We here at Gun Lab are working hard to try and complete the first of the VG1-5 rifles in time for the SAR show. To tell you the truth it has been a challenge. The last week has been spent putting together the rifles and testing for fit and operation. We would find one small problem and fix that only to find that it now causes two more problems that need fixing. Once these are worked out they then cause 4 more problems. An example of this is the fire control group. Once assembled in the receiver with the bolt, upper and gas piston the dis-connector would not operate correctly. It was ground down to make thinner this then showed a problem with the trigger spring. We corrected that but then found out the trigger set to high by .040″ and needed to be lowered by the amount which means the the primary and secondary sear needed to be lowered but not by the same amount. This then forced the dis-connector to be the wrong shape and it needed to be re-machined to fit in and operate correctly. Hopefully we will have everything sorted out by Sunday evening.
Fit up is good on the upper receiver, top cover and rear barrel support. Next will be the gas piston.
Other projects that were completed today was the welding up and laying out the parkerizing set up. here is a quick picture of that area.
This first picture is of the tank layout on an old rack that I had. This next picture is after the burner set was welded on it.
More work to do tomorrow.
Still hoping to be one of the owners of this weapon. Please keep me in mind when you are ready to sell. Thanks Harry
Looking good… can’t wait to buy one of these!
Can’t wait to see it at SAR!
If it is any comfort to you, even the great John Moses Browning ran into these kinds of trigger group problems. He used to cut 10x actual size cardboard parts and fiddle with them on pegboard. Then when things worked to his satisfaction, the cardboard parts were turned over to his brother who reduced them to engineering drawings.
I have had to do this with complex automotive and ordnance assemblies. It works even if it damages your pride.
It is coming along. It is just that we have design it in solid works then redesign it a dozen times only to come back where we kind of started. I think we have it now and the stock was made. Just the hand guards left.
“He used to cut 10x actual size cardboard parts and fiddle with them on pegboard. Then when things worked to his satisfaction, the cardboard parts were turned over to his brother who reduced them to engineering drawings.
I have had to do this with complex automotive and ordnance assemblies. It works even if it damages your pride.”
i do that 16 years ago before qcad and librecad
So have I. That is the reason we use Solid Works. There are still a lot of little things that will bite you and you will not have answers to until you build it.
I still pretty much do that at work, even with the latest version of Creo (was Pro/Engineer until a couple years ago).
I really hope you will use the newly acquired high speed cameras Ian has, to examine and make tests regarding the VG gas retarded blowback system.
For example firing with gas holes blocked, or drilling the holes on some other places on the barrel, etc.
Point is to see the functionality of this system delaying the blowback in rifle calibre.
I have made arrangements to have the rifle photographed with high speed cameras while firing. It should be interesting.