Bringing a Glock 13 to life. My adventures in customizing

Para13ellum · May 13, 2020

Hello guys and gals. Thanks for tuning in. I’ve always felt that Glock was going the wrong direction with their newer models. Bigger grip, shorter slide. The way my fat ass conceals it leaves the grip exposed. (Three to four O’clock right hand side) I have good luck just covering a G19 without printing (too bad anyway) So I’ve been working on this project for the last few weeks and below are the results.

Introducing my Glock (B) 13

Para13ellum · May 13, 2020

Depending on the interest I can add my progress pictures. And detail my struggles deal with a poly80 gen3 lower and Glock 34 gen4 slide and guts. I’ll include parts list and whatnot if you guys wanna hear.

StuP · May 13, 2020

Bring it on...

Para13ellum · May 13, 2020

Roger that! Here we go:

Started with a Serialized (I know, I know) Poly80 full size Frame.
I measured the 19 compared to the 17 size frame and put it on the scroll saw. I probably should have used the dremel and a zits wheel.

Para13ellum · May 13, 2020

I wasn’t pleased with the cut. I used the pin holes to measure and they were slightly off. Not enough to distinguish when assembled but made a difference in my measurements.
So I jumped online and ordered a strike industries magwell.

Wasn’t long after the install of the magwell that I realized my colossal Fudge up.
The plan was to use the Lower parts kit off my Glock 34. Now, see, the problem is Gen4 guts in a Gen3 gun. So when I discovered this I again ordered more parts! I got a ZEV gen4 trigger and just slightly modified the bottom of the trigger group to slide down into the gen3 frame.
Then I noticed the slide on the gen 4 (well the dust cover/spring capture) was larger than a Gen3. So I sat down with a dremel and trimmed the frame out (nice and slowly) I fit the gen4 slide.

the included pic shows the finished (somewhat) product of the frame mods...

Para13ellum · May 13, 2020

The pic above (the top one) was my finished mock up.
So I took it out for a function test. Ran her like a scalded dog. Shot the piss out of her with every type of mag I had. I used my Korean extndos, I used my magpul 15 rounders, and of course factory G mags. She ran flawlessly.

The ZEV trigger was worth every penny of the $136 dollar price tag!

Para13ellum · May 13, 2020

Then it was time for disassembly So I could sandblast and paint. I was a big fan of the gray (I didn’t care, I knew it Cerakote it) but over time it grew on me.
So it got a layer of Gun Metal Gray Cerakote and a layer of matte clear.

this was the frame out of the oven

Para13ellum · May 13, 2020

There was a little problem welding the magwell. It is chemical based process. So I applied the compound and sculpted it into the frame. It looked wonderful. There was a gap in time to allow the process to cure. I ****ed up and only gave it 24 before I acetone and gassed out chemicals for the Cerakote. When the oven heated the compound to 180 for 30 minutes it expanded and bubbled. OH ****! I should have given it a week like I did with the original weld but my excitement after shooting it lit a fire right up under my split end.

I took it and tried the sculpt the magwell again with the swollen compound. I got as meticulous as I could with the finished product but you can see the imperfections. Bums me out, Oh bother...

Para13ellum · May 13, 2020

Well all things considered, imperfections and all, I’m thrilled with how it came out. As this will replace my every day carry. Shooting it impressed the dog **** out of me. So I will upload all my pics of the finished lead slinger.

Enjoy. Feel free to tear me apart or criticize!
Contact me for all your Cerakote needs! In Douglasville and a short turn around.