Once again, the Gratuitous Gas Gun Geek is back with an update to his build. Since I have been milling this WA project in my head for quite awhile, I think I have most of the parts ironed out for this build. I have broken down my list into two sections, the upper and lower receiver, so it helps me make sure I do not duplicate my parts. I will be linking a website for each part, but that does not mean I ordered it from there. The status of each part is also shown. I haven't bought much, but what I did buy has a nasty habit of disappearing before I get the chance to order it, so I jumped on it while I could. In my opinion, I think the upper receiver will be the easiest and fastest part of this project. Most issues I would run into would be fitting and alignment. Without further adieu, here is a list of all of the parts for the upper receiver:
G&P VLTOR Trademarked Receivers
(Ordered)
Stainless Steel Hop up Round
(Not Ordered)
Prime Design CNC'd Hop Up Chamber - AEG barrel and Hop Up
(Not Ordered)
Polarstar Concave Hop Up Spacer
(Not Ordered)
G&P Max Accuracy Bucking for AEGs
(Not Ordered)
Precision 6.03 Inner Diameter AEG Barrel
(Not Ordered)
G&P M4A1 Profile 14.5 Inch Steel Outer Barrel
(Not Ordered)
Real Steel Barrel Nut and Delta Ring Assembly
(Picking up at a local gun show or online somewhere)
Dytac VLTOR Low Profile Gas Block
(Not Ordered)
Guarder Stainless Steel Gas Tube, Carbine Length
(Not Ordered)
G&P VLTOR Type II Flash Hider (14mm CW)
(Not Ordered)
King Arms VLTOR CASV-M Rail System
(Ordered)
Custom Polymer Loading Nozzle & Wedge lock
(Someone from a forum I belong to makes loading nozzles with a special plastic. All I need to do it ask him to make me one. Not Ordered)
RA-Tech Steel Bolt Carrier w/ VLTOR Logo
(Not Ordered)
TSC VLT Style Charging Handle - Latch Type A
(Not Ordered)
This list is pretty basic. The receiver is aluminum, just like the real steel, but the barrel is steel as is many other parts. If you haven't noticed, I did not include my sighting system. I do know what I want to do for that, but when I explained it to some people, they didn't quite get it.
As part of my rules, I chose not to use a commonly found optic. For airsoft, this means that EOTech's, Aimpoints, and ACOG's were out. A newer type of red dot has surfaced in the real steel world known as the Micro Red Dot. These optics have similar features to their larger counterparts, but have a smaller size to lighten the weight and reduce the sight's impact on the surrounding area (How much visually is blocked by the parts of the optic. Things like the battery tube, adjustment knobs and the mount for instance.) I have recently found an optic base manufactured by LaRue Tactical, called the Iron Dot. This mount has a Doctor Optic style of sight seated high enough for co-witness and a protective shield surrounding the actual optic. They make different mounts to fit other sights like the Burris Fastfire, but one does not exist for airsoft. I found one that was the closest I could get to the LaRue mount. It lacks the shield, but that is nothing a plasma cutter, a few bends, and a tap couldn't fix.
Another issue I was running into was with the rail system, the VLTOR CASV-M. The neat thing about this system is that even though you need to have a low profile gas block, it comes with a folding front sight that mounts to the front. The issue I run into is co-witnessing. The rail adds some fraction of an inch (I believe it is 0.375 in) to the height of the flat top mount. If I mount this Micro Red Dot, then I an afraid I can't cowitness with the included front sight. There is a simple solution to this, which is buying a separate front sight. I am still deciding if I want to spend the extra cash on something like that. Granted, it would be a small fraction of the overall cost for this build, but sometimes, every penny counts. So here is my optics and BUIS set up.
Dytac Micro Red Dot Reflex Sight with QD Mount
(Ordered)
SR25/PDW Style Flip Up Front Sight
(Not Ordered)
UTG Tactical Flip Up Rear Sight
(Not Ordered)
I like the look of the A2/A4 style of rear sight and the large adjustment knob requires no tools. I also like the slim profile of the Knight's style flip up front sight (A similar one comes with the rail). The red dot is a unique touch to the minimalist style on the top of the receiver. I was trying to avoid have the most tacticool optics package, and I think a small profile helps that.
