Matrix 80% sig

[Cuda440]

So I ordered the frame, 228 parts kit, rail cutter, and drilling jig on sunday morning. On tuesday I received the shipping notification and it was delivered today.

Everything was packaged well and looks great, so I decided to get to work. The rail cutter works amazing, even hand cranking I was done in roughly an hour.

This is where I hit a little catch- When you tighten the frame to the cutter carriage, just snug it barely past finger tight.

I didn't do that. I used a t-handle allen wrench and tightened it with wrist strength to what I figured was reasonable for a 1/4-20 bolt. This causes the frame to distort slightly between the front and rear sections of rail, and when the frame is removed the rail sections are slightly misaligned.

The slide will fit perfect 70% of the way on, then get tight when it hits the rear rail section. I even noticed the same symptom in Mosinvirus' youtube video.

A little careful work with some jewelers files trued up the rails and took care of the issue so the slide is now as smooth as oiled ice, but I figured I would pass along what I learned.

Currently the frame is in the drilling jig, with two holes drilled and my dead drill battery on the charger. I'll be updating with any new info and possibly pics tomorrow

[Euphoria526]

Lets see some pics!!!

[nuggethunter]

Yeah, not much there,to tighten against. Hope you can,hand fit it OK

[Cuda440]

Only pics I have from yesterday, I'll grab a few more this afternoon. Other than waiting on my order of mags and the frame paint, I'm expecting to be done with it today

[pklin1297]

How many passes did you end up cutting? I watched I think Germz's rail cutting video and he did 16, but I needed 17 for the slide to start on the frame. Probably could've gone another 1/4 turn to lessen the stone work.

I noticed the same thing you did similar to the torquing of the frame, but I did finger tight... The front and rear sections of the rails on mine were pretty straight, however, I noticed that the rear groove width, and the front groove width were a little off, even though the depth of groove cut was the same, which make the slide stick a little when traveling to the rear (maybe the rear of my frame is wider somehow). Regardless, a little stone work and it is fine now... This is now THE Sig with the tightest slide to frame fit I've ever owned... Fun project this is, and far less work required than 1911s.

[nuggethunter]

Once thing notice, sounds like you may be as well.....dust cover is very thin, possibly diflecting. I cut my final cut a few times because I shimmed my frame up instead of final filing to width. Seemed like I may have skinned a little more off second time thru.

[Cuda440]

Honestly I didn't even keep track of how many passes it took. I even forgot my dial calipers at work so I couldn't even measure as I went. When it started to get close I just checked the slide fit before each cut, the last two cuts I did 1/8 of a turn.

Then I just cleaned the frame up, ran the slide back and forth a few times, then looked for the signs of where it was rubbing. A bright flashlight helps sight along the spaces between the rails to determine where it was tight as well.

Some careful work with some jewelers files (actually a cheap set from HF but they worked great) and I had the fit exactly how I want.

It feels like there's around .003"-.005" of clearance in the rails which should be enough to satisfy accuracy and reliability, and the slide is extremely smooth in all positions, tilting the frame 10-15 degrees is enough to make it slide right off and it doesn't even have any lube on it yet.

[Cuda440]

side note- I was just looking through the rest of the parts kit and noticed I got a set of trijicon night sights-slightly dim but still glowing

[pklin1297]

I got the night sights also, slightly dim as well. Since these were reclaimed government issue, I would think they all had night sights... No sense saving money when you're spending tax payer "contributions"...

So many possibilities... I'm considering a P229 upper on one frame, and P226 on another in addition to my current P228. For the P226 we'll have to wait for a new drill jig from Matrix though, but I hear they're working on it.

[nuggethunter]

Requested an update on the P226 drill jig, should be up today.

Locking block is longer so there is some hand fitting on all the frames that have already shipped due to longer locking block. I don't think they anticipated so much 226 interest.

Future frames will have clearance, but he was able to hand file to fit it

[vlady]

The 226 jig is up

[Jon Road King]

Got a website link?

[nuggethunter]

http://www.matrixprecisionparts.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=93

[pklin1297]

I think I'll hold off on the P226 jig until I finish the other builds... You'd think I was collecting jigs rather than using them for builds if you saw my 80% tool box...

Just got an email saying my 80% Glock frame has shipped... Oh the sickness...

This is my tool box that's dedicated to various jigs, files, stones, power tools, oils/solvents used for pistol builds... It's almost completely full and I can't even fit my Matrix jigs in it...

[vlady]

I hear that pklin