G-43/M-14

[Ersatzjack]

Nov 3, 2010 23:44:33 GMT -5 jimmiroquai said:

That is just beautiful. Any WIP pics?

Thanks and I'm sure Gryphon thanks you too. Sadly, though there are no work-in-progress pictures. I doubt they would help much. What Gryphon did was to take a Real Steel G-43 and sketch it out on graph paper and then he hand-made the stock in two pieces and made the hand grip area larger to accommodate the version seven gearbox. The pinning of the mechanism is done in three places and he took internals from the M-14 and placed them in the stock. The trigger guard and magazine receptacle are all made by aluminum copied from the original. The magazines are cool because they make a distinctive click when inserting just like the real one. I got a couple of repro parts from Numrich Gun parts but there is little available any longer that isn't super expensive. Gryphon might be able to comment more on the build if he visits this forum again in the future. He has been busy of late with his job and so don't count on it being soon. I thought I would post just as an epilogue to this build as it has been a long one.

[kalbs]

Amazing EJ. One of the best conversions I've ever seen.

Bravo!

[2nd Bat]

Clever solution for the magazine which is the achilles heel for so many of these projects. The rifle looks great. This offering is such logical one for airsoft you'd think some major manufacturer would jump on it.

As it is, it's practically a one of a kind and that in itself is pretty cool.

Absolutely gorgeous work and as the dates on this thread indicate, no easy task. Take heed all you who somehow think these things should be easy.

It's sad that customs are still our only salvation when it comes to many of the weapon both common and uncommon in the greatest conflict in history.

Gryphon and Ertzakjack thanks a ton for taking it on.

[Schmozilla]

Wow! It's looking very nice and detailed good luck finishing it!

[ackack]

wow that looks great! you must have spent a lot of money on parts

[glymov]

awesome

[connerjones]

What did you do to make the part of the mag that the bbs go into or where did you buy them? Pm me please

[Schmozilla]

thats the thing, i wish i was a skilled craftsman, we need this as a AEG from a company, its a gun ive been wanting for a long time, wish someone would sell one

[Schmozilla]

Well not enough sooo yeah probably 400-500. im planning on building one out of curiosity, just as a project to lose interest then work on it years later again really good job on youre though, It looks beautiful

[volkssturm]

May 22, 2012 14:25:26 GMT -5 Schmozilla said:

Well not enough sooo yeah probably 400-500. im planning on building one out of curiosity, just as a project to lose interest then work on it years later again really good job on youre though, It looks beautiful

Hey, I've got a bunch of those. I figure I'll be about 175 before I ever finish half of them. ;D

And yeah, that G43 looks great. As good or better than the Airsoft companies could do.

[Sgt_Tom]

Amazing job! I envy you!

[Sgt_Tom]

Wow that is a long time. It doesn't surprise me at all considering how nice it came out though. I envy the skill that you posses to make such a nice weapon ;D.

[jettalewis]

Very nice looking gun

[2nd Bat]

Indeed that came out beautifully. this is obviously an airsoft AEG that some manufacturer should consider offering. Obviously the required base gearboxes and feed layouts exist. The real steel g 43s are rare, expensive and highly desireable so that usually leads to a replica offering. I would certainly buy one if one were produced and available for sale.

Beautiful job on your custom build.

[volkssturm]

I guess this is a good place to ask. Just for future reference (as I sit and watch the rain and think of future unfinished projects), does anyone know what the length of the stock on the real steel G-43 is?

[adrg]

The only thing I have is the wood reproduction and it is 94cm lenght with 31.5 cm upper handguard.

[volkssturm]

Thanks.

[2nd Bat]

Our guy Tach plods along on his G43 kit which is annoying close to being done but he now seems to have shifted his emphasis on his FJ 42. Both admirable endeavors but FINISH them for goodness sakes. (So easy to say from the bleachers)

[tact2jager]

The second G43 kit is currently underway, in parallel to the FG42.
Please feel free to join my 2 builds. Thanks for your continued patients:
www.facebook.com/groups/675497675843552/
www.facebook.com/groups/426876244104566/

[2nd Bat]

Your work is fabulous and we are all enjoying the ride! Keep it up. These two offerings are going to be a real boost for our hobby.

[2nd Bat]

I am hoping to do some more conversions of the Springer UKArms M14s to G43s. I know someone has files to 3D print some of the components (That naturally would have to be tweaked a bit to be used but I'm game to do that. Does anyone have a source? The outer receiver group the front and rear sights. Stock band and butt plate would be awesome if anyone can source these or link me up with someone with a 3D printer.

[hardslack]

I might be able to get some time on the 3d printer at work.
I'll send you an email

[adrg]

Also interested in the 3D files if anyone has at hand and would like to share. I have an almost done replica of a G43 but the receiver cover doesn't make it justice.

[2ndbat2]

Given that great 3D files exist who are reliable printing firms to work with?

[hardslack]

I have had great experiences with Xometry. They certainly are reliable.
They are a middleman for pretty much any kind of manufacturing. I have had a few thousand dollars of parts 3d printed for various work prototypes.
The nice thing with them is you can have parts made with other 3d printing methods that are less *common with individually owned printers. Like resin printers that have much finer resolution (ie no sanding needed).

I used another site once and it was good too, I don't recall the name. I just put my part file into a few top results from google and went with the cheapest...


HOWEVER!!! In general, contract 3d printing, depending on your perspective, isn't super cheap. It's the cheapest way to have something made by someone else, and its fast. But it's way more (money not time) than having a friend print, or making something from scratch. It will certainly be more than the cost of the springer.

You may have success searching Facebook or craigslist for a local person trying to do some print for hire, they will be a lot more affordable.

2nd bat, did you miss my email? I sent it from a different email, with my last name, gardner, as part of the address, I think I also sent a message on linkedin.
I could print some parts in nylon.

ARDG, this is a file I found recently that looked good.

www.thingiverse.com/thing:5470634

It's a cosmetic "body kit" for the AEG M14's. Personally, I think it looks awesome, but I'm not that familiar with G-43's to appreciate the infidelities. Of course, given that players often complement my WW2 kit when I run a chicom chest rig and short "SOCOM" m14, I'm not sure anyone else would either.


*Most personal printers work thru fused deposition modeling (FDM) which is like a hot glue gun putting down layers. There are some resin printers (they use UV to cure a resin) that are relatively affordable and popular with hobby people for like, miniature model printing, the quality rivels injection molding (not quite but close enough). Though resin has some hidden costs in material and odor and handling the resin and shelf lives. Anyway, with an online service you don't have to worry about any of that and get access to a suite of materials.

[2nd Bat]

To my eye that looks very good although a full length (non socom base M14 would look better). Tachs version is more authentic especially with regard to the butt plate area and front stock hardware (a few other tiny details) but this looks to be an easier conversion to complete. I wish I could once again source the MAG version shorty mid cap M14 magazines. They are 60 rounds and would work quite well in this application. I see this kit has outer facades to further disquise the M14 magazines