|
|
Post by ncthorn on Apr 21, 2007 18:05:44 GMT -5
Hey guys as some of you know I recently finished a custom Mauser/Czech Vz.24 replica rifle based on an HFC USR-11 spring rifle. It is pictured below and additional photos can be found in my thread in the technical subforum. On my original rifle I cut quite a few corners in effort to build it cheaply (used a cheap cracked stock) . In the process some realism was sacrificed. I have since improved the design for added realism and durablilty. The work involved in making the rifle is not difficult but it is time consuming. Recently, I have witnessed many new 'softers on these forums asking about affordable Axis weaponry. Most are encouraged to purchase the AGM Mp-40 as it is very affordable and performs admirably for the price. The only problem is that the Mp-40 was by no means the main battle rifle for Wehrmacht forces. This is the reason why we need more Mauser K98s and variants in the field. I have decided that in order to aid field realism and provide a good alternative for the impractical Marushin K98 and the expensive Tanaka K98 I will begin producing USR/MP001/VSR based Vz.24/M48 rifles. Traditional K98's will also be available but only on special order as they will be more expensive based on stock availability and pricing. Each gun will include an Owners Manual made to look like a field manual that will describe disassembly, the original manufacturer's manual, one 25 round magazine, and a speedloader. Let me know what you think of the prices listed below. Pic of original build:  PRICING (note: prices do not include shipping which will likely be around $20): DE MP001 Based M48/Vz.24 Basic Model= $230 DE MP001 Based M48/Vz.24 Scoped Model= $260 HFC USR-11 Based M48/Vz.24 Spring Model (Piston weight removal is free)= $260 HFC USR-11 Based M48/Vz.24 Gas Model= $290 TM VSR-10 PS Based M48/Vz.24= $395 TM VSR-10 RS Based M48/Vz.24= $395 Input/Comments Welcome! |
|
Cpl. Hicks
Sergeant
Unofficial Flaggrantly Wrong Weapons Policeman
Posts: 1,425
|
Post by Cpl. Hicks on Apr 21, 2007 18:22:32 GMT -5
Sounds ok to me, I might get one sometime. Do you think you could make it any cheaper?
|
|
|
|
Post by petee99d on Apr 21, 2007 18:24:19 GMT -5
Sounds interesting! Would you be able to ship to the UK?
|
|
Sturmmann13
Private
bring a knife to a gun fight
Posts: 272
|
Post by Sturmmann13 on Apr 21, 2007 18:26:26 GMT -5
since you seem that you know your stuff, how are the Deep Fire mags for the VSR-10? there only $3.90 on redwolf
|
|
YankeeDiv26
Staff Sgt.
Frustrated Mac Owner
BDM<33
Posts: 2,462
|
Post by YankeeDiv26 on Apr 21, 2007 19:13:54 GMT -5
wow very nice if i did axis i'd definitely buy one.
|
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant 
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Apr 21, 2007 19:31:03 GMT -5
Given the labor that I know is required that's an awesome deal and I applaud you for making them available. Good luck with the venture. I hope you have a good line on needed parts and don't get too backordered. What sort of timeframe do you expect once funds arrive?
|
|
|
|
Post by killbucket on Apr 21, 2007 22:49:09 GMT -5
Sweet!
Very nice work. You almost need to beat up the action on the gun there. It looks so pristine, while the stock it is in, looks lived in. Of course, this means your creations will get more realistic with use. How can ya beat that.
Now we need a Spandau.
The key to getting these guns and others to come to market is recruitment. Get more people into sims, more people would demand alternative weapon choices. It's happened with the MP40 so far. I can't think of any other reason, why this model is available.
And that is incredible pricing, by the way. Quality has a price.
That is a very small price to pay for a unique, handcrafted item, NOT made in China.
And the base gun is well-reviewed, and shoots 375 out of the box.
|
|
|
|
Post by ncthorn on Apr 22, 2007 0:03:52 GMT -5
Thanks for all the comments! Looks like ive got a few questions to answer.
Cpl.Hicks- Thanks for your interest, unfortunately I cannot make these rifles any cheaper as the labor involved is enough to warrant some profit along with the fact that the parts can be rather expensive. I hope to sell to you sometime soon!
petee99d- Yes I will ship to the UK but would have to reconfigure shipping. My guess would be that with the cost of a box and pakaging along with the postage you would be looking at around 70-75 dollars shipping maybe slightly less.
