Making the perfect Silverballer replica

Here’s the Chicago flag grips I had wicked do for me. Basically I saw their confederate flag grips that were distressed or rugged or whatever you call it and wanted something similar only, you know, not the stars and bars of the American south. They came out pretty good. They warned me the distressed look didn’t work as well on white as it does on other colours, but I tried it anyway and I’m happy with the results. Now I just need to figure out when I’m getting a full size all black host for these bad boys? I bought one but the finish wasn’t up to par, so I sold it and haven’t gotten around to finding the next one.

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Quick update: I just finished spray painting and clear coating all my replacement parts and they look phenomenal. Better than I could have expected. Can’t wait to see how they’ll look fitted on my pistol.

I’m planning on turning it in with a local airsoft shop so they can clean the gun and replace the parts for me since I don’t really know how to do it myself.

(There’s 4 parts, but the forum still only lets me post 1 photo per post :neutral_face:)

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That really looks perfect. Nice job!
Assembling is not hard at all. I learned all by myself dissembling and putting it back together wondering why it won’t work any more :sweat_smile:
Keep us updated.

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Here’s a picture of all 4 parts grouped together. I’m about to attempt to disassemble the gun on my own and replace the parts myself. I’ll update once it’s over!

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Besides the hammer everything is easy. I would go to a professional to replace the hammer too.
Great job!

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Well I hit a roadblock it seems. I was able to replace the hammer myself. It was a hassle as a little spring popped out and it took me forever to figure out how to put it back on, but now I’m unable to reassemble the pistol on my own. Something’s wrong with the cocking mechanism. The hammer won’t function correctly anymore. I’m looking to book an appointment with a professional and hopefully next time I update I’ll have the parts installed!

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Good news: the Main Spring Housing and trigger both fit.

Bad news: the grip safety and hammer did not. Actually the hammer did fit but the paint started chipping off very soon after installing because of the repeated friction against the grip safety so I decided to just leave the original on it.

Still, it’s a major visual improvement. The Main Spring Housing particularly gives it a sharper look with it being straight instead of curved. Along with the painted magazine base. It’s starting to get a more modern look to it.

I’m already in talks with the specialist who replaced my parts for engraving options since they have a laser engraving machine at their shop.

Also awaiting the arrival of my circle/hexagonal grip screws that I ordered thanks to @Yacob .

Now the only thing really left is the grip medallions, which I still have no clue on how to get started on those.

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I went today to see my Silverballer. I think in another 2 visits or max 3 and it’s done.
There is a problem with the sights. They can’t make them black and so I decided to leave them silver after all since I’m following Absolution’s model. It’s going to be a brushed finish just like the rest of the gun.

They made the final incision, the serial number on the frame and it looks perfect. I had, like every other request, precise indication of where that incision should be made, how big and thick.

In my next visit next month they will have finish painting parts of the gun (slide and frame) and 2 accessories. From there we will decide what is the best option to attach the sight ribs.
In the meanwhile they will use one piece that was made as prototype on the Mark 2 before proceeding on this one to make sure there will be no mistakes in the process because it turned out in the last moment that this part is very tricky. Especially if I want it to be functional.
Done these things and the replica is ready

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Perfectly engraved Floral Baller replica or GTFO, @badeaguard. :raised_hand:

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I could do that but it would be stupid expensive.
My replica costed so far almost 10k with all the mistakes and testing I did to arrive where I am now. This one will cost the same to just engrave that plus colors.
The villa where they engrave my replica are actually art masters in this kind of craft. They showed me an example and I have no words to describe how beautiful it was.
Hand made, it had depth and it had how can I say, HILLS! The shapes were like alive.

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This is something they made. I saw a piece like this and I hold it in my hand. It’s like Picasso, I don’t know.
But if there is someone out there rich enough to pay me for this I could make one but the price is insanely high because that really is what they charge and besides I have to make a small profit out of it.
Waiting would also be long. About a year at least. Pieces are already there and I know exactly on what model to do it.

