Gun Doc: Upgrading a UTG M14.

youonlywish · March 29th, 2008, 18:14

Hey folks.

So here's the situation.

I've got a UTG m14 project gun on the go. I need to replace the selector switch on it. Is that a hard fix? ( I have ) experiance in gun repair.)

Also.

In terms of upgradability, I'm looking to prolong the overall life of the gun, not make it shoot harder / faster.

I know some general terms about upgrading airsoft guns, but little about what each part does, and as such, looking for a little help.

What are the first steps in making an airsoft gun last a little longer, maybe shoot a little farther (without being of detriment to the gun itself... as I've heard some upgrades wear on the life cycle.)

Thanks.

The Saint · March 29th, 2008, 18:17

You need to replace the selector switch? Like, the actual switch itself, or the mechanism?

The general idea of increasing mechbox life is to reduce internal stress. Downgrade to stay away from 400fps or high ROF, make sure your shimming is good, and your motor height is optimal.

youonlywish · March 29th, 2008, 18:23

Well, it's stock inside.

The mechanism. It's made from shitty metal so it wears quick..

The Saint · March 29th, 2008, 18:29

Shouldn't be a hard fix at all, the only thing I'd worry about is how closely UTG followed TM tolerances. I worked on a KART M14 once, and it was pretty terrible. I expect UTG to be much better.

youonlywish · April 1st, 2008, 19:06

So, provided the tolerances are the same, I can buy a fire selector switch, and install it, how? (the gun only shoots full auto... or since this will be converted into a m1 garand... is there a way to make it semi-only?)

The Saint · April 1st, 2008, 19:21

Not quite sure I understand the question. Assuming the tolerances are the same, simply swap the worn piece inside the gun with the one you bought. If it's only shooting full auto, you've probably got a worn cut-off lever.

As for locking a TM14 into semi... Hm. I know there's a way, I'm just not positive what. I think it involves removing the selector assembly (that plastic bracket that the selector switch moves).

Amos · April 1st, 2008, 21:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Saint

Not quite sure I understand the question. Assuming the tolerances are the same, simply swap the worn piece inside the gun with the one you bought. If it's only shooting full auto, you've probably got a worn cut-off lever.

As for locking a TM14 into semi... Hm. I know there's a way, I'm just not positive what. I think it involves removing the selector assembly (that plastic bracket that the selector switch moves).

There's a little rod that connect the selector on the right side of the mechbox to the plate on the left...

Take out the rod, and it's semi only.

youonlywish · April 3rd, 2008, 06:09

So my next question would then have to be...

By switching to semi-only... is there any negative effect on the gun?

yanhchan · April 3rd, 2008, 09:40

Switching semi only is pretty much not a great idea for all AEGs because of the abrupt stop involved in cutting off over travel of the gears. Plus I found that on my CYMA M14, the gear box has problems doing semi too often and I'd have to switch to FA to free it up again

The Saint · April 3rd, 2008, 13:26

There is always this: http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=55827

CDN_Stalker · April 3rd, 2008, 13:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Saint

There is always this: http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=55827

I was just about to suggest that. I bought one, is in the mail now, but the reason this is posted is because it can be programmed to Safe - Semi - Semi and doesn't require the selector mechanism to make it semi only, it does it by controlling the motor.

youonlywish · April 3rd, 2008, 18:26

Well, looks like that is the answer.

Thanks all.

mateba · April 7th, 2008, 01:21

You can also leave the selector switch, the plastic U shaped bit, out. Your cut-off lever will fail, this is just how M14s are, and Guarder makes a steel version for those. The best life span I have heard on stock parts is 20000 on a TM cut-off lever. If you want 400FPS I'd go for a POM piston head and check your shimming and lube. There is no problem to having a reliable gun at 400FPS it just wont last as long as if you had a low FPS. Thats one of the reasons why TMs last so long, they don't shoot over 300FPS.

http://extreme-fire.com/SW-COMPUTER.html
semi-semi-safe plus they will soon have pre-cocking which will be available as an upgrade for their MOSFET. I have two of these and they are pretty fun. The AEG boots once its plugged up to a battery.

youonlywish · June 10th, 2008, 22:56

I'd hate to raise the dead here...

I actually have the nerve to do this.
I do not, however... have the 65$ to put down on one of those switches...

So..

"There's a little rod that connect the selector on the right side of the mechbox to the plate on the left...

Take out the rod, and it's semi only."

Is that the easiet, most reliable way?

Will it hurt the gun?

The Saint · June 10th, 2008, 23:02

It's reliable. It won't hurt the gun, though you'll still experience cut-off lever wear.

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March 29th, 2008, 18:14	#1
youonlywish Trader rating Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Brantford, ON.	Gun Doc: Upgrading a UTG M14. Hey folks. So here's the situation. I've got a UTG m14 project gun on the go. I need to replace the selector switch on it. Is that a hard fix? ( I have ) experiance in gun repair.) Also. In terms of upgradability, I'm looking to prolong the overall life of the gun, not make it shoot harder / faster. I know some general terms about upgrading airsoft guns, but little about what each part does, and as such, looking for a little help. What are the first steps in making an airsoft gun last a little longer, maybe shoot a little farther (without being of detriment to the gun itself... as I've heard some upgrades wear on the life cycle.) Thanks. __________________ The Devil's Bench - Gaming Cafe, Brantford, ON.

