First post, and a AGM MP-40 question or two

[twotypes]

Greetings everyone! I've been lurking for a while, and based on the generally positive buzz over the new MP-40 by AGM I decide to get one. Well, it arrived today and, out of the box, I must say I was rather impressed with the weight and heft of the weapon as well as the overall finish -- overlooking the odd phillips head screw here and there that probably weren't on the originals along with a slightly bent bolt handle with loose mounting screws which was quickly fixed. Overall, though, it appears a good value for the money.

However, I was presented with a couple of issues. First and foremost, it came without an instruction manual, about which I've already contacted the dealer. But in the meantime, besides going to Radio Shack to pick up a converter to adapt the charger to U.S. voltage and plug configuration, there's a couple of other things I'd like to fiddle with.

Firstly, what's the procedure involved with flipping the front sling loop to the right side of the receiver? I know I'll probably have to remove the barrel, but I'm not sure how to accomplish that.

Secondly, How tightly does everyone else's folding stocks fit? Mine is a bit loose in the extended position and I'd like to try tightening it up a bit unless that's just the nature of the lollipops .

Thirdly, I'm a bit disappointed that the bolt handle and cover simply slide loosely back and forth in the slot depending on how the weapon is tilted. I wonder if there's someway to tighten that up as well.

And finally, mine came with a MASSIVE blaze orange M-16 style flash suppressor mounted on it to satisfy the Federal regs instead of what looked like just a painted muzzle nut in the pictures I saw. Anyone else's come this way?

Well, enough questions for now. I hope someone can help a new guy out. Thanks for reading, and now I'm off to figure out how to mount the sling!

Cheers,
Mark

[2nd Bat]

Welcome to the world of WW2 airsoft!

Both of mine just had the muzzle nut painted orange (technically not enough surface to satisfy the regs but they got through) Easy to remove, paint and reinstall. Who did you get it from? Odds are you can just unscrew the muzzle flash suppressor? Hopefully you got the actual muzzle nut to replace it with? Odd that you didn't get an owners manual. Mine came with a manual handy speed loader which was a nice touch and a small battery and useless charger. The folding stock was quite solid and still is after two game days. The sling swivel is acceptable on either side (Left hand or right hand adaptable) and rotates much like the real steel. Remove the muzzle nut (in your case the M-16 flash suppressor) Slide the barrel shroud and site assembly off the barrel and with it removed loosen the large barrel nut that attaches at the receiver group several twists. You can then rotate the sling swivel bracket and reinstall on either side.

Without the assembly manual I assume you're clear on how to basic, field strip the gun to access the battery compartment?

Did the adpter for the charger you got at Radio shack work? I've tried several Radio shacks and have been unable to source the adapter. I now have about 20 useless chargers which is getting old real fast.

[davem]

I think 2nd Bat pretty much hit all the points. The only thing else I would add is to encourage you (and anybody else) to cut the connectors off the chinese chargers and toss them in the trash.

Invest in a good peak charger like any one of the MRC brain 900 series.

I got the 977 at my local hobby store for $80. It will simultaneously bring two battery packs up to peak at the same time and maintain them there or discharge a battery for you. It can be plugged in to a wall outlet or used in your car (12v).

Your gun will perform a whole lot better with peak charged batteries and the batteries will live longer. And if you upgrade to a heavier spring, it might not work at all unless the battery is fully charged. Considering some of the packs are $40+, a good charger is relatively cheap.

It comes with tamiya type connectors and I have made adapters for the more popular smaller size connector, but I also have a tamiya connector that goes to 2 small alligator clips. That allows me to charge any battery, from any source.

Specifically on the MP40, my muzzle nut wasnt even orange. It came yellow and 30 seconds in acetone and it was black again.

You can bend the cover that is attached to the bolt handle rather easily if you want a tighter fit. I would highly recommend replacing the screws (actually all the screws, especially the mechbox screws) with replacements from your Ace Hardware (or wherever) metric steel screw section.

