Anticipation is torture

b-cuzz · 03-16-2010, 12:53 AM

Howdy y'all!
I just bought my first VM (it's an EXC), and am angst-ridden waiting for it to arrive.

I'm going to set it up assault rifle-style. I've got a Lapco fake suppressor on order, and am looking to get a .45 frame (I like those better than the M-16 grips), Armson stealth, aluminum plates (required by law, I'm sure), CAR stock, q-loader, scope mount, and maybe a magwell.
It'll be the first time I've ever built a milsim marker, and I'm looking forward to it.
What I'd like to know is, what are the steps I need to take to get this thing to breathe air on remote? I can and will get it done, but anyone who owns or has worked on one currently knows a great deal more about them than I do.
The impression that I've gotten so far is that they like higher pressures. Is there a recommended/proven output minimum psi for them to function? Also, I've heard complaints about the trigger group. I'll find a manual for that at some point and get that figured out, but any tips would be helpful.
I know these and Spyders share the STBB operation, but how close are they dimensionally? Specifically with regards to the lower tube. The way I'm thinking, is that they like higher pressures due quite a bit to the weight of the hammer/striker.
I've surfed VM Empire, and seen the mods one can do to increase efficiency, improve accuracy, reduce weight, etc., but I'd like to hear from those that have done it, and hear what differences they have noticed.

Any help is appreciated and welcome. Thank you!

souz4402 · 03-16-2010, 01:25 AM

uh...the VM is a lot larger than your spider

when you get it make sure you put some paintballs in it and shoot some people before you tear into it too much

b-cuzz · 03-16-2010, 10:03 AM

Don't worry, I won't be changing anything that can't be changed back. I ain't about to go drilling holes in something like this.

HP_Lovecraft · 03-19-2010, 04:26 PM

Well, both the VM and Spyder are stacked-tube blowbacks, if thats what you mean.

The main differences are all the little things, like FPS adjustment is through the front of the bolt, and valve. That can be very annoying, so a very common mod is the automag-spring mod, since it allows for easy external FPS adjustment out the rear.

The VM is about 5lbs, while the Spyder is about 2.3lbs. A big difference. You can get 45-grips, but they are not very comfortable since the VM does not have a "curve" for the top of your hand.

Yes, the trigger is very complicated. Just NEVER take it apart, not even to tinker. It has lots of little springs that are easy to loose, and currently hard to replace. PTP used to stock parts, but they might be out by now?

Otherwise, have a blast. The big advantage of the VM today is its not like anything else. Like the 68-Special, and Golden Eagle, its from a different time in paintball which manafacturers thought the gun had to be massive to SURVIVE paintball.....

XM15 · 03-21-2010, 12:34 AM

I like the PTP 45 frame on mine. If you ever take the trigger apart this is a very helpful link.
put your trigger together

b-cuzz · 03-21-2010, 10:51 PM

Thanks, guys! Is VMEmpire still up? At some point I'm going to make a donation and buy a delrin bolt if they're still there.
I'm in contact with PTP right now, and we're working up some mods I'm after. They still have QUITE a bit of stuff for these beasts.
All but a couple of my other guns have .45's on them, and I've gotten rather accustomed to them.
I may do the Automag spring mod or use a Spyder spring kit. Probably the Mag, though. I may try it both ways, as I've got plenty of both laying around.
If I could get a stock for the upper tube, I'd see about fabbing an rva for it. I don't think it'd be too difficult, but PTP doesn't have an upper tube stock.
Just about all that's left after that is to find an EC magwell from like an A-5 or something. I'd like to be able to do away with the 3-foot steel braid it's got.

adrenlynjnky · 04-15-2010, 12:36 AM

im doing an over haul on my vm. no mods just general maintainance. anyone know where i can get an o-ring kit or if you know the sizes for all the original o-rings that would be great too.can help me?

b-cuzz · 04-15-2010, 12:40 AM

Palmer's is the only place I know of to get the kits. They're on their site for $30, IIRC.
From what I understand, most aren't too difficult to match up, but the striker o-ring is ridiculously proprietary.

adrenlynjnky · 04-15-2010, 09:22 PM

alright i preciate the info. do you know where ican find a copy of the schematics for the vm68? i just want to see if it says what size o-rings i might need

adrenlynjnky · 04-15-2010, 09:25 PM

im trying to revamp myy vm it is all original and i like it that way gut the paint is just a lil boring so im stripping the paint and polishing the metal myself and mayne later ill paint it with a translucent paint to keep the polish showing any other suggestions on parts i should replaceto help the look of the gun?

03-16-2010, 01:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
souz4402 Corp Por, Kal Vas Flam Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Spokane, WA	uh...the VM is a lot larger than your spider when you get it make sure you put some paintballs in it and shoot some people before you tear into it too much __________________ My Feedback

03-19-2010, 04:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
HP_Lovecraft MCB Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Southern Maine	Well, both the VM and Spyder are stacked-tube blowbacks, if thats what you mean. The main differences are all the little things, like FPS adjustment is through the front of the bolt, and valve. That can be very annoying, so a very common mod is the automag-spring mod, since it allows for easy external FPS adjustment out the rear. The VM is about 5lbs, while the Spyder is about 2.3lbs. A big difference. You can get 45-grips, but they are not very comfortable since the VM does not have a "curve" for the top of your hand. Yes, the trigger is very complicated. Just NEVER take it apart, not even to tinker. It has lots of little springs that are easy to loose, and currently hard to replace. PTP used to stock parts, but they might be out by now? Otherwise, have a blast. The big advantage of the VM today is its not like anything else. Like the 68-Special, and Golden Eagle, its from a different time in paintball which manafacturers thought the gun had to be massive to SURVIVE paintball..... __________________ www.montneel.com "the evidence strongly suggests that neither Billy nor Adam (Smart Parts) could have invented the electronic paintgun" -Garr M. King, U.S. Judge

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03-21-2010, 12:34 AM	#5 (permalink)
XM15 Rec Poster Join Date: Dec 2009	I like the PTP 45 frame on mine. If you ever take the trigger apart this is a very helpful link. put your trigger together

04-15-2010, 12:36 AM	#7 (permalink)
adrenlynjnky VM Lover Join Date: Apr 2010	im doing an over haul on my vm. no mods just general maintainance. anyone know where i can get an o-ring kit or if you know the sizes for all the original o-rings that would be great too.can help me?

04-15-2010, 09:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
adrenlynjnky VM Lover Join Date: Apr 2010	alright i preciate the info. do you know where ican find a copy of the schematics for the vm68? i just want to see if it says what size o-rings i might need

04-15-2010, 09:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
adrenlynjnky VM Lover Join Date: Apr 2010	im trying to revamp myy vm it is all original and i like it that way gut the paint is just a lil boring so im stripping the paint and polishing the metal myself and mayne later ill paint it with a translucent paint to keep the polish showing any other suggestions on parts i should replaceto help the look of the gun?