SIG 543 542 HGs and stuff

[mullicrk]

Starting this thread as I dont want to Hijack someone else's.

Anyhow, I've been dabbling into making 543 Hand Guards. I got the lower section done basically. Took 3 different goes at it as I started with a broken HG I had to repair. Was broken in the usual spot and the top half of the HG was busted as well.

Anyhow Im working on finishing the top half now to be finished soon.

I also messed with translucent colors.. not too bad I think. I will make these in solid dark and light green as well as black and so on.

This all would have been allot easier to start with a nice HG, but then where is the motivation.

Made a few black that came out ok. They aren't perfect but way better than busted.

What's cool about the old Hand Guards IMO are the latch mechanism.

Its also the issue with busting too.

Im fooling with transplanting the newer type from the 550 series over to these I made. It would eliminate the latch.

Another issue is the HGs tend to show a gap between the top amd bottom. SIG fixed this with interlocking HGs. Not aure if Im going to fool with that.

Anyhow will post here as things happen.

I also have a STG57 PE57 thread I started. Will get back on that when I can. Kinda slowed down due to a foot Surgery.

be nice to see others HG colors, ive seen 2 variations already.

Thanks , Ron

 

[mullicrk]

Adventures in making what I can out of damaged stuff. THis is so far the best on the grip. If I had a new one it would of course look allot better. But these aint bad. Will bolt up just like OG even with the nut placement. These will be sold off to someone lucky sometime LOL

Im getting the Color as close as I can

 

[mullicrk]

This one is about as good as I can get without having a new one to mold. The bottom isnt bad just not perfect. Will pop a few in the oven to check for malformation above 170F. The color is about spot on for what I have on hand original.

 

[Marlin781]

Nice job! Very impressive. I could definitely use one of those grips when you are ready to sell.

 

[mullicrk]

Nice job! Very impressive. I could definitely use one of those grips when you are ready to sell.
View attachment 631282

My Lord man, send me a PM...

 

[JimmerJammer]

My Lord man, send me a PM...

Sign me up too!

The TTE handguards/groups look terrible... not even close to the same texture as the originals. Looks like they rushed trying to get them to market for the receivers.

 

[mullicrk]

Sign me up too!

The TTE handguards/groups look terrible... not even close to the same texture as the originals. Looks like they rushed trying to get them to market for the receivers.

Well Mine aren't perfect bro. Basically had to repair the hell outta mine and all that. Made 3 separate molds just to get things this far lol Im burned out kinda. For every 2 decent ones I make im tossing one due to issues but thats how it goes.

 

[JimmerJammer]

Well Mine aren't perfect bro. Basically had to repair the hell outta mine and all that. Made 3 separate molds just to get things this far lol Im burned out kinda. For every 2 decent ones I make im tossing one due to issues but thats how it goes.

Probably better than my aluminum one. It's got a huge void in the side and I have no desire to build another aluminum foundry to make another lol

 

[mullicrk]

Probably better than my aluminum one. It's got a huge void in the side and I have no desire to build another aluminum foundry to make another lol

WTH man? How the hell ya think that happened? Wow

 

[Wolfsburg1]

Yeah I've wondered what the deal is with the aluminum grips. I've heard they were Lebanese made replacements? Given their crudity, they almost feel like a project some enterprising armorer decided to undertake.

 

[JimmerJammer]

Yeah I've wondered what the deal is with the aluminum grips. I've heard they were Lebanese made replacements? Given their crudity, they almost feel like a project some enterprising armorer decided to undertake.

I guarantee the original grips broke, and somebody in the government had a buddy that could make replacements for cheap.

The aluminum grips i’ve seen have varied from half-decent to where you could reprofile them to look nice, to like mine where there is tons of voids and imperfections from a bad pour. It’s too bad as I think the idea was pretty good for a 543

 

[Wolfsburg1]

Yeah I had assumed the brittle furniture was a result of age and perhaps desert climate but they might’ve been that way from the beginning!

 

[mullicrk]

Its been a few months, not too bad I suppose.

SO where Im at is this...

Grips and lower tabs Im satisfied with what I make. This is for the 542 and 543. Every 3 or 4 it seems I get a loose air bubble toward the upper rear neck even pressurizing the mold. It is what it is but outside of the vent stacks it looks OG. The fill and venting is hidden inside and can be ground off... I give it a A- or B+

Stocks Ive made quite a few and tossed quite a few. after 4 redos Im ok with it. Imperfections here and there but all can be made right with some sand paper or a lil fill and or paint. B to B+

Buttpad These can be made hard, indestructable, soft or like OG. I made a bunch of inner plates out of steel like the original and also made the pad internals a little different to hold up. Yes its slightly heavier (More material) but sturdy. B to B+

Stock hardware Kinda of a pain to make but very authentic looking. It took me a few minutes to relocate my originals after setting them in the pile LOL A-

543 HGS Stopped making due to low interest. WIll require more fiddling around and its not really in the cards right now. But who knows. I can make a set but they are first edition stuff Im not too fond of. D-

542 HGS I got to make a couple sets of these for myself LOL, I projected August but over shot that. Im pondering a 4th makeover. HAve made a few and have played with getting rid of that metal latch system and thickening it up in the rear of the lower HG. So far so good. Haven't made a regular set for the metal latch. Probably will but wont likely do corresponding hardware for it. Seems like a pain I dont want to endure. C- Not good enough for me

Anyhow thats where Im at. Kind of burned out with all this but when things come out good they reignite me.

Big issues with the HGS is mating the 2 halves while curing on the 542/543. This will eliminate nearly any gapping. Sounds easy right? Not really when you have material that sets up timed. Also if its pressurised to eliminate air bubbles. IM working through it all to get the best I can.... All in all Im just down to the final bits.

The rear of the HG will need drilled out. Im not doing the drilling (so far). The material on the rear was thickened and extended vertically. YOu would put your top HG on and then the bottom and pin it to the lower (about a 8mm pin) I figure I can make pins and clips if this becomes a thing.

Anyways thats the update. I got a STGW, G3, MIcro Galil, Valmet Hunter Conversion to do and all the other BS daily shite like yall got and a WIFE LOL

Thanks for your patience, look over the adventures below LOL

Hopefully sooner than later I can get some of these HGS out and whatever else might suit your fancy

Rap Later, Ron

29 new photos · May 14 – Aug 29 📸

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[VALMET]

Love what you’ve been up to- things look damn good. Interested in 542 HGs and PG when the time comes.

 

[mullicrk]

What are you guys mostly needing?

Lower HG?
Both?
Grip?

Let me know

 

[Kip30]

What are you guys mostly needing?

Lower HG?
Both?
Grip?

Let me know

For the 542, both handguards and a grip preferably

 

[scavenger]

Needing a complete 542 fixed stock set standard in black. I missed out last round due to being posted in general wts falfiles. Are you able to post here or just reserve my spot? I’ll probably bug Troy for the latch hardware on handguards.