Recommend some Smiths for Custom Milling...

Reverendpdp · February 12 2016 08:38:06 AM MST

I'm toying with the idea of adding, if it can be done, a MOS (Glock) system to my Witness Hunter. Would love to add an optic such as a RMR, Deltapoint or Romeo, but also want to have the option of removing it and going back to my iron sights. I like the removable plate Glock and I think M&P use to cover up the milled area. Can anyone here recommend an excellent smith that is able to do a project like this?

I'm also open to any ideas or advice about the project. The gun will be used for hunting, bowling pins and range time...

sqlbullet · February 12 2016 09:58:14 AM MST

Just dug out my Glock 20 SF and my Witness Match.

It would be really tight.

The MOS plate is 1.929" long. In order to reach that far without getting into the extractor pin you would have to machine all the way to the back of the slide. Your rear sight dovetail would be gone.

The Glock slide is 1.125" wide, while the Tanfoglio slides are .975" wide. It appears the MOS system covers the full width of the Glock slide, so it would hang over the edges of your slide.

Then comes the what I think will be the real problem. In order to get that width, you will have to mill a bunch off the top of the slide. Enough that I am certain you will get into the firing pin block and may break into the firing pin channel proper.

Is there a reason not to use the holes already drilled on both sides of the frame? This would provide a rigid, more traditional frame mounted, above slide rail that would open up a about any optic you want. And since the optic would be riding the slide, but above it, rugged and miniature are less critical. A weaver style base from EAA is only $88.00. I gotta think this is far cheaper than milling your Witness.

And, to be honest, it is probably better. Glock needed MOS since they can't frame mount into the polymer frame, and maintain zero. The poly will flex to much with that big mount torqueing on it.

DM1906 · February 12 2016 11:01:34 AM MST

As SQL pointed out, there isn't enough material available to fit it, and if there were, it still wouldn't fit due to dimensional factors. I suggest either a dovetail rail mount or, if you are seriously set on a more rigid solution, a rail can be milled into the slide. The milling option would offer the most stable platform and lowest bore axis departure, as well as keeping your original rear sight dovetail. The only drawback is, it will be permanent with no reasonable option to "hide" it. The versatility advantage is, every practical sight system will accommodate a rail system.

Blades · February 12 2016 12:28:52 PM MST

Check with Arnold Dew. He may be able to figure something out for you.

Reverendpdp · February 12 2016 12:55:14 PM MST

Quote from: sqlbullet on February 12 2016 09:58:14 AM MST
Just dug out my Glock 20 SF and my Witness Match.

It would be really tight.

The MOS plate is 1.929" long. In order to reach that far without getting into the extractor pin you would have to machine all the way to the back of the slide. Your rear sight dovetail would be gone.

The Glock slide is 1.125" wide, while the Tanfoglio slides are .975" wide. It appears the MOS system covers the full width of the Glock slide, so it would hang over the edges of your slide.

Then comes the what I think will be the real problem. In order to get that width, you will have to mill a bunch off the top of the slide. Enough that I am certain you will get into the firing pin block and may break into the firing pin channel proper.

Is there a reason not to use the holes already drilled on both sides of the frame? This would provide a rigid, more traditional frame mounted, above slide rail that would open up a about any optic you want. And since the optic would be riding the slide, but above it, rugged and miniature are less critical. A weaver style base from EAA is only $88.00. I gotta think this is far cheaper than milling your Witness.

And, to be honest, it is probably better. Glock needed MOS since they can't frame mount into the polymer frame, and maintain zero. The poly will flex to much with that big mount torqueing on it.

SQL and DM...
It doesn't have to be the length or width of the Glock.
Something like this?

Reverendpdp · February 12 2016 12:58:37 PM MST

The Deltapoint Pro has the ability to install a rear iron sight, which is a nice feature...

sqlbullet · February 12 2016 04:23:07 PM MST

Yes, you can definitely install a RMR sight on your Witness.

This is NOT the Glock MOS system though. This is just machining, drilling and tapping your slide for a specific RMR.

The beauty and advantage of the MOS system is instead of drilling your slide for the mount pattern of your RMR, you drill a plate that acts as the interface to the pre-drilled slide.

You could also engineer your own plate system for your Witness.

I responded they way I did because your question was specifically:

Quote from: Reverendpdp on February 12 2016 08:38:06 AM MST
I'm toying with the idea of adding...a MOS (Glock) system to my Witness Hunter.

To the amended question of "Can I install an RMR on my Witness?" the answer is an easy and resounding yes!

Reverendpdp · February 12 2016 08:46:38 PM MST

Quote from: sqlbullet on February 12 2016 04:23:07 PM MST
Yes, you can definitely install a RMR sight on your Witness.

This is NOT the Glock MOS system though. This is just machining, drilling and tapping your slide for a specific RMR.

The beauty and advantage of the MOS system is instead of drilling your slide for the mount pattern of your RMR, you drill a plate that acts as the interface to the pre-drilled slide.

You could also engineer your own plate system for your Witness.

I responded they way I did because your question was specifically:

Quote from: Reverendpdp on February 12 2016 08:38:06 AM MST
I'm toying with the idea of adding...a MOS (Glock) system to my Witness Hunter.

To the amended question of "Can I install an RMR on my Witness?" the answer is an easy and resounding yes!

Thanks SQL
Yes sorry, being a relative newbie, I'm still learning the terms and probably not asking the questions correctly. I guess what I'm looking for is the ability to remove the RMR if I desire, cover the milling with a plate that matches the slide (like the Glock MOS), and use my iron sights again...

sqlbullet · February 13 2016 09:02:33 AM MST

No apology needed, and please accept mine if I sounded douchey. Hard sometimes to convey nuance in a forum post. I was just defending why I responded how I did, not meaning to dig on you!

I think a Witness Hunter with an RMR is a formidable bush sidearm and am looking forward to see your finished product.

Reverendpdp · February 15 2016 11:31:31 AM MST

Any suggestions on a competent gunsmith that might want to take on this project? And that isn't backlogged for 2 years...

G40MOSHunter · February 17 2016 05:39:37 PM MST

Watching this thread, as I'm looking into milling a G20 for a MOS plate, and mounting. Delta Point Pro...

Reverendpdp · February 18 2016 12:51:33 PM MST

I visited a reputable smith today about milling my slide. He really tried to talk me out of it. He suggested building plate that will fit the existing dovetail. Even though this will raise the sight a little higher than I want, it would still be less bulkier than a frame mounted variety. He also recommended the Leupold Deltapoint Pro, with the added rear iron sight. So now I'm kinda leaning towards this option with an addition of a front iron sight that will co-witness with the optic.