P80 build tips and tricks

Oyster

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I was unable to find a thread on this here so I'm creating one. If its a duplicate then please delete.

Got my first P80 kit (glock) today. My first go at this so any tips and tricks appreciated. Watched several videos and read up on it.
I bought the Brownells kit with slide on sale. Plan is to go with stock parts with everything. Slide has the RMR cut but I'll cross that bridge later as far as optic.
I'm thinking dremel and files. Maybe avoiding the drill press end mill thing? I've also read where high speeds are a no no due to melting. If anyone can throw some tips it would be appreciated.

Once I figure out how to post pics I'll add to thread.
 
I'm waiting for the colors I want to come back in stock.

End mills and melting plastic comes from rubbing of the tool and not cutting.
 
Congrats on first p80 venture.

-I did NOT use that mill bit thingy magiggy. I used a dremel, which I am comfortable le with and was therefore confident I wouldn’t botch the frame.

*TIP* when you purchase the slide, it likely already has the plastic firing pin housing spacer tube thing inside. I did NOT know this. You can imagine my frustration trying to get the one that came with my parts kit in when it cracked from me bashing it to bits. Then ordered special punch and a new tube only to realize when going to install that the slide manufacturer courteously included one already! Duh.
 
Congrats on first p80 venture.

-I did NOT use that mill bit thingy magiggy. I used a dremel, which I am comfortable le with and was therefore confident I wouldn’t botch the frame.

*TIP* when you purchase the slide, it likely already has the plastic firing pin housing spacer tube thing inside. I did NOT know this. You can imagine my frustration trying to get the one that came with my parts kit in when it cracked from me bashing it to bits. Then ordered special punch and a new tube only to realize when going to install that the slide manufacturer courteously included one already! Duh.

Thanks. Didn't know that. I have the slide. Came with deal. I'll check it out
 
Get a pair of these.
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They'll make quick work of the frame tabs and leave only a small amount to file and sand. Just be careful with the longer front tabs if your cutters aren't as wide as the tab. Make sure you score the entire length of the tab before you bite it off. The only place I used the dremel was for the guide rod channel. Knocked out most of the material with a coarse sanding wheel and finished with a round file and then sandpaper wrapped around a dowel. Just take your time and don't get in a hurry and you'll be fine.
20190330_192101.jpg
 
So snip most of it off? I had read that but was skeptical?

Yes sir. Just make sure your cutters are nice and sharp. And again, take your time. Use the snips to score the taps first before you cut them off. Little bite before the big bite.
 
Congrats on first p80 venture.

-I did NOT use that mill bit thingy magiggy. I used a dremel, which I am comfortable le with and was therefore confident I wouldn’t botch the frame.

*TIP* when you purchase the slide, it likely already has the plastic firing pin housing spacer tube thing inside. I did NOT know this. You can imagine my frustration trying to get the one that came with my parts kit in when it cracked from me bashing it to bits. Then ordered special punch and a new tube only to realize when going to install that the slide manufacturer courteously included one already!
Duh.

My Brownell slide does not come with it installed. Looks Like I'm buying the tool as well..
 
My Brownell slide does not come with it installed. Looks Like I'm buying the tool as well..
You don't really need a tool for the striker channel liner, just something to push, a dowel, plastic pen body, anything rigid but not hard/sharp will do.
Rumor is the lonewolf liner is better/smoother than Glock.
 
Ordered the fret cutters and a couple other tools I needed. Will post pics once I start the process. Haven't ordered any parts yet. Still deciding which way I'll go. It's already fun and I haven't started yet :)
 
Ordered the fret cutters and a couple other tools I needed. Will post pics once I start the process. Haven't ordered any parts yet. Still deciding which way I'll go. It's already fun and I haven't started yet :)
I've done three builds now. The first two, I used my drill press and the end mill bits. They both came out fine, but I had a couple close calls where the bit caught and yanked the whole jig and frame out of my hand. Using the drill press is a little nerve racking... I'm not going to use it again...

On my third build, I used the snips and a dremel. This is the best way... And it's fast. Snip off the 4 hunks of polymer blocking the rails, drill a few holes, then dremel out the spring guide channel. You could do it all in 10 minutes, but if it's your first try, take your time. Don't rush it.

Also, if you think you might do this again, think about getting this kit... Its on clearance and it has all the tools you need. I ordered from this website and it showed up two days later. The sight pusher is crucial and you can use it on any handgun, not just glocks.

https://extreemtactical.com/vism-by-ncstar-vtgutk-ultimate-tool-kit-for-glock-handguns/
 
I've done three builds now. The first two, I used my drill press and the end mill bits. They both came out fine, but I had a couple close calls where the bit caught and yanked the whole jig and frame out of my hand. Using the drill press is a little nerve racking... I'm not going to use it again...

