Planning to upgrade my M14
 

I have a TM M14 that I would like to upgrade to ~400 fps. I've read that there's potential for improvement in the air seal around the piston head, so I currently plan to install the following internal parts:

- Prometheus MS100 spring
- Guarder Polycarb. ball bearing piston head (for improved air seal)
- Ball bearing spring guide
- Guarder steel bushings (double oil chamber)

I've read on Arnie's Airsoft that wear on the cut off lever could be due to the rougher finish on guarder gears (from guarder FTKs) and not due to higher strength springs, although I don't think the MS100 is that strong of a spring to begin with.

Is this upgrade recommended? Has anyone else done a similar upgrade? What were the effects? How is the cut off lever holding up?

Thanks

speak with Illusion

Isn't the MS100 a little low if you're shooting for around 400fps? Maybe you should try the MS110 instead.

http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=28264

According to the above post there's plenty of room for improvement in the air seal. I was hoping to achieve similar results.

I was more concerned about the amount of wear and tear on the cut off lever, hence the lighter spring.

I thought you might have been influenced by that thread. I don't think everyone got the same unexpectedly high fps from improving the airseal and using the MS100, though. Anyways, there are replacement cut off lever available from Guarder now, should you change your mind and go with a higher spring.

I did achieve 395 FPS in my TM M14..

I changed all internals parts with prometheus one.

The spring use was a MS110.

- Ball bearing spring guide from Prometheus
- 6.03 Tightbore 509mm, Prometheus
- Spring MS110, Prometheus
- Prometheus metal bushing
- Prometheus POM piston head
- Prometheus Cylinder head
- Systema Red piston

Enjoy it's a great AEG.

JF

How long have you had it upgraded, and how has it performed? Is the cylinder head and piston upgrade really necessary? How is the wear on the cut off lever?

Also, I'm unable to find the Guarder Ver 7 Cut off lever. All I can manage to find is the Ver 2.

So far Guarder has yet to make good on their v7 cutoff lever. Hopefully sometime this year - maybe. Given the amount of products announced, and then never come out these days, I've pretty much given up hope.

I was under the same impression.

But can anyone verify that the cause of the cut off lever wear is the rougher gears on the Guarder FTK? Because I don't have plans on upgrading with guarder gears.

I'm no pro at this, so could someone explain to me what the benefit of upgrading the cylinder head and piston is? I was under the impression that upgrading the piston head alone would improve the air seal.

Oh, and thanks for all the responses, guys. Much appreciated.

Upgrading the cylinder head improves the seal between the cylinder head and the cylinder (there is significant loss there in ALL stock Marui, CA & G&P guns).

I have always recommended also upgrading the air nozzle if you upgrade the cylinder head - just to match manufacturer specs.

Yes, upgrading the piston head does WONDERS for improving the seal and shot consistency. Keep in mind, that this only cures the piston head to cylinder interface.

Upgrading the piston is purely for durability purposes.

As far as air seal goes, these are all the connections in order:

1) Piston head to o-ring
2) O-ring to cylinder
3) Cylinder to Cylinder Head
4) Cylinder Head to Air Nozzle
5) Air Nozzle to hop up rubber

Cover those 5 bases and you should have a very consistent and solid shooting setup.

Thank you all for your replies, advice and information.

Here is what I plan to have installed:

-Prometheus 6.03 tightbore barrel 420mm length (I plan on using a shorter outer barrel in the future)
-King Arms Reinforced Aluminum Barrel (shorty)
-Prometheus MS110 non-linear spring
-metal bushings
-Prometheus POM piston head
-Guarder stainless steel cylinder head
-Deep fire nozzle

Does that sound alright? Will there be compatibility issues between the guarder cylinder head and the prometheus piston head?

Thanks again

I don't think there's any problem with your choice of piston and cylinder heads. You might have a problem with using a Deep Fire nozzle as I don't seem to find any M14 nozzle made from them.

I would consider adding a upgraded spring guide with bearings also. Is there any reason why you're choosing from so many different manufacturers? I would just buy a set from the same manufacturer to be sure it all fits.

Bruce:

redwolf has the deep fire nozzle for m14 :)

I've found both a Prometheus Cylinder Head (Ver. 7) and Prometheus air nozzle on WGC. I should be ok, right?