The toolroom machinist in me was pacing the floor like an expectant father during this one. But the back room fabricator in me learned more about not needing to know exact measurements all the time to make a working part. Though, I always expect to see a hair fire when that cigar goes behind the ear.....

Mark sez: "You gotta trust me". Dude, if I didn't EXPLICITLY trust you, I wouldn't bloody well BE here!! You can take THAT to the bank. Nice fix, too. Thanks, Mark.

As soon as removed the small drill bit and used the punch directly against the metal, I yelled at you" stop". Too late, it snapped. I have tried the same stunt myself. And it broke the part. Lesson to be learned, keep adding heat, and no sharp edges( punch point ). Cause it WILL, crease the metal and snap it. Love your "educational only videos". I wish you and yours, a very Merry Christmas, and Happy New year.

Immediately invoked Murphy's law by talking about the stress fracture !! As always a great experience watching what goes into saving these old firearms.

Our professions doesn’t seem to have so much in common. I have neither a two hundred years old piece of history job placed on our workbench nor the smell of gun oil that by a certain point is isn’t noticeable, to everybody else it still is.. I might not learn your trade, but I learn a lot from you as a craftsman. And if I didn’t learn that, I have at least learned what a polished hammer and a few taps can do. Brilliant channel!

Great video. Proves that you can hand make a viable replacement part with skill knowledge and patience. You don't need a machine shop in your basement to craft a replacement part.

Your ability to communicate what you are doing and how it works together is superb. Your patience is unmatched. Thanks for the opportunity to learn about this project.

Love it. The old Spanish pistols don't get enough attention, despite being everywhere in the antique gun market.

Mister Novak, my Father was a mechanic and His Father was a machinist so i learned from craftsmen, like Yourself, who actually repaired items instead of the remove and replace of today. I believe that even a dolt like myself can " fire the parts cannon " . Thank You for sharing Your time and efforts, Best Wishes to You and Your Family for the Holidays.

You can tell by watching how a man does things, most neophytes would have completed the cuts with the hacksaw, stress risers be damned, the remaining work would have been buzz sawed with a Dremel and called good. The Masters and Lords of the Vise, approach all lines with caution and do the finesse work with their faithful files, always working towards a goal and that goal being professional fit and function. Thank You again Master Novak, Well Done Sir !!!!!

I love watching you figure out ways to get the job done the right way!!! You may not use the fancy tools but you get the job done properly and safely

My very first handgun was one of these, i sold it off because of the cost of 9mm Largo, and because it was a stout recoiler too.

Always good to see you bring a firearm back from the boatman, Mark. Seeing you test fire it with a lit cigar behind your ear makes me smile. Thank you for the video.

Another important safety tip: a hot hammer looks exactly the same as a cold hammer.

Don't get discouraged be all the "experts" in the comments. Your content is helpful on both the specific firearm and general shop procedure. Glad to see someone is still interested in teaching the subject of gunsmithing; which is not the same as being the best machinist, or the best wood worker, etc... It's a balance of being skilled enough to work on the different materials of guns, ensuring they are mechanically safe, and running a business. Thanks Mark and have a good Christmas!

Thanks again Mr Novak we need more gunsmiths like you willing to teach amateurs like me trying to learn the trade.

Just a comment to keep the algorithm going. 👍🏻 Merry Christmas

That universal cigar holder is my favorite piece of kit you own!😅

Always a pleasure to listen to you explain your train of thought. Thanks!

I used to make alot of parts similiar to this one; I would machine them from solid pieces and avoid the bend. Mark, you did a very nice job with the bending technique.

You know Mark I've been watching you for almost four years you have been a gunsmith about the same length of time as I have I am about to be 57 and I can't count the times you have said grab a tool and start screwing up and eventually you will get paid for your screwups I agree because what we do is a dying art with all these winning little firearm haters so how about not shitting on the few folks who are still screwing up to replace us I don't know about you but the stream of apprentice coming through my door in Arkansas is mostly a joke and really not willing to sacrifice to learn a trade that in another ten years couldn't fix a damn mk three Enfield with a book

Tucks a a lit magic smoke emiter behind his ear and his hair does not catch fire. Thats how cool Mark is.

Enjoy these videos and always learn something. This shows why this type of gunsmith work cost what it does. It takes a lot of work and skill to manufacture parts by hand.

This stuff is all way over my head, but it's always fun and interesting watching you do it.

Watching this video...has been a pleasure. Thanks!

Appreciate it that you go through the difficult route just to show us what is happenning.

I love watching these because I get to watch someone else doing the kind of stuff I find myself doing alot in the garage, making something from base stock because it isn't available.

Well done sir! One of your more fabricating intellectual videos!

What a wonderful video. Showing us guys who are all thumbs and don’t know which is the business end of most tools how a skilled craftsman can make do. Thanks so much for the lesson.

Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your videos. Also, you're not alone, my eyes suuuck too.

