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Post by Ish on Oct 31, 2010 12:31:56 GMT -5
So, with my hopes for a M1 carbine dashed (at least i did not waste any money thanks to you guys!!) I turn to the m1 garand.
So i have viewed the many different conversion procedures and have decided to use the M14 stock and simply alter it and add the necessary garand parts.
This will be my first conversion, so my question is; should i go with a wood stock or a plastic (faux wood) stock on the M14?
I am leaning towards the wood for that realistic feel but I am not sure if there excess complications that come with using a wood stock for conversions.
thanks
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Oct 31, 2010 13:14:37 GMT -5
The accessory real wood stocks that are set up for the Marui or Marui clone M14s seem to have dropped off the realm of availability on every site out there and the wood stock equipped Cyma 032 hasn't been available anywhere for some time as near as I can tell.
The wood stock of course is very nice and the only real tweak to your approach is the added cost associated with the option. The stains that come on the Chinese wood stock are poor (Quite orange actually) but that is an easy enough fix and 3either way you have to cosmetically refinish the stock anyway.
The final concern is that the neck area is hollowed out for the version seven motor leaving this section of stock quite weak. You'll have to extend some care while using a real wood stocked M14 body. (Nothing extraordinary here however) Don't use the stock as a brace when hitting the ground and bayonet drills are out of the question (LOL)
The GnG M14 walnut stock is still available but that variant M14 doesn't lend itself as well to the conversion due to the magazine challenges.
If you wish to, the stock augmentation and reshape is still handled exactly the same way as resin pastes attach just as well (if not better) to wood than to plastic and will finish out quite well.
Bottom line is the plastic is available, looks good when done well and will cost you quite a bit less.
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Post by gman on Oct 31, 2010 16:25:54 GMT -5
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Post by Ish on Oct 31, 2010 21:11:52 GMT -5
Thanks for the helpful tips. I feel like i would be more comfortable working with the wood stock and can see how a hollowed out stock would make it much weaker. So that leads me to a few more questions.
1) is there enough room in the stock to add a layer of fiberglass or carbon fiber (i have no experience in this but putting down a layer or two to add a little bit more strength seems like it would be do-able) to add a degree of stability?
2) is the CM032 the "best" gun for m1 garand conversions? Is this because it is most adaptable to shotgun mag conversions?
3) So all the images have the visible metal components of the M14 black; has anyone tried removing this paint to expose the metal beneath and then refinish that to make it look more authentic? Is it just junky "pot metal" under the coat of paint?
thanks for all the help! just trying to plan ahead so this project will goo as smooth as possible
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Nov 13, 2010 18:33:20 GMT -5
I did not find adequate room to reinforce the thin neck although I have done that and then added additional thickness using dyna glass through the neck. Sticking with the base stock and then modifying it is much easier and obviously far less expensive in both time and expense.
Any of the Marui or Marui based M14s will work fine with the shortened shotty clips although each is slightly nuanced and require a little trial and error and fitting. I like the CYMA simply because it's a really really good Marui clone and represents the best value the AGM is quite good as well. I have not been as pleased with the KART, UTG, TSD and others. The Marui is very expensive and especially so when you upgrade it to the performance levels you start with with the AGM or CYMA.
Creating an assortment of finishes on the metal components is half the fun and easy to do. Garands once fielded rapidly changed shades and did so at widely varied levels depending on the hardness of the assorted metal parts so a field weapon would look multi colored throughout. Usually pretty predictably. The butt plate would be quite shiney quite quickly as would the muzzle lock and abraided surfaces throughout.
Probably 80% of my rifles sell in "mixed metal" finish and I love that no two are really alike and that most of them go out looking like fielded weapons. It's fun adding the artificial aging. The metal used on the airsoft M14s are as you say pock metal. To accurately replicate the shades of parkerization sanding down alone won't really manage it although sanding edge surfaces enhances the look a lot (in my opinion)
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Post by Ish on Nov 15, 2010 16:31:18 GMT -5
Thanks 2nd Bat for all the very helpful information! i will keep you guys updated as to my progress, currently i am building up the funds to begin this project and will hopefully start soon!!
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 2, 2010 18:54:27 GMT -5
Evike is showing some M14 real wood stocks available (thanks to a tip from a forum member) but as we all know from Evike that doesn't mean they actually have them. Naturally as with the plastic stock you'll have to do extensive modifications to create the Garand like shape and the filler and augmentations will not be wood which somewhat compromises your efforts at arriving at a uniform finish.
Alterring even the plastic stock can be a little daunting for foks who may fear screwing one up but the reality is it's pretty straight forward. If someone does bugger one up I usually have about a dozen on hand.
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Post by cole97 on Dec 2, 2010 19:44:20 GMT -5
yes true 2nd bat...i ordered a broken m14 from them so i could salvage the charging handle (mine broke during the process of putting in the gas rod), and its been at least 20 days now and no word. grr (i ordered it before i saw the thread).
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 9, 2010 18:01:06 GMT -5
I have some charging handle rods left over from other projects where I used the M14 internals but didn't need all the parts. I sort of keep them as a "just in case" for circumstances like you describe.
If your Evike order continues to float, let me know by PM and we can probably work something out.
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Sgt_Tom
Technical Sgt.
Combat!
Posts: 3,580
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Post by Sgt_Tom on Dec 10, 2010 0:18:43 GMT -5
Personally I'd suggest a plastic stock. Why? Its much easier to modify to modify a plastic stock to look like a Garand then a wood stock.
Definately go with the CYMA for a Garand like 2nd Bat said. I wish I had got one instead of the cheaper AGM clone. Oh well.
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Post by cole97 on Dec 19, 2010 23:13:41 GMT -5
actually they said they apologize deeply and sent me a brand new CYMA m14 for the price of the boneyard item, with 3 day air for the price of the ups ground! im happy for now, but if they just keep screwing up i will most likely buy a few from you 2ndbat! id also salvage the v7 gear box for something homebuilt from steel. any ideas? maybey a 1919a4??
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 20, 2010 0:31:31 GMT -5
A BAR
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Post by cole97 on Dec 20, 2010 20:16:53 GMT -5
oh thats even better! you know, i knew someone on youtube, his user name was "odba11s", he was a very clever man (also a ww2 airsofter) who made his own airsoft guns out of steel and airsoft components. to be exact, if i remember the weapons he made were: BAR, boys anti tank rifle, panzerschrek, ppsh41. his account was banned not to long ago due to "copyright infringement" of some songs he put in his videos. anywho, i got a template from him of a BAR receiver, along with a few of the dementions. i knew it would come in handy. ill send you the picture if you want.
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Post by cole97 on Dec 20, 2010 20:18:16 GMT -5
although i am still missing a few dementions. does anyone have any BAR dementions? ive already got 1919a4 dementions, but id like BAR ones too.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 20, 2010 20:48:57 GMT -5
Google and wikipedia is your friend. All the exact demensions are there. I have an actual BAR butt stock
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Post by cole97 on Dec 20, 2010 22:56:43 GMT -5
oh awesome! would it be any trouble to trace it and email me a PDF file? i could scale up the picture if you measure at least one of the dementions (porportion) if you feel so, my email is: coletaco@gmail.com if i get enough dementions and such i will most definatly make a BAR. so i did get some specs on the gun from wikipedia, 600rpm and a 24 inch barrel.
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Post by cole97 on Dec 21, 2010 13:48:18 GMT -5
well my cyma m14 from evike arrived today. its a new version and the stock is textured. weird. oh well evike gave it to me for a fraction of the cost so i cant complain. id also appriciate it if someone could give me further guidance on the charging handle so i wont mess it up this time? any links?
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