Sniper Magazine Inconsistency

[blaydes]

Hello Everyone,

I recently purchased an AGM L96 sniper because my other sniper (I don't know what kind it is) was becoming very inconsistent as far as loading bbs, and the bolt coming loose. Plus, I figured this new sniper would be more accurate.

However, It turns out that my old sniper is definitely more accurate than the AGM, so I plan on using it in skirmishes. But the problem is that it's magazine doesn't always load a bb when I thingy it. I have to push up on the mag and then it USUALLY loads a bb.

As I'm sure you can imagine, it really sucks when I'm set up for an easy kill, I take the shot, and nothing comes out of the barrel.

What can I do to make the loading of bbs more consistent? I realize I could buy a new mag, but I don't even know what brand of gun it is for sure.

Also, if you guys have any suggestions for how to make the bolt stop coming loose after repeatedly cocking it - it would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[cutlasslord]

As far as the bolt coming loose, if you get some BLUE Loctite (Loctite 242) on the threads of the screw that holds the bolt handle on, it will secure it. Absolutely do not use red loctite. You won't be able to get your gun apart without pneumatic tools and/or torches which will break it. Just put a drop on the end of the threads and re-install the screw.

Far as the magazine, there isn't much you can do unfortunately besides replace it. If you take a pic of the magazine and post it here, I can probably tell you what to look for as far as a brand and model.

[blaydes]

Thanks for the advise as far as the bolt is concerned! However, I am having trouble posting pictures up here of the magazine!

But recently, the magazine has been loading bbs into the gun without me needing to push up on it. I actually swapped the inner barrels of the two snipers I have, and it would appear that the "old sniper" with the AGM barrel seems to be just as accurate if not more than it was before? also like I said, it doesn't have the loading issue so far.

Another question: What makes a sniper more accurate - a better piston, or a better barrel?

[cutlasslord]

Good deal that seems to have fixed the mag. I suppose that the hopup could be causing an issue and in changing the barrel, it fixed the hopup issue. I just figured maybe the mag just wouldn't seat right.

Far as the barrel vs piston/cylinder/cylinder head question, a good tight bore is always going to be the best upgrade for the money put into your gun hands down. But, understanding that the gun is a mechanical system, to reach its true performance potential, you need the best air seal possible. This is where the high quality (Laylax, PDI, Angel Custom, etc) cylinder/head and piston sets as well as to an extent a high quality spring also make a big improvement. Its not so much about more quantity of air as much as a more consistent amount of air. Inconsistencies cause the BB to travel at different velocities which cause the hopup to interact differently and thus have shots straying places you didn't intend for them to go. Most of the AEGs I build vary by 2 fps or less even on full auto. With the right upgrades, a bolt sniper can be even better than that but it all costs money.

That said, I do believe your best bang for the buck would be a tight bore barrel in conjunction with a good hopup bucking. The teflon tape on the cylinder head threads helps with air seal and is very cheap.

[blaydes]

That makes sense and in order for the piston to provide a more consistent amount of air, it needs a better seal? (teflon tape)

[cutlasslord]

Well, teflon tape on the cylinder head threads will increase the seal of the cylinder head to the cylinder. It won't help the piston at all. A more precisely machined cylinder and piston/head plus a better o-ring will increase the seal of the piston to the cylinder walls. But the point is that its something cheap and effective to do that will help some on a stock gun. I'd look into a barrel first though. The cylinder and piston are gonna be more expensive and doing them without a tight bore is next to pointless.