Time to sit back and learn something. Cheers

Those things are beasts for sure. I recently worked on one here in Spain chambered in 32 ACP that was given to SS officers and stamped accordingly. The gun was built to scale and it was very comfortable to shoot. Surprisingly good machining as well.

You never cease to amaze me. Fantastic work! Merry Christmas brother. God Bless

Great work as usual, another old firearm back in action. You are the 24 hour Astro parts store. Fantastic.

To quote Mark "outstanding"

I just love watching you work! You are an inspiration to anyone who works with tools. Thanks

this is a great episode :)

Золотые руки! Марк привет с солнечного Норильска...

Nice job.....Thanks Mark...... Old F-4 Shoe🇺🇸

👍 thanks for sharing Mark! Much respect.

Mark, its not jank ass. Thats the kind of stuff my grandpa did and his stuff last for generations. No its the new fancy tools and stuff that hardly last is "jank ass".

Excellent video love to watch you work

Merry christmas mr Novak and team 🙂

Very cool thanks for sharing your talents fantastic job merry Christmas from Wisconsin

Many thanks and Merry Christmas, Mark !

I like the Magic smoke 😀

Beautiful work as always. If you don't have the broken part to work with and all you have is a picture of it, you can quickly mock it up with copper or brass sheet which serves as the pattern for the steel part.

Great video as always Mark. please keep them coming

There is a 24 hour Astra store!

Beautiful fabrication

Merry Christmas Mark and crew!!

Thank you Mark for another great video as usual. MARRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR To you and your family.

I have an Astra 400. Stout recoil is a nice way to say it kicks. Star line occasionally makes brass, but I’ve found .38 super brass works for reloads. Do not use .38 super loading data as the pressures will be too high for the frame. Thanks, Mark, for another great video.

Master class in awesome, thank you

another excellent video! Thank you SO much!

Thank you sir for another enjoyable and informative video it was a pleasure seeing you work six stars sir

Good stuff, as always

Thanks Mark and Bruno

Mark, RESPECT! 🫡

Voted for you to get your Gundie Award! Good luck and Merry Christmas!

That's certainly one way to keep your vise jaws flush on top...

The Astra 400's were always used as the 'bad guy' guns in old Mission Impossible TV shows. They DO kick pretty hard because they're just blow-back operated and for the power of the cartridge really should have either been locked breech or have a much heavier slide ala High Point.

You know when the blue shop towel diagrams come out we’re getting into some serious business

You are amazing, where do you get this stuff? Lol I love the stuff you show. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Bro.

The keepers of the old guns need these skills to endure.

I hope All have a Merry Christmas !!!

I have seen an idea on how to deal with small parts like these sheet metal bits. The guy was using green loctite to stick the one flat piece to the other flat piece. I havent had a chance to try it on a small fiddly job yet but I think it would be good to either stick it to stock to copy/trace around or to stick a temporary handle on the part.

You actually flex (articulate) the trigger and install from the top. If I remember correctly. There is a magic method not using a punch and hammer to install. Definitely a pain.

MMM... I love those "up in the sir" jobs where you have to guesstimate dimensions and relationships..... It's even more great when the client realises that pulling such rabbits out of the hat takes time, and time is money.

I was worried for a minute that the vertical disconnector finger would have come out short after putting the joggle in. Glad it worked out though.

Great video Mark. I learned a lot. Thanks. Edit: Did you have to harden the new part you made since it was heated and cooled more than once?

good work

Thanks Mark

Mark, was the new part blued afterwards, or left in the white?

Sure would love to see a NA-22 little "how in heck do you do that?" put together. Got one in a bag for years.

I dont plan on ever owning any of the equipment shown in these videos, why do I still feel like I'm winning in life when these rabbit holes show up?

Excellent

Brilliant 👍

What kinda cigars you like mark ill send you a box 😂

Another Great Video 💯💥💥💥💥💥💥💥

Awesome 👍🏼🤩

Thanks again

Bravo!

LOVE IT

One of the most dificult pistols to disamble

Pride runs deep!

CCM production line. (Carbon Controlled Mark)

I would like to have seen how you made the little dog leg for the sear release tab. I'm thinking a couple ways to create it.

If single fire is stout I wonder what full auto would feel like. Mark wouldn't take a chance; I don't blame him.

Hmmm ... How did you get your head to hold that cigar like that? ;) Great work! Merry Christmas!

Did you heat-treat after forging the part, to reduce mush / wear, or at least relieve stresses?

hey Mark would it be possible to get you to show how to tune mags and do a throat and polish some time?

I cussed for you when that part broke... dangit

You Sir, are a master! How do I get a hold of Sr. Agnellini? I am an Argentine living in North Dakota, we have very similar interests,

Very interesting! Measure twice cut once?

Hey, did you just wreck it on purpose for our education? That's pretty dope

What stell do you use,thank you Mark,greeting from chile.

Approached the problem like a educated individual and remember what was it as a rule I wrote a while back.. It's easier to take material off than it is to put it back.

Mark,was the original part formed hot or cold? Assuming in some form of pressing op? Thanks

I thought your hair might have been flaming up at the end but it settled down.