by Ox
Well after the game today ( and some amazing long distance kill shots ), I had lots of comments and requests as to what I did to my sniper rifle to make it fire the way it does. First let me say that this rifle didn't get to this level overnight, in fact it's taken close to six months of trial test and error in order to find a set up that actually works. I'm not done either; I think I can make it better so I will keep you updated as more progress happens.
This rifle is currently firing at 368fps with .40g BB.
I've seen this rifle referred to by many names, but since mine started as a UTG MK96 Shadow Ops, I'll refer to it as the MK96, Type 96, L96, APS, are some of the other common names you will see. This one is Type 96 Maruzen Compatible so don't get it confused with the VSR compatible rifle by AGM/JG. The sure way to know is the cocking block behind the lever. If it's square (UTG/Well/Maruzen) its type 96 compatible, if its round like a VSR (AGM/JG), it's VSR compatible.
By the way Well builds the UTG one, so don't worry if it's not a Well, the UTG one is simply rebranded with some accessories in a new shiny box. I decided to not buy the Maruzen (even though the stock is much nicer) but since I knew I was replacing every internal, it just made more sense to start with a cheaper clone.
So let's start with a list of off the shelf upgrades.
- PDI Hop Up
- 2 Pairs of PDI Barrel Spacers
- Prometheus 509mm AEG cut tight bore barrel for M16 (The PDI hop up takes a standard AEG barrel)
- Laylax Teflon Cylinder
- Laylax High speed piston
- Laylax Power Accuracy Piston Head
- Laylax Metal Spring Guide
- Laylax 150 Spring
- Laylax Zero Trigger
- Lalax Cylinder Head (This is important and I will get back to this)
- MadBull Sharkfin Bucking (Black), Stay away from the Hard bukings, my groupings, accuracy and consitency have all happened the best with this softer bucking Believe me I have tried them all
Some notes on the above list. The stock barrel is actually 498mm. I unknowingly went with a 509mm as was left with a little bit of barrel sticking out the end. I fixed that with a custom flash hider to protect the extra tip. I tried a 170 spring, but the velocity of the rifle was way outside what I felt was reasonable, not to mention way outside my local field fps limits, I'm already pushing the limit with this gun. The 170 spring kind of makes the rifle feel like it's coming apart with every shot.
After spending way too much money on the above list I got the rifle all upgraded and promptly headed out the Airsoft field to try it out. I'm sure many of you have been in this situation where you expect to have the most incredible firing gun, and the rounds just taper off to the left or right or drop straight to the ground. If you're like me extreme rage and disappointment set in, and the first thought that crossed my mind was "I'm selling this expensive piece of SH*#!"
Enter the cylinder head here. I talked to a fellow from overseas on a forum and he suggested I try a cylinder head pro. The standard Laylax cylinder head is pictured below.
The cylinder head pro comes with 5 air nozzles, all of different length so you can position where the bb sits in relation to the hop up nub. See the pic below.
I couldn't find one that was type96 compatible so I ordered the APS2 compatible one by Layalx which I was assured was the exact same thing. The fellow from overseas said for him the second shortest one made all the difference for him, and it made all the difference for me as well. As soon as I took the first shot with the new cylinder head I knew things were looking up for this gun. All the shots became more consistent and much much much straighter.
I made some other custom modifications to the rifle as well.
First I didn't like the flimsy screw in the cocking block, so I drilled out and counter sunk in a stainless allen key bolt. I think I ended up using a 6mm metric thread bolt from the bike shop. Since I work in a bike shop I was tickled to find a strong bolt that matched the thread pattern so easily.
Second I noticed that when fired the outer barrel vibrated and bounced around. I fixed this by using the top of a couple scope mounts and creating a barrel clamp to the stock. This works really well to keep the barrel from moving around. Careful not to synch them down too tight or your mags get stuck in the mag well from the added pressure.
So there you have it, this brings the rifle to where it is right now.
My next project is to do with the PDI hop up. This hop up is one of the only hop up upgrades available for this rifle. I am quite disappointed that Laylax doesn't make one. Laylax does have an Aero Chamber, but it's designed for the APS2 and requires some serious modifications in order to make it work. I haven't ruled that out yet, but please read on as there is another solution in the wind.
As I researched barrels, I came across a product by EDGI, they make 6.01 and 6.00 tightbore bull barrels for sniper rifles. I have on order a 6.01 bull barrel with 4 of their custom barrel spacers The US EDGI Distributer also sells a product called Shredders Concave Spacer Hop Up Enhancement (SCS for short). The SCS is small hard plastic hop up nub that is concaved in the exact diameter of a 6mm BB.
This product is hand made in the Phillipines, and the reviews are incredible. Basicly instead of a standard hop up nub that just creates two points of contact with the BB, the top at the bucking and the bottom at the barrel, this nub creates three points and results in exponentially greater accuracy.
Ricky (Shredder) who makes these little beauties, is sending me some in the mail and they should be here shortly. He as well told me he wants to build a hop up himself that will give Type 96 owners an option of something other than the PDI That excites me and I'm on the list when something comes around.
As soon as my SCS nub and EDGI barrel show up I'll write an update to see if I get improvement or not.
My best advice to you if you're looking to build a project like this, is be prepared to first spend some money, and second have some patience.
Below are some links I found helpful and gave me some motivation and confidence that this could be done.
If you have any questions please PM me here (http://www.hardcorps.ca/forum) and I'll do my best to get back to you. I'm not an expert at this as it's been a huge learning experience, but if I can aid you with my experience please don't be afraid to ask.
Thanks,
Ox
Links:
Sweet Type 96 Project http://www.airsoftretreat.com/forums/index.php?topic=66050.0
Discussion and Review on the SCS http://www.filairsoft.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30459
|
