[SJ408]

EDITED:
Hi everyone,
I'm pretty new to the airsoft world and am starting out with a sniper rifle
I have plans of upgrading the gun once I receive it as planned (in order)

EDIT: This seems to be my final build guide
- Snow Wolf M24 = $130
- PDI Snow Wolf M24 Hopup Chamber ~ $85 shipped
- Falcon Snow Wolf M24 silencer adaptor = $22
- 140mm Silencer = $16 shipped
- ASGI 3-4x40 Scope = $19
- Systema Hop up bucking = $6
- Madbull 6.03mm TBB = $30
- Modify 7mm Spring Guide = $20
- King Arms Reinforced APS2 Piston = $33
- Guarder Piston Head = $10
- Laylax 150sp Spring = $18
Total: ~$389

Not gonna replace these sears until the stock ones wear out:
- Laylax PSS2 Trigger Sear = $20
- Laylax PSS2 Piston Sear = $33
Total: ~$442

Is it essential to replace the stock cylinder/cylinder head? Because I am having a hard time finding one for this gun, maybe due to just being a newbie and not looking in the right places-_-

I do have a budget of around +/- $400 so money is a big factor:/

Please, any and all advice/comments are accepted!

Thanks!

 

[bobgengeskahn]

BASR should be relatively easy at $400 or less... if you choose the right gun to start with. I got my ASR doing 550 fps and solid body shots at cost + $15 (~$150 total). Why the M24? Is it just cus its an M24?

 

[SJ408]

I really like the body style of an M24, TBH

Newbie talk, but you're talking about the Echo 1 ASR right? I've looked at that and honestly (being the picky person I am:ashamed I don't really like the looks of it, which plays a decent factor in my decision of a gun. Of course, performance comes ahead of that though.

BASR should be relatively easy at $400 or less... if you choose the right gun to start with. I got my ASR doing 550 fps and solid body shots at cost + $15 (~$150 total). Why the M24? Is it just cus its an M24?

 

[bobgengeskahn]

The look of the M24 is understandable (I was completed obsessed with it for a while as well as the M82 lol). As I got more and more into custom mods and airsoft theory, and have made some of my own concepts, I have realized that the old saying, "form follows function" to be more and more true.

Personally I have not heard anything bad about the M24. I was actually thinking of getting one myself. They are a little slow in replying to emails, so here is an email I received from Javelin that might help you in your decision/research:

Me
7/30/11

To Whom it May Concern:

I have an Echo1 ASR that has recently broken due to excessive use and
am looking for a replacement in which I can use as many of the APS2
upgrades that I have put into it. I have read that your M24 is
compatible with standard APS2 parts, and in particular I am wondering
if it is compatible with the APS2 Aero Chamber hop up unit and APS2
piston. I have heard nothing but good things about this gun and have
been impressed with the AEGs that I have seen made by your company,
but it would be nice if I would still be able to use the upgrade parts
that I already have laying around. Thanks.

Javelin Airsoft Works [email protected]
9/8/11

Hello,

Thank you for your inquiry and sorry for the delayed reply. The parts
should be compatible.

 

[SJ408]

Thing about the Snow Wolf/Javelin M24 is that the hop up tends to "jump" back while shooting, and this is a common problem I keep seeing pop up. And the fact that the hop up system on this model M24 is somewhat different than other hop ups, it's pretty hard to find an easy replacement/fix without spending some $$$. And with a stiff budget, that doesn't look to goood.

Buuut since you seem to be looking to order an M24, how is the Aero Chamber? Reliable/durable?

 

[bobgengeskahn]

I have an APS2 aero chamber in my ASR. The chamber is rock solid and if put together correctly does an amazing job. Although I did put in a custom metal nub that increased performance quite a bit. I am not sure how it would do in an M24 since I don't actually have one and I haven't ever heard of this "jump" speak of. However I would think that with good spacers and the right set screw you could fix that pretty easily with very minimal cost.

The areo chamber is rather expensive though, and would probably eat up a lot of the cost on your budget between the rifle itself, glass and the aero chamber. IMHO, play with the stock hop up unit and put the money into a barrel and glass. Do DIY mods to improve seal and compression.