Sturmmann- sorry i have never used the deep fire magazines.
2nd Bat- Thanks for your encouragement! I would say that as soon as funds are received that one can expect to have their rifle within two weeks. I plan on buying any affordable stocks I can get my hands on that way I will have some preconverted stocks on hand. Basically this way as soon as I receive payment I will place an order for the customer's requested base gun. As soon as the gun arrives I will test it and make a few modifications then fit it right into the stock and send it off to it's new home. Also where do you get the boxes for your M1 Garands? I have found one site but I am wondering if they can be had for a cheaper price.
Killbucket- I do plan on weathering the receivers or painting the hardware on the stocks depending on the buyer's preference. Thanks for the compliments!
Anyone interested on getting on the waitlist can PM me or sign up here.
Thanks!
|
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Apr 22, 2007 2:00:58 GMT -5
I use the original box for the base gun (M-14) but have to cut out and tape into place additional cardboard to cover the styrofoam. You won't be able to do that with your base gun as they come in too small a box since the base gun comes partially dissasembled. I also have to reverse the cardboard throughout so logo's are hidden. If my Garands are representative your shipping to the UK should be around $52 to 58.00 but expect shipping to take anywhere from 10 days to 3 weeks. Their Customs sometimes hold things up for quite a while. It might be less then that as your rifle will probably weigh less then mine. My packages end up at around 14 lbs. Yours will probably be around 11 lbs. Ask your foreign customer to research their import laws and if disclaimers need to be posted (espescially in a foreign language ) have them send the wording to you. Place this prominently inside your box and also in a sealed pouch on the outside along with a copy of your invoice.
Remind them that THEY are responsible for any duties tariffs or seizures. Thus far thank God I have had no seizures with well over 20 rifles exported.
Buy a bunch of stocks my friend because at your price point I think you're going sell a bunch of them. Be patient as it will take the market a while to find you and you're initial pace may do well followed by a bit of a dead spell but hang in there because eventually you won't have enough time to build them all. As the early ones you sell get circulated and the word spreads you'll be a busy boy.
Expect easily half your sales to be Europe. That's certainly been the case with my Garands.
Good luck and thanks for stepping into the marketplace and providing your talent and hard work. I hope you have some decent amount of capital to get it all going as you have to inventory some parts tools and materials.
|
|
|
|
Post by ncthorn on Apr 22, 2007 12:27:24 GMT -5
Hey guys I have to make a major apology. I was just informed by my parents that I will not be able to do these rifles. I feel terrible to have wasted all you guy's time and to have gotten everyone's hopes up.
|
|
click
Sergeant
Company G, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division
Posts: 1,764
|
Post by click on Apr 22, 2007 13:04:56 GMT -5
Don't worry about it......at least you have a K98!  But one thing that mabye you could do is give out/ sell plans to build these babies. I was kind of planning on building one of these myself and I don't know exactly what to buy. I'm sure that is the case with, at least some, others as well. Click |
|
|
|
Post by indy on Apr 22, 2007 13:27:29 GMT -5
That's fine, I'm sure I can do it myself. Thanks though  Thomas |
|
Cpl. Hicks
Sergeant
Unofficial Flaggrantly Wrong Weapons Policeman
Posts: 1,425
|
Post by Cpl. Hicks on Apr 22, 2007 13:29:03 GMT -5
That's ok! No problem, I understand. Just tell us how it does in a skirmish sometime. |
|
|
|
Post by petee99d on Apr 22, 2007 14:02:04 GMT -5
I'd be happy to purchase just the plans. Sorry to hear you can't make a business venture from it.
|
|
|
|
Post by ncthorn on Apr 22, 2007 14:36:21 GMT -5
Plans are definitely an option. I may just take some detailed pictures along with a parts list and directions and post them here on the forums for free so that everyone can build their own based on my design. Thanks for your patience guys. My parents acted like they were ok with it until I asked to buy parts. It may be a little while though as I need to figure out a way to get $200 so that I can build a real nice version 2 design which I will base the tutorial off of.
|
|
click
Sergeant
Company G, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division
Posts: 1,764
|
Post by click on Apr 22, 2007 14:49:55 GMT -5
OK great! Can't wait!
