Bar-Sto Precision Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa (4.3 to 5.1 Conversion)
 

When I initially decided to do a Hi-Capa build, I had decided I wanted a 5.1 length gun with integrated rails. After a fair amount of browsing and researching, I concluded that such a project would be impossible to do on my limited budget. The high costs of a frame that would meet this requirement presented a major obstacle. Enter Bar-Sto Precision.

Bar-Sto has long been known as a precision barrel maker and had only recently begun manufacturing complete pistols. This project was based on a tactical pistol built for Jeremy Clough of American Handgunner by Bar-Sto. This is the link to an article on this pistol: http://www.americanhandgunner.com/Ft...8c/Barsto.html.

http://www.americanhandgunner.com/Ftrs/JA08c/01.jpg

http://www.americanhandgunner.com/Ftrs/JA08c/09.jpg

As can be seen in the pictures above, the lower frame is identical in length to a Hi-Capa 4.3 frame. This gave me the idea of using a stock 4.3 and replacing the whole slide assembly with a 5.1 length system, thereby making a pricey aftermarket frame unnecessary. After that decision, it was a simple matter of ordering parts and building the pistol. Fortunately, Shooters Design had recently begun production of a long dust cover Bar-Sto Precision slide that would be ideal for replicating Jeremy’s pistol.

For the most part, there were very few problems with the build process itself. One thing to note for anyone else wanting to do a conversion of a 4.3 to a 5.1 length pistol is that 5.1 slides require adjustable BoMar type rear sights and these can be very difficult and expensive to source. The only other problem (not caused by builder error) was that the slide catch did not engage with the Shooters Design slide, this was easily fixed by filing off excess material.

I would also like to take this opportunity to extend a big thank you to Brian (aka ILLusion) for his patience in replying to what must have seemed like thousands of pm’s as well as for providing some of the components that went into this build. His reputation as the resident Hi-Capa expert is well deserved.

Base Pistol: Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa 4.3

External Aftermarket Parts List:

- Shooters Design Bar-Sto Precision Long Dust Cover Slide
- Shooters Design Bar-Sto .45 Chamber
- Shooters Design Tapered Outer Barrel
- ILLusion Kinetics Adjustable Trigger, 3-Hole
- KM 5.1 Guide Rod
- King Arms M3 Replica Light

Internal Aftermarket Parts List:

- Shooters Design POM Nozzle and Valve Blocker
- Firefly Hop Up Bucking (soft)
- Guarder 150% Recoil and Hammer Spring
- Tanio Koba Twist Barrel

The magazines I use for this pistol are Tokyo Marui 4.3 magazines upgraded with KM High Flow Valves. Comments and questions are welcome, onto the pictures:

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Purty. Nice job!

Your currently rocking a bull barrel, If you want a more accurate copy get your hands on a slide that will allow a straight barrel & bushing.

A TK grip always completes the look.

-alex

I was seriously considering using a bushing system but as Shooters Design has been inconsistent with incorporating a bushing cut into their slides, I went the safer route and ordered the bull barrel. Turns out that this Bar-Sto slide did indeed have the requisite notches to accomodate a bushing and I will probably change the set up when I get more money.

As for the TK grip, I was just about to order it when Brian reminded me that I would need a stock 5.1 sight. Being on a tight budget, the money I saved on the grip went towards the sight. I don't mind it too much since it's closer to the profile of the pistol I modeled it on anyway, but it is probably something I will change when I get the funds.

unique build, I like it....didn't know SD has the Bar-Sto set out...

I believe their Bar-Sto slides are a recent release. It's an excellent product, the only problem was that the front sight groove was not machined properly and required some filing to get the fitment right. I'm glad you gents like it.

if only they made it with dovetails for 4.3 sights instead of 5.1, wonder why they cocked that up

I take it that you are referring to the rear sight cuts. Due to the differences in the design of the two types of rear sights, it doesn't look like there is a way to make slides accept both types. In this case, I would say Shooters Design made the right choice in machining the slide to accept 5.1 rear sights as I'm guessing most people buying this slide will be using a 5.1 as a base gun. It would be nice though to see more aftermarket options for 5.1 rear sights, I've heard that the Nineball one is a pain to work with.

If they cut the 4.3 rear cut you can get FA set for it I think(FA mad 4.3 sight right?)

I have seen the 4.3 rear sight from FA, it wasn't so much that I wanted Novak style rear sights but more that it was frustrating not being able to find ANY aftermarket drop-in units for such a popular platform.

Yes, but you still need the screw that came with the original 4.3 rear sight in order to install the Freedom Art sight set.