Tin Man AR15 handle frames available through MAKO Spearguns

[MAKO Spearguns]

Dear Spearos,

In anticipation of the release of our Fully Enclosed Track Hybrid, we are now offering the “Tin Man AR15 Aluminum Handle Frames” for the Do It Yourself gun builders.

As many know, The Bayou Design Team, consisting of renowned builders/designers, Chad Morris (aka Griswold) and Jeff DeRocher (aka Tin Man) is known for innovative designs and quality of workmanship.

In cooperation with Chad and Jeff, MAKO Spearguns is a assuming the duties of manufacturing, sales and service, while the guys from the Bayou Design Team continue to develop, and test new and innovative designs.

So, in addition to the “Tin Man Pinch Weights” and our “Enclosed Track Railgun”, MAKO Spearguns is very excited to offer yet another quality product and we look forward to the next one…..”The Fully Enclosed Track Hybrid” which will of course feature the “Tin Man AR15 Handle Frame”

Machined from a solid block of aluminum, the Tin Man AR15 handle frame is designed to accept a wide variety of AR15 grips such as the Hogue grips and Midway USA grips, as well as all common trigger mechs and 1/8” push rods.

This design takes advantage of the inherent geometric strength of the military M-16 / AR-15 assault rifle design. Once the grip is fastened to the frame with a ¼” stainless steel bolt, the bulk of the gun recoil forces are carried by the handle/frame interface.

Another advantage of this design is the ability to easily remove the AR15 grip from the gun, thus allowing the gun to fit easily in a travel tube. You do not have to remove the screws from the wood stock in order to reduce the profile of the gun during transport.

Please take a moment to look at the photos below. For additional information and specifications on the “Tin Man AR15 Handle Frame” and an assortment of Hogue and Midway USA grips, please visit our website at

http://makospearguns.com/results.php?category=11

Thanks guys for taking time to read this.

And thanks Chad and Jeff for entrusting MAKO Spearguns.

Dive Safe,
Dano


http://www.spearboard.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=149149&stc=1&d=1303495098


http://www.spearboard.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=149150&stc=1&d=1303495098
http://www.spearboard.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=149151&stc=1&d=1303495098

http://www.spearboard.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=149152&stc=1&d=1303495098http://www.spearboard.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=149157&stc=1&d=1303504375

[Griswold]

We are very happy that these frames are being offered through Mako at a lower price than what we had to charge previously when making them in small batches.

[cww180]

Any plans to offer others such as the Strikeforce?

[KCArborist]

It's my understanding that this handle can be used in place of the stock Wong hand on my magi, is that correct? I did read that a couple of the screws may not line up properly though...is this something that is easily corrected? If so how do you go about doing so?

If it's no big deal Im stoked to be ordering one.

[Bill McIntyre]

It's my understanding that this handle can be used in place of the stock Wong hand on my magi, is that correct? I did read that a couple of the screws may not line up properly though...is this something that is easily corrected? If so how do you go about doing so?

If it's no big deal Im stoked to be ordering one.

Wong uses #6 screws. Tin Man uses #8 screws.

The rear screws on the Wong go in at an angle. The rear screws on Tin Man go in straight (because you can put them in before there is a handle in the way).

So you may need to enlarge the front pilot hole just a little. I don't think I did though. For the rear screws, you will need to drill new pilot holes. I don't know whether its really necessary, but I filled the old holes with sections of toothpicks and super glue.

[Tin Man]

Any plans to offer others such as the Strikeforce?

Possibly. If there are particular grips that anyone is interested in, please drop Dano a line.


Bill summed up the differences with the screws pretty well. Other than those minor differences, the handle should fit the Wong guns.

[Tin Man]

Here they are on youtube:

http://youtu.be/GNqM5RNXMDA

http://youtu.be/xXr32YnPAUM

[JMurphy]

What's the ETA when the hybrid will be for sale??

[Griswold]

I don't want to give you a date and be wrong, but I can tell you that we are working very hard on getting it out. I keep learning again and again, that nothing is easy in this process. Every little detail can and somehow does create an issue that must be worked through.

[JMurphy]

Okay thanks, much appreciated. It looks like it'll be worth the wait!

