Gunsmithing Bottom metal choice for Surgeon DBM inletted Manners

hoguer

The Dude
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Minuteman
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Jan 26, 2009
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Central Valley, CA
I just purchased a Manners T6 that is inletted for Surgeon DBM. I cant justify a DBM system that costs nearly $400 so I was wondering what peoples experience is with a close matched replacement? I can just install a PTG system in inlet/fill as needed, but I was wondering if there was a inlet "twin" to the surgeon available anywhere at a better price.
Thank you for the help in advance
 
Not sure now days, but when I had this issue years back it was slim to none. I think the Surgeon foot print is wider then the standard M5 DBM that most are modeled around. You could just buy the bottom metal by itself from 3rd Gen shooting supply for around $230-$250 without mag. That's assuming you already have some mags you can use instead of paying the standard $360
 
LA from 3rd gen is $280. I'm sure that it's great quality, but that's to much for a piece of aluminum when PTG puts their Stealth DBM on sale for $75. I could see $180 but with the new competition in the market Surgeon is way overpriced.
 
You coukd keep your eye out in the PX for something used. Your not gona get anything as cheap or close to the ptg price new, Prob not even used. Get the ptg and fill in the stock

I have been watching the for sale fourms, and would love to pick one up. I even listed a WTB ad as well. Ill give it a week then order a different system. the rifle is going to be bedded anyway so it can be filled and painted to match.
 
Ok. Thanks for the reply.
The only bottom metal that fits the same inlet is the KMW dbm and it is currently only available in Short Action versions.

The Surgeon is a simplified inlet with no taper in the magazine box area but as of right now, the actual Surgeon is the only one that will fit that I am aware of. Call 3rd Gen and see what you can get one for w/o magazine. You are going to spend more on UPS and extra time getting it re-cut or filled and re-cut than you are going to save in the difference between the Surgeon DBM and the other less expensive LA DBMs.

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If fit/finish matters to you, then you are going to spend this money one way or another.

Virtually any DBM can be stabbed into a stock, regardless of what it was originally fitted for. The issue becomes the gaps and voids you are left with. You can chase those down will fillers, but when you sand them, plan on nicking the stock paint. So then you repaint. and so on and so on.

My advice is unless you have the means to do this very efficiently, you are money ahead to just buy the Surgeon DBM and move on with your life. They are wider/bigger/bulkier than any other DBM I'm familiar with, so you will have work to do.