VFC M249 Thread

[Spartan09]

On 19/07/2024 at 17:53, Nick G said:

Anyone gamed the CO2 mag yet ? If so how did it perform ?

 

I'm playing on the 28th, so mine will get a try then.

havent been able to get to a game with it yet.  last week i was CQB, so couldnt take the 249, and this week i had another event that didnt finish until late last night, so i would have been in no fit state to attend a game today.

im thinking of booking on for next weekend as well, and will be taking "the beast" for a walk.

 

[Nick G]

Taking mine tomorrow with the CO2 mag. Hopefullt it'll chrono ok.

 

I can however confirm that my modded box mag will take the adaptor fitted with 2 x 88g capsules 😁

[Nick G]

O M G !!! if I may borrow the current vernacular , the CO2 mag was an absolute scream to use. Played 4 games today , 3 of them with the 249 and the 2 88g bulbs lasted the three games . I gassed out with about 5 minutes to go in the last one. Wasn't holding back either, much longer bursts then when I use the green gas mag. 

 

I recon I went through about 1500 rounds in total. If i use the co2 regularly I'll need more BB mags as I did run out in one game due to longer bursts and playing an offensive game. Otherwise , the range on the thing continues to amaze me , and the sound ! 

 

They'll ban 'em eventually 'cos they are too much fun ! 

[John boy]

On 28/07/2024 at 16:48, Nick G said:

O M G !!! if I may borrow the current vernacular , the CO2 mag was an absolute scream to use. Played 4 games today , 3 of them with the 249 and the 2 88g bulbs lasted the three games . I gassed out with about 5 minutes to go in the last one. Wasn't holding back either, much longer bursts then when I use the green gas mag. 

 

I recon I went through about 1500 rounds in total. If i use the co2 regularly I'll need more BB mags as I did run out in one game due to longer bursts and playing an offensive game. Otherwise , the range on the thing continues to amaze me , and the sound ! 

 

They'll ban 'em eventually 'cos they are too much fun ! 

Sounds promising, does it have a regulator and if so was it of any use?

[Nick G]

22 hours ago, John boy said:

Sounds promising, does it have a regulator and if so was it of any use?

Has a gauge on it , but seems to be preset. The gun itself does have a release valve built in if pressure gets too high. I'd say that power wise it was about the same as on green, but snappier. 

 

Mine has always been pretty much on the site limit for where I play, I've finally got round to putting the NPAS in it today to give me a bit more headroom .

[rj1986]

On 07/02/2024 at 17:36, Nick G said:

 

 

I have however fitted the DNA steel mag catch . It does feelmore robust than the stock one, and it also seems to have stopped the box mag gas block jumping loose. I can only think the 'lump' on the DNA catch might be more pronounced. I have yet to try it in a game though so we will see. When I play next I'll try it without the m3 screw that I normally fit to the mag well and see what happens.

 

 

Silly question as I can't get to mine at the mo - is it the port door or the ejection cover that is needed?

[Nick G]

8 hours ago, rj1986 said:

Silly question as I can't get to mine at the mo - is it the port door or the ejection cover that is needed?

It's the Magazine port door that some of us have had a problem with. Locks the mag or gas block into place. Some of them seem to alow the gas block for the box mag to pop free. 

 

Mine hasn't done it since I fitted the dna part and It's getting alot of use !

 

The ejection port cover that is fitted is completely fine .

[rj1986]

SO mag port door arrived yesterday.

 

Is it just a pin punch out to swap them?

[Nick G]

1 hour ago, rj1986 said:

SO mag port door arrived yesterday.

 

Is it just a pin punch out to swap them?

I seem to recal that there is a small 'E' clip on the shaft that needs to be removed first.

 

Yep, just checked mine. The clip is between the 'front' hinge tube of the cover and the tube on the mag feed port.

 

Edited August 21 by Nick G

[rj1986]

Cheers, someone on discord also helped.

 

God, that's a little bugger to get on and off without swearing.

 

Anhoo, its done. Amazing how such a small difference changes it from an expensive paperweight to usable.

[Nick G]

It's a strange one, I know that lots of folk havn't had an issue with it. But mine did from day one with the box mag block. Always been fine with the STANAG though.

 

Was your box mag gas block popping out , or are you taking preventative measures ?

[rj1986]

Yeah the stanag was tight to get in, but ok. The box mags just popped out after the shortest of bursts.

 

So I ordered the mag port and heat shield. I will try it out this weekend once i work out how im storing mags and the spare box-gas mag.

[Nick G]

I just carry the spare mags in STANAG pouches. Mine are surpless ones so have a flap with velcro to close them.  Rather than carry a second box mag ( I've never emptied one in an hour game ) why not just carry a bottle of gas ? Probably quicker to top off the mag rather than trying to swap them in a game.

[rj1986]

I did a small order and found these

https://www.bullseyecountrysport.co.uk/viper-tactical-express-utility-pouch-large-22852-p.asp

are just a bit too small for the box mag, but with a squeeze can hold 4 stick mags in the internal pocket. If i got my 3d printer working, you could probably print something to keep them more rigid and upright.

 

These pouches

https://www.bullseyecountrysport.co.uk/mil-tec-molle-belt-pouch-large-utility-23514-p.asp

fit a box mag very snug. Might need a bit of breaking in. But they too also hold the stick mags

 

 

 

[woody549]

Just thought id put it in the group before I list when it arrives. Have a brand new VFC M249 Rail kit ordered from bunnyworkshop. They were taking forever so claimed on PayPal didn’t hear for a while so ordered another from JKArmy. Just after what I paid basically which is about 65 quid. If anyone’s tempted ping me a message. 

[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]

On 11/10/2024 at 18:54, Nick G said:

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 =/

 

On 06/10/2024 at 16:14, Nick G said:

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]

12 minutes ago, Nick G said:

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]

On 27/10/2024 at 14:43, Nick G said:

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.

Edited November 4 by Nick G