Post by cairo1 on May 4, 2012 19:42:11 GMT -5
Review time Gents.
This is my first review, so please give criticism kindly.
Viva/Rock ZB-26
Overview: Every reenactor has particular things that they like, for me one of those things is the MG26(t), or ZB26. I always thought it was so cool, filling a vital role being a non belt fed machine gun. Images of stalwart men hipfireing the zb26 fill my head when I visualize it in the hands of the brave men of WWII, Axis, or Allied.
~So when i heard that there was going to be an airsoft one i jumped all over it. shelling out over $1000 in current cost the moment it was up for sale.
I do not have pictures at this time, but i will take some and post them shortly.
Externals: The box was plain cardboard, very uninteresting, the packing material, HK newspapers. The gun itself was wrapped in bubble wrap, as were the magazines. A short manual was included.
The receiver is Milled anodized aluminum, the barrel and gas tubes are CNCed anodized aluminum. Steel parts include Front sight base, Bi-pod and mount, carry Handel and mount, Barrel Quick change lever, Magazine dust cover, magazine release, fire selector(unless that's the gearbox mortar underneath), charging handle, shoulder flippity thingy, rear sling swivel, and the butt pad. many parts are moderately to poorly milled, by no means a %100 exact replica in regards to original finishing processes.
the carrying handle can change position from vertical, to one horizontal. the screw used to retain the grip/spring mechanism, was poorly adhered, some glue or resin. as a result while changing positions the mechanism jams and dose not operate smoothly. I may try to replace this with an original carry handle.
the front sight base is wobbly and is no good for accurate fire. I will either use some allen screws to secure it, or Epoxy it in place. the rear sight is adequate, but the dial moves erratically between 5, and 6 it dose not move at all, and there is no audible click, or mechanism to alert you to its movement. (I do not know if this is also something missing in the original, but i had honestly expected it.) IN addition to that the sight drops below visual level when it resets from 10. the sight ranges from 3-10 and there is a large gap between 10, and 3. The pistol grip is large and aquard, it is out wright uncomfortable unless you have the hands of a gorilla. the charging handle had to be attached, and seems flimsy, it also dose not have a full pull, and what pull it has is toy like and totally not manly. the battery compartment is cramped and i had a hard time removing the butt pad, it took a mallet.
Internals: i plan to replace the gearbox internals with high quality components at a later time, at which time i will report to their quality.
The feed mechanism, however is probably my biggest concern. it is finicky and delicate. i believe a P90 hopup would have been a wise choice in the construction of this gun, however it uses a custom 3 piece type. on the barrel sits the loading ramp, with an aperture at the top for a connecting piece. in the receiver there is a movable aluminum tray which needs to be adjusted frequently. and then there is a small aluminum nozzle which needs to be frequently put back onto the tray, that dose a sub par job of holding it.
Removing the barrel was a massive labor, and i regret doing it. The lever that we expect to allow us to remove the barrel dose not. in fact there is a screw located in a nearly unobtainable position beneath the dust cover. after taking half the gun apart i was able to remove the barrel for cleaning and oiling. and replacing the barrel was an even greater hassle.
Performance: from initial backyard shooting, it fed every round, not one misfire(with an 11.1 LiPoly). hadn't figured out where the hopup was so no testament to accuracy. I will fill this in more later.
Overall
looks: 8/10
value: 5/10
skirmishabillity: TBA
performance:TBA
Pros:
its a freaking ZB26.
all metal body, NO PLASTIC.
comes with extra magazines.
Cons:
poor feed mechanism.
cramped battery compartment.
difficult disassembly.
Final thoughts:
Am I disappointed with this gun? No. it presents a unique opportunity and a fearsome weapon to our sport, and with a little TLC it will kick the applesauce out of anyone unfortunate enough to stand in its path. I intend to "upgrade" it with as many original parts as i can cram on it namely a new bi pod, and carry handle as they both disappoint me. i also intend to fiddle with the pistol grip as i find it uncomfortable.
Stock 300 FPS is fine, If you are in japan, but we are not. i have the intend to shove some great parts and a 120 spring into this bad boy.
