Anyways, after doing this mod and putting it back together (which is a complete and utter bitch and a half) I would recommend you just do it from the outside. It might be a little trickier, but completely possible and a lot easier than opening it up. I’ll bold or indicate which steps should be done to make it easiest (the whole thing will be done by opening it up, though). This will also give you guys a chance to see how the thing works, if you’re interested (and my pictures are good enough). I like this gun, especially how the mouth opens and the legs go forward when the you pull the tail back.
Anyways, here it is.
Flip it over and unscrew the four rather large screws.
When you unscrew it you’ll see that the handle isn’t attached to anything.
Let’s look at the front of the gun. The little prong you see to the upper right is what makes the bottom half of the gators mouth open.
Pop out the assembly by pulling from the top of the gators head (bottom, if you are looking down on it) and pull it out and to the right. Flip it over once you have it out.
The little prong you see there is what makes the top of the head move, and the extension spring is what pulls the whole green piece to make everything happen. Lightly twist that piece out, and pop the extension spring off.
Now open up the mouth and look at the stock barrel/ peg (this is one of the only steps you have to do if you want to save yourself trouble).
Cut off the peg and widen the air hole (pictured with goop already on).
Then glue a 2.5” CPVC barrel on (Goop/epoxy).
Once the barrel is dry take a look at the top of the mouth and sand both sides until they look like this.
Now it’s time to put the assembly back in. While you’re doing so, make sure both extension springs fit under this piece like this (it will have to be attached to the assembly to be put back in, but if they’re not like this the gun will not function. You could push the springs into place with a screwdriver if they’re giving you trouble).
Now put that piece back onto the assembly, and attach the spring to the plunger tube.
Then make sure both rods are like this (not going over, as this would also prevent the gun from firing). There is one on each side.
Pop the assembly back in. Finished internals (should be the same as stock).
Now put the shell back together, but while you’re doing so hold the handle up to ensure it goes back properly.
Finished product.
With bands.
With two strings of bands on it (as shown) I get about 30’-40’. It was very varied throughout the five darts I shot. The highest I got was around 50’, but it traveled extremely slowly (I think it was too tight).
So, what do you think? I like this gun, and think it’s a neat little collectors item. Needless to say I’d love to own someone with this in a war, but that is not likely to happen. This was more of a there’s-no-write-up-for-it-so-I-might-as-well sort of thing.
Questions? Comments?
-OfAll’
Edited by OfAllTheNerf, 10 May 2008 - 06:02 PM.