You know what, looking at the picture I shared above and the Floral Baller I can safety assume IO is watching this thread and are investigating what I do and where I do it. The similarity of the flowers are too… Too alike :sweat_smile:

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Yo everyone, I have amazing news! But first, I basically gave up on my first version of the Silverballer because there were just too many complications. Parts that wouldn’t fit, paint that would chip off, the gun malfunctioning because of the parts that did fit so I was compelled to give up on that model.

I discovered a new airsoft model that was literally inspired by the actual Silverballers made by Vorsk (which is a company owned by Nuprol who manufacture gas for use in airsoft guns). This model is called the Vorsk VX-9 and basically looks exactly like the Blood Money/Absolution Silverballer so no need to replace any parts!

It only needs a few modifications: replacing grips, replacing both bottom grip screws with black ones, the grip medallions and engravings.

Good news is I finally found someone willing to make the grip medallions for me. After all these years I still can’t believe it. They sent me a picture of them and he will ship them to me on Monday:

I also bought new Pachmayr grips because my old ones were worn and scratched from too many modifications. I just finished trimming the top and bottom of the rubber grip to match the Silverballer better. It’s pretty jarring at first, cutting/ruining such an expensive product for the sole purpose of a replica, but the end result was worth it. With each modification it resembles the Silverballer more and more:

The grip medallion here is actually one that Alex sent me years ago (thanks again for that), I’m using it now to give me an idea of what it’ll look like when mine arrive.

As for the engravings, I’ve corresponded with an airsoft shop owner who also does laser engravings and he’s making the designs at this moment. He told me he’s going to do a deep laser engraving so he can then fill up the empty space with black paint and put a sealing layer over it.

So I guess that’s it, after all these years my Silverballer project is almost coming to an end. I still can’t believe it really. Only once the finished product is sitting in my lap, I’ll be able to breathe a sigh of relief. And when I do, I’ll make sure to post pictures/videos in this thread. Hopefully by my next post here. Take care guys!

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That one is actually a Silverballer replica. Not officially but it is.
I bought one years ago, black, and surprisingly it looked like they followed my posts like a blueprint.

It is absolutely a cool replica and they pretty much got everything right. The things that I don’t like and don’t match with the actual Silverballer is the hammer, slide release and thumb safety even if they do look identical from one side they are too large when you look at them from above and the sight rib is too big as well.
The whole pistol is very light. Built with aluminium I remember but good news about it is that it’s Marui compatible.

Speaking about the rib sight. They followed my very old thread to attach the front sight like this:

While in the final version of mine I decided it was best to print it all together

But all these are just very small details. That replica is good.

They look printed on sticker and attached to a medallion. Maybe I am wrong.

That is exactly how mine are made.

What about the old replica? That one is a different version from this new one. You should finish that one too. You went pretty far with it.

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Well I actually found this person through someone else on Instagram who also commissioned him for some medallions and they actually look pretty nice on his:

Though I will admit the lighting and picture quality does make it look kind of fishy. If they end up being cheaply made medallions I’ll just continue my search, but for now I’ll wait until they arrive.

It’s too much of a hassle to finish it. Couldn’t find a hammer that fit, or a Beaver Tail grip safety. The gun started to malfunction because of the parts that I did replace which honestly, who would want a malfunctioning replica? The only alternative would be to start printing the parts I needed in titanium like you did, but I’m not as driven nor financially capable as you to commit to something like that.

I’m content with this Vorsk replica, the only thing I don’t like is the suppressor it comes with, so I’m going to switch out the one I already had made which is the suppressor from the newer Hitman games. That way I have a bit of every Silverballer in my replica. :smile:

I’ll update once my medallions arrive, and possibly have the engravings done which hopefully won’t take too long.

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Sorry to hear that. About the other replica.
Well keep us updated. When it’s ready make a whole new thread. This one deserves it’s own spot light :smile:

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Does anyone know a place that still stocks the American legend grips in the different colour options? I wonder if they have stopped making them bc they used to be easy to find online and now all I can find are the rosewood and the walnut.

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Unfortunately no. I remember back in the days I did use to find a lot of variant colors maybe they don’t make it anymore because of the low demand.

