Paul-the new guy Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 I have a long and wide STI that I would like to have shortened. Is this doable? Can a gunsmith just cut it off? I would want the slide milled to match the shortened dust cover, that can be done too, right? How much work would it be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike cyrwus Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 very easy to do. Best to ask a good local smith for a quote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfinney Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 (edited) Gunsmith, funsmith. Did mine with a hacksaw and a file. Of course, the slide cuts would need to be milled, but the dust cover is easy peasy. Edited January 20, 2012 by sfinney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seadevil10 Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Call Benny Hill at Triangle Shooting Sports. We have cut frames before to make short dust covers out of the longer ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul-the new guy Posted January 23, 2012 Author Share Posted January 23, 2012 Maybe I will just cut it off and smooth it out with my rotary tool. ;-) as far as the slide is it cut with just one tool? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
technetium-99m Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 You could send the slide out for milling then cut the dustcover to match when you get the slide back. That way you're not shipping a firearm. This is likely the route I'd take. Then you just have to deal with finishing the parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
want2race Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 The frame is easy, it's not hardened. Hacksaw it. Don't waste your time with the rotary tool and cut off wheel. Hacksaw zips right through it. I concur, send out your slide for a ball cut, then match the dust cover to it. Finish it with files. Since you're sending you slide out, might as well get it lightened. Bobby has a new mill that eager to make chips... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OperationHitFactor Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Maybe I will just cut it off and smooth it out with my rotary tool. ;-) as far as the slide is it cut with just one tool? If you're going to do that to that custom Anglin, Brazos, Pruitt gun we all shot at Malabar a couple weeks ago. Please don't. Please... It's way to sweet as is. Please... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul-the new guy Posted January 24, 2012 Author Share Posted January 24, 2012 Maybe I will just cut it off and smooth it out with my rotary tool. ;-) as far as the slide is it cut with just one tool? If you're going to do that to that custom Anglin, Brazos, Pruitt gun we all shot at Malabar a couple weeks ago. Please don't. Please... It's way to sweet as is. Please... Its just a tool.... and I'm pretty handy. I decided I am not ready for open just yet but I just don't have the love for my limited gun. I keep throwing money at it hoping it will be what I want. It shoots awesome and the trigger is amazing and it looks fantastic but I just am not happy with it. I have a STI Trojan I bought used for a cool thousand and I LOVE it! So I am thinking if I shorten the dust cover and do some ball cuts on the slide wah lah I will love it like I love the Trojan So I want to turn this: into ths: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OperationHitFactor Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Ok. Well if you're set on it. It's personal preference and if you found a better way for yourself, godspeed. I've shot Johnathan's gun at a match with the short dust cover and ball cut. I didn't want to give it back to him after the match. Another option that won't require a new finish - Install a bushing barrel and put in a hollow or aluminum guide rod. It will take a lot of the weight out of the front. In addition, well in theory, it should speed up the slide and if you spring it right it will recover faster. Will probably have a bit more bite though. Whatever you decide, good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
want2race Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Until you go with steel grip, short dust cover and bushing barrel, it won't feel like the Trojan. I'm in the same boat except my current 2011 is a 6". I love my SS and want my ltd gun to feel the same. You can try to lighten the top end, then add a SS msh and SS magwell. That will add weight to the bottom and it should balance a lot more like thr Trojan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seeker Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 All good points. You may want to shoot a 2011 that has a short dust cover and ball cuts to see if it meets your expectations. Do this before putting your gun under the blade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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