I am reworking a Yugo 24/47 bottom metal into a hinged floorplate, Arge type.Would plain 1020 cold rolled steel be robust enough for the catch or do I need something stiffer, maybe drill rod of some sort. Keeping in mind it has to take bluing. Suggestions please. Oh,I know this isn't practical, I'm doing it for the fun of it, buying custom bottom metal would be much easier.

quote:

Originally posted by LJRivard:
... I'm doing it for the fun of it, buying custom bottom metal would be much easier.

What fun would buying it be?

I'm making mine for my argie bottom metal out of mild steel.

Make it from plain bar stock, then get some "Kasenit No 1" and treat the lip of the catch when you are done. It will never wear out. I also treat the notch for the safety on the striker, the bolt handle root, and the rear of the bolt with this, then heat, quench and temper. If you polish and harden these areas, the function is much smoother and it will still funtion 100 years from now.

Roger

As it happens, I rescued a large container of Kasenit from the dumpster of a maintenence shop my company way closing a few years back. I will use cold rolled steel and harden the catch area. Thamks for the tip.