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Any updates on the replica?

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Yes I have. The guy in charge of the internal shooting system has disappeared and the villa engraving keeps forgetting to set up my appointment and I already asked twice.
With the engraving villa I understand they must have a lot of pressure with their clients and cost of manufacture due to what is happening in the world right now.
With the airsoft guy instead who I left my internal shooting mechanics, which can be bought new and better from somewhere else, has completely vanish. I assume something bad happen with him because he does reply sometimes on my whats app messages but refuses to answer my calls or call me back.
He manage to tell me that he closed shop and does custom works in private at his home and after that he never replied back.
So… Here is what is happening…

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Well I finally got an invitation to the engraving villa. It was a very welcomed Christmas surprise and I went there yesterday.
I am very disappointed and my replica is ruined. They touched a part where I specifically told them not to and the color is not what I wanted and it seems this metal that the gun is made is not what it seems.
But I will complete it the way it is. After all I got all the pieces identical made in every minute detail.
It will be the most perfect Silverballer ever made but for me it has flaws that could had been avoided.

I will re tempt with the color once more and after that what ever comes out will stay that way. The rib sights will be attached and they found the right way to strongly keep it in it’s place.
And then it is done.
I might even sell it who knows but the price will be very very high considering what I spent to make it, time, attention, fact that the pistol used is a rare model out of production and the huge factor that who did all the work, finishes and incisions comes from an incredibly prestigious place.

Now here is one big news. Next month I will make a weapons permit. That means I can buy a real gun and used it at the shooting range.
What does that mean? Badeaguard is going to make his fucking replica on the real thing now.

But but but! It will be only inspired by the Silverballer and not entirely it.
What does that mean? Well I want to add my very own to it and change 2 lines of the Silverballer markings. Instead of EL MONTE, CA. I will add VAL TROMPIA
Val Trompia is the place where I am building the Silverballer and this place is of great importance because it goes back all the way to the Roman Empire where they extracted metal to build swords and various weapons and goes ahead till today where it became the birthplace of Beretta.
In fact in this location you mostly find iron factories because the place is rich of minerals where they extract. Among of course other weapons manufactures and gun shops.
Now I only know these small info but if you look it up on google you get everything.
So adding this name on my replica and actually make it there is a huge honor for me. Not to mention if I go somewhere and they read the name and I tell them this gun was touched by Bottega Giovanelli they would look at me incredibly amazed and probably with a bit of envy. Like they told me over there “We selected you to be our guest. Not everyone can have their work done here”
All I did was being polite and humble when I first went there and this impressed them a lot.
They told me.

Back on the real replica. It will be done on this exact gun

It is the same model like the replica I’m finishing now Colt Series 70 and not a Hardballer.
I choose and like this particular gun because the combination of the dark grey color and brushed sides appeal to me a lot and I find it to be the most beautiful 1911 ever.
There will be no rib sight but an identical rear sight and probably front sight.
The trigger will be from a Hardballer and now I need to ask the expert @Yacob if a Hardballer trigger could fit on Colt 1911?
The thumb safety and slide release will be the only thing custom and made the same way I did on the Silverballer airsoft replica. Only this time fitted for a real gun.
The grips will be used from my current replica. No need for modifications because those are actually made for the real thing.
And last what I talked earlier. The engravings which I of course have already the right size and position ready.

For this last project it will take a lot probably. The permit is cheap and fast because the one I will make is for sport use only. That means at a shooting range.
The pistol instead I want it new and it seems it costs 1800€ you add tall the custom work and that is 1000€ more plus Italy requires you keep your gun in a locked safe attached with screws on the wall but that depends of what you need. In my case something not too big for one pistol maybe 2 or 3 in time.

And that’s all for today. Will come with a new thread once the airsoft replica is done hopefully in less than 5 months.

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A trigger from any actual 1911 should fit into any other actual 1911 but some minor fitting may be needed. So yes, it’ll work. Personally I would not do the swap by myself. There are written instructions and/or YouTube videos if you want to give it a try though!!!

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