In the “Spirit Of Retro”. (Pics back up, skip to Pg. 2)

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - In the “Spirit Of Retro”. (Pics back up, skip to Pg. 2)

Posted: 8/1/2006 5:01:16 PM EDT

Just wanted to show you guys my sons carbine. I spent a couple of hours this afternoon removing the mag fence from his Olympic cast receiver.

This receiver, although not forged, has served me pretty well. It was the base for my sons carbine when I began his training with the M261 .22 conversion, sold the M261 to fund a new standard bolt and carrier, and now today I’ve added a bit of the “Spirit Of Retro” to it. Nothing special for the Retro Purist to see, but a neat little carbine none the less.

Posted: 8/1/2006 5:08:48 PM EDT

[#1]

That is FANTASTIC!

Posted: 8/1/2006 6:20:50 PM EDT

[#2]

That is very cool. But now what is your son going to shoot?

Doc

Posted: 8/1/2006 6:44:11 PM EDT

[#3]

That's really sweet there Quib.

Elvis

Posted: 8/1/2006 7:14:04 PM EDT

[#4]

You did a good job removing that.

Posted: 8/1/2006 7:31:29 PM EDT

[#5]

No kidding!

I've been hacking up a bunch of bits & pieces lately, but I haven't quite got the nerve to start on my lower yet...

Posted: 8/1/2006 7:34:23 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
You did a good job removing that.

yea he did

still working up the courage to do one

Posted: 8/1/2006 7:43:06 PM EDT

[#7]

That looks AWESOME.

Posted: 8/1/2006 7:43:41 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
That is very cool. But now what is your son going to shoot?

Doc

Thanks for the compliments guys!

As far as who shoots what.......Daddy has his own 723 clone! !

But this one is a sweet shooter!

Posted: 8/1/2006 7:43:45 PM EDT

[#9]

Super looking job!

How times have changed . . . A little over a year ago I let it be known that I was contemplating the same idea, and was lambasted for it-- called many nasty names for even considering making "such a bastard lower." Now we see proof that while it may not be 100% historically accurate, it looks damn fine. My hat's off to you, Quib.

Posted: 8/1/2006 10:26:01 PM EDT

[#10]

what did you use to remove the mag fence?

Posted: 8/2/2006 12:55:16 AM EDT

[#11]

Me likey.

Posted: 8/2/2006 4:19:15 AM EDT

[#12]

Looks great.

In some ways, that's a smarter modification to make for "retro styling".

The rear reiforcements were added for a reason, not to mention being harder to remove.

Posted: 8/2/2006 4:32:49 AM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
Looks great.

In some ways, that's a smarter modification to make for "retro styling".

The rear reiforcements were added for a reason, not to mention being harder to remove.

Thanks again for all the compliments.

All the removal work was done using an assortment of files and sandpaper.

Yea, I don’t know why Oly chose the style of mag fence that they did on the cast lowers, but it always bugged the crap out of me. Removing it was long over due, and there was no worry as to whether or not I was compromising the structural integrity of the receiver. Being a cast receiver I think removing material from any other area would have been pushing my luck!

Posted: 8/2/2006 4:52:11 AM EDT

[#14]

Here are a few shots I took during the removal of the mag fence. Aluminum tape helped ensure I “filed within the lines”!

Before, during and after.

Posted: 8/2/2006 6:16:20 AM EDT

[#15]

Quib what kind of tools did you use? Dremel, files maybe some C5. I'm thinking about butchering I mean reprofiling some on one of mine. Any deatails would be very helpfull.

Elvis

Posted: 8/2/2006 6:26:46 AM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
Quib what kind of tools did you use? Dremel, files maybe some C5. I'm thinking about butchering I mean reprofiling some on one of mine. Any deatails would be very helpfull.

Elvis

Like I stated above, all the removal work was done using an assortment of files and sandpaper.

I’ve never done this type of work on a forged receiver so I don’t know how hard it would be compared to the work I did on this cast receiver, but a good file removes material very quickly and you have to take things slowly.

Once I got down pretty close to the base of the mag well I switched to sand paper and used that for the final contouring and shaping.

Posted: 8/2/2006 7:02:44 AM EDT

[#17]

Thanks Quib I have to admit when I saw that you had added more pics I just scrolled down to the new pics.

Elvis

Posted: 8/2/2006 7:11:35 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
Thanks Quib I have to admit when I saw that you had added more pics I just scrolled down to the new pics.

Elvis

Well if you decide to dive in and ~~butcher~~ modify a lower keep us informed on the results!

Posted: 8/2/2006 7:19:54 AM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Thanks Quib I have to admit when I saw that you had added more pics I just scrolled down to the new pics.

Elvis

Well if you decide to dive in and ~~butcher~~ modify a lower keep us informed on the results!

