Saturday, July 16, 2005
PPSh-41: NEW Drum Magazine
Well, the moment of truth is always when you start to combine parts. The drum magazine I spent ALL that time working on was TOO WIDE for the slot on the lower receiver. I had used a 3mm plastic for strength but didn't think it would affect the size that much. Unfortunately, if I was going to make a WORKING model, I needed a enough space inside for the bullets.
After pouting for a few days, I decided to remake the magazine with a thinner plastic. Fortunately I was able to use the old magazine as a form for the new one. Using a heat gun I was able to press the grooves directly into the surface of the top and bottom of the new magazine.
For the side of the drum, I used a plastic jug as the form and pressed the groove directly into that.
Inside the magazine is a track that feed the rounds into the gun. I was even able to heat form a groove in the track itself...just like the real one!
More putty to hide the seams on the assembled magazine. It didn't turn out as crisp and machined as I would've liked but I figure once painted and weathered it will look like it's been in a few battles!
This scoop is inside the opening of the magazine and guides the bullets out of the track. It was also (carefully) heat-formed.
This swiveling roller arm attaches to the spring case to push the bullets out of the drum.
The roller arm attaches to the spring case like so.
...and it all comes together. You can see how the clockwise rotating pusher arm runs through the tracks to feed ammo. Remember, I had no plans for the interior and it all had to be reverse engineered using cutaway drawings and photos. Is there a emoticon for patting yourself on the back?
The final touch is a small 'metal' loop that is attached to the side of the magazine. From what I've read, soldiers would loop string through it and tie it to their belt so it couldn't be dropped and lost! ¶ 11:19 PM
Well, the moment of truth is always when you start to combine parts. The drum magazine I spent ALL that time working on was TOO WIDE for the slot on the lower receiver. I had used a 3mm plastic for strength but didn't think it would affect the size that much. Unfortunately, if I was going to make a WORKING model, I needed a enough space inside for the bullets.
After pouting for a few days, I decided to remake the magazine with a thinner plastic. Fortunately I was able to use the old magazine as a form for the new one. Using a heat gun I was able to press the grooves directly into the surface of the top and bottom of the new magazine.
For the side of the drum, I used a plastic jug as the form and pressed the groove directly into that.
Inside the magazine is a track that feed the rounds into the gun. I was even able to heat form a groove in the track itself...just like the real one!
More putty to hide the seams on the assembled magazine. It didn't turn out as crisp and machined as I would've liked but I figure once painted and weathered it will look like it's been in a few battles!
This scoop is inside the opening of the magazine and guides the bullets out of the track. It was also (carefully) heat-formed.
This swiveling roller arm attaches to the spring case to push the bullets out of the drum.
The roller arm attaches to the spring case like so.
...and it all comes together. You can see how the clockwise rotating pusher arm runs through the tracks to feed ammo. Remember, I had no plans for the interior and it all had to be reverse engineered using cutaway drawings and photos. Is there a emoticon for patting yourself on the back?
The final touch is a small 'metal' loop that is attached to the side of the magazine. From what I've read, soldiers would loop string through it and tie it to their belt so it couldn't be dropped and lost! ¶ 11:19 PM
