Matrix Precision 80% P229 build

[5pins]

I’m not really into 80% frame builds but I was given an 80% Sig 229 frame and thought it may make for an interesting project. I watch some YouTube videos and people were using jigs and tools from Matrix Precision. When I went to their website and saw the prices I decided this was not the route for me. If one were to buy a frame and all the tools necessary form them the price is $633, not including all the parts. That’s a lot of money to stay off a “list” that I’m already on.

Luckily for me I have access to a milling machine and just enough knowledge to hurt myself. The first question was how to secure the frame for milling. I keep trying to think up different ways then I notice something. The top of the pistol and the mag well looked square and parallel to each other. It turns out my suspicion was correct so I should be able to clamp it in the vice over parallels. The flat area on the grip handle should be enough to set it on the parallels if I cross over the bottom grip screw hole. I thought I may have to figure out some way to support the dust cover because it wasn’t on the same level as the grip flats but once I clamped it in the vice it was more than secure enough.


I made sure the front portion of the dust cover was sticking out of the vice jaws so I could use an edge finder on the top of the frame. The guide sheet form Matrix recommends a rail cut of .120 to .124 inches wide starting .114 to .116 from the top. It doesn’t give a depth. I had an 1/8 (.125) end mill already so I decide it was close enough. Some of you may notice I used a drill chuck to hold the end mill. I know its not the correct way but its all I had and it seemed to work fine. In fact my West German P229 rail cut is larger than that. I also measured the depth of the cuts to give me some idea on how deep to go. They state in the guide that the dimensions are approximate and they are right. Using the 1/8 cut the rail just wide enough to allow the slide to fit. If I had of went any smaller it wouldn’t have worked. I ended up going .13 inches deep and the slide is extremely tight with no play at all. In fact it may be too tight.

After cutting the rails I then used the edge finder on the front and top of the frame and used the recommended measurements for the trigger and disassembly latch holes. The recommended hole size for the disassembly latch was .354. I started with a center drill bit and then moved up in size until ending with a 9mm drill bit. The latch dropped in perfectly. The recommended size for the trigger hole was .177 inches. I started with a center drill on this one also but went straight to the .177 bit afterword. I ended up going to a .182 bit before the trigger pin would fit. Lastly came the hammer strut pin hole. I set the frame on the mag well in the vice. I started with an end mill, because of the curve inside, so the drill bit wouldn’t walk. The recommended hole size was .390 inches but I stopped short of that and finished with the end mill for the hammer strut clearance. I could have probably have done the whole thing with the end mill in the first place.
It assembled pretty well although a little tight. The ergo grip doesn’t fit right and the slide stop isn’t working correctly. I haven’t had a chance to shoot it yet but hope to in the next day or so. Once I’m happy its working I will more than likely Cerakote it.


Videos at the bottom for the ones that like to watch amateur machining.

[5pins]

First 10 rounds, five yards.

[5pins]

I decided to go with KG Kote instead of Cerakote this time. I went with Magpul OD green. I got the slide stop working properly but for some reason, the grips won't go on right. The two piece grips on my other 229 fit just fine so go figure.



15 rounds after the paint job, 10 yards.

[5pins]

Apparently, the grip screw holes on the frame are not quite in spec with the one piece ergo grips. The two peace grips have enough slop in them allowing them to fit. A minute or two with a Dremel on the inside of the grip fixed them.

Fifty rounds of Speer 124gr Gold Dot +P at 10 yards.

[JDM]

Very, very cool.

[5pins]

I decided to run this pistol through the 2000 round challenge. After shooting the first 15 rounds, post coating, I gave it a cleaning and lube job and started the test. The last 130 rounds were different types and shot at 10 yards into 10 shot groups. The Tula did surprisingly well. Either the ammo is that good or my meth high was at its peak, I’m not sure which.

[5pins]

I just hit 1000 (1024) rounds today with a 250 round blasting spree. I shot 250 rounds of a hot handload with a 124gr XTP bullet in about a 20 min time period. I get about 1200fps out of my Glock 19. The pistol is working well and has not had any malfunctions. The other 774 rounds consisted of a bunch of different types of factory ammo. The pistol is very dry but not a dirty as I thought it would be. The magazine catch was a little stiff when I started and I was hoping it would loosen up, but it's just getting stiffer. The slide to frame is still very tight and very little wear on the rails. the last mag (13 rounds) was shot slow fire at 10 yards.




237 rounds 10 yards.

[5pins]

I finished the 2000 rounds on my Matrix Precision 80% P229 and for the most part, it did pretty well.

I used several different types of ammo, pretty much what ever I could get my hands on. For a total of 2000 exactly. I had a failed to feed at 1184 with Perfecta 115gr. At this point, the gun was completely dry and getting pretty gritty. The Perfeta ammo is pretty weak and was also giving me failure to lock the slide back. This issue came back when shooting Blazer Brass later on. Which brings us to the next stoppage. Failure to eject at 1606. The Blazer Brass was also giving me issues with the slide not locking back. I really think if I had been using better ammo I would not have had any problems at all.

The pistol was very dirty but not as bad as I expected. Post cleaning inspection showed where the KG Kote had rubbed off, mostly on the rails. I think I'm going to repaint with Cerakote this time.

[Super77]

Awesome project and I'm really impressed with how well it worked out. I have a P228 parts kite and I'm trying to justify getting the full 80% frame with jig but it's pricey. Any thought to oversizing the frame rails to have a little tighter fit?

[5pins]

Awesome project and I'm really impressed with how well it worked out. I have a P228 parts kite and I'm trying to justify getting the full 80% frame with jig but it's pricey. Any thought to oversizing the frame rails to have a little tighter fit?

This was basically free for me otherwise I wouldn't have done it. I cut the rails very tight, by luck not because I planned on it. I still have no play at all with the slide frame fit. IIRC Matrix Precision says it needs some play in order for it to function properly but mine worked great.

I really wish I could find a Beretta 92 80% frame, that would be cool.