I've already decided on a 653 clone. I'm going to reprofile the rear to A1 specs.
The victim er uh I mean receiver should be in my hands by Monday at the latest.
I will document with my camera every step of the way.
Stay tuned.

Now back to your regularly scheduled thread. (didn't want to turn this into a highjack)

Elvis

Posted: 8/2/2006 7:32:59 AM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
(didn't want to turn this into a highjack)
Elvis

No highjack, it’s in the “Spirit Of The Retro”!

Posted: 8/2/2006 9:47:11 AM EDT

[#21]

I hate to say it, but it really looks like the cast lowers might offer a good, inexepnsive way to make a modded 'partial fence'lower. Cast lowers defintely go for a lot less, and it looks like the way Oly made the mag fence really lends itself to the modification. It also would be pretty easy to file down that offending rampant lion on the other side!

BTW, that is a GREAT tip on using the files and aluminum tape....outstanding job!

Posted: 8/2/2006 10:08:32 AM EDT

[#22]

The Aluminum tape is an Excellent idea

any slip of the file would go into the tape and save the finish of the lower,

I'm on it, tonight

Posted: 8/2/2006 10:13:10 AM EDT

[#23]

Great job, Nice Rifle

Posted: 8/2/2006 12:46:58 PM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:
I hate to say it, but it really looks like the cast lowers might offer a good, inexepnsive way to make a modded 'partial fence'lower. Cast lowers defintely go for a lot less, and it looks like the way Oly made the mag fence really lends itself to the modification. It also would be pretty easy to file down that offending rampant lion on the other side!

BTW, that is a GREAT tip on using the files and aluminum tape....outstanding job!

Exactly what I was thinking when I contemplated the removal of the fence!

Oh, and by the way……there never was a rampant lion! These lowers are with out the logo. One less thing to remove!

This pic was taken before I did the modification.

Posted: 8/2/2006 7:30:29 PM EDT

[#25]

Nicely done! Excellent craftsmanship on the removal, you cannot even tell it was there.

Posted: 8/2/2006 11:29:06 PM EDT

[#26]

Thanks again guys for the compliments!

Posted: 8/5/2006 7:50:00 AM EDT

[#27]

Seriously great hand work!!!! Good job!!!

Posted: 8/10/2006 9:51:22 PM EDT

[#28]

Well I’ve done some more work to my sons carbine. This time I did some more receiver work around the mag release, rounding out the aft rear corner. You’ll notice the difference if you compare these pics to page ones pics. I also completely stripped the rifle down and coated the upper and lower receivers, charging handle, slip ring and buffer tube in Brownell’s Flat Gray Spray Can KG Gun-Kote. I highly recommend the spray can KG Gun-Kote if you don’t have or don’t wish to buy a paint gun.

To bake the parts after application of the Gun-Kote I tried a different approach. Instead of stinking up Frau Quibs stove I decided to try using my propane BBQ! Here again I didn’t want to stink up the BBQ so I had to come up with some type of metal oven like container to place the parts in on top of the BBQ.

After walking through the grocery store the other day the idea hit me! Why not use two aluminum baking pans, one placed upside-down on the other, forming a mini oven!

Well it worked! After experimenting with the number of burners and how high they were set, I reached 300 deg F. I placed my completed components in the baking pan suspended by metal rods and placed the other baking pan on top. One hour later my parts were done!

I did at one point have to slide open the top pan to make minor temperature adjustments but other than that things went just great!

Posted: 8/10/2006 9:53:37 PM EDT

[#29]

Quoted:
Well I?ve done some more work to my sons carbine. This time I did some more receiver work around the mag release, rounding out the aft rear corner.

Good job Quib! That's the one thing I didn't like about it.

Looks great.

Posted: 8/11/2006 11:15:49 AM EDT

[#30]

That looks great, QUIB! That's actually what bothered me about it too

But are you gonna grind off some more of the detent recess (STILL dont know the real name for it

) and the front pivot pin area or just leave them? Either way it looks great!

Posted: 8/11/2006 11:25:29 AM EDT

[#31]

Quoted:
That looks great, QUIB! That's actually what bothered me about it too

But are you gonna grind off some more of the detent recess (STILL dont know the real name for it

) and the front pivot pin area or just leave them? Either way it looks great!

No more removing material, especially in stress areas. This is a cast receiver and I don’t want to chance anything with my sons safety. The removal of the cheesy Oly mag fence and blending of the area around the mag button was purely cosmetic and reduced none of the receivers strength. I hated that Oly mag fence since day one, so by modifying it like I did I gave new life to the receiver as a semi-retro piece.

Like I said this was all in the “Spirit Of Retro”.

But again I highly recommend the KG Gun-Kote in the 6 oz. spray can. This finish is tough! It almost feels like parkerizing and soaks up CLP just the same. I feel like I built a new rifle yesterday!