jblomenberg16
Grandmaster
Yesterday I travelled to a supplier in Chicago that we're quoting to make some difficult engine parts for one of the engines I'm responsible for. The purpose of the visit was to evaluate there capability to make these difficult parts, which required some very precise tolerances, difficult heat treat process, and very fine surface finish.
During the plant tour one of the engineers leading the tour was showing me samples of different components they make. He picked up a fairly small part, and said "this is a gas valve we make for Sig Sauer." I immediately recognized it as the gas valve for the Sig 516/556 type of rifle.
I told the engineer I knew what it was and he said "really? - Than I need to show you some other stuff." We went on to look at a variety of machines that make barrel extensions for a variety of well known AR manufactures, including some military contractors, parts for the M249 SAW, flash hiders for a variety of companies, and even some of the new AAC suppressor mounts and suppressors!
Turns out that in addition to making a lot of diesel engine parts, they also have class 7 FFL to make gun parts as a new growth area of the business.
Despite volunteering to take home a few "samples" for further engineering testing, I left empty handed.
However, all for the best since if I had gotten any goodies it probably could have been construed as a bribe for the business, not to mention possibly illegal.
Anyhow, it was pretty neat to see how some of those parts are made, especially the AAC suppressors.
Oh, and yeah, I think they have a pretty good chance of making the complex engine parts we were having them quote, too. 
During the plant tour one of the engineers leading the tour was showing me samples of different components they make. He picked up a fairly small part, and said "this is a gas valve we make for Sig Sauer." I immediately recognized it as the gas valve for the Sig 516/556 type of rifle.
I told the engineer I knew what it was and he said "really? - Than I need to show you some other stuff." We went on to look at a variety of machines that make barrel extensions for a variety of well known AR manufactures, including some military contractors, parts for the M249 SAW, flash hiders for a variety of companies, and even some of the new AAC suppressor mounts and suppressors!
Turns out that in addition to making a lot of diesel engine parts, they also have class 7 FFL to make gun parts as a new growth area of the business.
Despite volunteering to take home a few "samples" for further engineering testing, I left empty handed.
However, all for the best since if I had gotten any goodies it probably could have been construed as a bribe for the business, not to mention possibly illegal.Anyhow, it was pretty neat to see how some of those parts are made, especially the AAC suppressors.
Oh, and yeah, I think they have a pretty good chance of making the complex engine parts we were having them quote, too. 