March 29th, 2008, 18:17	#2
The Saint Trader rating Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Quebec	You need to replace the selector switch? Like, the actual switch itself, or the mechanism? The general idea of increasing mechbox life is to reduce internal stress. Downgrade to stay away from 400fps or high ROF, make sure your shimming is good, and your motor height is optimal. __________________ "The Bird of Hermes is My Name, Eating My Wings to Make Me Tame."

March 29th, 2008, 18:23	#3
youonlywish Trader rating Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Brantford, ON.	Well, it's stock inside. The mechanism. It's made from shitty metal so it wears quick.. __________________ The Devil's Bench - Gaming Cafe, Brantford, ON.

March 29th, 2008, 18:29	#4
The Saint Trader rating Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Quebec	Shouldn't be a hard fix at all, the only thing I'd worry about is how closely UTG followed TM tolerances. I worked on a KART M14 once, and it was pretty terrible. I expect UTG to be much better. __________________ "The Bird of Hermes is My Name, Eating My Wings to Make Me Tame."

April 1st, 2008, 19:06	#5
youonlywish Trader rating Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Brantford, ON.	So, provided the tolerances are the same, I can buy a fire selector switch, and install it, how? (the gun only shoots full auto... or since this will be converted into a m1 garand... is there a way to make it semi-only?) __________________ The Devil's Bench - Gaming Cafe, Brantford, ON.

April 1st, 2008, 19:21	#6
The Saint Trader rating Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Quebec	Not quite sure I understand the question. Assuming the tolerances are the same, simply swap the worn piece inside the gun with the one you bought. If it's only shooting full auto, you've probably got a worn cut-off lever. As for locking a TM14 into semi... Hm. I know there's a way, I'm just not positive what. I think it involves removing the selector assembly (that plastic bracket that the selector switch moves). __________________ "The Bird of Hermes is My Name, Eating My Wings to Make Me Tame."

April 3rd, 2008, 06:09	#8
youonlywish Trader rating Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Brantford, ON.	So my next question would then have to be... By switching to semi-only... is there any negative effect on the gun? __________________ The Devil's Bench - Gaming Cafe, Brantford, ON.

April 3rd, 2008, 09:40	#9
yanhchan Trader rating Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Scarborough/Richmond Hill ON	Switching semi only is pretty much not a great idea for all AEGs because of the abrupt stop involved in cutting off over travel of the gears. Plus I found that on my CYMA M14, the gear box has problems doing semi too often and I'd have to switch to FA to free it up again __________________ YANHCHAN'S AIRSMITHING: AEG repair/Tune up/Upgrades V2/V3 mechboxes, rewiring/reconnecting. Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country ~John F. Kennedy Last edited by yanhchan; April 3rd, 2008 at 09:47..

April 3rd, 2008, 13:26	#10
The Saint Trader rating Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Quebec	There is always this: http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=55827 __________________ "The Bird of Hermes is My Name, Eating My Wings to Make Me Tame."

April 3rd, 2008, 18:26	#12
youonlywish Trader rating Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Brantford, ON.	Well, looks like that is the answer. Thanks all. __________________ The Devil's Bench - Gaming Cafe, Brantford, ON.

April 7th, 2008, 01:21	#13
mateba Trader rating Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alabama, USA	You can also leave the selector switch, the plastic U shaped bit, out. Your cut-off lever will fail, this is just how M14s are, and Guarder makes a steel version for those. The best life span I have heard on stock parts is 20000 on a TM cut-off lever. If you want 400FPS I'd go for a POM piston head and check your shimming and lube. There is no problem to having a reliable gun at 400FPS it just wont last as long as if you had a low FPS. Thats one of the reasons why TMs last so long, they don't shoot over 300FPS. http://extreme-fire.com/SW-COMPUTER.html semi-semi-safe plus they will soon have pre-cocking which will be available as an upgrade for their MOSFET. I have two of these and they are pretty fun. The AEG boots once its plugged up to a battery. Last edited by mateba; April 7th, 2008 at 01:23..

June 10th, 2008, 22:56	#14
youonlywish Trader rating Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Brantford, ON.	I'd hate to raise the dead here... I actually have the nerve to do this. I do not, however... have the 65$ to put down on one of those switches... So.. "There's a little rod that connect the selector on the right side of the mechbox to the plate on the left... Take out the rod, and it's semi only." Is that the easiet, most reliable way? Will it hurt the gun? __________________ The Devil's Bench - Gaming Cafe, Brantford, ON.

June 10th, 2008, 23:02	#15
The Saint Trader rating Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Quebec	It's reliable. It won't hurt the gun, though you'll still experience cut-off lever wear. __________________ "The Bird of Hermes is My Name, Eating My Wings to Make Me Tame."

Gun Doc: Upgrading a UTG M14.

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