Paintball

[Anonymous Coward]

Updated a few more pictures.

I'm finally done with what has been so far the hardest part, the stock well I believe it's called. This is a grand moment as the amount of sanding with 60 grit has been insane to say the least. The hardest part has been making 90 angles for the body to sit into. No doubt this is a custom fit through and through. Zero slop and so far {knock on wood} no boo-boos or epoxy.

Now I haven't lowered my VM as much as VM-onster has for several reasons.
1) This will be a bolt-action convertable VM for when the mood stricts me or when I play in pump or WWI scenarios. So I need the top tube slightly higher.
2) The Ruger mini-14 stock has a step right at the stock screw holes. The top step is where the bottom of my VM stops. This will give it a flatter look.

What I need to do still.
1) Remove the lower back step from the stock to level of the lower VM trigger block.
2) Shape and attach blocks to the stock in place of the VM side panels. These blocks will be part of the stock re-enforcing integrity. So when I drop the VM body into the stock the side panels must be removed.
3) Figure out what to do on the right side of the stock where the barrel meets the VM, there is a long thin 2.5" gap.
4) Cut a groove for the cocking pin and cut down the cocking pin length. Mainly to use as a safety. See #4 on parts I want made.
5) Cut down and mount the Ruger metal barrel sleeve for cosmetic reasons.
6) Fill the dead space between the barrel and the stock. I'll probably make rib joists for that.

Parts and mods I need/want done, but can not do myself.
1) Flush body plug in place of the ASA extension.
2) Tap the underside of the ASA for a quick fill nipple.
3) I have designed a part simular to the F4 design flush cocking mechanism for inside the top tube. This is not a rear moving cocking rod.
4) A new feed gate for a along the barrel magazine in leu of a hopper.

I'm just so happy I got the stock well completed.

[Anonymous Coward]

Added four more progress pictures from over the weekend.
Index of /chcarver/VM-68R

Sorry for the lack of crisp detail, it's raining outside, so inside photos will have to do.

As you can see the cocking slot is not as low as VM-onster's version. My VM will ride slightly higher in view. If I could only wear shooting glasses in paintball, I might lower the VM more, but as it is I can sight nicely, but will need the high-rise when wearing a mask. I also removed the lower step on the stock so it's flush with the trigger frame. Lastly I made a beam support; which I call the stock vertebrae. It closes off the dead space between the barrel and the stock cavity. Also it supports the barrel in place. That way any downward force the barrel might have on the field will not place pressure along the stock and flare the sides. Since the grain runs longways a flare can easily split over prolonged abuse. So it's a dual piece; one of function and of filler.

Next up is buying some tongue depressors and gorilla glue.

[Anonymous Coward]

With disappointment my stock split at the elbow today. A clean split along the radial grain 3/4 from the top to the bottom when drilling the last mounting screw. The problem is not much material is between the stock and neck at the elbowing. It was better for the split to happen here than a gentle bump on the field would have done it in. The hole wasn't the factor, rather a weakened grain I guess.

I'll reflect on what was learned.

[VM-onster]

F#@k! hOW BAD bro? Man it is looking nice too... epoxy and sand it... believe me it will work out.