anybody know how to get a alofs conversion system?
Posted by Effective_You_5042@reddit | ForgottenWeapons | View on Reddit | 92 comments
Posted by Effective_You_5042@reddit | ForgottenWeapons | View on Reddit | 92 comments
SprawlWino@reddit
I reckon you could 3D-print pretty much the whole mechanism, minus the springs.
The_Dirty_Carl@reddit
I've been (slowly) working on doing exactly that, and I know of at least one other person designing one too.
Argonwolf65@reddit
Could I find this on the see for say.....an ati nomad?
SheepdogArms@reddit
Sulun Arms makes a shotgun that includes the Alofs. They call it the Auslof. I am bringing them to the US.
The_Dirty_Carl@reddit
Not to my knowledge at the moment, but I certainly don't know everything on that strange sea. If I ever finish mine (no guarantees, I'm not even at the hard part yet), it'll be for a 20ga H&R Topper Jr but should be adaptable to other 20ga by modifying the forestock.
Argonwolf65@reddit
Fuk. Gonna have to figure out cad so I can get my own in 12g
The_Dirty_Carl@reddit
If you do, please post about it!
For CAD software, I recommend Fusion 360 or OnShape. Both are free for non-commercial use and have good documentation, large userbases, and similar workflows well suited for functional designs (as opposed to something like Blender that's aimed more at art).
I'd start with some other projects to learn the software, but this is a good project. The scope is achievable, the scale is small (so iteration is quick), and the risk is low (you're not going to blow your hand off).
gentsuba@reddit
Don't know if someone mentioned this but Garethwashere made a very convincing double barrel model about this
He's a graphic designer who makes all sort of mechanical and firearms animation.
abelabb@reddit
Hey I’m willing to contribute to your project to make an Alofs as I also want one for my Iver Johnson. You should start a go fund me
The_Dirty_Carl@reddit
If I ever get around to finishing it I'll release everything for free. The catch is that right now I'm making it for a 20ga H&R Topper Jr because that's what I have at hand. I am hoping to rework it for a common 12ga after that though.
I made a note of your username and I'll do my best to notify you when (if) I finish the project.
In the meantime, I recommend subscribing to /r/fosscad . There's a good chance someone will beat me to the punch, and you'll probably find out about it there.
This is the other project I know of, but I'm sure there are others:
https://www.reddit.com/r/fosscad/comments/12yww7j/alof_break_action_repeater_conversion_system/
FlimsyBoard3128@reddit
Did you ever finish this?
Large-Welder304@reddit
What might lessen production costs, it to make one system that can feed all the common gauges. So say, something sized to fit 12 gauge, that could also feed 20 gauge and .410 (.410 might be kinda tough. It might require its own tube sizes, but it seems like 12 and 20 should at least be interchangeble. That should also work for 16 gauge).
This way, you're not having to create gauge specific tubes for each size of shell.
It's like receivers. You have a large size to fit 10 and 12 gauge. you have a medium size to fit 12,16 and 20 gauges and a small size to fit 20.28 and .410.
Sesu_Niisan@reddit
12 and 16 gauge already fit in the same tube. I used to have a 16 gauge remington that had a 12 gauge extension on it.
The_Dirty_Carl@reddit
It's an interesting idea, and for traditional manufacturing that would definitely be worth exploring. But since there will be no production line here, I think it makes more sense to target one gauge, get that working reliably, and fork/rework the design to have a separate one for each gauge. I don't foresee people making one of these with the intent of swapping it between different guns.
Basically I want to keep my R&D cost low, because otherwise I'll never get to something worth releasing.
For the tubes themselves, right now I'm using a length of PVC (1" I think) for the magazine and printing the "carrier" tube. The material costs are very low. The hardest part will be the springs, because I think the two follower springs at least need to be bespoke for them to interact properly.
Large-Welder304@reddit
I see where you want to go with this.
Very good. I like the PVC idea.
You might want to try a nut-and-bolt store (like Tacoma Screw) to source springs, if your local hardware store comes up short.
Good luck.
theskipper363@reddit
How do I set a bot to remind me to check up on you lol
SciFiSimp@reddit
Any update on this project?
The_Dirty_Carl@reddit
The 20ga is functioning, although I need to do some more live fire testing to make sure there aren't any surprises. And documentation of course. I'm planning to release everything I have by September at the latest, because that's the 100 year anniversary of Alofs' patent.
I'll add your username to the list of people I notify directly.
SaXaCaV@reddit
Notify me too! Been looking for years. They're so hard to track down.
The_Dirty_Carl@reddit
Heh, you won't have to wait as long:
https://www.reddit.com/r/fosscad/comments/1fbzr4r/carlofs_reloading_device_an_updated_3dprintable/
SaXaCaV@reddit
Dude you're awesome haha. I'm sick of missing real ones when they pop up.
