Request for Howa parts

[Wapiti]

Does anyone know of an accessory manufacturer who makes magazine followers for Howas to replace the plastic ones that come out with them now?
I think this one is the short action, it's a 243 Win.

Not the end of the world, but having been used to every other make of rifle I know of or had, has a steel one.

A mate bought a few Meoptas from The Barn, Optika 5 and 6 models (Last of the european-made ones) to stash and has donated at 2-10x42 to me for a torture test and to replace the awful ZeroTech 1-8x I thought I would try.
When swapping it over I saw that cheaply made follower and it is a shame, the rest of the rifle is all steel, and the plastic follower just bugs me. Yeah I know it works.
One thing I did immediately notice was that the Optika 5 is such a clearer and brighter scope that the Chinese Zerotech. And, unlike the ZT, it has absolutely no parralax distortion. Oh well, live and learn.

I'm not too optimistic here, but thought someone who likes to upgrade guns might know of a supplier.

[TuskerOrd]

Hey Wapati, PTG makes a blued steel option for Howa 1500

[bigrich]

Does anyone know of an accessory manufacturer who makes magazine followers for Howas to replace the plastic ones that come out with them now?
I think this one is the short action, it's a 243 Win.

Not the end of the world, but having been used to every other make of rifle I know of or had, has a steel one.

A mate bought a few Meoptas from The Barn, Optika 5 and 6 models (Last of the european-made ones) to stash and has donated at 2-10x42 to me for a torture test and to replace the awful ZeroTech 1-8x I thought I would try.
When swapping it over I saw that cheaply made follower and it is a shame, the rest of the rifle is all steel, and the plastic follower just bugs me. Yeah I know it works.
One thing I did immediately notice was that the Optika 5 is such a clearer and brighter scope that the Chinese Zerotech. And, unlike the ZT, it has absolutely no parralax distortion. Oh well, live and learn.

I'm not too optimistic here, but thought someone who likes to upgrade guns might know of a supplier.

CMC mountaineers are a early howa and have a steel follower , keep your eyes out for used parts . ring the barn maybe , they often sell second hand rifle parts . maybe put out a want add on gun sales sites . or as suggested, buy a US aftermarket part . cheers

[Wapiti]

Thanks fellas. I've scoured the net,
TuskerOrd I did find a PTG one in the US, but it was a "single shot" one designed so you could throw a loose round on the top for range shooting. Not what I was after, I'll look deeper though, thanks. Maybe I missed the standard mag-feed type they make.

I have made custom steel triggerguards before, one for a mauser in the custom shape, and one for a Howa mini which was the easiest (no hinged floorplate to make) and a 308 action, this is very time consuming but quite simple so might have a go making one.
And a magazine housing for a Brno .22, after the cheapie factory plastic one cracked, as they usually do.

The tiny cut slots in the small tabs that accept and hold the W spring are the fiddly part in making a follower.
Plastic is unacceptable I reckon. People might wonder why bother?

A mate down the road recently bought a Ziess scope, 3-12x56. Made in Japan !! Nice to look through, but the plastic scope cap on the windage adjustment turret cracked and won't stay on. Why plastic and not aluminium if weight is to be saved?

[Makerboi]

Does anyone know of an accessory manufacturer who makes magazine followers for Howas to replace the plastic ones that come out with them now?
I think this one is the short action, it's a 243 Win.

Not the end of the world, but having been used to every other make of rifle I know of or had, has a steel one.

A mate bought a few Meoptas from The Barn, Optika 5 and 6 models (Last of the european-made ones) to stash and has donated at 2-10x42 to me for a torture test and to replace the awful ZeroTech 1-8x I thought I would try.
When swapping it over I saw that cheaply made follower and it is a shame, the rest of the rifle is all steel, and the plastic follower just bugs me. Yeah I know it works.
One thing I did immediately notice was that the Optika 5 is such a clearer and brighter scope that the Chinese Zerotech. And, unlike the ZT, it has absolutely no parralax distortion. Oh well, live and learn.

I'm not too optimistic here, but thought someone who likes to upgrade guns might know of a supplier.

If you can send me one I can see if I can stamp a steel one for you if like.

[Wapiti]

Does anyone know of an accessory manufacturer who makes magazine followers for Howas to replace the plastic ones that come out with them now?
I think this one is the short action, it's a 243 Win.

Not the end of the world, but having been used to every other make of rifle I know of or had, has a steel one.

A mate bought a few Meoptas from The Barn, Optika 5 and 6 models (Last of the european-made ones) to stash and has donated at 2-10x42 to me for a torture test and to replace the awful ZeroTech 1-8x I thought I would try.
When swapping it over I saw that cheaply made follower and it is a shame, the rest of the rifle is all steel, and the plastic follower just bugs me. Yeah I know it works.
One thing I did immediately notice was that the Optika 5 is such a clearer and brighter scope that the Chinese Zerotech. And, unlike the ZT, it has absolutely no parralax distortion. Oh well, live and learn.

I'm not too optimistic here, but thought someone who likes to upgrade guns might know of a supplier.

If you can send me one I can see if I can stamp a steel one for you if like.

Thanks heaps for the offer Makerboi
Nice to have an offer from a fellow metalworker, appreciated.
I've started making one, using a piece of 12mm plate. I'll heat and forge the tabs underneath that hold the mag spring, just make them longer, heat and fold them over a fake spring to clip in the original. Then I can blue it and have the slickness of a polished steel follower.