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View Full Version : New shoes for a Rock and a Ruger project



gb6491
01-04-2015, 01:58 PM
Put some stag on my Rock Island Armory 9mm:
http://i59.tinypic.com/2n1cj8z.jpg
http://i60.tinypic.com/t7og0h.jpg

A couple of weeks back my local shop had a couple of used Ruger P345s on the shelf. I've shot 345s and liked them, but don't like that they have an LCI and magazine disconnect. Still, they don't turn up much for resale in my area so I decided to pull the trigger on the stainless one of this pair.
It's a nice compliment for my P90:)
http://i61.tinypic.com/dhd20i.jpg
The gun had a couple of spots I wanted to touch up, so I did a complete disassemby of the top end. Somehow I misplaced the magazine disconnect...oh well, it'll turn up someday. I did find the LCI, but while cleaning it up I must have polished it a little to much as it does not stick up as far as it had prior to "cleaning it up":
I forgot to take a "before" photo, but this shot from http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/ss/ruger-p345-semi-automatic-pistol-review-profile_10.htm#step-heading is representative:
http://i57.tinypic.com/2cem06h.jpg
Now:
http://i62.tinypic.com/npgil1.jpg

I've run some rounds through the P345 and found it reliable (no issues at all). It also groups well, but the sights seem setup for "Bullseye" shooting (six o'clock hold gives 10 ring hits on a reduced size, slow fire target ten yards). I prefer to have my pistols shoot to right above the front sight post at that range. There are not a lot of aftermarket sights for the 345, but Ruger did/does have some OEM rear sights available.
I decided to pick one of these up and file it down enough to bring the point of impact down. The problem with this is that the amount of material I need to remove would cut into the white dots on the sight:
http://i58.tinypic.com/2ryikqf.jpg
I figured this would be rather unsightly, so I decided to remove the dots completely. Out comes the Dremel tool;
http://i58.tinypic.com/2myqeqc.jpg

to be continued...

gb6491
01-04-2015, 02:06 PM
Then some work with "diamond" files:
http://i62.tinypic.com/2qib3hs.jpg
Height is now where I want it:
http://i62.tinypic.com/10dt7jm.jpg
...cut the slot a little deeper as well;
http://i58.tinypic.com/xgd3ih.jpg
Mounted on the slide:
http://i59.tinypic.com/23semwp.jpg
http://i60.tinypic.com/2db77tf.jpg
I'm pretty pleased with it now:
http://i62.tinypic.com/33pdem9.jpg
Regards,
Greg

Bill K
01-04-2015, 02:22 PM
Very nice.

Do you carry the RIA 9mm 1911 or is it more of a range only pistol?

JohnR
01-04-2015, 02:35 PM
Very professional-looking work. My first gun was a P345 and I still have it.

gb6491
01-04-2015, 02:38 PM
Very nice.

Do you carry the RIA 9mm 1911 or is it more of a range only pistol?
Thanks Bill. It is a range gun/plinker for me. However, it is accurate and reliable with the excellent Metalform 9FR-794 magazines so I think it would do fine if pushed into "carry" duty.

Very professional-looking work. My first gun was a P345 and I still have it.
Thanks! I think this one is a keeper too.


Regards,
Greg

timboy
01-04-2015, 02:59 PM
Nice work on the Ruger!

Bawanna
01-04-2015, 03:12 PM
As usual excellent work and good thinking on your part. I'm partial to a plain rear sight with no dots myself anyhow so your sneaky modification works perfectly.

Too bad about losing the mag disconnect, I'm sure if you look long enough it will turn up, or not. And it's easy to over polish as evidenced on your LCI, could happen to anyone, keep practicing. Remember when you see sparks, that's not polishing that's grinding but you'll get it I'm sure.

I love those stag grips, a well known soft spot with me, those are particularly nice, so uniform on both sides. Love em!

kwh
01-04-2015, 03:14 PM
Nice. Thanks for the step-by-step pictures.

ltxi
01-04-2015, 04:06 PM
Nice work, Greg. I like that!

yqtszhj
01-04-2015, 06:04 PM
I like the sight modification. Very nice.

yqtszhj
01-04-2015, 06:07 PM
And the grips on the RIA are sweet too.

berettabone
01-05-2015, 09:48 AM
Know a few people with those Ruger's............................I hear they are very dependable. Nice stag.............................................. ..........

muggsy
01-05-2015, 10:12 AM
Outstanding job all around, Greg. A job any man would be proud to call his own. You da man.

89grand
01-05-2015, 12:18 PM
It's the weirdest thing about Rugers. I have a SR9 and SR9c that I've also misplaced the mag disconnects, and over polished the LCI's too.

What are the chances?

Bawanna
01-05-2015, 01:50 PM
Must be spring loaded or something? Perhaps working inside a large freezer bag to avoid lost important parts.

Over polishing on the LCI's has to just be a rookie mistake, could happen to anyone.