SciFiSimp@reddit
That's awesome! Glad to hear things are progressing so well.
BillFromThaSwamp@reddit
If only there was a simple way to 3d print steel tubing...
Drtysouth205@reddit
It’s not pressure bearing. It’s just a tube mag feed system. Doesn’t need to be metal..
BillFromThaSwamp@reddit
My point is, it's jut tubes. You can buy metal tubing in almost any dimension. Seems pretty pointless to 3d print any of it.. what next 3d print a Sten gun?
KorianHUN@reddit
Man i LOVE how creative the printing guys are but holy hell some builder friends love making fun of them for reinventing the wheel sometimes. It is amazing how sometimes guys who know almost nothing about guns come up with incredibly good ideas to print.
Glad to see on those subs more and more builds use hybrid construction, since rails and spring guides can be replaced by factory made pipes and rods embedded into the printed parts. (This idea is what made Glock so famous.)
BigHardMephisto@reddit
Remember when the Germans copied the sten near the end of the war and instead of just using a pipe- they took a flat rectangle of steel, bent it into the shape of a pipe and welded it?
It reminds me of that.
KorianHUN@reddit
I'm pretty sure at that point the allies blew up the pipe factories. It might have been easier to make their own production line since pipes from elsewhere couldn't be sourced.
lord_foob@reddit
If it's cheaper then 130 dollars it's more effective to make a sten 3d printed if it even holds
Effective_You_5042@reddit (OP)
Probably, I’m gonna be a gunsmith so this’ll definitely be my first project. Since single barrel break actions have an external trigger you have to pull down I’m gonna see if I can design a double action trigger system for break action shotguns.
JurassicClark96@reddit
Recreating an antique firearm has next to no down sides. You get your prize possession, and you're saving a buck, and not at risk of damaging a historical artifact!
BigHardMephisto@reddit
still waiting for someone to bring back the Frommer Stop and Frommer Baby. Such nice looking handguns
Effective_You_5042@reddit (OP)
Yeah, since it’s already been done, it has been proven that it works so updating it will be good. Additionally, since it’s rare then recreating a modern version can earn a lot of money and give me a good boost in reputation.
joule_thief@reddit
It might be interesting to see if you can make it mag fed too in addition to the original.
Large-Welder304@reddit
What do you mean by "mag fed"?
The ALOFS basically attaches a self-loading magazine to a break action single shot shotgun.
By design, it is already "mag fed".
joule_thief@reddit
You know what I mean. A magazine, not a tube.
Large-Welder304@reddit
No, I'm really not.
A tube can be a magazine, ala Winchester Model 94, and pump or semi-auto shotgun, etc.
Do you mean clip fed?
joule_thief@reddit
Since we far along the damn pedantic trail, no, I mean an insertable magazine similar to a Saiga 12.
Large-Welder304@reddit
That's a clip, dude.
The-Aliens-are-comin@reddit
It’s quite clear that the other commenter means I’m the style of a detachable box magazine however I neglect to see how this would be possible for a single barrel, single shot shotgun unless they mean a two part Alof style system that attaches to the gun with the magazine tube connecting separately for quick and easy reloads.
Large-Welder304@reddit
You'd think it is, but without confirmation from him, it's not clear.
Originally, he called it "Mag fed".
That ALOFS is a magazine, but he also says it's not a tube, but it is a magazine.
When I inquired if he meant clip fed, he said no to that too, so what is he getting at?
The example he gave takes a clip, but it also takes a drum, so again, what is he getting at?
All of this could've been avoided, if he knew the proper term in the first place. He clearly doesn't.
However, your point on how adapting a magazine clip to the ALOFS wouldn't work, is correct.
Is that what he was getting at? Beats me. I still don't know what he's getting at by "Mag fed".
One-Strategy5717@reddit
Saiga's take detachable box magazines, not clips. You're trying to be pedantic, but instead you're simply wrong.
Large-Welder304@reddit
AFAIK, the regs say only 3 shots in a shotgun, for hunting, so when you make those repop ALOFS, you can save yourself a little time and $$$, but only creating one length of tube, then using two for each system.
The opening of the tubes would look at each other. The forward one would essentially be the magazine. The second tube would be the staged cartridge (kinda like the cartridge that would be sitting in the carrier under the bolt of a pump or semi-auto, ready to be loaded into the chamber), then the third cartridge would be the one sitting in the chamber.
gibson_creations@reddit
That'd be pretty cool. Maybe a loophole for our Canadian bretheren.
Effective_You_5042@reddit (OP)
Ye
bmorepirate@reddit
Iirc someone on fosscad or gunnitrust was working on one
SheepdogArms@reddit
I have some on the way. It has been a long process but they are finally coming to the US
Wonderful_Thing9701@reddit
Did anyone start this ?