So that is all I have for this post. I talked with my local shop and parts have been ordered. Hopefully the next post is the unboxing. I won't be able to build anything yet until I have some more money. Until then, look out for an lower receiver parts list. I welcome any criticism in my list, but I am pretty confident in what I have come up with.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Why you Magpul?! The Rules of My Build
As promised, post number 2 is how I thought this one through. I knew that I wanted to have an end in mind and created a rule list. Being an airsoft gun, it had to be unique. Most others will agree with me. This is where I have to start my rant.
It seems like everyone wants Magpul stuff. Honestly, if it wasn't for one little product, we wouldn't even have the ACR today. I think their story is fantastic, but many people see all of this cool shit and are instantly draw to it. From XTM rail covers to fully trademarked receivers, these guys are everywhere. That is not a bad thing. I am glad real steel companies are making airsoft products for the huge market available, but once everyone starts doing it, then it isn't unique anymore. So I started out my set of rules with this:
1. NO MAGPUL ANYTHING.
Many of Magpul's products are interesting, but I see three products as useful and excellent in the Magpul line, but as stated in rule number 1 I will not be using them. The first is the B.A.D. lever, which stands for Battery Assist Device. This is a product that attaches to the bolt release on the left side of the receiver and allows the trigger finger to operate the catch instead of changing hand positions three times to get locked back for a function check or clearing a jam. I've seen the results and videos and can say from handling a gun with one on it that is quite handy. The second product is the ASAP sling mount, or Ambidextrous Sling Attachment Point. This handy little piece has a ring trapped on a loop that is designed to allow a one point sling to switch from left to right side of the receiver, and not get your sling all tangled up. Great piece of kit that while not completely necessary, still helps the weak side transition feel more natural. The last product is the PMAG, a polymer magazine that has an enhanced follower to better feed rounds, a gentle curve to help feeding, and durability unmatched in anything I have seen before. Nothing else really compares to it. So ends my rant on Magpul. Again, it is not that I do not like them. I just feel they are overused in the airsoft world. This is partly because Magpul has its own airsoft division, Magpul PTS, for making these products. I am sick and tired of everyone having the same parts, so I chose a different manufacturer. This leads me to rule number 2:
2. Use as many VLTOR parts as possible.
VLTOR is not as large as Magpul, but they do make accessories for the AR15/M4 platform. A few different stocks, rails, and even an upper receiver make VLTOR another common name to clone for airsoft parts. These parts are tough to find, but that is the fun of building this thing. No compromises will be made. I plan on slapping as many VLTOR trademarked parts as I can. Flash hiders, bolt carriers, receivers, gas blocks, you name it, I will find a part to match. This company is not seen on many 'popular' builds, but I plan on using that to my advantage. VLTOR does make a rail system, and some other furniture, so this is easy to get what I need. Rules three and four also address another less common element I plan on using:
3. No Flat Dark Earth or Tan colored parts.
4. Tastefully use as much Olive Drab as possible.
What does this mean? Tan and FDE are more common colors in the parts bins of retailers. Olive Drab does not sell as well, and I have found retailers run out of that color when I least expect it, but still carry FDE and Tan. The OD colored parts I plan on using are: VLTOR EMOD stock, Tango Down pistol grip, and the VLTOR CASV-M. At this point, I do not know if I will be adding a vertical fore grip. That would also be OD if I do decide on adding it. I rarely see OD guns on the field, so it will be a change in the line up as far as I see it.
Next on my list are a few rules on durability and performance I want out of this gun:
5. Use as many steel G&P parts as possible.
In my mind, this means a certain level of consistency I want with the quality of my parts. This also means that less modification and tuning might be needed to get to operating condition. This is debatable, but I see G&P as a quality company and through my research, one of the best to get upgrades parts from. These could eventually be replaced by other companies such as RA-Tech if wear is too high or not what I expected.
6. Only use Real Steel parts if the Airsoft Replica is not made or cannot be found.
I have seen many people convert real steel upper receivers to fit airsoft parts. I would rather not deal with the legality or consequences that could surface with this gun. So far, the only real steel part I would need is the delta ring assembly. Everything else could be found for airsoft.
