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Post by CharleyNovember on Oct 30, 2006 23:27:24 GMT -5
I don't have his email but may be able to find it.
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TommyGunner
Staff Sgt.
Hackjob Mauro
1st Marine Division, 1942
Posts: 2,265
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Post by TommyGunner on Nov 1, 2006 11:22:53 GMT -5
I can tell that he put alot of work into it, but Im not too impressed with how it looks, bet it performs fantastic thought.
TommyGunner
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Nov 1, 2006 14:15:30 GMT -5
It falls a little short visually but it's certainly better then any Springfield I've produced so far and for his asking price you definitely couldn't build it for that. I didn't realize a polymere stock was used on the Springfield but apparently one was since the stock is dated 1947.
As always I have concerns with a gas gun since up here in Northern climates there are challenges. It sounds like this one is an very impressive shooter. Does anyone have much experience with the model KJ M700 base gun? That is the base gun that was used although it's been upgraded considerably.
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Dog
Master sergeant
Posts: 50
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Post by Dog on Nov 8, 2006 11:01:18 GMT -5
I used a spring gun, VSR-10, since gas guns are not much use in Finnish winter. I'm still planning to replace the original outer barrel. Not 100%, but close enough for me.
#edit: I removed the old pic#
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Nov 8, 2006 11:45:31 GMT -5
That's an impressive bit of work. It's a decent representation of the C grip non finger grip stock version. Did you do all the wood yourself or did you use an existing stock? I'm impressed.
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Post by CharleyNovember on Nov 8, 2006 12:24:44 GMT -5
Excellent job Dog!...Looks great. I recently sold my APS2/K98 conversion.
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Dog
Master sergeant
Posts: 50
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Post by Dog on Nov 8, 2006 12:34:40 GMT -5
I was aiming for ww2 Springfield M1903A3 design. The stock is totally selfmade, almost everything else is original VSR-10.
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Post by wade on Nov 8, 2006 16:01:28 GMT -5
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Nov 8, 2006 16:13:23 GMT -5
I went to a gunshow this past weekend and tried sourcing actual Springfield parts. The finger groove stocks in good shape are stupid expensive at $120.00 plus and the hardware metal bits for the stock alone were over $70.00. It would probably enhance your effort to add a few of the actual Springfield parts like the rear site and the forward ferrule but it certainly doesn't need it as it looks quite good as it is.
I'm inspired to move forward with my efforts. What did you have to do with the bolt area to make it more Springfield like and how did you do it?
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biged
Master sergeant
Posts: 468
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Post by biged on Nov 16, 2006 6:21:59 GMT -5
Truely Beautiful work on the stock !! Did you carve it from a rifle blank or from scratch? TOLCOM Staff Member ///ed///
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Dog
Master sergeant
Posts: 50
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Post by Dog on Nov 16, 2006 10:16:40 GMT -5
I made the stock from a block of wood (it wasn't easy ). The basic form was quite easy to achieve, but surprisingly the hardest part was connecting the gun and the magazine catch. Actually I didn't change anything in the gun (except the barrel and sights), just took some old paint off/lightly painted the outer parts to make it look older. Now I've re-made the outer barrel. I think it looks better. i112.photobucket.com/albums/n185/sgt_dog/M1903A3_vsr10.jpg
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Post by imaheretic on Nov 16, 2006 16:53:42 GMT -5
Jon, if you can come up with a kit for the VSR that looks like that beautiful weapon. I will have one off you. Nick
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Nov 16, 2006 17:07:25 GMT -5
Nice vote of confidence given that you were one of my first UK customers for the Garand conversion. By weeks end I will have shipped three more this week!(To the UK no less!) Fortunately, (or unfortunately) that has kept me too busy to jump on the Springfield project in earnest. I'm encouraged with the results thus far and very happy with the performance of a slightly upgraded VSR-10 which I'm convinced will make a great base weapon.
I believe I will do a C stock version as well.
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biged
Master sergeant
Posts: 468
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Post by biged on Nov 17, 2006 5:18:04 GMT -5
Outstanding !! It is absolutely a collectable custom airsoft gun. Nothing is fast or easy about producing custom guns... It's all about time and money.
TOLCOM Staff Member
///ed///
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Nov 17, 2006 12:47:54 GMT -5
The new barrel is a nice enhancement. Your Springfield looks great. I am heartily encouraged. Unfortunately due to heavy rains and wind my house has been without power for two days so I haven't been able to get much of anything done this week!
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Nov 17, 2006 20:46:07 GMT -5
Incidently what did you use for your replacement outer barrel?
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Dog
Master sergeant
Posts: 50
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Post by Dog on Nov 18, 2006 15:21:31 GMT -5
I didn't have any technology to replace the whole outer barrel with hop up and magazine systems.
So, I just cut the outer barrel inside the wood guards. I had a right sized metal pipe at my home and I centered and fixed it inside the original barrel. Now it protrudes so it looks and acts like a real one.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Nov 19, 2006 19:37:32 GMT -5
I wondered if that might be the case. Nice job. I like using as much from the base weapon as you can so there is a little jerry rigging as possible and you're able to keep things solid and simple. That little touch with the barrel makes a big difference visually
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Post by schmitty on Nov 19, 2006 19:41:18 GMT -5
Looks very nice indeed dog. Making a stock from scratch sounds like hard work but you pulled it off very nicely.
Schmitty
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29ththerealpimps
Private 1st Class
3rd Armored Division 32nd Armored Regiment 83rd Recon Battalion
Posts: 706
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Post by 29ththerealpimps on Nov 19, 2006 21:48:40 GMT -5
Hey Jon, you think you could find out a way to make your springfield kit into a m1903a4? I have always loved this weapon and have dreamed of having one.
