VFC 416 performance help

[Guns McBen]

I'm inclined to agree with ctres here. 400 fps is respectable, unless you're trying to build a DMR (it sounds like you're not). My suggestion would be to drop in your TBB, r-hop it, and try it out at a few games. If you're not satisfied with the velocity you're getting at that point, then maybe look into a new spring. Although, I would recommend checking (and fixing, where necessary) the air seals in your gearbox (piston head, cylinder head, air nozzle, etc.) to make sure you're getting a good seal and compression before I would recommend a new spring. That's up to you, though, and it all comes down to how big a project you want to make this.

[DeltaTwoFour]

I saw the 416 CQB chronoed at around 330 fps and im turning it into a field weapon. I have yet to chrono my specific model but im assuming it will be around the same mark. Any other necassary upgrades to increase range and accuracy other than tight bore inner barrel and r-hop?

[Guns McBen]

Well, like i said before, it really depends on how big a project you want to make this. A new piston, piston head, cylinder head, air nozzle, spring, spring guide, bushings, shims, barrel, and bucking can go a long way to making your gun more accurate and reliable by ensuring good air seals, and reinforcing key gearbox components. However, that's a LOT of work, especially if you don't have experience with gearboxes.

I'd say start with your barrel and hop-up, and don't do anything else until you field it a few times. If you like it, congratulations -- you're done upgrading for now. If you don't, find out -- specifically -- what you don't like about it, and see what you can do to correct it.

[DeltaTwoFour]

Thanks for the advice. I've got a tight bore inner barrel getting delivered and hopefully soon i'll have a new hop up unit!

[ctres]

Even if it came shooting 330 fps stock, which I don't think it does unless they have changed something recently, the jump to 400 fps still won't really do that much in the way of range. Sure it will add a little but it won't be overwhelmingly different.

If he has to ask about basic upgrades (which is fine in and of itself) then there is no way he is ready to build a DMR right from the get go.

VFC stock gearboxes are fine in most respects. They have an o ring nozzle (IIRC), bearing spring guide, and 8mm metal bushings. The stock box will be very reliable if run on a 7.4 volt lipo, and rather than just listing off parts to change it is more important to realize that just swapping parts isn't necessarily going to change performance. If I were working on a stock VFC gearbox that I wanted to reliably around 400 fps for pretty much forever here is a list of what I would do to the gearbox.

Replace self shimming springs with a good bevel gear first shim job.
Replace the stock aluminum piston head with a non metal one, preferably lonex or modify and remove bearings. (bearings aren't necessary on both ends of the spring and you want to minimize the amount of weight that is actually moving on the piston assembly)
sorbo the cylinder head for AoE correction and durability
Remove the 2nd tooth on the piston and part of the third if necessary.
Radius the front corners of the gearbox window for shell durability
Rewire to 16 AWG teflon or PVC wire and possibly
Add a mosfet if desired.
Replace any poorly sealed o rings and regrease

If you do all of those things properly your gun should last a very long time and will perform quietly, reliably, and consistently. Most of the things I listed up there cost either nothing, or less than $5. The most expensive would be a mosfet or piston head which shouldn't top $20 unless you go with a computerized mosfet.

Am I recommending that you do all of those things do your gearbox? If those are all new to you and you don't have much experience working with gearboxes then the answer is no, but in my opinion, every single thing I listed above should be done to the gearbox before just throwing parts at it.

I would recommend that you first start with the barrel and then decide whether you really need more out of it. Get a Prometheus 6.03 stainless barrel and play around with different buckings. Give the R hop a try if you are feeling techie but definitely try it out on a stock barrel first before you go getting super glue in your nice prommy barrel.

[DeltaTwoFour]

Thanks for the help guys. I'm not the most experienced airsofter and i'm not very experienced with gearbox work. I haven't taken one apart ever, so I think im going to do what ctres said.