Lozart

It entirely depends on the type of connectors you're using. As you say it depends on the type of connectors, my personal experience has always been that the type of pliers you've linked there are hit and miss at best. AMP type connectors (with the moulded on insulation) are best done with an AMP specific tool that has the correct indent on one half so the two prongs of the crimp itself are pushed in evenly. I've just picked up a set of these https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09DCCB9DB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and they seem to be pretty decent (I've been using them for the uninsulated motor connector types). Unless you're spending proper money on professional quality crimping tools, £20-£25 budget is going to be the decider rather than brand, as has been mentioned already at that price point you're mostly looking at rebranded imports anyway.

Fair points, well made. To be honest I hadn't actually thought about that last point.

Absolutely. Equally, if we're talking about a full auto RIF (for the sake of example) then 0.4s is getting a bit overkill for my tastes (regardless of the cost). If it's for a DMR then 100% go for it, it makes sense to make the most of the few(er) shots you have. Kind of reminds me of the "I don't want to build a wanker gun, but I want a massive ROF to be a pain hose when people don't take their hits" argument.

I was pushing more towards the "you don't need more range, you need to get closer" angle...

Yes, it's doable. But you will need a hot shot type bucking to make it fit the hop unit properly. I'd suggest that the macaron route with a decent barrel is easier and will most likely get you as close to R-Hop performance as you'll need any way. Although part of me wonders why you want to be firing 0.4's out of an AEG (unless you're building a DMR maybe)?

Do you have a spare motor you can do the same test with? Or another gun you can borrow one out of?

Shame their PTFE stuff is so expensive these days, I used to love that stuff! But yeah, paying £30 for a reel or £4 for a metre it's a no brainer.

Nice! I've just ordered two reels of EcoWire from them, didn't even realise they had a minimum order (or do you mean minimum for free shipping?)

Two pairs of cutters? Wouldn't that somewhat contradict the "dura" part of the name?

BZ Tactical have them in stock https://www.bztactical.co.uk/airtech-advanced-hop-up-chamber-inner-barrel-locking-ring-universal Worth a try but be aware that it may need some "fitting". I needed a bit of kinetic engineering on mine!

Appears they also do a universal version! https://www.airtechstudios.com/fr/collections/g-g-cm16-gc-predator/products/universal-advanced-hop-up-chamber-inner-barrel-ring

True, but the ridges around the rubber are designed to combat that very issue. The C-Clip is a crap design though, some sniper rifle hops already have grub screws for centring the barrel so yes it could work but you are introducing an additional point of endless fiddling to get things lined up properly. If the hop unit is made well then a tapered collet would probably work (you can get 3D printed ones for the Maxx hop units which would probably work for other hops too). I have one of these in one of my Maxx units and it seems to hold everything properly steady (although it can be a bit of a pig to get in properly depending on your inner barrel sizes) https://www.airtechstudios.com/products/maxx-advanced-hop-up-chamber-inner-barrel-ring

IF (big IF - see what I did there?) the original hop is rubbish (not consistent, wonky shots etc etc) then yes, there is an advantage to using the ZCI hop unit. If the original works well and shoots straight then no, there isn't. No idea on the rubber as they usually go straight in the spares bin and I fit Maple Leaf or Prometheus rubbers instead.

Hi, So first off, it's not a 6mm phono plug. Z-Tactical make loads of different options but you could do worse than a throat mic version: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Z-TAC-Tactical-Military-Bodyguard-Headphone/dp/B07BJ3SQPH/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=ZTAC&qid=1654612010&sr=8-10

https://www.moaitoys.com/shop/index.php/cyma-handguard-cap-for-ak74u-black.html There's a few different ones here too: https://airsoft.tiger111hk.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=ak hand&count=not&currency=ZAR&languag=

ZCI do a 494mm that is in stock at @ak2m4 https://www.ak2m4.co.uk/internal-parts/inner-barrels/zci-inner-barrel-494mm That would be my choice.

Chances are that whoever converted it has just taken off the fire selector knob to "lock it to semi". If that's the case then if you take the upper out there should be a white plastic linkage that goes around the back of the gearbox: the sprung lever on the left is what controls semi and auto and if the spring is on there it should default to semi. The position in the pic above is auto, stick a battery on, hold it in that position and fire a burst. That should unlock it.

It works on the hop rubber if you have a particularly high FPS build (sniper rifles and the like) but not where most people use it - in lieu of replacing a cylinder head o-ring.

Nice, welcome to the achey arms club!

Do you want something "airsoft" or something legit? Either way they are quite spendy for what they are, plenty of Chinese clones about that will adequately do the job for airsoft, personally I have the OPS/UR-Tactical laser cut belt which works well (except it's an older design with the hooky bit on the inner belt). The Deadly Customs ones are decent and come in two different sizes (2" and 1.75") and they will provide the kydex pouches too if that is your desire. As for legit stuff - pick your price and pay the money. All of them will be WAY more than you need for airsoft and are priced accordingly.

Spoken like a true M60 gunner!

Looks like you'll be ordering from China! https://airsoft.tiger111hk.com/p19146/CYMA-Adjustable-Tactical-Stock-For-MP5-Black/product_info.html

Absolute bare minimum? Glue the rail back down and get a proper receiver pin for the back end. Then power it up and see if it still functions Hop unit is buggered, to replace it with something half decent will need a new lower receiver as well as an upper (they usually come as a set anyway) or if you just want to resurrect it "as is" I probably have one of the old plastic ones kicking about somewhere. I may even still have a plastic receiver set.

I'll have to dig it out but it's one of these: