22 replies to this topic

[guardian21]

Hello all!

I am one of those "long time reader, first time poster" people.

And for my first post I present to you a Recon that doesn't completely suck!
(also you only need a screwdriver, saw, pliers, and sandpaper for this mod! No dremmels or fancy equipment!

(and sorry in advance if the pictures are weird sizes. Photobucket is being a dick)






Because i hate write-ups where you don't know what you're making until you reach the end (or even after the end) heres a little teaser of what I have concocted.





So just so everyone knows whats going on, the Recon stock is attached to the 4B pump and the valve of the 4B feeds directly into what used to be the Recons inverted plunger tube.


Here we go!

Crack open your Recon, Find and remove these bits.



Remove and save the "catch spring" (circled in red) the rest you can throw away, keep in a box, ingest, or do whatever else you wish with.



Now. Remove the bolt sled and entire plunger assembly. The spring is unnecessary so you may dispose of it.

Take the rear part of the plunger tube (the part that was shot forwards and held the spring back.


Cut off and sand down the nubs that were where the red circles indicate. it would also be useful to sand off as much of the ring that the spring rested on as possible. from this point forward it will only get in the way.

Cut off the very end as shown in the picture (blue circle) get your cut as close to the end as possible.



Now we turn to the shell

Where the black part that the stock used to connect to was removed make two vertical cuts towards the front of the gun



Do this on both sides of the shell.

Now on the inside of the gun remove as much of these ridges as possible:



you will also need to remove the back of this area too.



Now that we're all happily acquainted with the guts of our Recons, lets crack open that Big Blast!

this part is fairly self explanatory: Remove guts, dispose of shell.

IMPORTANT! take the trigger spring from the Big Blast and keep it safe next to the Recon catch spring, you will be needing them later.


Cut off the barrel of the 4B as close to the tank as your willing to get (it needs to be within a few millimeters)

Now unscrew the pump handle. Take the ring that you had to pry off, flip it over, and glue it right into the edge of the pump's tube (with the pump already inside obviously. This should seal the plunger into the tube so it doesn't keep coming out all the time



We finally get to combine them now!

Stick the opening of the 4B into the hole you made in the Recon plunger tube.

What do you know! It fits perfectly!



Open up the second (middle) yellow part of the Recon stock.
Cut or tear a whole in each half to allow the 4B pump to go inside. Then mark where the pump's hole rests, drill a hole in the shell there, and stick a screw or nail through it.



Break out your glue guns and pump it full of the hot stuff.

Close that part up and let it cool.

meanwhile, back in the front half. Now you're gonna glue the plunger tube onto the plunger!


This is where mine landed. You should glue it so that the 4B tank rests just outside the Recon shell when the breech is closed.


We're coming to a close here so hold on tight!

On the bottom of the Recon bolt sled there are two small screws, remove both of them and everything they hold within.
originally they locked the breech shut until the plunger unlocked them. but since the plunger will never move again, we have to make our own breech lock.


remove the dart tooth and sand down the far edge so it looks like this


Now replace the dart tooth and think back to those springs we saved. Turns out that the dart toots spring, catch spring, and 4B trigger spring all nest perfectly within each other. Stick them all in where the tooth spring was.

Almost done!

Take the bolt sled and a folded piece of sand paper!
Sand away at the protrusion to make your own toot on the sled. This will lock over the dart tooth and will make it a bit harder to dislodge


Once thats done stick it all together and put in your screws, You're ready to roll!.


EDIT: i made a quick video showing how it works.
http://s375.photobuc...nt=Movie111.flv


EDIT: UPGRADED. In the comments below someone mentioned the fact that it may be dangerous to have an exposed tank, another someone stated that the entire contraption seemed flimsy, also the trigger was annoyingly floating in the middle of nowhere. SO! heres the fix.

take your abandoned 4B shell and cut it like so


You will have to widen one of the old barrel holding holes on the inside, but other than that the guts should fit right back into their home.

(i almost forgot, you have to cut off the stock right in front of the second nub so the pump will fit in. cut sideways across it to free the loosened part from atop the pump)
And heres what it should look like


Heres a new video of the newly dubbed Recoblast 2.0 at work
http://s375.photobuc...nt=Movie112.flv

And heres a new video reminding everyone why we do not use 4Bs at close range.
http://s375.photobuc...nt=Movie114.flv


On the topic of ranges. i gave it a half assed attempt inside. It went far. Leave it at that.

Accuracy is ok. The darts tend to spin out near the end but what do you expect? It's a 4B with almost no barrel.





Comments? Concerns? Angry people demanding that i post ranges? (I wont) Any feed back would be welcome.





Now for the upgrade challenge.
When I originally started working on this, I wanted the Recon trigger to fire it. Unfortunately due to the fact that the triggers get farther apart when you open the breech and a lack of materials, I have been unable to do this.
Any suggestions on how to accomplish this goal would be much appreciated!

Edited by guardian21, 15 June 2009 - 05:21 PM.

[2iko]

Interesting, I personally would shy away from the BBBB internals and use an AT2K, especially since the internals would fit much better. I'm assuming the only reason you used the plunger system was to keep the BBBB internals outside the gun since it's too big?