7. Tune rifle to be used as a longer range CQB gun and a mid range Field gun.
This is pretty much what I am building this gun for. I wanted a gun I could run in both CQB and outdoor. I am aware that companies make systems to adjust the FPS for any style of play, but I really did this rule for how I wanted the gun to look. Yes, I am aware 6 in guns are used for hitting long ranges, and DMR's are used inside, but I wanted this to be a well rounded gun. I normally run as a heavy assault rifleman, carrying lots of ammo and magazines. I plan on slowly building up to 7 total magazines. Most people carry that many in mid-caps, but I feel that since I get out quite a bit, and would have the chance to reload if need be. That being said, I would plan on having two magazines taped together in my backpack as an 'Oh Shit, I need reload' back up. The next rule is something that once again, goes with the looks of the rifle:
8. Do not use commonly found optics.
I see many people on the field with EOTech's, Aimpoint's, ACOG's, and even C-More's. Finding myself thinking differently, I plan on using a micro-red dot for my optic of choice. This way I do not have as much bulk on my rifle, making it streamline for CQB. I have recently found my large EOTech to be a lot to manage on my ICS M16, so a simpler red dot with a smaller reticule will make it more precise, have a unique look to it, and function in the role. I am still working out my BUIS. The VLTOR CASV-M has a folding front sight that can be attached. The red dot can be co-witnessed, but The CASV-M attaches to the flat top on an M4A1 style rifle, so I am not sure if the co-witness will work. I also want to try and see if I can have the rear sight in front of the red dot, adding a unique taste to the overall look of the gun. I play too much Killzone 3 and have fallen in love with the Helghast assault rifle, the StA-52, so that is where my inspiration has drawn from.
Now you know what I could have possibly been thinking when you look at the last post of the build. It will be interesting to see where I was when I started this, and how true I stayed on this path. Look out for a complete parts list in the next post. As well as me updating it as I check things off the shopping list. I expect this to take a few months of buying, a few days of building, and hopefully years of service. Once again, thanks for tuning in. Just for reading my lengthy and wordy posts, here is a picture of what the final outcome should look like (Thanks to pimp my gun). The top one is a standard one I plan on using for CQB or standard field (E.I. no vehicles). The bottom variation is a 'Heavy Assault' variant. That would be used for more open CQB, MOUT, and fields with vehicles.
When this is all said and done, if just one person benefits from watching and reading this blog (I do plan on doing videos to provide more detailed steps), my mission has been accomplished. Hopefully in the next two weeks I can do the first package as it arrives with parts at my door. I probably won't be doing much other than admiring the quality since it won't contain any parts that can be put together. will be the first of many boxes to flood my workbench in the next 6 months to a year. Once again, thanks for reading.
It seems like everyone wants Magpul stuff. Honestly, if it wasn't for one little product, we wouldn't even have the ACR today. I think their story is fantastic, but many people see all of this cool shit and are instantly draw to it. From XTM rail covers to fully trademarked receivers, these guys are everywhere. That is not a bad thing. I am glad real steel companies are making airsoft products for the huge market available, but once everyone starts doing it, then it isn't unique anymore. So I started out my set of rules with this:
1. NO MAGPUL ANYTHING.
Many of Magpul's products are interesting, but I see three products as useful and excellent in the Magpul line, but as stated in rule number 1 I will not be using them. The first is the B.A.D. lever, which stands for Battery Assist Device. This is a product that attaches to the bolt release on the left side of the receiver and allows the trigger finger to operate the catch instead of changing hand positions three times to get locked back for a function check or clearing a jam. I've seen the results and videos and can say from handling a gun with one on it that is quite handy. The second product is the ASAP sling mount, or Ambidextrous Sling Attachment Point. This handy little piece has a ring trapped on a loop that is designed to allow a one point sling to switch from left to right side of the receiver, and not get your sling all tangled up. Great piece of kit that while not completely necessary, still helps the weak side transition feel more natural. The last product is the PMAG, a polymer magazine that has an enhanced follower to better feed rounds, a gentle curve to help feeding, and durability unmatched in anything I have seen before. Nothing else really compares to it. So ends my rant on Magpul. Again, it is not that I do not like them. I just feel they are overused in the airsoft world. This is partly because Magpul has its own airsoft division, Magpul PTS, for making these products. I am sick and tired of everyone having the same parts, so I chose a different manufacturer. This leads me to rule number 2:
