adrg
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Posts: 210
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Post by adrg on Jun 5, 2023 10:34:33 GMT -5
Hi everyone, Recently I was on an online shopping spree in Japan and bought myself not just one Kar98 from Tanaka. Everything started with a Ge33/40 on gas which I always wanted - but things somehow are spiraling out of control. I wanted to check with you - I found out the gas version (similar with PPS) and spring version (similar with Snow wolf). However - on Japanese market seems there is another one (looks like older - les desirable) that looks like this zenmarket.jp/auction.aspx?itemCode=1093531745This is another reiteration of this version zenmarket.jp/en/auction.aspx?itemCode=n1063101269This model doesn't seem to have an external magazine or something else and seems it is spring loaded. I believe the bb are put in an internal pipe that goes from top of the bayonet lug. Does anyone has any idea what this version is?
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Post by CPL. Mills 2nd Rangers on Jul 5, 2023 20:15:55 GMT -5
Lucky duck! I missed out on getting one back in 2003 when Redwolf airsoft had them.
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adrg
Private
Posts: 210
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Post by adrg on Jul 7, 2023 2:10:04 GMT -5
I have several parts on a parcel coming from Japan by "surface" mail. Hopefully I can put together one of these. However - looks like these are made mostly of plastic and wood. I'll update when I'll have in my hands.
They seem quite common on Japanese SH market though.
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adrg
Private
Posts: 210
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Post by adrg on Jul 13, 2023 1:10:55 GMT -5
While I am waiting for the old parts to come by slow mail, I am messing with a gas version. Basically I swapped the bolt / hop=up with one for PPS and the internal barrel with a VSR one (slightly longer than I need - the whole thing is 1.5cm longer now). The reason = the Tanaka bolt was missing and the hop-up rubber is misplaced (obvious protrusion on the left side). The end result is a very hot gun firing between 3.5 Joules (first shots) to 2.8 joules (most of the shots).
But I have one question - maybe someone knows. I can't remove the internal barrel from the Tanaka hop-up unit for the life of me. It is either a very snug fitting (requiring a bigger hammer) or I am doing something wrong. If anyone has any idea how to remove the inner barrel from the hop-up housing for a Tanaka Kar98k - please let me know.
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adrg
Private
Posts: 210
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Post by adrg on Sept 1, 2023 14:48:50 GMT -5
Hi again, Recently I was on a shopping spree in Japan (with forwarder companies of course) and gathered some Tanaka replica's from that country. Few models (non shell ejecting versions). 1. Older version - Receiver marked bnz / 1942. It is a plastic version in a nice but questionable wood stock. Finishing is nice, but it is mostly made of plastic. Metal parts are - outer barrel, inner barrel, trigger, cylinder, trigger, few screws (yes - they are steel) and a weird tube for bb loading (basically there is a whole in the stock towards the front of the barrel). Everything else is a shiny / black plastic, including receiver / but plate or front bands (yes, both of them, including the bayonet lug). The butplate seems fine, but the stock is not well formed and has more appearance of a hunting version. The propulsion is spring in a cylinder that has a plastic head with a long brass nozzle. Could not test fire because the receiver is cracked. Should be cheap in Japan market - but still gets a lot when adding Forwarding services / packaging / shipping and import tax. My thoughts - avoid. Usage - maximum - wall hanger / for collection only. 2. Gas version - Receiver marked bnz / 1943 / mod 98 14015 on the side (just above inscription ASGK MFG Tanaka works - smaller prints though). Whole different story. Metal (mainly good quality pot metal) and wood. Nice finish, with wood aging nicely. This one I bought it cheaper without cylinder. I am using it with a PPS cylinder / changed the hop-up chamber with the one from PPS as well / VSR type bucking / VSR type inner barrel. This is very hot with the Tanaka mag (2.8J-3.5J - around 500 fps (~ 170 m/s). Similar with PPS (PPS cylinder will fit, but has a longer nozzle and different hop-up chamber / but I heard is easy to replace in the Tanaka Hop up housing. Difference - PPS housing is pot metal while Tanaka original is plastic. I still didn't figure out how to open the hop-up housing from Tanaka. My thoughts = good to have. But a complete replica will cost over 200 - 300 USD (for a used version) + all the other costs, it can easily end up in the 500+ USD all inclusive. 3. G33/40 mountain carabine Gas version. Receiver marked - dot 1942 / G 33/40 14025 above same small prints as the other one. Really nice replica - rare and costly. It will usually set you down for 350+USD for initial buy. But it looks correct - right length / correct rear sight (position and form), nice engravings etc. The only thing - the receiver doesn't seems to have small rings - it looks similar with the full version above. Testing - shooting 500+fps - same as gas big brother above. I really wanted one so I ended buying 2. The thing is - very exquisite look - but expensive overall. 4. My brother has also the spring version Tanaka Air. I don't have at hand - but is pretty similar with the SW 022 version (which is a direct clone). I didn't check the compatibility between SW and Tanaka Air as there is a lot to disassemble. It might require the replacement of the hop=up chamber as well since SW comes with VSR type bucking and inner barrel. This was bought new when available here. Overall - it is shooting about 80-90 m/sec (below 1 J). But shoots nice/ straight and quite far.
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