[MAKO Spearguns]

In addition to offering the solid aluminum Tin Man AR15 handle frames for the Do It Yourself gun builder, we are also offering the trigger/push rod assembly for mid handle guns.



The 3/16" thick trigger and 1/8" diameter pushrod are both made of 316 stainless steel.
The trigger is positioned 15" from the rear end of the pushrod, to accomodate mid-handle guns with the handle placed well forward. Just cut it as short as required to suit your needs.
The front of the pushrod can also be trimmed shorter if desired, to position the trigger further forward in the frame if desired for your perfect trigger placement.
When used in combination with the AR-15 handle frame, the trigger / pushrod is contained by the frame so that the only required wood cuts are the pushrod slot to the mechanism, and a shallow relief to provide clearance for the top of the trigger to slide. All the precision fits are built into the handle, making installation a snap for the home builder.
http://makospearguns.com/cw/assets/images/products/standard/mar15sh_dtl3.jpg




http://makospearguns.com/details.php?prodId=339&category=11 (http://makospearguns.com/details.php?prodId=339&category=11)


http://www.spearboard.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=150407&stc=1&d=1305081143

[RumbleFish]

I mounted the Tin Man AR-15 Handle and Houge grip on my Wong GR-55 and I love it. I did have to grind out a bit on the handle for it to fit over a pushrod brace with my dremel then drilled pilot holes and use larger screws as Bill pointed out.
I do have a problem that Im not sure what to make of. Does anyone else have any problems with galvanic corrosion due to the dissimilar metals used. IE: Aluminum Handle and Stainless Steel screws?
I keep all my gear and guns rinsed off with fresh water immediately after each and every use but there always seems to be some galvanic corrosion on the handle. :scratch:

[cww180]

Looks good!

[Tin Man]

Is it the lighting, or is that a bare aluminum frame without the black anodizing? You certainly can minimize galvanic corrosion around the stainless screws, but it's much worse if the protective anodizing isn't there.

Sorry to hear you had to modify the pushrod retainer pocket. I tried my best to cover all the different measurements that people gave me for the location, but . . .

[RumbleFish]

Is it the lighting, or is that a bare aluminum frame without the black anodizing? You certainly can minimal galvanic corrosion around the stainless screws, but it's much worse if the protective anodizing isn't there.

Sorry to hear you had to modify the pushrod retainer pocket. I tried my best to cover all the different measurements that people gave me for the location, but . . .

Hey Jeff,
Correct, it is the bare aluminum frame. I chose this over the black anodized version because I do alot of aspetto dives and am constantly on the bottom..so I figured the black anodizing would just get all scratched up. It originally had the glass bead finish so I sanded it smooth to make it easier to keep clean.
No worries about the pushrod mod...Im sure Daryl doesnt put them all exactly in the same place each time anyways. I would still recomend this handle frame to anyone. I love it.
the galvanic corrosion is a pia, but I guess I can deal with it...

[Tin Man]

Thanks for the feedback Brian.

This handle was one of a small batch of 5 uncoated handles that I made a while back. All the rest I made were anodized black, and Mako only offers them with the black hard anodized coating.

One of the advantages of the black anodized coating is that the aluminum oxide is an electrical insulator, so it provides a bit of a barrier between the stainless screw and the aluminum frame. That breaks the electrical circuit that is necessary for galvanic corrosion.

There isn't much you can do about the minimal contact betwen the handle and the trigger, but you can minimize the contact with the screws by adding some sort of electrical insulation under the head of the screw. A thin plastic washer, a bit of epoxy or paint, etc.

[Tin Man]

They are anodized. Mine didn't have the mil-spec anodizing that Mako's new handles have, because I didn't learn about that until later, but they are anodized.

As I have always said, if you are unsatisfied for any reason, I will completely refund your money and pay return shipping. No questions asked.

[Phil K]

Just curious, why doesn't the galvanic corrosion happen with the Alexander handles, which are also aluminum? I've had one for years and never had a problem...

[Griswold]

It is a problem with this ONE particular handle because is not anodized. When the aluminum and stainless (2 dissimilar metals) contact each other, you get galvanic corrosion. The anodizing prevents that direct contact.

The handles that Mako sells are anodized (as are the Alexander handles), thus there should not be a problem with them.