2. Use as many VLTOR parts as possible.
VLTOR is not as large as Magpul, but they do make accessories for the AR15/M4 platform. A few different stocks, rails, and even an upper receiver make VLTOR another common name to clone for airsoft parts. These parts are tough to find, but that is the fun of building this thing. No compromises will be made. I plan on slapping as many VLTOR trademarked parts as I can. Flash hiders, bolt carriers, receivers, gas blocks, you name it, I will find a part to match. This company is not seen on many 'popular' builds, but I plan on using that to my advantage. VLTOR does make a rail system, and some other furniture, so this is easy to get what I need. Rules three and four also address another less common element I plan on using:
3. No Flat Dark Earth or Tan colored parts.
4. Tastefully use as much Olive Drab as possible.
What does this mean? Tan and FDE are more common colors in the parts bins of retailers. Olive Drab does not sell as well, and I have found retailers run out of that color when I least expect it, but still carry FDE and Tan. The OD colored parts I plan on using are: VLTOR EMOD stock, Tango Down pistol grip, and the VLTOR CASV-M. At this point, I do not know if I will be adding a vertical fore grip. That would also be OD if I do decide on adding it. I rarely see OD guns on the field, so it will be a change in the line up as far as I see it.
Next on my list are a few rules on durability and performance I want out of this gun:
5. Use as many steel G&P parts as possible.
In my mind, this means a certain level of consistency I want with the quality of my parts. This also means that less modification and tuning might be needed to get to operating condition. This is debatable, but I see G&P as a quality company and through my research, one of the best to get upgrades parts from. These could eventually be replaced by other companies such as RA-Tech if wear is too high or not what I expected.
6. Only use Real Steel parts if the Airsoft Replica is not made or cannot be found.
I have seen many people convert real steel upper receivers to fit airsoft parts. I would rather not deal with the legality or consequences that could surface with this gun. So far, the only real steel part I would need is the delta ring assembly. Everything else could be found for airsoft.
7. Tune rifle to be used as a longer range CQB gun and a mid range Field gun.
This is pretty much what I am building this gun for. I wanted a gun I could run in both CQB and outdoor. I am aware that companies make systems to adjust the FPS for any style of play, but I really did this rule for how I wanted the gun to look. Yes, I am aware 6 in guns are used for hitting long ranges, and DMR's are used inside, but I wanted this to be a well rounded gun. I normally run as a heavy assault rifleman, carrying lots of ammo and magazines. I plan on slowly building up to 7 total magazines. Most people carry that many in mid-caps, but I feel that since I get out quite a bit, and would have the chance to reload if need be. That being said, I would plan on having two magazines taped together in my backpack as an 'Oh Shit, I need reload' back up. The next rule is something that once again, goes with the looks of the rifle:
8. Do not use commonly found optics.
I see many people on the field with EOTech's, Aimpoint's, ACOG's, and even C-More's. Finding myself thinking differently, I plan on using a micro-red dot for my optic of choice. This way I do not have as much bulk on my rifle, making it streamline for CQB. I have recently found my large EOTech to be a lot to manage on my ICS M16, so a simpler red dot with a smaller reticule will make it more precise, have a unique look to it, and function in the role. I am still working out my BUIS. The VLTOR CASV-M has a folding front sight that can be attached. The red dot can be co-witnessed, but The CASV-M attaches to the flat top on an M4A1 style rifle, so I am not sure if the co-witness will work. I also want to try and see if I can have the rear sight in front of the red dot, adding a unique taste to the overall look of the gun. I play too much Killzone 3 and have fallen in love with the Helghast assault rifle, the StA-52, so that is where my inspiration has drawn from.
