25 August 2003, 09:42
NitromanThe Making Of A Deep Floorplate...
At the beginning of the summer I had posted my desire to make a deeper floorplate to use in conjunction with a large-bore
project I had in mind. There appeared to be some confusion as to what my intentions were, regardless of how I explained them.
I post here what I have accomplished to far.
This is a photo of the milled 4140 bar, it has the taper I decided on and the interior width to accomodate the walls of the magazine box.
In the background you can see the new triggerguard frame I made that is the same overall length, but provides for the added
length of the floorplate. Also are much more meat where there needs to be to handle forces from
the cartridge in the background.

Here is the product of 22 hours work wit only a drill motor, bits, hacksaw and files. I admit to using a Dremel and carbide bit to
hog out the recesses in the rear and front of the triggerguard frame. The frame has been reduced in width, squared to within 0.002" and
tapered from top to bottom. The floorplate has been cut for the front hinge boss, rear locking boss and the front recoil bar.
The front of the floorplate has been cut to begin the profiling of the metal. This has been sent to my gunsmith who will complete
the work. The walls of the floorplate will be reduced from 0.125" to 0.060", the rear to the same, the front will be milled out and the
floor reduced to 0.080" after deepening from the present 0.170", and the slots for the follower spring installed.
Right now it weighs about 4 ounces, when done roughly 1/2 that. The front hinge pin will be case hardened drill rod, 0.100" and the
rear lock will be an Allen Head capscrew. The entire assembly will be hardened once the triggerloop is welded on.

25 August 2003, 16:17
smallfryKeep chip'n away at it, I want to see pics when you are done.
Hand tools can get a guy pretty far.
25 August 2003, 16:31
craigsterNice work, Nitro. An excellent example of what time, patience and skill can do. I love examples of fine handwork. Be sure to share the finished product with us.
25 August 2003, 19:19
475GuyYou have posted this just at the right time. I've been bugging several gunsmiths about a deeper magazine or dropbox type for my Rugers and the general consensus is to restock in order to make it work. That's something I don't want to do as the Rugers have pretty good wood on them. Is this adaptable to Rugers in all the big bores? Any assistance with this would be greatly appreciated and thanks.
![[Roll Eyes]](images/icons/rolleyes.gif)
26 August 2003, 03:12
fla3006This looks like the magazine extensions on 425 Westley Richards and 500 Schulers. Keep up the good work!
26 August 2003, 06:23
Nitroman475 Guy,
I do not know what the set up is in Ruger rifles but I would hazard a guess that it could be done.
Now that I have done this, all I need is access to a TIG welder and some thin 4130 plate and I would be good to go. Unfortunately I do not see that in the near future.
The floorplate was originally machined by a fellow in Trinidad, Colorado. He is an engineer nearing retirement and wanted to get into machining work, he thinks it is fun. He took this on for a shop project. It will increase the depth of the current magazine by almost 0.700", I needed about 0.575" critical, anything over that was free. This means I can easily get three down and put the rim under the extractor on the fourth to slide into the chamber.
26 August 2003, 14:26
475GuyWell, OK, I guess I'm just SOL for now. If you can come up with something without my giving up my first born and an arm & a leg, please notifiy me. Thanks
![[Confused]](images/icons/confused.gif)