Click
|
|
|
|
Post by CharleyNovember on Apr 22, 2007 16:07:04 GMT -5
Well since ncthorn has said he is not able to reproduce these. I'd like to tell everyone I can do the same conversion for the same prices. It would probally be 3-4 week turnaround as I have a full time job that takes up lots of my time. I have done one of these conversion before with an APS2SV. I have a VSR-10 out in the garage right now going into a Mosin Nagant stock there is not that much difference between the two base rifles. With the introduction of these cheaper VSR clones it brings down the price quite a bit. Anyone with interest in me building one please email me at paintgames@hotmail.com This is the one that I did. I don't the think the mag would stick out the bottom on a VSR though so that is a plus! www.scenarioairsoft.com/ww2/articles/k98conversion.htm |
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Apr 22, 2007 19:05:22 GMT -5
That's great Dan. I'm glad someone is going to take on the effort. It does require some capital expenditure up front. More then most people might guess or are comfortable doing. I still can't figure out how you can do it for the prices quoted but I guess if you just see it as additional income that's great. I have feeling it's going to take up alot of your spre time.
The magazine won't stick out at all and with a slight treatment and paint you can make it pretty un noticeable. I know Dan does great work and anyone buying from him won't be dissapointed. Odds are NC would be fine as well but it's always nice to know someone is going dedicated and capable of filling this niche.
Good luck with it Dan! NC, Sorry about not getting the support from your folks. They're probably concerned that it would impact your studies and indeed they have that right.
|
|
|
|
Post by jimseery on Apr 22, 2007 19:52:13 GMT -5
I don't want to break anyone's rice bowl so I'm throwing this out as a suggestion. There is enough expertise here to put together and archive a tutorial on how to do a WW2 bolt action conversion. I don't think that this will impact anyone's income because from what I've been reading most folks want somebody else to do it for them. AllAmericanDan if this is o.k. with you, pm me and I'll start a seperate thread. If any other custom makers have an objection let me know. I think spreading the knowledge is good for the hobby.
|
|
|
|
Post by CharleyNovember on Apr 22, 2007 20:07:47 GMT -5
Nah no problem here if people would rather do one on thier own I fully encourage it. It is extra money to me and not a great deal of extra money, more of an extra hobby for my wife to complain about |
|
|
|
Post by ncthorn on Apr 22, 2007 21:21:37 GMT -5
Count me in on helping out on the tutorial. Im going to pop my Vz.24 open this weekend and take a few pics of the insides and key spots for dremeling and sanding. along with a picture of where to cut the mag well. I will also go into detail on how to make a good looking, cheap barrel so that you do not have to buy a real Mauser one and cut it up. Basically anything anyone wants to know about making a Mauser out of their VSR or clone I should be able to help them with.
|
|
|
|
Post by hansell on Apr 22, 2007 22:03:55 GMT -5
i've got a 98k stock i picked up at a local flea market and i was toying with the idea of putting a VSR10 into it or one of the knock offs but i'm not sure how well it would fit has any one used a 98k stock for the conversion before?
|
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Apr 23, 2007 0:06:23 GMT -5
Yeah it would appear that a dedicated thread is definitely called for and once done should probably be pinned. Hansell I think if you take your hands of Gretel for a while and look around you can find lots thats already posted on the subject of marrying vintage stocks with new bolt action airsoft rifles.
I suspect that the details would serve three purposes. It would greatly help those wishing to do it themselves and discourage those who shouldn't take it on. Finally it'll help those who decide to let AA Dan do it for them understand why he has to charge what he does and why it'll take a while to get.
I have now built three Springfields and am finishing two more (A springfield and a Mauser) and there is no way in Gods green earth I would be willing to do it for the prices quoted. Double what was quoted and it might leave a little for the time spent. Those prices are incredibly cheap any way you shake it. Are you sure that makes sense Dan? I must be missing something here?
When the tutorials are up and you see what's involved I think everyone will see what I mean.
|
|
click
Sergeant
Company G, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division
Posts: 1,764
|
Post by click on Apr 23, 2007 1:16:52 GMT -5
I am totaly all for posting a new thread dedicated to the conversion of bolt-action springers to WWII bolt-actions.
