SpaceWelder Posted October 6, 2021 Report Share Posted October 6, 2021 (edited) This is my very worn and very trusty old lady beretta A301, a true warrior of reliability and as soulful as it is utilitarian. There is, however, one thing the Italians got wrong......and that is the dainty little charge handle on this gun. I am not a large handed chap, nor am I fussy with this sort of thing, but outside of the ideal warm summers day clay shoot, this charge handle leaves alot to be desired, and so, for those cold winter shoots with gloves covering numb and clumsy fingers, I decided to set about knocking up a SpaceWelder custom alternative! First ill need some suitable 300 series stainless steel knick knacks to knock on: This should do just fine (the wife is at work shhhhhhh everythings fine don't say things) needs.....more chopping.... I had some 304 stainless tube in the odds and **** bin, if you dont have any just use some noodles or hoola hoops (plain salted only or you'll cock up the weld) Welded together little inside big. The aim was to keep everything lightweight so the end result isnt much heavier than the original since the gas ports and recoil spring combination on guns like this are set with the overall weight of the bolt assembly in mind. Zip them together with my cutlery bits... Spit on them and rub them against jeans vigorously..... TADAAAA! Like magic.....except in total, when counting **** scratching and generally getting distracted every five minutes like a gold fish after too much sugar, this took....most of my damn day SO here is my beloved a301 with the original boring and dainty charge handle. And here she is with new shoes and red lipstick! (ok a bit dramatic, here she is with her nails done....) Much better! And as a bonus it doesn't try to pinch and slice my fingers against the receiver like the original did! I hope you enjoyed this spur of the moment 'Ive got a day off and im bored' project, if people like this sort of thing ill make a point of posting similar projects for your entertainment! Oh and yes I can hear you "WHY DID YOU MAKE THREEEEEEE OF THEM!?".....the answer to that is basically because there was enough knife..... Incidentally, anyone out there with an A300/A301/A302/A303 or any other compatible Beretta who would like one of these spare two bolt handles, I would happily oblige you for the price of postage alone since I havent the need for 3 of the bloody things. Thanks for reading, keep that trigger itch fed! SpaceWelder. Edited October 6, 2021 by SpaceWelder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogs Posted October 6, 2021 Report Share Posted October 6, 2021 Pmd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raw and wriggley Posted October 7, 2021 Report Share Posted October 7, 2021 Pmd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalkedUp Posted October 7, 2021 Report Share Posted October 7, 2021 I’m too late, but that looks great. Well done on your ingenuity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalkedUp Posted October 7, 2021 Report Share Posted October 7, 2021 Very enjoyable write up too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceWelder Posted October 7, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2021 1 hour ago, WalkedUp said: I’m too late, but that looks great. Well done on your ingenuity. Unfortunately they were both claimed WAY faster than I expected, nice to see theres so many of these older beretta's out there, never sell one! Its also vaguely possible i will make more of these at some point. 1 hour ago, WalkedUp said: Very enjoyable write up too. Thanks for the kind words, I know that if people are going to scroll through an entire post of my shenanigans I need to make it entertaining enough to get people through to the end! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted October 7, 2021 Report Share Posted October 7, 2021 I’m really not into that type of gun but found that a most interesting and entertaining read. Thanks for posting. Maybe more of your shenanigans in the future. OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceWelder Posted October 7, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2021 16 minutes ago, Old Boggy said: I’m really not into that type of gun but found that a most interesting and entertaining read. Thanks for posting. Maybe more of your shenanigans in the future. OB Thank you kindly good sir, I'm sure i'll be posting plenty about other actions in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted October 7, 2021 Report Share Posted October 7, 2021 A very entertaining read Spacewelder, but remind me not to let you repair any of my guns! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokersmith Posted October 7, 2021 Report Share Posted October 7, 2021 Top work 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted October 7, 2021 Report Share Posted October 7, 2021 Interesting and amusing. Good effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plink all day Posted October 7, 2021 Report Share Posted October 7, 2021 I’ve been looking for a replacement bolt handle for my 303 for exactly the same reason - I actually sliced my index finger open recently while trying to rack the bolt rapidly to clear a jammed cartridge. Would definitely be very interested if you do decide to knock up a few more!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Townie Posted October 7, 2021 Report Share Posted October 7, 2021 Enjoyed that. Thanks for posting. I worked in a sheet metal factory while at school many years ago and it amazed me what people could do with a bit of steel and lots of skill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceWelder Posted October 7, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2021 Thanks everyone for the encouragement, if there us enough interest I will design a version of this that's more refined and produce a batch, I would have to sell them tho as time is monkey.....or something..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted October 7, 2021 Report Share Posted October 7, 2021 Hello, excellent post, why SpaceWelder ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
222mark Posted October 7, 2021 Report Share Posted October 7, 2021 That's a gorgeous bit of TIG welding mate. My eyes aren't up to it any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted October 7, 2021 Report Share Posted October 7, 2021 17 minutes ago, 222mark said: That's a gorgeous bit of TIG welding mate. My eyes aren't up to it any more. Hello, same as , 20 years plus years in Engineering Welding Industry, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceWelder Posted October 7, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2021 2 hours ago, oldypigeonpopper said: Hello, excellent post, why SpaceWelder ? Kind of just popped into my nog as a username, welding in space would also be really cool because you wouldnt need any inert gases....and you could scream like a lunatic and nobody would know 2 hours ago, 222mark said: That's a gorgeous bit of TIG welding mate. My eyes aren't up to it any more. This makes me genuinely sad, I cannot imagine being unable to weld! Even worse, like most people, my eyes are also not getting better over time 😞 yikes Thanks for the compliment sir. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogs Posted October 10, 2021 Report Share Posted October 10, 2021 Got one of these sat morning in the post, had a test run this morning worked spot on and made all the difference can't fault it , when the missus goes out to the hairdressers next, ime going to set about the knives and forks and see what happens NOT ! Seriously it's OK , and made life a bit easier , which is all you can ask , so thanks again bud, pmd you 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raw and wriggley Posted October 15, 2021 Report Share Posted October 15, 2021 Got mine yesterday fitted perfectly will try it out this weekend 🤞looks good feels good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceWelder Posted October 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2021 Thanks lads, irony of ironies I've yet to try mine in the field so feedback is welcome, think i may hit the clay ground this week just to try it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berrettamatt Posted July 24, 2023 Report Share Posted July 24, 2023 Bit of a long shot but , did you make a batch snd still have any ? Or would you make more , I know this thread is 2 years old Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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