2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Aug 21, 2017 18:43:31 GMT -5
Sanded the factory finish off and although clearly an inexpensive white ash the wood shows some nice grain and was a single piece not a laminant as I feared. The bulbous hand grip bulge sanded down nicely without weakening things significantly and that alone improves the looks dramatically. Once done I drilled multiple holes in the bottom of the stock from the magwell area out toward the end. I inserted some fat short screws (about six or seven) which will serve to reinforce my wood fill resin paste (plastic wood). The unfilled holes will also further accommodate adhesion and strength as the resin paste will seep into the holes as well as ooze in around the screws. I created a shaped wall on both sides of the lower stock providing the line I am seeking, mixed up my resin and slopped it in. I used a layer of waxed paper between the foam board and my slopped in resin paste.
I go on a trip but upon my return I will remove the foam "mold walls" and will rasp it down to the rough shape I need and will then sand it down. I anticipate 1 or possibly 2 addition thin application of resin paste to create the final finish I will need prior to staining.
The real challenge will be blending this stock augmentation but all territory I have been down before. Once I am happy with the stock I will add character to the metal by way of creating a "field patina"
A lot of work but this rifle shoots and feels good enough to warrant it. Too bad any of this is needed. A simple thing really for A & K to have gotten the stock right to begin with.
2ndBat RLTW
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Post by volkssturm on Aug 25, 2017 11:54:40 GMT -5
Being retired and having spare time to get into trouble, I took an A&K mag and trimmed off that little extension at the back end. With that removed the mag fits in the Garand belt pouches. The M1 is out on loan so I can't double check, but I think that extension is only cosmetic and doesn't affect anything.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Aug 25, 2017 14:16:02 GMT -5
Hmmmm? Sounds promising. I got extra mags when I got mine so it might be worth looking into. I am back from my latest trip and hope before I head out to be able to sand down my augmentation efforts which no doubt will expose the need for a thin finishing layer which would then need to be sanded and finished.
I removed the bracing and it looks as I had hoped.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Sept 2, 2017 3:23:04 GMT -5
Finished the cosmetic alterations applied a stain and artificial aging and delighted with how it came out.
This is my new favorite airsoft rifle.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Sept 17, 2017 12:31:02 GMT -5
I see where Evike raised even their pre order price on these to $299.00. They were offered at a discounted price of $229.00. The magazines are still at $9.95 each. This is no doubt a reflection of positive sales and nice reviews. This latest batch, slated for a Sept arrival should be drawing fairly close to arrival. Glad to see this rifle doing well. The stock shape is a little wonky and the full auto selector a bit too odd but overall I continue to be very pleased with mine.
It would appear it's forced the pricing on the ICS and GnG Garands to come down in price a bit which isn't a bad thing. Still feel like I have to pinch myself to realize there are 3 unique AEG Garands on the market.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Sept 29, 2017 17:57:07 GMT -5
Went to shoot my A & K and wasn't getting any juice. Upon further inspection the wires had yanked the cap from the fuse (inside the case no less). I reinserted the cap and restored the connection which provided power but then the motor sounded wonky. I changed the selector switch to full auto and got a couple smooth sounding bursts but then skanky again. I am not an airsmith by any stretch so rather than continue to push things I'll get someone to look at it and hope everything is okay. If not I'd have to say I didn't get very good durability out of this AEG. I knew going in that the wiring set up was cheezy but hopefully the gearbox isnt.?
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Sept 29, 2017 18:15:36 GMT -5
Wish there was an owners manual so I could figure out how to break this down!
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ScottCollins
Private 1st Class
A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.
Posts: 548
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Post by ScottCollins on Nov 16, 2017 22:14:13 GMT -5
2ndbat, did you ever figure out how to solve this issue? I'm considering buying one mostly because the magazines will fit into the cartridge belt. However, if the durability is shoddy, I'd rather put my money toward the ICS which has proven to be reliable.
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Post by volkssturm on Nov 17, 2017 1:13:55 GMT -5
Wish there was an owners manual so I could figure out how to break this down! I couldn't figure out how to do it either. I took out the obvious screws, but there must have been some hidden ones.
