VM-68 Ball Detent (Magic Finger) Reproduction – In Progress

[Iseeo_0you]

Hey all,

I’ve been working on reproducing a few harder-to-find parts lately:

WGP Select Fire repalcement switch

VM-68 Hammer Seal o-ring Reproduction


Another part that came up in my feedback on Reddit was the ball detent (“magic finger”) for the VM-68.

Looking into it a bit further, these are often missing, worn out, or hardened with age, and they’re not something you can easily replace with a standard part.

So, I’ve put together a reproduction based on measurements and known geometry, aiming to match the original function:

• Flexible detent tab (not a spring-loaded ball style)
• Designed to hold a ball in place without excessive protrusion into the breech
• Geometry tuned to prevent roll-outs while avoiding paint clipping

The goal is to make something that behaves like the original part rather than just “something that works.”

Material / approach:

• Flexible urethane-style material (similar to original feel)
• Slightly radiused contact surfaces to reduce wear
• Designed for repeatable casting / production

What I’m planning:

• Finished detents available once testing is complete
• Possibly offering molds as well for anyone who wants to cast their own

I don’t currently have a VM-68 on hand, so I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone willing to help test a few prototypes (at no cost 😁 ) once they’re ready. Real-world feedback will help get these as close as possible.

If there’s interest, I’ll post updates as I refine the design.

[Iseeo_0you]

Quick update:

Finalized the design for the Detent/O-Ring molds. Going to be sending out for the first of them withing the next week or so.



Still need a few people who want some O-rings and detents to test out. I'll ship them to you at no cost if interested.