Post by 2nd Bat on Nov 1, 2013 17:16:16 GMT -5
I have built just shy of 30 WW2 bolt action rifles using assorted VSR type springer rifles as the base. Models I've done are Springfields Several Enfield SMLEs, a couple Kars and one CZ rifle. I do these assorted ways but typically marry a replics non gun or actual rifle with a VSR type bolt action rifle. The work consists primarily of dremeling out the actual stock to accomodate the VSR mag well and hop up assembly with minor tweaks to the receiver group area and working around existing hardware to make it all work and ome final cosmetics to the receiver group and bolt.
Here are some key things I've learned: The VSR clone offerings are NOT all equal. The MP001 is a bit thinner and smaller hence fits some stocks that a Marui VSR or Bar 10 would not fit in. Most WW2 rifle stocks were quite thin so even with the MP001 you don't have a lot of stock walls to work with. Wood however is remarkably strong. the TSD and VSR 11 are a little better quality wise then the MP001 but not by much. The Springfield stock with finger grooves is too thin to accomodate the VSR internals. The Japanese MBR is too thin as well. A Mosin Nagant and Enfield are just wide enough but require great care. The original Marui VSR is the highest quality base rifle but expensive to begin with and quite weak shooting out of the box due to Japanese restrictions. The JG Bar 10 is a very close clone to the Marui and all parts are interchangeable. There are tons and tons of upgrade parts for the Marui and Bar 10.
The weak spot in all VSR type rifles is the trigger seer and as you increase spring power this becomes increasingly likely to fail. For the MP001 the failure rate is very high even without upgrades. (It shoots quite hard out of the box however). The Marui stock VSR shoots at under 300 FPS with .20 gram. The VSR Clones are all at just shy of 400 FPS. Right out of the box. The magazines for all these rifles look identical but are not 100% interchangeable.
The JG Bar 10 has hundreds of suggested upgrade steps some effective and some dubious at best. The best value upgrades are upgraded trigger assembly which runs about $35.00 on Amazon. A tightbore barrel is an enhancement that improves FPS a little without requiring greater cocking effort or stress on the gun. inside the gun slightly shortening the nozzle and wrapping the nozzle with teflon tape gives you more power at no additional stress.
Keeping the rifle (especially the barrel) clean and storing both your magazines un filled and the rifle un cockec will protect the springs as will a light coat of pure silicon oil. Use quality BBs and have your hop up set properly. I find .20 gram and .25s are best in the rifle. The hop up will not accomodate heavier BBs well.
Select a spring that gives 400FPS power but still allows you to cock from the shoulder. If the rifle requires more effort the action dramatically effects its ability to be used against opponents in skirmished
The magazines in a modified stock are extremely hard to set up so loading and unloading is seamless. Fabricating a function mag
release that keeps the mag seated but is reasonably easy to pull out is very hard. It is a nice idea to finish the magazine base to match your stock so the VSR magazine is less distracting visually.
These conversions are fun and once done make enjoyable and skirmishable rifles. Armed with a bolt action rifle you will be challenged greatly and will require excellent tactics and support but will enjoy yourself and have a much better appreciation for soldiering in the last century.
Here are some key things I've learned: The VSR clone offerings are NOT all equal. The MP001 is a bit thinner and smaller hence fits some stocks that a Marui VSR or Bar 10 would not fit in. Most WW2 rifle stocks were quite thin so even with the MP001 you don't have a lot of stock walls to work with. Wood however is remarkably strong. the TSD and VSR 11 are a little better quality wise then the MP001 but not by much. The Springfield stock with finger grooves is too thin to accomodate the VSR internals. The Japanese MBR is too thin as well. A Mosin Nagant and Enfield are just wide enough but require great care. The original Marui VSR is the highest quality base rifle but expensive to begin with and quite weak shooting out of the box due to Japanese restrictions. The JG Bar 10 is a very close clone to the Marui and all parts are interchangeable. There are tons and tons of upgrade parts for the Marui and Bar 10.
The weak spot in all VSR type rifles is the trigger seer and as you increase spring power this becomes increasingly likely to fail. For the MP001 the failure rate is very high even without upgrades. (It shoots quite hard out of the box however). The Marui stock VSR shoots at under 300 FPS with .20 gram. The VSR Clones are all at just shy of 400 FPS. Right out of the box. The magazines for all these rifles look identical but are not 100% interchangeable.
The JG Bar 10 has hundreds of suggested upgrade steps some effective and some dubious at best. The best value upgrades are upgraded trigger assembly which runs about $35.00 on Amazon. A tightbore barrel is an enhancement that improves FPS a little without requiring greater cocking effort or stress on the gun. inside the gun slightly shortening the nozzle and wrapping the nozzle with teflon tape gives you more power at no additional stress.
Keeping the rifle (especially the barrel) clean and storing both your magazines un filled and the rifle un cockec will protect the springs as will a light coat of pure silicon oil. Use quality BBs and have your hop up set properly. I find .20 gram and .25s are best in the rifle. The hop up will not accomodate heavier BBs well.
Select a spring that gives 400FPS power but still allows you to cock from the shoulder. If the rifle requires more effort the action dramatically effects its ability to be used against opponents in skirmished
The magazines in a modified stock are extremely hard to set up so loading and unloading is seamless. Fabricating a function mag
release that keeps the mag seated but is reasonably easy to pull out is very hard. It is a nice idea to finish the magazine base to match your stock so the VSR magazine is less distracting visually.
These conversions are fun and once done make enjoyable and skirmishable rifles. Armed with a bolt action rifle you will be challenged greatly and will require excellent tactics and support but will enjoy yourself and have a much better appreciation for soldiering in the last century.