Now you know what I could have possibly been thinking when you look at the last post of the build. It will be interesting to see where I was when I started this, and how true I stayed on this path. Look out for a complete parts list in the next post. As well as me updating it as I check things off the shopping list. I expect this to take a few months of buying, a few days of building, and hopefully years of service. Once again, thanks for tuning in. Just for reading my lengthy and wordy posts, here is a picture of what the final outcome should look like (Thanks to pimp my gun). The top one is a standard one I plan on using for CQB or standard field (E.I. no vehicles). The bottom variation is a 'Heavy Assault' variant. That would be used for more open CQB, MOUT, and fields with vehicles.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Who is this guy?
Hello everyone! Thanks for stumbling upon my blog, the Gratuitous Gas Gun Geek! This is a project I have been considering for a long time about something I like quite a bit, Gas Blowback Airsoft Replicas.
For those that do not know, a gas gun is an airsoft replica that is designed to use a compressed gas to propel or operate the internal mechanism of an airsoft gun. This can either be accomplished by two methods, blowback and non blowback. Non-blowbacks use just the compressed gas to fire, and as a result are much cheaper to produce as they have less parts. The fun ones in my opinion are the other type, the blowbacks. Blowback airsoft guns have a slightly unique design which allows them to propel the BB using compressed gas, and cycle the action automatically like real pistols and rifles. The designs of many are based off a company named Tokyo Marui, an innovator for the airsoft market.
For a long time, airsofters who have joined the sport in the last 5 years have only seen electric guns dominate the market for primary rifles like the M4/M16, AK47, and MP5 just to name a few. The gas gun has either been seen as a classic rifle (Of which few remain in this category), and the gas pistol.
Up until about three years ago, gas rifles were considered novelties of yester-year and were not often fielded. They required the operator to carry a tank of compressed air on their back and have a hose lead into the gun. Many people did not like the bulk and expense. When pistols became more wide spread, the compressed gas was stored in the magazines. This meant no external air was needed. The classic guns slowly became collector's items and electrics dominated. A well known company in the pistol world for airsoft, Western Arms, decided to hark back to the days of gas rifles but with a new gas delivery system in the magazines. They have created the now famous and infamous WA gas rifle system. Originally, these M4 patterned guns started at an expensive $650 with magazines costing over $100 per unit. This meant most people would need to shell out over $1,000 for a decent load out. These guns would also be made of plastic in some areas to help reduce cost, so it was not true to it's real steel counterpart.
The reason for this price tag is for the realism. Many people do not realize how close to the actual function of the real steel M16 these guns are. When upgrading these guns, many people even choose to use real steel parts! This could get expensive, and many parts do not fit perfectly. G&P, a well known AEG and accessory manufacturer, contacted WA (Western Arms) and a deal was made that they would produce high quality parts to supplement and fill a need to upgrade as most users have. After that, clone companies appeared to jump into the market. With this surplus of parts, many people have even opted to build guns from scratch. You can google many of these people, and often they will go into some detail about their parts lists, energy, time, and money spent to make one of these replicas. Each one is unique for the most part, and is built to the specification of the operator.
This is where I come in, I will not detail my entire life story, nor facts about me that could have people find me but I will tell a short story. I grew up in a home in the lovely state of Pennsylvania. I was in the Boy Scouts of America, and have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 2006. I did not know what I wanted to do with my life in high school, but I knew I wanted to build things. I was in a competitive creative problem solving program named Odyessy of the Mind, and had my hands in a few neat little things used to make the many parts of this world. About midway through high school, I discovered I had a natural shooting ability. I am no sniper, but I can put rounds where I want them to with a little time and training. So I was just like most kids, I enjoyed video games (who could have guess first person shooters?), and the outdoors. A friend of mine introduced me to the sport of airsoft and it was like love at first sight. I couldn't get my hands off of the spring USP style gun my friend owned. I wanted to master it, and enjoy it more.
A year later, I had a small collection. My parents wouldn't buy me airsoft guns, so whatever money I had was put towards that. After owning a CYMA XM8 for a few months, I always looked high for the premium brands. Once I sold that plastic trash, I bought myself a rifle worth owning, a Classic Army M14 Scout. I had always liked the M14, and with the shorter barrel it made it fit for an assault role quite well. I had that rifle for what seemed like a long time, and always dreamed of shelling out $500 on a gun and 'tricking it out' for my needs.