Equivalent_Physics90@reddit
same wondering if its possible
saucent@reddit
I picked up a 16 gauge one at a gunshow this week for $75
Effective_You_5042@reddit (OP)
I’ll probably design a modern version of the alofs conversion system with the same functionality as the original in which you can attach it to any single barrel break action. It’ll be sold in America.
David_88888888@reddit
We will watch your career with great interest.
Effective_You_5042@reddit (OP)
I won’t let you down.
bmadd14@reddit
Did ya do it yet
joko2008@reddit
https://www.tacticalimports.ca/nonrestricted-firearms-c-1/auslof-p-717.html you could get one of these
LilNasXCanGetIt@reddit
I wish I knew
FrostyNegotiation934@reddit
It's not exactly complex, a hobbyist could certainly figure it out.
As theres nothing structurally stressed.... pvc, aluminum, epoxy and springs are about all that's needed.
hepafasifilaids@reddit
We can get them in Canada https://www.tacticalimports.ca/nonrestricted-firearms-c-1/auslof-p-717.html
Any-Bridge6953@reddit
Id love to see a modernized one of these. I think it would be neat.
long-dongathin@reddit
I want to see someone make an upscaled version for an m79 and a mirrored one for a double barrel
Maeng_Doom@reddit
Double barrel M79 sounds pretty gnarly.
JediViking117@reddit
Double barrel China Lake sounds cooler. A KSG China lake sounds even better than that
Maeng_Doom@reddit
I’m drooling. In a NFA free world I’d love to try making one.
RamenBoi86@reddit
An M79 with an Alofs honestly sounds cooler than a China lake
KorianHUN@reddit
I want to do it. First i need to build an M79, which i wanted to do already anyway.
(Want to add to my heavy weapon replicas to show off at reenactment events.)
Rolopig_24-24@reddit
Mirrored is ridiculously cool.
Its_Matt_03@reddit
They sell them in Canada, whole ass gun that has one. $399 CAD
Derringer373@reddit
Selling them new in Canada
Effective_You_5042@reddit (OP)
Yeah but it is on a shotgun. I want to design the system by itself that can attach to any single barrel break action shotgun.
Derringer373@reddit
Probably only a couple screws mounting it. May be possible to make a conversion plate to mount on any single action or drill and tap another single shot to mount it.
gnarly-skull@reddit
Tactical Imports in Canada has a modern production alofs but you have to buy the shotgun as well.
https://www.tacticalimports.ca/nonrestricted-firearms-c-1/auslof-p-717.html
nonzeroanswer@reddit
I was not expecting the price to be that reasonable.
Large-Welder304@reddit
If you think about it, you start off with a $99 shotgun and the rest is just tubes, springs and followers.
Banjo_Biker@reddit
It’s Turkish.
Large-Welder304@reddit
...interesting...
King_Burnside@reddit
How... to... import.. guns... from... Canada...
DAsInDerringer@reddit
Holy shit that’s actually VERY cool. It’s way too rare that we get good news about reproductions
caffrinated@reddit
I don't know why but I want one of these so badly.
abelabb@reddit
Me too
Effective_You_5042@reddit (OP)
Yeah I know buy I don’t live in Canada.
gnarly-skull@reddit
Assuming you're in the USA, I think you can import these. I don't think shotguns fall under your import bans, especially janky break actions.
Effective_You_5042@reddit (OP)
They don’t but I’d probably have to go to Canada to buy it then ship it to America.
gnarly-skull@reddit
There are brokers that will do that for you. Try irunguns.ca
Effective_You_5042@reddit (OP)
Really? Thank you.
ServoIIV@reddit
Import isn't banned but the cost for a single firearm is going to be steep. You need a Canadian firearm exporter who can get the approval, a US licensed importer to do the US paperwork and engrave the appropriate import markings, and a shipping company that is familiar with the paperwork. The cost of doing a whole container of firearms vs a single firearm is not that different as it's all the same paperwork, so it's not financially viable unless it's something you absolutely have to have and it doesn't exist in the US.
Large-Welder304@reddit
well first you need a time machine.....
Xdust4@reddit
Came here to tell you about the Turkish one as well. I have one and have been pleasantly surprised by its quality. Only complaint are the full length magazine tube is the only option and the finish isn’t quite as well done as I had hoped. Shockingly fast to use and acutely a pretty handy gun. Thought it would be awkward to handle but the big tube doesn’t get in the way how you think it will.
ErikThorvald@reddit
get some sheet metal and start filing.
DAsInDerringer@reddit
I think someone on r/FossCad is working on one
Extra_Tax@reddit
Raise your Luck Stat to 10
Toridog1@reddit
There’s a Turkish company called Sulun Arms that makes a modern version for the Australian market called the Auslof, they import to Canada as well
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