Work Bench - November 2013

So here is where I stand on projects for the month of November.  Since my job has been bountiful, and the bills low, I have had a lot of extra cash to spend on myself.  Here it goes:

#1 - Change from WA to WE, the VLTOR M4 gets a system change

I had an upper, I had a lower, and one of the very first blog posts on here was practically a complete parts list.  I had a change of heart before too many things were purchased though, and it simply stems from experience, the WA system is a pain.

I am not saying all guns that use the WA system are bad, but if you try to build a WA system gun from a G&P receiver it usually ends up being more work than it is worth.  Because you don't have 1:1 receivers, you are limited to certain parts and pieces.  There is a huge market of parts available, but that can lead to tons of non-compatibility, parts breaking each other, and spending a lot of money to get a gun working for a period of time.  It usually ends up being a money pit.  Now a build with a Viper Tech is a completed different story, but I'll get into that debate eventually.

So enters my Parts Gun build.  Based on the newer WE system, it was practically a hodgepodge of different components.  It took little effort to get them to work together into a really fun gun to shoot.  It pretty much cemented in my head that the WE system required much less to work properly and for a longer period of time.  I had close to 5,000 rounds on my internals before I decided to tear the Parts Gun apart for other uses.

Now, currently the only company that makes a VLTOR lower receiver for the WE system is PRIME.  These pieces can command a hefty price, sometimes close to $400 each!  Now, a person like me has a few connections and managed to get not one, but TWO of these pieces for a really good price.  This means I am expanding the project to include two differently set up lowers and three different uppers.  More details on that will come later, but here is a picture to tease for now.

#2 - CM901 gets delayed

For the CM901, I wanted the receiver and rail system to match.  In order to do so, I would need to anodize or paint them.  I sent them off to a friend of mine who is working on it right now, but had some things come up that caused him delays.  I'll be keeping after him to make sure it gets done.  Other than that, the rest of the parts are sitting in a baggie so they are at least together.

#3 - FN HAMR, a WE SCAR LMG

You read that correctly, I managed to pick up a WE SCAR-L for a really good price and decided to turn it into a full auto monster.  I even managed to get a black lower fitted to the rest of the tan rifle.  A few boxes on on the way to me, with some parts and pieces, but some things will need to be fabricated.  More details in the dedicated project post.

#4 - Call of Duty Project #2 - Black Ops Commando

I can't help but be a Call of Duty fan, and especially so with the first Black Ops game.  It takes place in the 1960's Vietnam era conflict, where the unusual prototypes and beginnings of modern firearms begin to surface from different nations.  The Commando is the representation of the original M16 carbine rifle, the XM177.  I think it would make a really neat CQB rifle, be a good prop for a 1960's loadout.  Parts can be tough to get since the 1960's are no where near today, and the surplus market is starting to get strained.  More details will follow, but expect a complete build soon.

That is all I have right now, stay tuned for more specific posts on details for each of these new projects.

Severe Blog Update

If it isn't obvious enough, I don't really post often on here.  It kind of sucks because I know there is a lot that could do, talk, and update, but simply don't get around to doing.  I have schoolwork, a job, and other hobbies I try to keep up as well, which unfortunately means some things sit on the backburner.  That being said, things are starting to wind down and I think I finally make all you viewers a promise:

For the year of 2014, I will upload a new post at least once a month.

Sometimes I go half a year without saying anything.  As a result, projects I do have completed don't show up on here until a few months later.  So here is the breakdown of posts for the soon-to-be new year.

1. One post per month will be simply "A Work Bench Update".  This is what kind of projects I have going on, and where other projects have gotten.

2. Reviews will be sparse, but still happen.  In fact, I have two I am working on right now.  They will get posted simply whenever I finish them.  I like to try and go into as much detail as possible and that usually translates to more time between reviews.

3. Project Completions are just that, here is my new shiny toy.  These can be as simple as the M1911 build, which was swapping some parts around, or as in depth as a complete scratch build like the Parts Gun.  I will also try to share some insight into why I do things a certain way or why I like certain guns.

4. Project Starts will be, "here is a new idea I have and am planning on building".  These give a little detail as to the purpose of the build and what parameters I have set further.  Examples would be the WA VLTOR build, where I stated I won't be using any Magpul parts, or the CM901 build, where I said I will try to use as many Colt parts as I can.  Any hurdles will generally be covered in update posts.

5. Work Instructions.  I know a number of people have viewed the RS M4 Charging Handle Mod for the WE M4 rifle, so I would like to do that with other modifications that are needed to use certain parts.

Call an early New Year's Resolution or a Blog Revamp, but 2014 is going to be a busy time.  Stay tuned!