VFC M249 Thread

[Nick G]

Ran mine again today, on CO2. First time with the NPAS in. I can wind that out a bit , was comfortably inside site limits. Also needed to adjust the hop a bit as it was overhopping the .30's I use in it. That could be the rubber bedded in now causing that I guess.

I did drop it though, in the safe zone . 2 of us stood up at the same time back to back so didnt see each other and colided. One of those things. It did split the box mag though and broke the front sighte when it hit the ground.

Box mag might glue, but I've got others. Ive ordered the DNA steel replacement front sight for it . 

One of those things and easily sorted. Performed amazingly as ever, rate of fire and range always surprise me every time I game it.

 

[Nick G]

Quick follow up on CO2 bulb sizes. 33g ones are no good as the threads are a smaller diameter . So looks like it's the 88g ones or the 67g or whatever it is.

 

[Spartan09]

Quick follow up on CO2 bulb sizes. 33g ones are no good as the threads are a smaller diameter . So looks like it's the 88g ones or the 67g or whatever it is.

Yeah, I got hold of some "expired" 66g CO2 bulbs from a place that refurbished lifejackets...  they have 1/2" UNF threads, but box mag needs m16x1.5 threads ..... and I can't find anywhere that makes an adapter....    bugger =/

Ran mine again today, on CO2. First time with the NPAS in. I can wind that out a bit , was comfortably inside site limits. Also needed to adjust the hop a bit as it was overhopping the .30's I use in it. That could be the rubber bedded in now causing that I guess.

I did drop it though, in the safe zone . 2 of us stood up at the same time back to back so didnt see each other and colided. One of those things. It did split the box mag though and broke the front sighte when it hit the ground.

Box mag might glue, but I've got others. Ive ordered the DNA steel replacement front sight for it . 

One of those things and easily sorted. Performed amazingly as ever, rate of fire and range always surprise me every time I game it.

On the subject of things breaking...   the threads of the CO2 bulbs is immaterial at the moment...   ran the 249 at AI500 this weekend, and had the CO2 line rupture on me. Easy fix, just undo the nut on the block that goes into the gun, pop remains of the pipe off the nipple, cut out the ruptured end and refit in reverse order....    only for the damn thing to rupture again on me half way through the morning game.

Needless to say I was most annoyed...  especially as the MG would have been handy to use when tan team were outnumbered 3 to 1 =/

But when it did work, it was great fun, got some admiring comments, and performed well while suppressing a massive Green team attack against our spawn to recapture their commander, who Tan team had captured out on the field

 

[Nick G]

That's a strange one ! I've got some spare line if mine decides to do the same.

what did you do with the box mag to hold the 88g bulbs ? 

I do like it on CO2 , but I'm definitly going through more ammo Lol, I must get another pack of BB mags when I find them in stock.  The beast continues to impress , its so much fun to use in a game, and the noise and range are great for suppression.

 

[Spartan09]

That's a strange one ! I've got some spare line if mine decides to do the same.

what did you do with the box mag to hold the 88g bulbs ? 

I do like it on CO2 , but I'm definitly going through more ammo Lol, I must get another pack of BB mags when I find them in stock.  The beast continues to impress , its so much fun to use in a game, and the noise and range are great for suppression.

I will try repairing this line again as I still have plenty of slack left in the line, but I will also be contacting VFC to see if I can order a spare line in case this one blows again.

To run it on 88g, I just tape around the box to hold everything inside.  Not ideal, but I'm talking to a friend of mine to see if it's possible to make an adapter to use the smaller 66g cartridges, bit the main concern is sealing the cartridges while also allowing the pin to pierce them

I also like it on CO2, when it works, and agree with you regarding the noise and range being awesome.   I ran it at a previous game when I first got the CO2 box, and had one of the enemy players come up to me in the safezone and comment that the noise of the 249 firing was enough to get them to keep their heads down

 

[Nick G]

Got one of the Jaeger precision speed loader adapters, very handy bit of kit. I can now load my mags with a 'normal' loader. Which means I can reload during a game.

 

[Spartan09]

Got one of the Jaeger precision speed loader adapters, very handy bit of kit. I can now load my mags with a 'normal' loader. Which means I can reload during a game.

i have one too.  very handy, and it also works with my electric speed loader, though trying to balance the mags on top can be a bit fiddly


i am also in contact with VFC to arrange a replacement for the CO2 line that ruptured at AI500 as well as replacement screws for the box mag mount plate as one has gone missing, so hopefully the beast will be back in action soon.

also need to try and figure out a way of adapting the threads in the block to accept 1/2"UNF threaded cartridges like lifejacket 66g, rather than the M16x1.5 threaded 88g, or the unobtanium and F*%$£"G expensive (in the UK) 74g cartridges that VFC designed the box mag for and are easier to get in asia.

 

[Nick G]

I'd certainly be interested in thread adapters to use the smaller capsules. I'm running mine tomorrow, and I 'might' just put the CO2 block into a Minimi mag pouch , it fits with the two 88's, just uncomfortably close to hpa for my liking ! Ability to get it into the box mag without extensions or tape would be good.

Interestingly, I had an invoice arrive from ups today for the customs charges on the CO2 box mag. Since I've had the mag for a couple of months I'm tempted to tell them to do one , didn't request it at the time when sodding about with the delivery ? tuff !

 

[Nick G]

Ran it today. Had the CO2 block setup in a large mag pouch. Worked fine , but reminded me of why I don't want to go hpa, having the line between me and the gun was a total fag.