[twotypes]

Thanks for the replies. I got all the other goodies that come with it and have already field stripped it to get at the screws holding the bolt handle. My most immediate issues are restoring the muzzle and powering up the battery. I got adventurous and took a pair of pliers to the suppressor, and with a few twists it came off. Turned out it was just threaded (rather off center I might add) directly onto the end of the barrel after the muzzle nut was removed. The bad thing is that the original nut wasn't in the box. I've sent another message to the vendor requesting this piece. Until I get an answer I've stopped further work until I can get this resolved in case I need to return the gun. I will start checking the local hobby and airsoft shops for a better charger. I also have a TM Thompson and want to keep it up and running at peak power as well. Tomorrow I guess I'll finish purchasing the extra mags from rsov to get those on the way. Once I get the gun itself sorted out I'll have a neat little set up. It's a bit frustrating to be so close yet so far. I'll keep you posted.

Cheers!

[2nd Bat]

And you bought it from whom? I can't imagine you'll have any luck sending it back because you had to remove the orange (Yellow) tip. Bummer that the proper muzzle screw wasn't there.

[twotypes]

2ndbat said:

And you bought it from whom? I can't imagine you'll have any luck sending it back because you had to remove the orange (Yellow) tip. Bummer that the proper muzzle screw wasn't there.

I'm holding back on identifying the seller until I get this resolved one way or another. Yeah, I know I "ripped the tag off the mattress," but how would I have known that the nut wasn't present otherwise? Remember, though, there was also no instruction manual included in the package, as pictured in his eBay listing, along with a simple painted muzzle nut, so just in the interest of customer goodwill -- if he believes in it -- he'll either find the missing parts and send them to me, allow me to exchange the gun for one configured identically to the one pictured, or authorize a return for refund. As I told him, the gun is useless to me without the muzzle nut. Also, without the instruction manual, how do I know I'm not committing some warranty or safety violation? If he can't give me what I've asked for parts wise, hopefully he'll take the path of least resistance and offer me a refund and be done with it. I can reattach the blaze orange suppressor before I ship it back and he can sell it to some other "less discerning" individual.

Cheers!

[davem]

Hopefully he will get that taken care of for you.

Its not a solution, but if you happen to get stuck without the nut let us know and we can post a detailed photo. Im pretty sure that if push came to shove you could mill something similar looking enough out of a a couple of standard metric nuts from the hardward store. It would never be quite right, but from a distance, it would be ok...

Dave

[twotypes]

davem said:

Hopefully he will get that taken care of for you.

Its not a solution, but if you happen to get stuck without the nut let us know and we can post a detailed photo. Im pretty sure that if push came to shove you could mill something similar looking enough out of a a couple of standard metric nuts from the hardward store. It would never be quite right, but from a distance, it would be ok...

Dave

Yeah, well, I just sent a message to him through eBay detailing the three options I gave earlier. We'll see what happens. I'm also waiting on a quote from rsov for a gun in addition to the mags that I had originally committed to buying. If I get the refund from the first seller I'll go with rsov, unless the good folks here can suggest a better alternative.

Thanks for the offer and suggestion regarding the muzzle nut. Actually IMA is selling a repro of one for twenty bucks. I wonder if the threads match or could be "adaptable"? I'd hate to have to spend more money just to fix the cosmetics, but it would satisfy my analness regarding appearance more than a couple of metric nuts spray painted black. ;D

Cheers!

[davem]

Ummm yeah... hehe... the IMA nut is a much better idea... amazing what you can find on the internet...

[twotypes]

davem said:

Ummm yeah... hehe... the IMA nut is a much better idea... amazing what you can find on the internet...

Hey, don't feel bad, I only found it when I was searching for a sling for this thing. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut occasionally.

And who'd a thunk it, searching for real gun parts and wondering if they'd fit on a replica?

BTW, I just heard back from rsov. In addition to the standard version, he's dangling a "limited version with wood like plastic panels" for only an additional GBP10.00. Is this a newer factory version? Has anyone else seen or heard of this one before?

Cheers!