 

[TYSONtheSNIPER]

While your on the topic of hopup chambers I should add this.
http://www.x-fire.org/sw_m24/chamber/e.sw_m24_chamber.html

So PDI makes a specific hopup chamber for the snow wolf/javelin. Only issues are the price and finding one. Price wise, its fairly pricey but when upgrading a bolt action the hopup is one of the most important things. So you shouldn't cheap out on something that matters so much. Now finding one. If you can find one close to you then that's great, but most likely you'll have to buy overseas. If that's not a problem then your set. Now this particular upgrade will take a large chunk out of your budget but its absolutely worth it. Besides, you don't have to finish it all at the same time, most people will upgrade their rifles in different steps.

 

[TheTJ]

In regards to your scope... There are many different types and ranges in price. On an airsoft sniper rifle you do not want to go too expensive, or you could end up dropping a lot of money where you should be upgrading the gun instead. I'll break down some parts for you quick...

First part of the scope you will see a few numbers with a multiplier rate like 3x30 or a range of numbers and a multiplier like 3-9x30, etc. The first number(s) before the 'x' are the zoom. I.e. a 3x30 would denote 3 times zoom, whereas 3-9x30 would denote being able to zoom from 3 up to 9 times zoom with the use of a wheel similar to a focusing a camera.

The second number after the 'x' will be the lens size. The larger the size, the more you can see without moving the scope around. I find that anything above 42mm is unnecessary. I also feel that it adds to the possibility of lens glare that an enemy can see. Personal preference, I prefer 40mm, but that is me.

Going back to the different kinds of scopes, another modifier is illuminated or non-illuminated. The illumination factor basically puts a back-light on your cross-hair. This is useful in low-light situations where your cross-hair is indistinguishable with the target or its background. Being in the USAF, one thing I learned is "It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it." So I have it on my gun, but rarely have practical application to use it. Up to your choice!

Also, a good idea is to pick out a scope with a sunshade to protect from lens glare flashing your position to your enemy AND keep the sun glare out of your eyes.

If you want a cheap starter scope this would be perfect. Has everything you need at a very low price. Also, NC Star makes pretty good quality stuff, in my opinion.
I personally use this and enjoy it very much. For the price it does it's job... Two-color illumination (blue and green, listed incorrectly as red and green on the site), sunshade, 3-9 times zoom, and it even comes with a bungee corded lens protector.

Hope this helps!

 

[SJ408]

If I get the PDI hop up chamber, does that mean I have to get a PDI TBB? I've read some issues between PDI chambers and AEG barrels.

While your on the topic of hopup chambers I should add this.
http://www.x-fire.org/sw_m24/chamber/e.sw_m24_chamber.html

So PDI makes a specific hopup chamber for the snow wolf/javelin. Only issues are the price and finding one. Price wise, its fairly pricey but when upgrading a bolt action the hopup is one of the most important things. So you shouldn't cheap out on something that matters so much. Now finding one. If you can find one close to you then that's great, but most likely you'll have to buy overseas. If that's not a problem then your set. Now this particular upgrade will take a large chunk out of your budget but its absolutely worth it. Besides, you don't have to finish it all at the same time, most people will upgrade their rifles in different steps.

Thanks for the detailed description of scopes! I was thinking about possibly just getting this scope.
http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?products_id=5287

 

[TYSONtheSNIPER]

As far as I know the PDI chamber let's you use any AEG cut barrel. So that should mean that you can use anything from Madbull to Prometheus. Which by the way are both good tight bores to choose. The Madbull is more budget friendly and the Prometheus is well known for being one of the best quality barrels to choose from.

 

[SJ408]

I've updated the OP with links. I'm gonna stick with the stock hop up for now and order the Falcon bucking and see how that treats the rifle.

Can anyone confirm that my planned build is compatible with the SW M24 please?