Fairly clean and I love the pump idea.

[Greed]

Post ranges.


Now the only improvement is overall minimization and that trigger thing. This is good, I only have sandpaper and don't have any fancy tools, I have a spare 2K lying around so I might try what 2iko said...

[Keith]

The barrel is the Recon's plunger tube and stock barrel? Why do you need the Recon parts at all? It seems like this is pretty much like using 4B internals as a gun, except that at least then you could toss a barrel on it.
Sorry, forgot that it actually still has a breech that uses clips. Just putting the Recon stock on a 4B might be kinda cool too.

Also, isn't it a bit dangerous to not have an air-powered blaster's internals not covered by a shell?

Edited by Keith, 10 June 2009 - 12:15 AM.

[Flaming Hilt]

I like it.

I'm going to be an old fart and completely disregard what the people above me say. This is sweet. You know what your doing in all aspects of the post -- modification, grammar, write-up, and all.

Welcome to the haven.

Edited by Flaming Hilt, 10 June 2009 - 12:12 AM.

[fallinouttadabox]

The barrel is the Recon's plunger tube and stock barrel? Why do you need the Recon parts at all? It seems like this is pretty much like using 4B internals as a gun, except that at least then you could toss a barrel on it.

I think he wanted the feel and ability to use clips of the recon.

[guardian21]

Interesting, I personally would shy away from the BBBB internals and use an AT2K, especially since the internals would fit much better. I'm assuming the only reason you used the plunger system was to keep the BBBB internals outside the gun since it's too big?

Fairly clean and I love the pump idea.

Thanks! I was originally thinking about using a 2k or 3k but I don't have any laying around, and for me they are a hassle to get. Then i realized "Hey! I have a 4B in the car! and have not experimented with those yet" figured it was worth a shot! (and i am definately getting a few more now)

Post ranges.


Now the only improvement is overall minimization and that trigger thing. This is good, I only have sandpaper and don't have any fancy tools, I have a spare 2K lying around so I might try what 2iko said...

I will not post ranges!

... at least not yet. Its 1:30 in the morning, I have summer classes tomorrow. I have a test in said summer class tomorrow. Perhaps another time.

The barrel is the Recon's plunger tube and stock barrel? Why do you need the Recon parts at all? It seems like this is pretty much like using 4B internals as a gun, except that at least then you could toss a barrel on it.

Also, isn't it a bit dangerous to not have an air-powered blaster's internals not covered by a shell?

The point of using the Recon is that it lets me gain a high ROF. Also the idea was more about making the Recon not suck instead of making the 4B better.
i would rather have a gun that shoots 70' and has a good ROF than just to have a 100' shooter.

And yes, i suppose it is a bit dangerous to have the tank exposed like that, but the pump is not plugged and i will probably not have time to fill it up all the way before each shot.

[RVMVTVProductions]

First off, welcome. You should go far.

I personally think you should have linked the original trigger to the Recon trigger, for a better rate of fire.
This does not deserve the title "Monstrosity", though, in my opinion.

Wait, did you take out the Recon air restrictors? And how awkward is this hold?

[Keith]

I was having an idiotic moment
Good first post and write-up. For the sake of safety it might be a good idea to note in the write-up not to plug the pump. It looks like that Big Blast tank would be very close to your face when you use it...

Edited by Keith, 10 June 2009 - 12:23 AM.

[CaliforniaPants]

I'm liking this a lot, but I have a bit of advice for you. Reinforce the place where the stock barrel attaches to the front tank part, I've had 4b's fail there many times, and considering the force that you're putting on it that may be a good idea.

[Knud-Hansen]

its cool that its still clip fed, however that shoulder stock does not look comfortable at all to hold while having your hand on the handle. It also looks as if the recon trigger does not fire the bbbb, which would have been cleaner in my opinion as opposed to the original trigger. All in all, cool idea, but some things could have been done differently to make it over all more comfortable.

Edited by Knud-Hansen, 10 June 2009 - 12:29 PM.

[guardian21]

First off, welcome. You should go far.

I personally think you should have linked the original trigger to the Recon trigger, for a better rate of fire.
This does not deserve the title "Monstrosity", though, in my opinion.

Wait, did you take out the Recon air restrictors? And how awkward is this hold?

thank you.

As i said near the bottom I did REALLY want to have the Recon trigger fire it but could not figure out how (I am wide open to suggestions however)

i just gave it the title "monstrosity" because it is fairly big, bulky, and has a ton of moving parts! (also its "A" monstrosity, meaning that i did not entirely claim the title)

And yes i did remove the Recon restrictors (if i hadnt the 4B probably would have blown them out and impaled somone!)

Surprisingly its not nearly as awkward to hold as it looks. Once you figure out what does what its not hard at all.

I'm liking this a lot, but I have a bit of advice for you. Reinforce the place where the stock barrel attaches to the front tank part, I've had 4b's fail there many times, and considering the force that you're putting on it that may be a good idea.

Thanks for the advice! Im glad to know that before it happens!! how would you go about reinforcing that part?

