are they unobtanium?

Greenscale:

Generally, agree with kanewtervalve below. Easier to have a pistol by buying one by the time you pursue the parts. There's the alternative of buying a pistol and adding a block to the back to add the Pro folding brace arm...

However, I'm looking at the same task because I want a 45 pro and don't mind top cocking. I agree that is seems that the pistol and the pro share a good bit of same upper guts.. It appears ... appears ... have not taken measurements yet ... that switching out the bolt (keep the striker assy) and then using a Micro top cover will work. I've tried it with the top cover off my pistol, and a 45 pistol bolt but there's something causing the top cover to be a little springier than normal and I didn't want to force it. It'll be a few days before before I can tear it apart for measurements. And of course, I'm going to have to cut a new magazine catch for old Uzi 45 mags (or new Promags).

So my initial research says:

1: a micro / pistol bolt, and a micro / pistol top cover *appear* to be it functionally. Micro top covers do show up on 'the big site' from time to time, but pricey! Also, the striker assembly on the pro has a couple extra cuts (there's a new tiny finger projection from the lower into the striker) on the left (long) leg but striker assy works fine with pistol bolt. The firing pin is replaceable, but not an issue that I can see with the pistol bolt. Lines up fine.

2: saw a pistol lower as part of a micro parts set, but have never seen one all by itself. If you're handy with sheet metal welding, you may be able to make a regular grip over into a pistol by adding the tail/wings and trigger guard and extending the front to allow for a second lower pin.

IWI Parts has micro/pistol hooked trigger guards . https://iwi.us/product/uzi-trigger-guard/

The big issue in my my mind is that you're going to have to come up with a way to tie an old pistol lower to that additional front lug on the pro. The micro/pistol has a front tab and pin like the full and mini.

Compare Uzi Pro Parts Diagram https://iwi.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/UziMat.jpg << two part number 37 pins to hold the lower on - and you can see a bit of the front lug on the drawing.

to

Uzi Pistol Parts Diagram https://iwi.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Uzi-Pistol-Part-Numbers.jpg << Note the tab at the front of the lower assembly - guess you could weld a loop onto the bottom of the Pro upper receiver to insert the tab into, but the lug would be exposed and it's not real pretty.

Was thinking about doing a comparison video, because there's sure not one out there.

3: not one I know the answer to - will defer to the 07s.

I'll be happy to report back here when I've time to measure, fit test, and test fire a simple bolt and top cover switch - and I don't mind a friendly reminder if needed. (smile)

 

[eodinert]

Most people who kit-bash micros are going the opposite way, putting a side charging bolt in a vintage micro to gain a place to mount an optic that does not interfere with the charging handle, but I would say if you really want is an Uzi pistol (or Micro Uzi), buy that instead.

A micro top cover, if I'm not mistaken, will drop on and work with a Pro, but you'll have a hole in the left side of the receiver where the charging handle used to be. The Pro bolt still has the cut for the top charging top cover.

FWIW, I believe a regular Uzi grip assembly can be made to work. Aesthetically, it will be crap, but you could weld a cover on the back to mimic the shape of the pistol lower if you are mechanically inclined.

Barrels swap fine also.

A pistol lower fits the Pro in the front, but the rear needs a little trimming. The Pro uses a different means to attach the lower than the micro, but the pro still has the slot that will hold the front of the micro lower on.

Having said that, I have both a vintage micro and an Uzi pro, and from my casual hand fitting, everything seems to be swappable, albeit sometimes with some modification. Of course, I'm going the opposite direction that you are, wanting to build a side charging host for a registered full-auto bolt. I haven't started the project in ernest, as my work schedule hasn't allowed it.