Ill get some pics up ASAP!
This is my first review, so please give criticism kindly.
Viva/Rock ZB-26
Overview: Every reenactor has particular things that they like, for me one of those things is the MG26(t), or ZB26. I always thought it was so cool, filling a vital role being a non belt fed machine gun. Images of stalwart men hipfireing the zb26 fill my head when I visualize it in the hands of the brave men of WWII, Axis, or Allied.
~So when i heard that there was going to be an airsoft one i jumped all over it. shelling out over $1000 in current cost the moment it was up for sale.
I do not have pictures at this time, but i will take some and post them shortly.
Externals: The box was plain cardboard, very uninteresting, the packing material, HK newspapers. The gun itself was wrapped in bubble wrap, as were the magazines. A short manual was included.
The receiver is Milled anodized aluminum, the barrel and gas tubes are CNCed anodized aluminum. Steel parts include Front sight base, Bi-pod and mount, carry Handel and mount, Barrel Quick change lever, Magazine dust cover, magazine release, fire selector(unless that's the gearbox mortar underneath), charging handle, shoulder flippity thingy, rear sling swivel, and the butt pad. many parts are moderately to poorly milled, by no means a %100 exact replica in regards to original finishing processes.
the carrying handle can change position from vertical, to one horizontal. the screw used to retain the grip/spring mechanism, was poorly adhered, some glue or resin. as a result while changing positions the mechanism jams and dose not operate smoothly. I may try to replace this with an original carry handle.
the front sight base is wobbly and is no good for accurate fire. I will either use some allen screws to secure it, or Epoxy it in place. the rear sight is adequate, but the dial moves erratically between 5, and 6 it dose not move at all, and there is no audible click, or mechanism to alert you to its movement. (I do not know if this is also something missing in the original, but i had honestly expected it.) IN addition to that the sight drops below visual level when it resets from 10. the sight ranges from 3-10 and there is a large gap between 10, and 3. The pistol grip is large and aquard, it is out wright uncomfortable unless you have the hands of a gorilla. the charging handle had to be attached, and seems flimsy, it also dose not have a full pull, and what pull it has is toy like and totally not manly. the battery compartment is cramped and i had a hard time removing the butt pad, it took a mallet.
Internals: i plan to replace the gearbox internals with high quality components at a later time, at which time i will report to their quality.
The feed mechanism, however is probably my biggest concern. it is finicky and delicate. i believe a P90 hopup would have been a wise choice in the construction of this gun, however it uses a custom 3 piece type. on the barrel sits the loading ramp, with an aperture at the top for a connecting piece. in the receiver there is a movable aluminum tray which needs to be adjusted frequently. and then there is a small aluminum nozzle which needs to be frequently put back onto the tray, that dose a sub par job of holding it.
Removing the barrel was a massive labor, and i regret doing it. The lever that we expect to allow us to remove the barrel dose not. in fact there is a screw located in a nearly unobtainable position beneath the dust cover. after taking half the gun apart i was able to remove the barrel for cleaning and oiling. and replacing the barrel was an even greater hassle.
Performance: from initial backyard shooting, it fed every round, not one misfire(with an 11.1 LiPoly). hadn't figured out where the hopup was so no testament to accuracy. I will fill this in more later.
Overall
looks: 8/10
value: 5/10
skirmishabillity: TBA
performance:TBA
Pros:
its a freaking ZB26.
all metal body, NO PLASTIC.
comes with extra magazines.
Cons:
poor feed mechanism.
cramped battery compartment.
difficult disassembly.
Final thoughts:
Am I disappointed with this gun? No. it presents a unique opportunity and a fearsome weapon to our sport, and with a little TLC it will kick the applesauce out of anyone unfortunate enough to stand in its path. I intend to "upgrade" it with as many original parts as i can cram on it namely a new bi pod, and carry handle as they both disappoint me. i also intend to fiddle with the pistol grip as i find it uncomfortable.
Stock 300 FPS is fine, If you are in japan, but we are not. i have the intend to shove some great parts and a 120 spring into this bad boy.
Ill get some pics up ASAP!