Animating a pistol replacement

[CaptainGoodstuff]

I've asked about this in a few different places, can't really get a complete answer. I have a working model that replaces the engie's default pistol just fine (using c_pistol.mdl):

http://i.imgur.com/t7S1ioz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/vah6UMb.jpg

Now I need to make custom animations for it, since it isn't designed to reload like the stock pistol. A battery clip should pulled from the back and replaced, similar to the syringe gun's reload animation: http://i.imgur.com/yCarcnO.png

I've done some experimenting with v and w models, but that turned out to be horrifyingly bad:
http://i.imgur.com/NKSTrUd.jpg

Now I know that valve is transitioning to c models, so I tried replacing the pistol reload smd in c_engineer_animations.mdl, but that completely removed the viewmodels for all of engineer's weapons. I could still hear the sounds though, so I went into the qc and tried removing the reload sound and it worked. I suppose that means it may have successfully replaced the animation though I just couldn't see.


So my question is: What file do I manipulate/replace to override the stock animations with my own? Can I add them to c_pistol.mdl, or did I just use c_engineer_animations.mdl wrong?

Any help is appreciated, thanks.