Post by 2nd Bat on Mar 20, 2013 22:29:11 GMT -5
With hundreds of these in players hands around the world (that I built) and at least that many that folks have built themselves, here are a couple suggestions. Given the ones I built most were set on semi automatic, others had the selector switch left in place and a few, at customers requests were set on full automatic.
it turns out there are some potential long term issues withthe base M14 gear box whenset in semi auto. the first is that when in semi auto the juice going to the contacts can cause electric archs that over time wear on the mechanism. It causes arching that essentially melts things! I haven't any reports of that actually happening but on older guns that have been shot alot youcan definitely see wear. The best way to eliminate the issue is to install or have installed a mossfet device. This is essentially a capacitator that regulates the charge. They are small and are placed on the wire leads and fit nicely in the butt stock.
Another issue is that when in semi the mechanism occassionally pops free as you're firing and needs to be reset. Brownien came up with a cool design to remedy it that uses the charging handle which resets things when it is racked.
The easiest solution to all of this I think is to lock the mechanism in full auto. This seems counter intuitive for a rifle that was semi auto but it actually works well. On the opposite side of where the selector was you'll see where the contact lever moves depending on what mode it's in. Make sure the contact is fully engaged and set it in place with a dab of JB weld or some other bonding agent. (It will require very little)
Even with a 9.6 volt battery it is easy to keep the gun firing on semi with trigger control and it eliminates the arching or resets. If you go this route, be sure before storing the gun to insure the spring isn't locked back in the cocked state which will reduce you spring life.
Another lesson learned is that occassionally builders add a small section of barrel to the tip of the gas lock which of course replicates a Garand nicely but be sure it is aligned well with the actual brass inner barrel. I had a customer who built his own conversion using my kit and didn't fully seat this barrel tip. needless to say his power and accuracy were negatively effected.(Easy fix!)
Occassionally the clips will work in one gun but not another. Typically sanding or filing the tab that was added to the clip will align everything properly.
When loading the 12 round clips. Practice, practice, practice! just like the M14 or an AK the clip has to angle in and then rock back into place. I put it in and listen to the swoosh that indicates that the BBs are flowing and then rock it back into the catch.
Good luck adopting these ideas should you choose to do so.
it turns out there are some potential long term issues withthe base M14 gear box whenset in semi auto. the first is that when in semi auto the juice going to the contacts can cause electric archs that over time wear on the mechanism. It causes arching that essentially melts things! I haven't any reports of that actually happening but on older guns that have been shot alot youcan definitely see wear. The best way to eliminate the issue is to install or have installed a mossfet device. This is essentially a capacitator that regulates the charge. They are small and are placed on the wire leads and fit nicely in the butt stock.
Another issue is that when in semi the mechanism occassionally pops free as you're firing and needs to be reset. Brownien came up with a cool design to remedy it that uses the charging handle which resets things when it is racked.
The easiest solution to all of this I think is to lock the mechanism in full auto. This seems counter intuitive for a rifle that was semi auto but it actually works well. On the opposite side of where the selector was you'll see where the contact lever moves depending on what mode it's in. Make sure the contact is fully engaged and set it in place with a dab of JB weld or some other bonding agent. (It will require very little)
Even with a 9.6 volt battery it is easy to keep the gun firing on semi with trigger control and it eliminates the arching or resets. If you go this route, be sure before storing the gun to insure the spring isn't locked back in the cocked state which will reduce you spring life.
Another lesson learned is that occassionally builders add a small section of barrel to the tip of the gas lock which of course replicates a Garand nicely but be sure it is aligned well with the actual brass inner barrel. I had a customer who built his own conversion using my kit and didn't fully seat this barrel tip. needless to say his power and accuracy were negatively effected.(Easy fix!)
Occassionally the clips will work in one gun but not another. Typically sanding or filing the tab that was added to the clip will align everything properly.
When loading the 12 round clips. Practice, practice, practice! just like the M14 or an AK the clip has to angle in and then rock back into place. I put it in and listen to the swoosh that indicates that the BBs are flowing and then rock it back into the catch.
Good luck adopting these ideas should you choose to do so.