The original concept behind the parts was to really do one thing for myself, prove I could build a working gas rifle. I had been gathering parts for a build, and couldn't exactly get everything I wanted. Minus a few externals, I grabbed the open bolt conversion kit I originally intended for the CM901 build and decided to get some use out of it. In the previous post, I had the completed lower. This time, I have the completed gun.
As you can see, it is quite the eye turner. Very few set ups have been done this way in real steel firearms, and even fewer (if at all) in airsoft. The upper and rail system are the unique pieces, or should I say piece. It is a Dytac replica of the VLTOR Weapon Systems VIS-2 polylithic upper. It is made by joining a rail system with an upper receiver using a salt braze process. The two pieces become one solid platform. The Dytac replica is joined by four pins, most of which are missing on my particular one (I bought it used). Instead, I sanded down the joining surfaces and JB welded the two together. Now it feels as good as new.
The rifle has a WE steel 10.5 in CQB outer barrel. The flash hider is a G&P steel Rebar cutter. I bought it because it had this very mean, compensator type of look. Plus it could be used to push brush out of the way and get someone's attention. I used a factory WE front sight tower and cut it down to fit underneath the end of the rail system to hold the WE gas tube. I had some low profile ladder rail covers to prevent my hand from getting cut. I did not have a vertical foregrip for this build at the time of these pictures, but I eventually did add a real Tango Down VFG.
The optics set up on this rifle is a type of hybrid. A Swiss Arms Aimpoint Micro Red Dot on a low profile mount. This makes it sit too low on a standard AR rail, so I added a UTG cantilever mount to bring it up to a better height. I also added a 3x twist off magnifier by Bravo to make it easier to spot targets at longer range. The magnifier is mounted further back because that is where it felt natural to me. I should have tested it with my vest on though, and I ended up moving it forward two or three slots since I had to shorten the stock to make it more comfortable. You can also see the BCM Gunfighter Mod3 extended charging handle as well. The longer latch allows it to be used even with the optic so close to the top of the receiver. It also allows the rifle to be charged with the support hand palm, instead straddling the entire hand by splitting your pointer and middle fingers. If I don't need the magnifier, I can stuff it into pouch or leave it in the car.
An unfortunate result of the Dytac replica as well, the forward assist assembly is separately made, just like on the real VIS. It is secured by a set screw instead of a tension pin. The set screw puts pressure on a lip milled into the upper, but when it loosens over use (or in my case, recoil) then it falls off. I have since this picture JB welded it also in place.
So that is the completed Parts Gun. Again, it was more of test project than anything else. I have run it in a few games and it has performed quite well. I am now a huge fan of the WE system for GBBR's, and highly recommend them for use in custom rifle builds. I have a feeling this gun will get rebuilt into something else, but for now it is a very fun, very handy gun to use. Stay tuned for more builds from the Gratuitous Gas Gun Geek!