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adrg
Private
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Post by adrg on Nov 17, 2017 13:11:41 GMT -5
I am just wondering - asking A&K for a manual might take decades for an answer - but wouldn't Evike help providing some technical guidance? Otherwise - the sells might drop.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Nov 17, 2017 16:18:27 GMT -5
Ran a patch down the barrel in the off chance something was lodged in there (Not aware of anything popping out). I reconnected a fresh, fully charged battery and it's been working great ever since. Other than flimsy wiring which requires delicate handling when changing batteries I would have no hesitation recommending this gun.
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ScottCollins
Private 1st Class
A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.
Posts: 548
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Post by ScottCollins on Dec 19, 2017 18:16:23 GMT -5
After fielding this gun in a game last Sunday, all I can say is, everyone doing US should consider buying this gun. Shot to shot accuracy was tight and was hitting targets out to 100ft with no major deviations in the flight path. It feels good in hand and apart from the weird stock and fire selector is a really good replica. However, I'll repeat 2ndbat's warning about changing the batteries. The way to fix this issue though is to take a bit of superglue to the outside of the connecting box to keep the wires in place. One thing that really confuses me though is that there almost appears to be a plastic coat over the wood which can chip if you aren't careful. A few notes on the technical side of things: 1.) This rifle does have a V7 gearbox, which means upgrades are easily available 2.) After investigating the hop-up system of the rifle, IT CANNOT be flat hopped, which is disappointing to me at least. But it will accept a new barrel and bucking 3.) As mentioned before, either be careful when changing batteries or superglue the wires in place. 4.) Forgot if this was already mentioned but the trigger guard pops out of socket like the real steel version but does nothing practical 5.) The magazine cannot be ejected if there are still bb's in it. In the coming days, I'll post a complete disassembly guide for the rifle excluding the gearbox as there are plenty of videos out there for that. It's a tricky piece to deconstruct requiring a large Flat head screwdriver, a Philips head screwdriver and 3 different sizes of Alan wrenches.
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adrg
Private
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Post by adrg on Dec 20, 2017 2:18:24 GMT -5
I am looking forward for the deconstruction and parts pictures. Even is I don't have this yet (in EU never saw this below 300-350 EU) - it will be really nice to dig into it. In my experience A&K usually keeps the standards for the AEG barrels.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 20, 2017 12:42:40 GMT -5
Mine continues to rock with no issues whatsoever. Excellent tip on the superglue. Like others I'd love to see a pictorial on the disassembly. (Where the screws are etc)
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Post by flyinbrian on Jul 6, 2018 5:02:28 GMT -5
Guys, having issues with my a&k m1 garand. Gun won't shoot, no motor whir when the battery is connected(fully charged). Fuses look OK. Any help here?
FlyinBrian
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Post by volkssturm on Jul 6, 2018 23:27:44 GMT -5
Check the wiring, particularly the fuse connectors. On mine if you pulled too hard one of the fuse connectors would slip off.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
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Post by Dracul on Jul 7, 2018 1:13:00 GMT -5
Also, replace the fuse if you can. I've had some fuses that looked perfectly fine, but were still burnt out. It just happens.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jul 7, 2018 21:54:00 GMT -5
The stock augmentation effort (almost identical to wyat I did to my later M14 conversions) is absolutely worthwhile as its fairly simple and remedies nicely the primary visual detraction on this gun. Still quite delighted with this A&K. Love both it and the ICS. They are both hard reliable shooters. No issues with either guns clips but since the A&Ks are cheaper and much smaller the nod goes to the A&K.
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adrg
Private
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Post by adrg on Jul 10, 2018 8:52:24 GMT -5
Just to add my 2 cents - motor contacts might be a weak spot either. Let us know if you solve it.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jul 24, 2018 22:37:51 GMT -5
Checking all the wiring connection is absolutely the first thing to explore. Flimsy flimsy wiring and connections but that remains my only serious quibble with this gun. Mine continues to work great. Incidently I discovered that the elusive (for me anyway) disassembly screw was hiding under the front site!
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