Flaring tool for handgun magazine wells
A tool for use in flaring a handgun magazine well includes a housing and an insert. The housing defines at least one contoured peripheral surface. The insert is engaged with the housing and defines at least one magazine release notch. The contoured peripheral surface is configured to shape a corresponding inner surface of the magazine well. The magazine release notch is configured to engage a magazine release mechanism within the magazine well.
1. A tool for use in flaring a handgun magazine well comprising:
a housing defining at least one contoured peripheral surface; and
an insert engaged with the housing, the insert defining at least one magazine release notch,
wherein the contoured peripheral surface is configured to shape a corresponding inner surface of the magazine well and the magazine release notch is configured to engage a magazine release mechanism within the magazine well.
2. The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the housing and the insert are separate components.
3. The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the housing defines a series of contiguously arranged contoured peripheral surfaces.
4. The tool according to claim 3 , wherein the series of contiguously arranged contoured peripheral surfaces is angled.
5. The tool according to claim 4 , wherein the angled surfaces define an angle of approximately 45° relative to a longitudinal axis of the magazine well.
6. The tool according to claim 1 further comprising:
an adjustment device operatively engaged with the insert and the housing, wherein the adjustment device is operable to move the housing relative to the insert.
7. The tool according to claim 6 , wherein the insert is slidably engaged within the housing and the adjustment device comprises:
a threaded shaft secured to the insert and extending through a bottom portion of the housing; and
an adjustment nut threadably engaged with the threaded shaft.
8. The tool according to claim 6 , wherein the housing further comprises a base portion, and the adjustment nut engages the base portion to move the housing towards the magazine well.
9. The tool according to claim 7 , wherein the base portion is a separate component secured to the bottom portion of the housing.
10. The tool according to claim 7 further comprising a stabilizing pin secured across the housing,
wherein the insert defines a longitudinal slot, and the stabilizing pin extends through the longitudinal slot.
11. The tool according to claim 1 further comprising at least one heating element disposed proximate the at least one contoured peripheral surface.
12. The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the insert defines a distal extension configured to abut a slide of the handgun before the at least one notch engages the magazine release mechanism.
13. The tool according to claim 1 further comprising a thermal barrier disposed between the insert and the housing.
14. The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one contoured peripheral surface defines an embossing feature.
15. A method of flaring the handgun magazine well of claim 1 comprising:
heating a proximal end portion of the magazine well until a material of the magazine well reaches its glass transition temperature;
placing the tool of claim 1 into the magazine well;
moving the insert and housing into the magazine well until the at least one contiguously arranged contoured peripheral surface abuts and plastically deforms a mating inner surface of the magazine well;
holding the tool in place for a predetermined period of time; and
removing the tool from the magazine well.
16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the step of moving the insert and the housing is manual.
17. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the proximal end portion of the magazine well is heated by external source.
18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the external source is oil.
19. A tool for use in flaring a handgun magazine well comprising:
a housing defining at least one contoured peripheral surface;
an insert slidably engaged within the housing; and
an adjustment device operatively engaged with the insert and the housing,
wherein the contoured peripheral surface is configured to shape a corresponding inner surface of the magazine well.
20. The tool according to claim 19 , wherein the insert defines an external geometry corresponding to an external geometry of a magazine configured to slide and lock within the magazine well.
21. The tool according to claim 19 , wherein the housing defines a series of contiguously arranged contoured peripheral surfaces.
22. A method of flaring the handgun magazine well of claim 19 comprising:
heating a proximal end portion of the magazine well until a material of the magazine well reaches its glass transition temperature;
placing the tool of claim 19 into the magazine well;
tightening the adjustment nut until the contiguously arranged contoured peripheral surfaces abut and plastically deform mating inner surfaces of the magazine well;
holding the tool in place for a predetermined period of time; and
loosening the adjustment nut to remove the tool from the magazine well.
23. A tool for use in flaring a handgun magazine well comprising:
a housing defining a series of contiguously arranged contoured peripheral surfaces and a base portion;
an insert slidably engaged within the housing; and
an adjustment device operatively engaged with the insert and the housing, the adjustment device comprising:
a threaded shaft secured to the insert and extending through a bottom portion of the housing; and
an adjustment nut threadably engaged with the threaded shaft,
wherein the adjustment nut engages the base portion to move the housing towards the magazine well, and the contoured peripheral surfaces are configured to shape corresponding inner surfaces of the magazine well.