[velocitycnc]

Hi everyone!

Following my previous post of just the CAD model, I wanted to share some photos of my CNC machining a custom Springfield XD slide from scratch. I'm fortunate enough to have my own CNC in my home workshop; so I thought--why not! Such a shame there are no aftermarket Springfield XD custom slides available on the market (like there are for Glocks) -- but I guess then I wouldn't be as compelled to make one myself, right?!

I started off with a solid billet of 6061-T6 aluminum (just prototyping at this stage, the final slide will be in steel). The photo below shows my CNC's touch probe finding work offset zero to center 0,0 at the center of the workpiece.

First roughing operation with a 1/2" endmill hogging out the general underside shape and machining out the main cavity.

Below shows the 1st of 3 operations completed. It took around 6 different tools to mill out all the little cavities, slots and geometries.

My CNC's 4th axis rotary now pivots the work piece 90 degrees in order to machine the rear of the slide. This operation includes machining the firing pin retaining panel as well as drilling a deep 8mm hole for the firing pin and also a very precision tiny 1.7mm deep hole for the firing pin tip to enter the main firing chamber.

Sorry, I forgot to snap a photo of the muzzle end operation--where the CNC pivots -90 degrees to machine out the front hole for the barrel and recoil retaining hole.

Below after the entire underside operation has been completed. A quick test fit and my Springfield XD's lower slides on very smoothly. In all, it took around 13 different tools to machine these 3 operations with over 20 tool changes. I'm sure the process could be optimized but we're just prototyping at this stage--so it really doesn't matter.

NOW onto the topside operation (to be continued)! Please give me some feedback (good and bad) I want to hear it all!

 

[Guest]

Very cool!! Keep them coming...............

 

[tazo2503]

+1 on that!

 

[velocitycnc]

Thanks guys!

Just got through finishing the topside and final operations. Let me know what you guys/ladies think of the design (you won't hurt my feelings if you hate it--I'd like to know good or bad!)

Firstly, below is the design I drew in CAD which I'm trying to achieve.

The slide flipped over and mounted on a custom rail fixture I machined especially to hold it in place after the underside operation has been completed. At this point (continued from above) the entire underside has been completed.

A few shots of the CNC machining the top and sides.

Here's the freshly finished slide! The edges are rough after machining and will need to be bead blasted.

The finished prototype with my Springfield XD subcompact's lower slide on.

I hope you enjoyed the pics and like my design. Now I'm off to reverse engineer Springfield's extractor arm--which, as you may or may not know, is NOT available anywhere! what? Yeah, I search every website and even called up Springfield and apparently they do not sell extractors and have to custom fit every extractor with every slide! Kinda ridiculous for such a large company if you ask me... but I'm up for the challenge. I don't want to have to strip down a slide just to use the other one.

 

[tazo2503]

I'm an old school guy, so pic #6 is more my speed. Just the same, looking good man!

 

[Guest]

Nice stuff velocitycnc.....

 

[threetango]

Different and good looking slide.
Looking forward to the final edition pics.

 

[velocitycnc]

Thanks, everyone! I'll update you once I go to steel and begin range testing.

 

[Tremors]

Looking nice.

 

[omega-man]

I will take one for and XD 45, would like a custom slide set up like the one on Vortex's page. With the new Viper red dot and raised sights. If I can find some raised sights.

The viper is 1.06" width

 

[Newxdmod2]

Great work!! That is impressive. Have you found an extractor yet?