On my third build, I used the snips and a dremel. This is the best way... And it's fast. Snip off the 4 hunks of polymer blocking the rails, drill a few holes, then dremel out the spring guide channel. You could do it all in 10 minutes, but if it's your first try, take your time. Don't rush it.

Also, if you think you might do this again, think about getting this kit... Its on clearance and it has all the tools you need. I ordered from this website and it showed up two days later. The sight pusher is crucial and you can use it on any handgun, not just glocks.

https://extreemtactical.com/vism-by-ncstar-vtgutk-ultimate-tool-kit-for-glock-handguns/

I really like that kit! I think I have everything tool wise either coming or have on hand already. However I did swing into Harbor Freight today. Bought a cheap mini end cutter for $3. I've ground it down and filed it into a mini fret cutter to use on the guide rod channel. For 3 bucks I figured it wasn't much of a gamble. It should help me get a little more out before using the dremel.
 
At this point I wanna say thanks to those who posted some tips! I got the fret cutters and snipped and started the process. Super easy as they said. I got an audience of bud's so I stopped at this point. More suggestions than a undecided voter so I stopped.
My little nippers worked great. I'll post as I go. I know this ain't ground breaking. But some of us can use a basic platform of do's and dont's...
 
Got it drilled and mostly finished(P80 portion). Slide the rear slide from kit in. Doesn't seem to line up perfect? Can't slide my Glock pin tool through? Looks like the metal slide is just so slightly not lined up. According to one vid I watched they say slightly grind the hole in the rear slide to match. Picture following...
 
I remember I had the same issue with the rear pin. I just muscled it in. It was slightly deformed but I can still push it in and out with relative ease. Doesn't affect function at all.
 
Done three builds so far and did each one different. First one I used a milling machine. Last one used a Dremel tool. Milling machine is way more than needed. Dremel worked very well well me. Snips, Dremel cleanup, and wet sand also worked well and looked pretty.

I had issues with the slide cycling on the first build. Found that just the rails installed in the frame and nothing in the slide, I would polish the rails (file if necessary) till the slide would move back and forth using only gravity. This allowed the slide to cycle in the completed firearm when firing an ammo.

Yes you may need to push pins in because they are hard but after many times apart, they do get easier. (So far, not as easy as a factory Glock but close.)

Others have covered most of the other issues so will not repeat the same thing.
 
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Only reason I'm questioning the rear slide pin not lining up is from that Marine gun builder guy(video). His advice is to wallow the rear slide pin hole a touch instead of pounding it in. I haven't got my parts kit yet. Once I have it I'll go to town.
Next question- Barrels barrels barrels LOL . Probably going stock but damn! There are tons of choices.
 
I havent built any 80% so take for what it's worth.

Shars.com sells precision hole reamers very inexpensive. They are great for enlarging holes without wallowing.
 
I havent built any 80% so take for what it's worth.

Shars.com sells precision hole reamers very inexpensive. They are great for enlarging holes without wallowing.

I should probably clearify the wallowing thing. He doesn't wallow the entire hole. Just takes out the area that is in the way if that makes sense. Very little taken out.
 
Got it drilled and mostly finished(P80 portion). Slide the rear slide from kit in. Doesn't seem to line up perfect? Can't slide my Glock pin tool through? Looks like the metal slide is just so slightly not lined up. According to one vid I watched they say slightly grind the hole in the rear slide to match. Picture following...
That is a common issue. I use a dremel bit to true the hole up. It only needs a touch. P80 should do better than that.
 
Only reason I'm questioning the rear slide pin not lining up is from that Marine gun builder guy(video). His advice is to wallow the rear slide pin hole a touch instead of pounding it in. I haven't got my parts kit yet. Once I have it I'll go to town.
Next question- Barrels barrels barrels LOL . Probably going stock but damn! There are tons of choices.
Brownells is having a sale on theirs today. They are good quality and priced reasonably too.
 
Update. Had issues after assembly. The slide was so tight on the frame that you could hardly rack it. And it would stick in place. Tried removing rails and light sanding and polishing. Still a no go. Set a straight edge on it and sure enough the front rail was canted down in the back. So I called P80 and talked to a rep. The guy(Dan) is top notch! He told me to lay the frame rails down on a stone, and on front rail only, slowly grind some of the slope out.
He said if that didn't work they would replace it. After a little elbow grease it worked perfectly! So that's a good to know tip for this problem. No sights yet but I ran about 30 rounds through to check it out. Ran flawlessly.

For the record I didn't have a stone. So I used a flat surface and sandpaper. Started at 220 grit and finished at 2000 grit wet sand.
 
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