After graduating high school, I entered the Rochester Institute of Technology to study Mechanical Engineering Technology. I had hardly played airsoft the past year since I wanted to focus on academics. After meeting someone who to this day I cannot remember their name, I had joined a forum known as the Western New York Airsoft League. This lead me to a man known as Haggerty. An eight year veteran of slinging plastic, he had enough of what retailers were doing to customers and opened his own airsoft store. Those who knew him could now order whatever they needed and a well known person to make sure it went into their hands.
Long story short, I asked him if he ever had seen a WA style rifle. He proceeded to walk around the back and bring out a full metal, custom build someone had wanted. I had to have man handled for at least an hour, and could only ask for more. He then told me, "Oh, I can get you whatever parts and guns you want, man. It doesn't matter what site they are at, I am here to make my customers happy. Just give me a list and the money, and I will make you smile." I couldn't help but grin on the hour long trip back to Rochester from his store.
After a few visits to his shop, I had a burning question I wanted to ask him. I had heard of someone building WA M4's from parts now widely available. I wanted to know what his thoughts were. I believe his words went something like, "Those things are stupid cool." and "I would be more than happy to buy whatever you have in mind." ; the exact words I wanted to hear. Being a college student, money was tight. I couldn't afford this $1,000 project quite yet. I didn't even know what I wanted it to look like by the end. I had originally wanted to just buy one. I would have been happy with a factory built G&P Western Arms Official Custom they had at the time. Then I stumbled on a youtube video of someone who had three boxes in front of him; all containing parts to a soon to be built Western Arms M4. As the video began to close, it showed him with the fully built gun racking the bolt and showing all the tacticool crap he slapped on it. It was this moment I knew what I wanted to do, scratch build a Western Arms M4.
So a striving mechanical engineer from an average town in PA wants to build one of the most realistic airsoft replicas ever produced. This is where I mention this blog. Since I enjoy teaching what I know to others, I created this blog to detail my progress as I build my WA M4. I know it must have taken awhile to read this wall of text just see "Building WA M4" at the bottom. Let me just say that this is not something I wanted in the past few months, this has been THREE YEARS in the making. I have just now begun. This is a serious undertaking for anyone, and I wanted to make sure that I absolutely without a doubt wanted to do this. My mind is made up. My next few posts will be detailing my research and mindset for this project. Be sure to see check it out! Post number 2 will be about my parts and goals. Stay tuned!
For those that do not know, a gas gun is an airsoft replica that is designed to use a compressed gas to propel or operate the internal mechanism of an airsoft gun. This can either be accomplished by two methods, blowback and non blowback. Non-blowbacks use just the compressed gas to fire, and as a result are much cheaper to produce as they have less parts. The fun ones in my opinion are the other type, the blowbacks. Blowback airsoft guns have a slightly unique design which allows them to propel the BB using compressed gas, and cycle the action automatically like real pistols and rifles. The designs of many are based off a company named Tokyo Marui, an innovator for the airsoft market.
For a long time, airsofters who have joined the sport in the last 5 years have only seen electric guns dominate the market for primary rifles like the M4/M16, AK47, and MP5 just to name a few. The gas gun has either been seen as a classic rifle (Of which few remain in this category), and the gas pistol.
Up until about three years ago, gas rifles were considered novelties of yester-year and were not often fielded. They required the operator to carry a tank of compressed air on their back and have a hose lead into the gun. Many people did not like the bulk and expense. When pistols became more wide spread, the compressed gas was stored in the magazines. This meant no external air was needed. The classic guns slowly became collector's items and electrics dominated. A well known company in the pistol world for airsoft, Western Arms, decided to hark back to the days of gas rifles but with a new gas delivery system in the magazines. They have created the now famous and infamous WA gas rifle system. Originally, these M4 patterned guns started at an expensive $650 with magazines costing over $100 per unit. This meant most people would need to shell out over $1,000 for a decent load out. These guns would also be made of plastic in some areas to help reduce cost, so it was not true to it's real steel counterpart.
