AR Sponsor
Posted: 8/28/2008 10:21:06 AM EDT
|
Now that I can hunt in Indiana with a .458 SOCOM it settled the .458 vs .50 debate for me. I want to build a .458 but have no hands on experience with them. What parts are different? The barrel is obviously and I assume the bolt is as well but what about the carrier and buffer? Is there anything else that needs to be something other than stock AR-15? Also, where can I get parts? I went to the Indy 1500 gun show recently expecting to see .458 stuff there (especially since it was legalized for deer hunting here) and couldn't find a single .458 gun or parts dealer. Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance. ETA: Is there any way to use PMags with .458? I love PMags but is seems like the ridge in the front would interfere. |
|
The barrel, extension, and bolt are different, and the ejection port needs to be opened up some. The carrier, buffer, and spring from your 5.56mm will work just fine. Rifles, uppers, and parts can be had through Marty @ teppojutsu.com. You should check out the 458socomforums.com website, there is more information about this rifle there. RRA also makes rifles chambered for .458 SOCOM. The PMags will work with the .458 SOCOM but you need to dremel a sort of 'half-moon' into the magazine where the rounds feed from and the COL may be somewhat diminished due to the rib. However the loads I've been shooting are within the 2.250" OAL and thus feed in the pmags fine. Your best bet is to get a complete upper, check out the .458socomforums.com page to track some down immediately! |
PMags work fine. I use them all the time with my .458S. Parts can be gotten off the internet via places like PK Firearms (upper from RRA), which is where I got mine. You can also get an upper from Marty at Teppo Jutsu if he's not busy beyond belief, and I will probably go that route myself for my second upper. I actually want one with a bit longer barrel (18" or 20"). |
Not off the shelf, that I know of. However you can do whatever you want, if you can afford it! Ask Marty at Teppo Jutsu... |
If you want a custom buld, Marty's the one you want to talk to. The bad news is that he's PROBABLY overwhelmed with work at this moment and won't be able to have anything for you before the November deer season. It sure couldn't hurt to ask anyway, just in case.  Legal-Transfers has new RRA .458 SOCOM uppers, if you choose to go that route. Not to mention that there are dealers here in Indiana that are stocking them.PMAG's will work, but they need to be dated 03/07 or earlier according to Marty. Otherwise you will not be able to modify them for the .458 SOCOM. |
|
I don't doubt that Marty does good work (especially with all the support he seems to have here on Arfcom) but is there any reason I wouldn't build it myself? Putting an upper together isn't a difficult proposition. Am I missing something other than the barrel/extension and bolt need to be different? For me, part of the fun is putting it together. |
No, the point I was trying to make is that Marty is the only one that I'm aware of who sells .458 SOCOM barrels and bolts. You'd probably have as long a wait as if you bought an entire upper from him, as the barrels and bolts are always the hold-up in these builds. |
When I say "barrel", I mean barrel and its extension, as the extension would be on it and it would already be chambered when delivered. So, it is basically a barrel and bolt, with a little massaging of the ejection port to open it up. I belive that Marty will provide the exact dimensions to be removed if asked, and I've seen people here do it themselves with the proper machinery -- Denny comes to mind. That said, I'd still recommend getting a complete upper from either Marty or RRA, unless you just "have" to build it yourself for the satisfaction.
|
M4M is correct! |
MGI 458 SOCOM Barrel MGI 458 SOCOM Bolt Assembly You might proceed with caution. I ordered one of the bolt assemblies for another project on 8/16, haven't received any update since 8/18 - when the order went "processing" - even thought the product shows "in stock". There wasn't any problem charging my credit card the day after the order though. Just noticed, they aren't in the Industry Forum anymore.....I sent an email asking WTF, we'll see what I get back. |
|
I thought MGI had a pretty good reputation. I purchased a few of their D-rings and a standard bolt from them without any trouble a while back. The barrel they have is a heavier contour than I'm looking for. From everything I hear I think I will either go with a RRA complete upper or contact Marty about a build. I did have my heart set on building it myself though... It doesn't matter at the moment, money is tight for the next month or two. |
AR Sponsor