[Vinnie D]

Linking the triggers looks pretty easy. Just open up the back of the recon handle a bit and run a metal rod (a bent clothes hanger should work) between the triggers. I think someone else did this mod but yours looks much cleaner.

[CaliforniaPants]

Thanks for the advice! Im glad to know that before it happens!! how would you go about reinforcing that part?

I'd put some epoxy putty around the base of the barrel and you should be fine.

[guardian21]

Linking the triggers looks pretty easy. Just open up the back of the recon handle a bit and run a metal rod (a bent clothes hanger should work) between the triggers. I think someone else did this mod but yours looks much cleaner.

originally i thought this too, however the 4B trigger is essentially attached to the bolt sled while the recon trigger is attached to the recon shell. when i open the breach they seperate by several inches, meaning that the connector needs to split and can NOT be solid.

[LeRazor]

Linking the triggers looks pretty easy. Just open up the back of the recon handle a bit and run a metal rod (a bent clothes hanger should work) between the triggers. I think someone else did this mod but yours looks much cleaner.

Easier said than done. I would suggest using really stiff steel or a really thick metal rod, the BBBB valve gets very stiff when its pumped to capacity. If you use something like a hanger its only going to bend over time.

For longevities sake I would suggest you make sure that whatever link you make is very sturdy.

[Alexiumz]

Nice mod. I like the use of the stock as a pump. Forgive my lack of knowledge when it comes to BBBBs, but do you have to pump it after every shot? Also, at the start of the video you cock the gun by pulling the BBBB back, but subsequently use the recon to cock it... care to explain?

As for the trigger, you could run a wire like suggested, but have the rear end of it shaped like a V, U, or similar - so that when it is cocked, the BBBB trigger is free from the wire, then as it comes forward, it fits in the end of the shaped wire, and the trigger is pushed.

Just a thought, no idea how successful it would be.

[carlough]

That is beastly. Alexuimz, the recon still has lo load the dart from the clip. So he has to do that for each shot.


Another thing, Is the BBBB a single pump sort of gun?
Or is it more?

[Keith]

@ carlough & Alexiumz - You have to pump a 4B around 6-10 times or so between shots. (Mine at least, which are plugged)

Edited by Keith, 10 June 2009 - 04:50 PM.

[guardian21]

Nice mod. I like the use of the stock as a pump. Forgive my lack of knowledge when it comes to BBBBs, but do you have to pump it after every shot? Also, at the start of the video you cock the gun by pulling the BBBB back, but subsequently use the recon to cock it... care to explain?

As for the trigger, you could run a wire like suggested, but have the rear end of it shaped like a V, U, or similar - so that when it is cocked, the BBBB trigger is free from the wire, then as it comes forward, it fits in the end of the shaped wire, and the trigger is pushed.

Just a thought, no idea how successful it would be.

Yes you need to pump after every shot. it takes somewhere between 6 and 15 pumps to make it go.

the BBBB is directly connected to the Recon bolt sled, meaning that it can be loaded by pulling on the 4B OR cocking the Recon. essentially its the same motion, just different places of holding it.

and i thank you for your trigger suggestion. I can see what you are suggesting but the problem is that there is not enough room in the trigger area. (the pin is only a cm or 2 while the distance needed is around 3 in)

[Nerf Bros]

Impressive, I love how it still uses the clips. It is pretty bulky though...

[minsc]

Now for the upgrade challenge.
When I originally started working on this, I wanted the Recon trigger to fire it. Unfortunately due to the fact that the triggers get farther apart when you open the breech and a lack of materials, I have been unable to do this.
Any suggestions on how to accomplish this goal would be much appreciated!

I believe you are going about this the wrong way. Instead of looking for a flexible wire connected to the recon trigger that can engage the air tank after it moves, focus on eliminating the need for the tank to move at all. There's no mechanical need for the reverse plunger to move back any longer, so I recommend disconnecting the plunger from the priming slide/sanding a part so it no longer is engaged, so the BBBB tank no longer moves at all. Then you can use the normal thick wire method of connecting the triggers. This will also improve the structural strength of the gun, as the tank and stock will be more stable.

I apologize if this is unclear, if you need clarification, let me know.

[guardian21]

I believe you are going about this the wrong way. Instead of looking for a flexible wire connected to the recon trigger that can engage the air tank after it moves, focus on eliminating the need for the tank to move at all. There's no mechanical need for the reverse plunger to move back any longer, so I recommend disconnecting the plunger from the priming slide/sanding a part so it no longer is engaged, so the BBBB tank no longer moves at all. Then you can use the normal thick wire method of connecting the triggers. This will also improve the structural strength of the gun, as the tank and stock will be more stable.
I apologize if this is unclear, if you need clarification, let me know.

I do understand and this would work if the plunger tube was long enough to allow this. with the lip of the 4B being one or two CMs into the tube, if i did this the breach would not open all the way.
However i am glad you brought this idea up because if i find a longer replacement plunger tube i could go with your idea instead. (and life would be much easier.



EDIT: put the 4B shell on it for stability and convienience. Instructions above.

Edited by guardian21, 15 June 2009 - 05:25 PM.