A&K SVD (pics added)

Quick update on the SVD...
I drilled the allen screw out (nearly went clean through the hop unit) using a 4mm bit and a M4x0.7 or M4x0.75 tap (I can't remember off the top of my head). It has worked a treat and I now have a much more sturdy grub screw to adjust the hop.
While I had the gun in pieces, I decided to swap out the barrel for the old 6.01 from my KJW M700. It seems to work alot better in the springer than it did in the gas rifle. The inner barrel now comes right to the end of the outer barrel, probably 3 or 4 inches longer than the original.
The wood kit from airsoft panda is also fitted and has totally transformed the rigidity of the front end.
To finish it off I also got hold of a metal lo-cap mag, so no more rattling BBs everytime I move.

With all the stripping and rebuilding, I've ruined the paint on the outer barrel, so that will all need to be resprayed and the varnish on the foregrip has rubbed off from using a sandbag as a rest when target shooting...
I'll get some pics up sometime soon and do a range test for anyone interested.

Mine was bought in the UK a few years ago.
It shoots a lot better than most of the other guns in the same price range.
AirsoftPro.cz do replacement parts for it.
It doesn't really need any upgrades to be competitive.
As for pot metal, well it's not pressed steel but you get what you pay for...
My side rail snapped due to me dropping the gun on a hardwood floor and the POSP scope clamp bit clean through it, so it's not the strongest metal known to man.
I've never heard of any other failures due to the metal used (the sear will wear out but replacements are now available).
I wouldn't buy one if you want rugged reliability, spend more and get a TM VSR 10, but
if you want to stand out from the usual L96, BAR 10 brigade then get it.
AND ignore all the internet nonsense about it being hard to cock. Unless you are a five year old girl, it's easy as any other bolt action. Although saying that, it does leave your shoulder bruised the first time you use it.
Google it, there are thousands of threads discussing this gun (a lot of it is inane rubbish about wanting to swap springs so it shoots five million fps).
I hope some of this helps.

I finally got a round to doing something with the SVD.
I partially sanded down the wood stock and re-stained it with a redder colour. While I was waiting for it to dry, I stripped the paint off the barrel assembly and repainted it matt black (First pic shows the metal work before re-painting)



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By blackfoot1 at 2011-05-22
When the paint dried out, I wet and dry sanded it to give the whole gun a more worn look.
The pics don't show it up too well.
I like it and that's what matters

By blackfoot1 at 2011-05-22
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This was the only grouping I could get before the wind picked up and started gusting all over the place.
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So that's what that was; a GBB SVD? I found these pics on evike's facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.216716331679332.64351.169537669730532#

I wonder how it will be. If it's as good as and compatible with VSR barrels/buckings like they're GBB M14, then it should be really nice.[/quote]

I didn't even know there was a new SVD on the horizon, I was just wishing out loud...
If that (in the facebook link) is a GBB SVD I am going to sh#t myself with pure joy.