We definitly need to find some thread adapters to allow the use of 33g capsules. 

Also suffered the line failure though, well nearly, noticed the line was balooned at the point it goes into the block. Spotted it as I went to diconect after the last game, so although it didnt go pop it certainly would have done if I'd kept going.

Gun ran flawlessly though, lots of range as usual. The speed loader adapter is great, was able to reload during games which was handy.

 

[Nick G]

Ordered a couple of these to try. If they work then I should be able to use a much wider range of capsules. 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C7Z3N8TY?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

I'll report back once thet arrive, but I'm thinking that 25g capsules might be worth a go. It looks as though they use the same thread as the 12g ones. But if not then 2 12g should last a game . I have a 33g capsule, so can check the thread size once the adapters arrive.

 

[Spartan09]

Ordered a couple of these to try. If they work then I should be able to use a much wider range of capsules. 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C7Z3N8TY?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

I'll report back once thet arrive, but I'm thinking that 25g capsules might be worth a go. It looks as though they use the same thread as the 12g ones. But if not then 2 12g should last a game . I have a 33g capsule, so can check the thread size once the adapters arrive.

Hmmm..  I might order a set myself.

And if the puncture pin can be removed, It might be worth seeing if I can retap the threads for the larger cartridges

 

[Spartan09]

Ordered a pair of those adapters, so hopefully I can make use of them, even if I can only use one, it will be better than jaffa taping around the mag to hold the CO2 in place.

Also contacted VFC, and they are going to send a replacement hose for free, so that should be on the way this week along with the box mag mount and screws I have ordered as well

 

[Nick G]

Ordered a pair of those adapters, so hopefully I can make use of them, even if I can only use one, it will be better than jaffa taping around the mag to hold the CO2 in place.

Also contacted VFC, and they are going to send a replacement hose for free, so that should be on the way this week along with the box mag mount and screws I have ordered as well

Mine are showing as in transit, so with a bit of luck , may get them in a week or so. If the 33g threads are to large I'm thinking to try a couple of 25g ones. Those are the same thread as 12g as far as I can see and 2 x 25g should last a game . 

As I think you suggested, it might be possible to drill and tap the adapters for larger capsules. As long as it'll all fit in the box mag I'll be happy. 

 

[Nick G]

Adapters arrived today .I've only had a quick look, but 33g dont fit. And the 'spike' looks to be machined in so not easy to rethread, although possibly with a lathe.

I'll take one to work with me tomorrow and pop into a bike shop, see what sizes they have that will fit. I 'think' 25 g should  in which case I'll grab a few and see how they last in a game.

 

[Nick G]

16 and 25g both fit the adapter threads. Not sure if I'll game it tomorrw as I've got some guns to take with me for people.  But if not I'll do some testing in the week.

 

[Nick G]

Had a try of the adapters. Using a couple of 16g CO2 capsules at the moment . Everything fits easily in the box mag and the 249 cycles happily.  It will also fit in the 200 round R/S fabric mag.

For now I've used a section of pipe from the hpa kit I got for it when the kit first came out ( was interested in different ideas for connecting the box mag) and the oush fit end from the same kit to replace the split original feed and connected that to the CO2 block with an hpa line .

I'l take a picture tomorrow. But it allows quick and easy connection . 

 

[Nick G]

View attachment 140314

View attachment 140315

Obviously the 'normal' conecter will work fine, but mine also failed so made this up. 

Just a case of seeing how long 2 x 25g capsules last now.

Hopefully they will last a game, but time will tell

 

[Nick G]

Has anyone managed to get a replacement feed for the CO2 mag if their line has burst ?

My setup is working fine , but a mate wants me to make him up an adapter so he can run hpa now and then but not make it a perminant thing .  Let him use my modified CO2 'block' and it ran faultlesley all day on his hpa rig . Although he was going through a bottle a game ! 

I'm only after the 'block' that clips into the magwell , but happy enough to buy the complete thing if anyone knows if they are available. 

 

[Spartan09]

Has anyone managed to get a replacement feed for the CO2 mag if their line has burst ?

My setup is working fine , but a mate wants me to make him up an adapter so he can run hpa now and then but not make it a perminant thing .  Let him use my modified CO2 'block' and it ran faultlesley all day on his hpa rig . Although he was going through a bottle a game ! 

I'm only after the 'block' that clips into the magwell , but happy enough to buy the complete thing if anyone knows if they are available. 

I got a replacement CO2 line from VFC direct.

Line burst at last AI500, so I emailed VFC with pics and they sent one for free as a warranty item.

Not sure if you can get just the block on its own, but if you email VFC they should be able to assist

 

[Nick G]

put m/L crazy jet barrels in mine and my mate's . Fitted with M/L rubbers and slightly closed up  C clip . Early indications are that accuracy is improved with less spread , power level went up a touch too as I used longer barrels.

Also ran mine on hpa last weekend . Still using the internal mags , cant be doing with the aeg boxmag idea. Whilst I'm not a fan of hpa I will conceed it worked well, and given the cost of the big CO2 capsules I'll soon cover the £150 the bottle , reg and line cost . Added to which my local site does free refills. I see a mix of hpa and green gas mag use depending on game type. Switching between the two is a matter of a couple of minutes. 

Still continue to love the beast, it's just so much fun , and now there are two on site the noise in the woods is impressive !