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Nerf Alpha Trooper - Basic mods - AR and seal improvement


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#1 Jeo

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Posted 19 March 2012 - 03:26 AM

So I've noticed that while we have a bunch of really good mod guides on here, we're somewhat lacking in the very basic 'first timer' style mods. Sure they're posted in 48 different locations all over the net and I'm sure you could find 47 of those through Google, but I'm going to post a few simple ones here over the next few weeks just to make life easier for our new comers. All of my walk throughs will also make it onto my blog (Foam Dart Goodness) eventually so please check it out too. Hope you enjoy!

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Today we'll quickly run through an air restictor removal (commonly know as an AR mod) and improve the seal. This is a relatively simple mod to do and certainly one easy enough for a first timer to attempt.

The tools/consumables I used for this mod were…

A small phillips head screwdriver
A hand drill, complete with extra long drill bit
A long, round hand file
Telfon tape



To start off with, we have the blaster.

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Start by removing the end cap. There's two screws here that are different to all the other screws in the blaster so make sure to keep them separate.

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Then move on to the priming grip. Five screws need to be removed.

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Then we'll be able to get to the screws under the priming handle.

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Remove all of the screws from the blaster shell and then pry the shell apart.

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As always, take a moment to have a good look around the internals and try to get an understanding of how it all works. It will make putting it back together much easier.

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Ok, happy with that? Lets continue the dis-assembly. Remove this part, I guess we'll call it a cosmetic barrel cover?

Like so.

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Then remove the jam door.

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Like so.

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Then remove the main spring.

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Then the trigger catch.

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Like so.

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Now, grab the whole plunger, sled, dart door, and breech assembly.

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It should all just lift out as on piece.

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Like so.

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Start by removing this front piece.

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Then the plunger.

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Others will say that you have to remove this pin so that you can separate the breech from the priming bar, but I've never seen the need. Yes, if you try to drill our the AR while holding the priming bar, you can break it. Really simple solution though, just don't hold the priming bar.

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Hold the breech itself, above the priming bar, and all will be fine.

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Anyway, back to the physical task at hand. Have a look down the back of the breech and you should see the AR. If this is the first time you've pulled apart a blaster, gently blow down this end of the tube and you'll very quickly understand how AR's work.

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Grab your drill and go to town on that sucker. Then make sure you clean it up with your hand file. The cleaning up phase is often overlooked by modders but neglecting it *will* cost you range.

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Now we'll move on to the seal improvement.

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Start by prying off the o-ring. Easiest way to so this is with the tip of your screwdriver. Be careful not to pry too hard though as you don't want to snap it.

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Wrap it a few times in teflon tape.

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Then put the o-ring back over the top. This will be a process of trial and error, I can't tell you exactly how much tape you will need. Put some on and test fit the plunger tube back over it. We want it to be tight, but still able to move freely with practically no resistance. Once you're happy with it we'll move on.

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Put the plunger back over the breech and place the whole assembly, excluding the front piece, back in the shell.

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Make sure you get this bit aligned correctly.

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Then move up to the front of the breech and slide the sled/breech/plunger all the way back.

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Put this front piece back in, making sure the dart tooth aligns correctly.

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Edited by Jeo, 19 March 2012 - 03:28 AM.

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#2 Jeo

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Posted 19 March 2012 - 03:28 AM

Then slide the breech all the way forward. It should close fully.

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Move to the back of the blaster.

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Replace the trigger catch.

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Then the jam door.

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Like so.

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Then the "cosmetic barrel cover".

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Like so.

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Now, while it does only fit one way, you can put tin in backwards and not realise it until you go to put the other half of the shell back on it. Make sure this end goes at the front.

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Move to the back of the blaster again and replace the main spring.

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Like so. In this case I've pictured an aftermarket spring; if you've done a spring replacement too, make sure to check out my previous post on the specifics of the AT spring replacements.

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Right, it should all be back together now, except the other half of the shell of course.

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Soooo, lets put that back on then!

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You should have noticed that two screws are shorter than the other ones.

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They both go here, above the barrel, right at the front.

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Now put the rest of the screws in.

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Then place the underside of the priming handle.

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Then screw it in.

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Then put the end cap back on.

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Then we're done!

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I unfortunately did a spring replacement at the same time so I can't give range differences. However, it should now be on par with any other AR'd reverse plunger blaster (Recon, Raider, Longstrike, etc) so expect around 15m.

You should now have yourself a significantly improved blaster that will be the envy of all your friends! Ok, probably not, but it’s still a decent improvement. Few blasters can match the Alpha Trooper for its ease of use, dart capacity and rate of fire; and now it even has a somewhat decent range to go with it. Enjoy!
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#3 Pause

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Posted 19 March 2012 - 04:07 AM

Nice write-up but, why didn't you remove the locks?

Also, that pic of you holding the breech looks like you only have 4 fingers. :lol:
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#4 iamthatcat

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Posted 19 March 2012 - 01:29 PM

I follow your blog and must say that this style of write-up is very welcome. I use your internal pics all the time for reference due to their quality and your completeness. What camera do you use?
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#5 Z64052187

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Posted 19 March 2012 - 02:45 PM

I like this, quite a bit.

As for a name for the "Cosmetic Barrel Cover", I would call it a heatshield. Not that there's any heat to shield from, that's just it's "real-steel" counterpart. Barrel shroud could also work. I only suggest them because they sound WAY cooler.
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#6 Jeo

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Posted 20 March 2012 - 03:42 AM

Nice write-up but, why didn't you remove the locks?

Also, that pic of you holding the breech looks like you only have 4 fingers. :lol:


Have removed the locks on the AT I actually use, but for the basic intentions of this walk through, I decided to leave them in.

And yes, I giggled the first time I saw the photo.


What camera do you use?


Nothing special, typically a Nikon P100. However, half way through doing this mod I actually ran out of battery and swapped over to my phone, a Samsung Galaxy S2. Practically any camera can take a decent photo, the lighting is FAR more important.


@Everyone: Thanks!
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#7 MattTheSasquatch

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Posted 20 March 2012 - 07:01 AM

Very detailed and picture heavy. Not to mention good pictures. Now only if I hadn't done these mods, or hadn't ordered an OMW Kit.
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