Click
|
|
Sturmmann13
Private
bring a knife to a gun fight
Posts: 272
|
Post by Sturmmann13 on Apr 23, 2007 4:39:47 GMT -5
that would be sweet, bolt-action goodness!!!
|
|
Ersatzjack
Corporal
"That silly Franz... he thinks we are winning."
Posts: 1,093
|
Post by Ersatzjack on Apr 23, 2007 10:08:15 GMT -5
I have now built three Springfields and am finishing two more (A springfield and a Mauser) and there is no way in Gods green earth I would be willing to do it for the prices quoted. Double what was quoted and it might leave a little for the time spent. Those prices are incredibly cheap any way you shake it. Are you sure that makes sense Dan? I must be missing something here? Those prices wouldn't cover the cost of my sandpaper to put it more bluntly. Raise them so your offer is more realistic and in this way you'll insure your desire to follow-thru and the customer will actually benefit because they'll get a custom conversion. A tutorial is a nice idea and I plan to do a step by step on my third one as by then I figure to have the kinks worked out. Still no tutorial will cover it all and you need patience and some mechanical ability to foresee how everything is going to fit together. Did I mention patience? Yeah, you need that too. Dan, good luck on your endeavor and while my post seems negative, it's not, really. I don't think people would mind a reassessment of your prices if it was needed. Figure in gas and time and price of materials (dremel bits, sandpaper, paints, etc.) and parts and build in a factor for profit and your prices have to rise. But if in the end you manage to produce these in a quality manner (happy customers) for what you indicated then I will sing your praises and stop making them myself. I'll just have you convert for me and jump to another project. Conversions are fast becoming the most appealing part of this hobby for me. |
|
|
|
Post by ncthorn on Apr 23, 2007 15:41:40 GMT -5
Those prices really aren't too low. My Vz.24 was built for like $140 and even though I used a cheap cracked stock, you are only looking at around $160 to build one with a good stock and a more realistic barrel than my Ver.1 design. I added $100 bucks to the price that it cost me to build it to cover labor as I felt that was enough. I also felt bad about charging any more than that for a gun that was really just a sweet looking VSR knockoff. AADan shouldnt have any problem getting them made and sold at the current prices. In the meantime, let's all work on some tutorials for those interested in making their own (not a difficult project looking back on it). I think it will be interesting to see how everyone made their on designs.  |
|
|
|
Post by CharleyNovember on Apr 23, 2007 17:19:14 GMT -5
Well since others encouraged me to look more somberly at pricing I have. Stocks and the hardware go anywhere from 25.00 to 50.00 sometimes slightly more. RS barrels go for about 30.00 or you could use pipe for abot 5.00.... The guns themselves go for right about 105.93 at Airsoft Atlanta. Various bits of sandpaper bits for dremels...I sometimes used my mini mill for larger cuts. Lets not forget no one has contacted me about making one. No big deal I guess as no one did the last time I built one. Couple people "kicked the tires" but ultimately no one had me build them one so it really is all academic. I encourage anyone who feels they can build one go ahead and have at it. You will learn something about yourself and hopefully be proud of your work when you are done. If you want me to do it for you. Then I can do
HFC USR-11 Based M48/Vz.24 Spring Model for 300.00 plus shipping.
I can probally do any of the other versions for a little more. I will make a little less than 150.00 for time and trouble. If anyone thinks that is unfair then you really have no concept as to how much my time is worth because it is generally worth a lot more than this. I enjoyed building the first one though, and am having fun with my second.
|
|
|
|
Post by jimseery on Apr 23, 2007 19:46:12 GMT -5
O.K. after shooting off my big mouth I had some second thoughts about the bolt action thread. Not about doing it, but how. I think what I'd like to do is develop an outline for everyone to follow so that there's some uniformity to what's being presented and then let everyone who has done a conversion can explain what they did, why they did it and how sucessful they thougt the results were. I'd also like to agree on some criteria reporting the results. Like, looks real at 5 yards, looks real at 1 foot. etc
|
|
|
|
Post by ck on Apr 24, 2007 12:04:18 GMT -5
Nice idea, I was thinking about doing something like this myself in the future...
|
|
