snapping connecting pins

infamoussmiley · 07-17-2008, 05:26 PM

I was plinking away at some pesky germans this past weekend when all of a sudden Melody acted like she misfed a ball and didn't fire. I went to recock only to find that the hammer cocked back way easy and the gun would not fire.
And there I was without a working gun as a weapon other than using it as a blunt object and the Germans on the offensive. I had to leave the field. I went back to the campsite and to my surprise (and for the first time in 15 years of firing a vm) I snapped my connecting pin that linked the hammer to the bolt. I fixed the problem when I canabalized another vm-68 club loaner for the connecting pin.
I've seen snapped pins in heavily used vm-68 rentals before (a total of 3).

Is this common?

Smiley

Tigger2395 · 07-18-2008, 01:24 AM

May not be common, but you need to realize.......That connecting pin is at least 15 yrs old.

We love our VM, but they are getting a bit long in the tooth.

I hope me saying that does not get me banned from this board......

infamoussmiley · 07-21-2008, 04:01 PM

Try close to 20 years. Melody's serial is in the first 1500.

actually, I get A LOt of "Kudos" compliments for running keeping a fleet of VMs running and letting them be used for scenarios by the Merry Band of Brothers. I was at ION last week and a couple people and techs say that they NEVER see vms anymore, let alone any kind of vm that is tricked out. I guess with parts being harder to find and with people on EBAY (not ronasp) selling half dry rotted detents and other parts at inflated prices, its starting to making owning a vm-68 less attractive.

It's a shame really.

smiley

sloonan · 07-21-2008, 05:09 PM

Smiley,
Palmers makes the detents now.
VM68 / PMI 3 Ball Retainer [VM68028] - $9.45 : Palmers Pursuit Shop!, Where Custom Still Means Something

Sorry I missed you at ION.

melkson · 07-21-2008, 05:34 PM

Palmers: What CAN'T they do?

Tigger2395 · 07-22-2008, 12:03 AM

I nearly pooped in my pants when I saw that Palmer's wanted nearly $10 a pop for Magic fingers.....Before Shipping.

And then I bought 2.....

infamoussmiley · 07-22-2008, 12:45 PM

how well do the palmer detents work?

I'd love to go through palmer to get detents, but I'd have to buy a 1000 minimum just for what we have at the school. I only have 2 grand saved up so far and its slow going.

If only I could get Craig to work with us on this.

Smiley

EvilEd · 07-23-2008, 12:31 AM

WOW !!!!! I have never seen or heard of that pin ever breaking an I have talked to a lot of Vmers over the years.

infamoussmiley · 07-24-2008, 08:35 PM

yeah, well my vms are very well used, especialy melody. I waiting for the trigger to snap next. they usually snap where the bend into a loop.

smiley

07-17-2008, 05:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
infamoussmiley . Join Date: May 2006	snapping connecting pins I was plinking away at some pesky germans this past weekend when all of a sudden Melody acted like she misfed a ball and didn't fire. I went to recock only to find that the hammer cocked back way easy and the gun would not fire. And there I was without a working gun as a weapon other than using it as a blunt object and the Germans on the offensive. I had to leave the field. I went back to the campsite and to my surprise (and for the first time in 15 years of firing a vm) I snapped my connecting pin that linked the hammer to the bolt. I fixed the problem when I canabalized another vm-68 club loaner for the connecting pin. I've seen snapped pins in heavily used vm-68 rentals before (a total of 3). Is this common? Smiley

07-21-2008, 04:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
infamoussmiley . Join Date: May 2006	long in the tooth Try close to 20 years. Melody's serial is in the first 1500. actually, I get A LOt of "Kudos" compliments for running keeping a fleet of VMs running and letting them be used for scenarios by the Merry Band of Brothers. I was at ION last week and a couple people and techs say that they NEVER see vms anymore, let alone any kind of vm that is tricked out. I guess with parts being harder to find and with people on EBAY (not ronasp) selling half dry rotted detents and other parts at inflated prices, its starting to making owning a vm-68 less attractive. It's a shame really. smiley

07-21-2008, 05:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
sloonan MCB Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: ?	Smiley, Palmers makes the detents now. VM68 / PMI 3 Ball Retainer [VM68028] - $9.45 : Palmers Pursuit Shop!, Where Custom Still Means Something Sorry I missed you at ION. __________________ I don't believe in much but I do believe in duct tape.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

07-18-2008, 01:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tigger2395 Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008	May not be common, but you need to realize.......That connecting pin is at least 15 yrs old. We love our VM, but they are getting a bit long in the tooth. I hope me saying that does not get me banned from this board......

07-22-2008, 12:03 AM	#6 (permalink)
Tigger2395 Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008	I nearly pooped in my pants when I saw that Palmer's wanted nearly $10 a pop for Magic fingers.....Before Shipping. And then I bought 2.....

07-22-2008, 12:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
infamoussmiley . Join Date: May 2006	how well do the palmer detents work? I'd love to go through palmer to get detents, but I'd have to buy a 1000 minimum just for what we have at the school. I only have 2 grand saved up so far and its slow going. If only I could get Craig to work with us on this. Smiley

07-23-2008, 12:31 AM	#8 (permalink)
EvilEd Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007	WOW !!!!! I have never seen or heard of that pin ever breaking an I have talked to a lot of Vmers over the years.

07-24-2008, 08:35 PM	#9 (permalink)
infamoussmiley . Join Date: May 2006	yeah, well my vms are very well used, especialy melody. I waiting for the trigger to snap next. they usually snap where the bend into a loop. smiley