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Post by jimseery on Nov 20, 2006 18:47:49 GMT -5
I have been following this project with a great deal of interest and quietly ordering parts. I suspect strongly that if you find a "C" style stock then making a 1903A4 should be achievable. I have several friends who are very knowledgable in "real steel" and they assure me that all the parts are still out there for a reasonalbe price. I have compared the HFC springer with a real Springfield action and they are so close as to be almost identical.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Nov 20, 2006 21:22:07 GMT -5
Agreed on the HFC springer. Your real steel friends, what do they consider affordable from the perspective of cost for all the Sprinflield hardware? I'm finding both the pistol grip variant and the straight finger grooved stock of the 1903A4 and neccessary hardware such as site butt stock, stock links and front site along with bayonet stud runs about $200.00 to $240.00 plus shipping. Are you finding anything for any less then that and if so where?
I've been swamped with my garand AEG orders lately but do hope to jump on this project with both feet shortly.
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Post by jimseery on Nov 21, 2006 20:49:48 GMT -5
Right now I'm dealing with Sarco, Inc. I just got my stock today. It is the streight stock without grooves with handguard. I have approx. $120 in the springer, $110 in the stock and I'm estimating $100+ in metal parts. I suspect that the finished rifle will be about $350. I'm estimating on the high side just to be safe. I haven't said anything until yesterday because, while I have been successful in projects like this in other hobbies, I didn't want to be in position to fall flat on my face. I also had the same thought of my second project being a 1903A4. Being a new kid on the block I don't want to intrude on your project, but if nobody minds I'll try to keep everbody up to date on how it's going. The stock and handguard are good. They need to be sanded, stained and oiled. However this will be toward the end of the project. Let me get my thoughts in order and I will post a more detailed description of where I think I'm going.
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Post by Guinness on Nov 21, 2006 21:56:12 GMT -5
Jim,
Welcome to the regiment!
Absolutely, please keep us informed of your progress, pictures are king, and I believe you will find no "Ego's" here, (well....there's mine, but no one pays any attention to that ;D ) just fellow soldiers having fun and sharing ideas and assistance!
Slainte!
-G
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Nov 21, 2006 22:49:20 GMT -5
Absolutely keep us posted. It sounds like your estimates of costs are running similar to mine. Perhaps we can compare notes as we proceed. I posted my intent as a way of pushing myself to get it done. I did the same thing as I labored with my Garand AEGs and two years after starting it. I finally got my (fairly) final versions done.
I don't anticipate doing the Springfield as a commercial venture as I don't think the market is there at the dollars they would have to be sold for to make sense but I do think it'll be a fun project and frankly it's something I want for myself to enhance my personal arsenal.
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Post by jimseery on Nov 22, 2006 15:36:06 GMT -5
Some thoughts on cost. Someone mentioned that they would like to see some inexpensive Springfields made for group use and to get more rifles out on the field. Sarco Inc is offering Sringfield stocks that need repair at 5 for $100 and handguards that need repair at 10 for $60. Even if you only get 3 good stocks out of the mess they will only cost around $60. With $120 for the springer you're at $180. The sights on the springer can be converted to a good facsimile of the original and all that left is the metal furniture. Depending on how much fabrication you want to do I think you could bring a pretty good rifle in for around $250. As with everything else it's a trade off between how much of your time verses your money your willing to spend. I went out today and hit any number of hardware stores looking for raw materials. I think I can do a pretty good job on the sights. However in spite of working 27 years for Kodak I remain camera, and worse, computer challanged. I do have children who have these skills and I will work at coercing them into helping me. Since they are spread out along the front range (of Colorado) the pictures may end up coming all in a bunch but I will work at getting them. What seems to be evolving is my project to build a Springfield and a possible project to build a lower cost Springfield. The first is going to go on regardless. If there is interest in the second I will continue to pursue it. I'll try to keep everyone informed. Happy Thanksgiving!
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Post by will on Nov 22, 2006 15:50:50 GMT -5
would super nine internals work? i can get a springfield stock free. if super nine internals work i would do this
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2006 15:51:07 GMT -5
im deffinatly intrested in number 2!!
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Nov 22, 2006 16:06:00 GMT -5
Thanks for the heads on on the SARCO damaged stocks. Not at all sure or comfortable with the end result of a repaired no doubt almost 100 year old stock but it's worth considering Obviously if one was willing to compromise on hardware through fabrication the costs could be kept fairly minimal. What I've discovered is the trade off between time invested and authentic parts ends up being worse then a push. In other words I feel for myself buying the actual part even though it costs more out of pocket ends up being the smarter move. Naturally if one has a machine shop, the expertise and enjoys the creative process it makes more sense to build it yourself.
I'm finding the hardware runs around $90.00 if it's in good shape and the stocks are around $100.00. If you're going to go to the trouble, forget about the sucky Super 9 as there are plenty of low budget decent spring bolt action rifles available to use. I suppose if you had a super 9 laying around and weren't terribly concerned about performance or reliability it might be worth using.
Once you've finalized a wood stock setting up a facility to crank them out on a computer directed lathe is actually pretty reasonable ($40 to $50.00 per stock (Once your set up charge is paid) If someone goes to the trouble of getting a good workable design they should make them commercially available so as to recoup the effort and set up costs.
Though not perfect Dogs design looks pretty darn good and could probably be built fairly inexpensively (Once the stock and wood components are manufactured) I'd much rather see those on a WW2 airsoft battlefield mixed in with Thompsons, Garands, carbines and Kar 98s and MP-40s then a bunch of M-16s and AKs.
It'll be fun to see all of our collective efforts.
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Post by Guinness on Nov 22, 2006 21:28:09 GMT -5
Jim, Are you here in God's country with me??? (Denver < ) -G
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