Re: Firefly "Vera" Build - WIP
Ok, so the last day and a half have been assembling Vera. She was tricky to put together as tolerances are very small and there are many variables for an accurate fit. Not to mention this kit is specifically designed for an airsoft Saiga, not the Denix AK. Plus, I didn't want to just glue all the pieces on, as it would make her far too fragile. So I added screws where I could, to give her strength.
Started with the receiver...
Then added some of the fore-grip pieces as well as assembling some are the barrel parts...
While assembling the grip and trigger I could see the trigger would get scratched easily, so I used a cloth band aid to line the walls of the trigger well...
Added some set screws...
The next part was by far the trickiest, the "stock mounts", which are the large silver parts that go either side of the rear of the receiver. These have to line up with the top of the grips, but also they have to sit level to allow the top rail to secure to a flat surface. As it holds the stock it needs to be strong, so the large screws you see are actually screwed right through into the receiver...
An upside to this was that at least one of the large screws (on each side) also went through the grip mounting point, which would of course give the grip added strength.
The same applied for the mag-well, I added 2 screws (out of sight) for strength...
Onto the mag. The dummy rounds are glued into place. I used a piece of folded cardboard to hold them up in the mag where I wanted them.
Attaching the mag to the mag-well was going to be another weak point. So as well as gluing it, I used a hole each side of the mag-well to add a screw that would hold the mag in place. Not canon, but functional.
Another tricky part was the stock. In the end to get it to fit right, I warmed up the arms of the stock with a hairdryer, which worked a treat.
And then after a few more hours...
She sure ain't a perfect Vera. I could list all the imperfections and in-accuracies. But as a classic car owner I've learned that while I may know where every scratch and imperfection is, most people just see a flippin nice car! Same applies here. She ain't perfect, there's a bunch of inaccuracies (mainly screws), but she's a Vera! And she's MY Vera. And I L-O-V-E her! In fact, she may well be "my most favourite gun". :lol
She isn't finished. Yet to add the AK side mount, the scope and laser sight. And then there's the weathering! :unsure
