6/21/04 Talked with vendors and should have delivery dates this Fri. on shroud and plastic (long lead items)
6/29/04 Stock 12 week lead/Barrel handle and cocking handle 6 week lead Couple of days behind on shroud lead times will post ASAP.
7/29/04 Should have complete boltheads in about 4 weeks. Still getting quotes on shroud to keep costs in line. Rear sites and stocks tooling is in production.
10/14/04 Sorry once again for the delay in updates. The long lead items (shroud & plastic) are being tooled up now with delivery dates in approximately 8 weeks. I should have complete receivers by late December or early January. Everything is on schedule for late May delivery.
1/10/05 Should have shroud sample any day. Will run trunions and front and rear caps in the next few weeks. Currently working on a deal for receivers.
3/24/05 Got shroud sample today! Beautiful! This is the rough stamping but it's anything but rough! Will post pics ASAP. Next week they will have the vent slots laser cut. The trunions will be done next week. Front and rear "caps" will be started next week. Should have stock sample very soon. I am behind schedule most likely 3 to 6 months but now that the long lead items are done things will really start to move. Kittens are alive and multiplying! I appreciate your business. Let me know if you have any questions.
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6/01/05 Pictures of the trunions.
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7/19/05 The stamping house has been way behind on the shroud. I was told I would have a buy off by the first of the week. The stamping die has been done for a while as shown by the pics above. Problems with their laser has been the hold up. The bolthead, locking piece, and extractor are being done now (was quoted 8 weeks). The stock, cocking handle, and barrel handle are still in the works. Barrel blanks are in and should be ready in about 3 weeks. I apologize for the delays, but I am at the mercy of the vendors. I wish I could personally do all the awesome things they do, but I can't. Unlike other projects, this will happen and you ARE seeing progress--just slower than we hoped. Thank you for you continued support.
7/29/05 The stamping house came through as promised. I got a LASER cut shroud for buy off this Tuesday. No it's not a factory shroud (couldn't resist). Only a few minor corrections and I'll start banging them out. Notice the last three tabs compared to the others. That's right. . . perfect LASER welds! Which do you think I should use? Thank you for all the nice posts and continued support on this project!
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9/20/05 Sorry for the delays in updates. The vendors are behind as usual with all the normal excuses. Almost all parts have been reverse engineered and are being done. Hope to have pics and inventory of the carrier group in a few weeks. The big news is I should have the quote and delivery estimate early next week on the feed mech. This will be the indicator of when these MM23's will be ready to rock n roll! Your support and confidence in this project is greatly appreciated! Thanks,Mike
10/31/05 I apollogize for the lack of update again. There has been the normal internet BS starting to surface as happens to most projects. This will happen but is taking more time than expected. The hangup with the vendors is they themselves have had their own problems with equipment like the laser going down several times over the past few months. This puts projects behind and compound delays on other projects down the line. As stated from the start SW is making a few parts that only they can. If anyone has another source for HK style parts like boltheads and locking pieces that work plese let me know. Hence the same problems with vendors has delayed their .40 cal which delays the MM23E. Despite your opinion of SW they DO deliver even if late. The good news is the .40 cal. is done and all efforts are on my parts now. Things should come together at a more timely manner now. Thank you for your continued support and I am always available for you. Mike
12/08/05 Finally some good news. The stock mold is done and should have some buyoff samples next week. The cocking handle is done and will have parts over the next few weeks. Most all major parts are reverse engineered and ready to run but I will have them "push the button" in the order I want the parts to come. Here is the game plan. Front cap to the shroud with site housing. Then the trunion to the shroud. Next the rear cap to the shroud. Receiver next to the assembly and then the rails. Add the trimmings and it will be comming together nicely. Didn't forget the barrel. Will have a buyoff early next week and will post pics when I get it. Who wants an extra barrel or two! Let me know so I can cover all orders and spares. $695 with gun purchase. No money needed. Again, thanks to all the faithful for their orders and support. Your patience will pay off. The feed mech will be the last assembly produced but parts are being made along with other production. To all the naysayers have a happy holiday anyways. Thanks, Mike
1/20/06 Got the barrel sample for buy off and it looks good. Have cocking handle sample as well. Need to make some minor changes to the mold as you can see but still pretty nice. Also will be textured. Shroud caps are on the vendors machine now. This is a short up date but a good one. Here are the pics. Thanks, Mike
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4/11/06 Had a bomb dropped on me by one of the vendors. After reversing and quoting what I call the "gravy" parts they decided to "no bid" the feed mech. Was told all along the feed mech. was "no problem" and when it came down to rolling on the feed mech I got the "bomb". Never fear as I have teamed up with an old German retired guy that ran shops in all types of CNC/EDM/laser/stamping/swedging/casting etc. operations. The mech. is already in pieces and being quoted. We actually met and he went over how each part would be made. The "bomb" has been defused. There is definitly going to be a delay but better late than never. I honestly appologize for the original timeframe but that is what I was told. Still 2 years ahead of fellow gun business guys. It will happen and there have been parts and progress. I really do appreciate your business and continued support. I am always available to answer any ? and if you wish to cancel your order and get a refund I understand. Thanks,Mike
6/17/06 Been awhile on an update but here is what is happening now. Like I said in the last update, the feed mech. is in pieces and being reversed or drawn (machinist drawing or blueprint). The housing has been drawn and has taken several months and over 20 pages (different drawings) to complete. This company has the experience in all facets of the machineing world to make this happen. Click here to see a PDF* of the housing drawings (without dimensions of course). I think all concerned will be impressed. As always I appreciate your business and continued support. Mike
9/20/06 Working on an update right now. I need all depositors to email me with "MM23E depositor" for the subject. I want to have all current depositor email addys together so I can email you first with the updates before I post to the site. Thanks,Mike
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