CNC Brass bisley grip frames... what is it worth to ya???

[nicholst55]

Mar 18, 2019 19:06:22 GMT -5 medicdave said:

I'd be interested as well. Why not base the machining off of an unfit casting rather than a finished frame to avoid being undersized?

I think the way to go would be to use a fitted grip frame as a pattern - it should be simple for the programmer to add .020" or so to the sides (or anywhere else required) to allow for tolerances.  If you're paying someone to fit a grip frame for you, it's going to cost significantly more to fit and finish an as-cast frame than it is an 'almost drop-in' frame.

And I am most definitely interested in at least one brass Bisley grip frame.  Realistically, in the $250`ish price range, for one based off of a fitted grip frame.  Less for an as-cast grip frame.

[48flyer]

I would be in for at least 2 of them. I've fancied a brass Bisley frame for years. Know where a couple of them used to live but disappeared from under my nose while I wasn't paying attention..

[rangersedge]

Shows my ignorance; but is there any advantage to brass other than appearance?

Are there any disadvantages beside cost such as weight or corrosion?

[Alaskan454]

I'd be very interested in an Aluminum one.

[nicholst55]

Mar 19, 2019 17:24:02 GMT -5 rangersedge said:

Shows my ignorance; but is there any advantage to brass other than appearance?

Are there any disadvantages beside cost such as weight or corrosion?

Brass is slightly heavier than steel, and brass will tarnish and corrode under some circumstances (think verdigris) - but then so does steel (rust).  The primary advantages for those who desire it are the appearance and the novelty.

[dougader]

I'd be interested in an aluminum frame.

[squawberryman]

Three pages in 20 hours I'd say there's interest. Me +1

[bushog]

Soon there will be the sales saying "OM cast brass bisley grip frame" or "NM CNC brass bisley grip frame".

[simpleman]

I love the Bisley grip grame. Gotta say I am excited to see a brass prototype. I have a midframe 50th Anniversary model that I think would wear it well.

[6gunz]

I'd be in for 2.

[Fowler]

I had a very smart machinest buddy of mine try’s to sort out how to machine these grip frames, they are not a simple project. I will day you will need a 5 axis mill to start. Even then you will also probably find it necessary to make them as a 2 piece design. Of course in theory you might bel

[Jamey Worrell]

Throw me in for a couple...may 3 at the $110ish range

[bushog]

Mar 19, 2019 17:24:02 GMT -5 rangersedge said:

Shows my ignorance; but is there any advantage to brass other than appearance?

Are there any disadvantages beside cost such as weight or corrosion?

The brass is soft too. It will nick and ding easily.

If you want a gun that looks aged let it tarnish and carry it for a couple days...

[kings6]

When aftermarket plow handled brass grip frames sell for $250+ and Ruger MR3-BD brass SBH frames sell for $300+ a guy would be nuts for selling brass bisley grip frames for anything less. I bet by the time the material is sources, the computer work for CNC or just the machining to make these is done the maker will find they are not a very cost effective part because folks won't pay what it is worth based on his costs. especially if he is doing them for such a small bunch of orders. Maybe I am wrong but if a front sight from 2 Dogs is $30-$35 out of steel it seems like all the machining required for these will be much higher due to the complexity, size and required accuracy needed. Just my thoughts.

[magnumwheelman]

I honestly don't think we would ever see them for $110.00 ( I think someone said the blocks are like $60.00 )

I just used those Midway prices as a ball park target... in reality, it could be $200.00 or $250.00

still need to get the fabricators talking yet, so it's possible that CNC guy might not be interested... plus, let's say we planned on 100 of them, to get the price to $200.00 ( probably a realistic number ) that's a $20,000.00 investment, unless everyone was to pay for them before hand ( which I don't think I could get away with ) so this would be a big challenge... I'd like to say "let's just do this at cost, as a service to all of us shooters" but in reality... if I / we have to borrow or invest $20,000.00 we're going to have to have a profit margin...

& if I give him both my stainless & blued grip frames, & ask a couple of you guys who are competent enough to measure your current grip frames to an engineers or machinists level ( I'm not qualified there myself ) to get a decent + or - range on the measurements... we're going to have to make a couple just to make sure we can do it... so there would be an investment in both time & money, where we may find out it's either not possible, or impractical... hoping CNC guy has done enough of this kind of stuff, that he'll have a good idea initially weather he wants to take on the project or not...