 

[TYSONtheSNIPER]

If I where you I would choose a 6.03 barrel over a 6.01. The reason for that is that generally a 6.01 can often be to tight. And without proper cleaning and top quality bb's it can jam fairly easily. I've heard people have good luck with 6.01's but a lot of people will tell you that 6.03 will actually give better long distance accuracy then the 6.01. However I'm unsure what kind of hopup unit the snow wolf uses. If it takes AEG cut barrels you have a massive selection of aftermarket TBB. But if it takes specialty barrels similar to that of a vsr-10 your options are very limited, and chances are if you find one it will cost a lot more than your willing to spend.

Everything else on your list looks alright to me. Did you change your mind on a classic army M24 then?

 

[SJ408]

I'm pretty confused on which gun to get TBH.. Each gun has it's own downers:/ Still deciding, it really depends which gun I can upgrade to my likings with the most reliability and performance for cost spent I guess.

Although I am still sort of leaning towards the SW/JGW M24 still since I basically have a planned out build as of now.

 

[SJ408]

Just put on the ASGI catalog yesterday! Should I get this instead of just the trigger sear?
ASGI Reinforced Sear set
http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?products_id=11249

 

[TYSONtheSNIPER]

Not sure about the gi parts, I've heard they aren't the best quality.

Now on to the SW vs. CA ordeal. Although the snow wolf is cheaper then the classic army I feel that the CA offers a lot more in its more expensive state. As I told you before it gives you a hopup chamber similar to the PDI one. This is huge because you have access to so many different TBB options. Some examples are Madbull (if your looking for a good low budget barrel), Prometheus (if your looking for a very high quality barrel) and many, many more. Also its sears are amazingly strong. I believe you can run a 170 spring and do just fine. It already has two barrel spacers of high quality and the trigger pull feels amazing, absolutely no side to side wobble. The stock is SOLID textured polymer. As for aftermarket parts the bolt takes any regular APS2 upgrades and the outer barrel is really thick and there's no pot metal like most lower budget rifles.
Now like most spring rifles it has its downsides, I don't feel I need to re-explain them to you, but they are relatively easy fixes. Only other issue may be finding on. Best chance would be to look through classifieds and who knows you may be able to pick up one fairly cheap.

Sorry if this makes it harder for you to choose, but as an owner of this amazing rifle I feel that it is my duty to help others pick a great gun. And I am confident you will love the classic army.

 

[SJ408]

You just jumbled my decision 10x. lol

 

[Wolfgeorge]

Well me on the other hand as a CA M24 I'd say it's not that super!
The hop up design doesn't let you adjust it properly for heavy bbs, I personally removed completely the adjustment screw.

Also if you don't install the hop up chamber properly the bolt nozzle will hit on the chamber and the bolt won't return to the battery!
Also the receiver is one piece with the outer barrel, the metal even though it's not pot it's aluminum, because of there are many rifles with stripped the threads of the screws that hold the trigger! Trust me I've even see a PDI M24X with stripped threads!

I don't know about the SW M24 though, I haven't seen one.


Wolf

 

[SJ408]

Wait Wolfgeorge, are you supporting the CA M24 or the Javelin M24? I was a bit confused reading your post

 

[TYSONtheSNIPER]

Well me on the other hand as a CA M24 I'd say it's not that super!
The hop up design doesn't let you adjust it properly for heavy bbs, I personally removed completely the adjustment screw.

Also if you don't install the hop up chamber properly the bolt nozzle will hit on the chamber and the bolt won't return to the battery!
Also the receiver is one piece with the outer barrel, the metal even though it's not pot it's aluminum, because of there are many rifles with stripped the threads of the screws that hold the trigger! Trust me I've even see a PDI M24X with stripped threads!

I don't know about the SW M24 though, I haven't seen one.

Wolf

With your bb weight problems, have you considered installing an R-hop? It would allow you to properly adjust it seeing as its ment for heavier bb's. And I'm not sure what the differences are, but is it the 1st or 2nd gen.

 

[Wolfgeorge]

The problem is with the design... The adjusting arm can't go low enough and whe it does it doesn't have enough pressure, I'll probably will buy a PDI hop up to fix this. It's 2nd version... The 1st version M24 were few and can't find them easy.

Also I have quite a few sniper rifles and I've worked on quite a few...!


Wolf