The reason for this price tag is for the realism. Many people do not realize how close to the actual function of the real steel M16 these guns are. When upgrading these guns, many people even choose to use real steel parts! This could get expensive, and many parts do not fit perfectly. G&P, a well known AEG and accessory manufacturer, contacted WA (Western Arms) and a deal was made that they would produce high quality parts to supplement and fill a need to upgrade as most users have. After that, clone companies appeared to jump into the market. With this surplus of parts, many people have even opted to build guns from scratch. You can google many of these people, and often they will go into some detail about their parts lists, energy, time, and money spent to make one of these replicas. Each one is unique for the most part, and is built to the specification of the operator.
This is where I come in, I will not detail my entire life story, nor facts about me that could have people find me but I will tell a short story. I grew up in a home in the lovely state of Pennsylvania. I was in the Boy Scouts of America, and have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 2006. I did not know what I wanted to do with my life in high school, but I knew I wanted to build things. I was in a competitive creative problem solving program named Odyessy of the Mind, and had my hands in a few neat little things used to make the many parts of this world. About midway through high school, I discovered I had a natural shooting ability. I am no sniper, but I can put rounds where I want them to with a little time and training. So I was just like most kids, I enjoyed video games (who could have guess first person shooters?), and the outdoors. A friend of mine introduced me to the sport of airsoft and it was like love at first sight. I couldn't get my hands off of the spring USP style gun my friend owned. I wanted to master it, and enjoy it more.
A year later, I had a small collection. My parents wouldn't buy me airsoft guns, so whatever money I had was put towards that. After owning a CYMA XM8 for a few months, I always looked high for the premium brands. Once I sold that plastic trash, I bought myself a rifle worth owning, a Classic Army M14 Scout. I had always liked the M14, and with the shorter barrel it made it fit for an assault role quite well. I had that rifle for what seemed like a long time, and always dreamed of shelling out $500 on a gun and 'tricking it out' for my needs.
After graduating high school, I entered the Rochester Institute of Technology to study Mechanical Engineering Technology. I had hardly played airsoft the past year since I wanted to focus on academics. After meeting someone who to this day I cannot remember their name, I had joined a forum known as the Western New York Airsoft League. This lead me to a man known as Haggerty. An eight year veteran of slinging plastic, he had enough of what retailers were doing to customers and opened his own airsoft store. Those who knew him could now order whatever they needed and a well known person to make sure it went into their hands.
Long story short, I asked him if he ever had seen a WA style rifle. He proceeded to walk around the back and bring out a full metal, custom build someone had wanted. I had to have man handled for at least an hour, and could only ask for more. He then told me, "Oh, I can get you whatever parts and guns you want, man. It doesn't matter what site they are at, I am here to make my customers happy. Just give me a list and the money, and I will make you smile." I couldn't help but grin on the hour long trip back to Rochester from his store.
After a few visits to his shop, I had a burning question I wanted to ask him. I had heard of someone building WA M4's from parts now widely available. I wanted to know what his thoughts were. I believe his words went something like, "Those things are stupid cool." and "I would be more than happy to buy whatever you have in mind." ; the exact words I wanted to hear. Being a college student, money was tight. I couldn't afford this $1,000 project quite yet. I didn't even know what I wanted it to look like by the end. I had originally wanted to just buy one. I would have been happy with a factory built G&P Western Arms Official Custom they had at the time. Then I stumbled on a youtube video of someone who had three boxes in front of him; all containing parts to a soon to be built Western Arms M4. As the video began to close, it showed him with the fully built gun racking the bolt and showing all the tacticool crap he slapped on it. It was this moment I knew what I wanted to do, scratch build a Western Arms M4.
So a striving mechanical engineer from an average town in PA wants to build one of the most realistic airsoft replicas ever produced. This is where I mention this blog. Since I enjoy teaching what I know to others, I created this blog to detail my progress as I build my WA M4. I know it must have taken awhile to read this wall of text just see "Building WA M4" at the bottom. Let me just say that this is not something I wanted in the past few months, this has been THREE YEARS in the making. I have just now begun. This is a serious undertaking for anyone, and I wanted to make sure that I absolutely without a doubt wanted to do this. My mind is made up. My next few posts will be detailing my research and mindset for this project. Be sure to see check it out! Post number 2 will be about my parts and goals. Stay tuned!
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