MK46 outter barrel - ArniesAirsoft

Author

twonuts

Registered: October 2004
Location: Cali
Posts: 477

Review Date: 2/11/08

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: �100.00 | Rating: 6

Positive aspects of the product (pros):	Completes the look for MK46, sturdy
Cons:	Expensive, parts fitment, u need donor screws

I obtained a A&K Para receiver and upon receiving it, realized that the outter barrel assembly was not in a usuable fashion and thus decided to repalce some of the parts. After some looking, I decided that this being my second SAW, I didn't want another MKII, Para or MKI look. Hopefully this helps anyone out there thinking of buying the same product.

I first saw this product on Gunner's website but ultimately ordered thru UNCompany as I had other things I needed.

The barrel comes in a non-descript cardboard box with mainly paper to seperate the parts from each other.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/2996226083_1ea1aeaa0f_b.jpg

More on why there is blue masking tape on the barrel later...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3295/2997065094_18a6b3fe67_b.jpg

Parts that come with the kit are the Outter Barrel (B), Grub Screw (D), Flash Hider (FH), Gas Block (A+S are already glued together), Collar that goes in lieu of bipod (O) and the Barrel Collar (Z). Not shown is the pin that secures the gas block to the barrel.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2996224945_a3d6cf99c0_b.jpg

Installation is fairly straight forward as you can see in this image.

Okay now onto the review itself...

Overall this kit is more than I expected from a Chinese made kit but not what I expected for 100 bucks. My first problem was the pin that held the gas block in place didn't fit very well. About 5 minutes of filing of both the hole in the gas block and the corresponding groove on he outter barrel fixed this problem. Second issue I had was more major in my mind. the rear part of the barrel that engages the barrel lock on the 249 is too small. It looks to be about 1mm too small as when the barrel is pushed all the way into the lock, you don't hear the familiar click and the barrel can actually be pulled out without having to engage the release lever. This is why there is blue painter's tape as a few passes enlarged the diameter of the barrel enough for the barrel lock to enage fully. At first I thought this may been related to the A&K's barrel lock but I swapped it with the Classic Army barrel lock and had the same results. Without the tape or something to enjarge the diameter, the resistance from the spring that fits over the inner barrel is enough to eject the outter barrel.... The tape method works best and u can increment slowly and it is not permanent.

Fairly dissapointing is the fact that you need a donor barrel as you need to extract the 3 screws and 3 grub screws that hold the carry handle to the barrel on a A&K/CA M249. This should have been included because then you could at least sell the old barrel assembly intact. What should have also been included was shims for the attachment point of the flash hider as it would have allowed for the flash hider to be oriented properly.

Overall I am pleased and am glad to have a more unique look to the good ole SAW.