Lancer Tactical Spring Swap

Spadona · June 21st, 2013, 01:29

I just purchased a Lancer Tactical CQBR Mk18 M4 to get into airsoft, but I realized my muzzle velocity is above what a lot of CQB places allow (at around 370-390 FPS w/ .20g). So I need to change out the spring (currently m120) with an m90 spring.

I asked around, and certain places charge $40-80 for the spring swapping service. I'm wondering if this is something a newbie can do on their own, to save themselves a few bucks while learning the internals of the weapon. Would you guys recommend it? Or would it be a better idea to get a professional to do it for the first time?

If you suggest me tinkering with the internals, would you happen to have any tutorials on how to do it? Are there detailed youtube videos to hold my hand through this process?

Thanks!

L473ncy · June 21st, 2013, 01:46

Depends on your mechanical aptitude.

There are youtube videos out there but unless you can follow the instructions to the t I would recommend against it. I wouldn't pay more than $30+tax for a spring swap tbh, it's like 25 minutes worth of work tops for a competent guntech.

If you do decide to do a spring swap on your own, make sure you don't touch anything else in the gun and make sure the piston is correctly on the gearbox "rails" afterwards. Also good idea to have a small precision screwdriver to hold the spring guide in place or the spring will pop out and your gearbox will not only be in pieces but you might even loose some small parts.

Spadona · June 21st, 2013, 01:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by L473ncy

I wouldn't pay more than $30+tax for a spring swap tbh, it's like 25 minutes worth of work tops for a competent guntech.

Do you have any places you recommend in the GTA (preferably in the east-end of town)?

Kokanee · June 21st, 2013, 02:07

The best way to go about it is to find a player who can perform this maintenance and is willing to teach you... that being said those people are getting harder to find as every johnny with a torx screw is hanging up a "gun doc" shingle and charging money.

Your second best bet is indeed to find a legit airsoft shop that offers this service, as when you pay a store they will back up their work. At least you'll have the piece of mind knowing that if someone else makes a mistake, they'll fix it; and gun stores tend to employ people who really know their way around a mechbox, at least that's what I am seeing so far out in my neck of the woods.

L473ncy · June 21st, 2013, 02:09

Sorry man, I'm way out west in UTM Zone 10 (BC).

Here's something I found if you want to do it yourself; How To: Change the spring in your AEG (Airsoft) - YouTube I quickly checked out the video. It's not made by a 12 year old and the guy seems pretty competent so you should be fine following his instructions.

BTW the $30+tax doesn't include purchasing a spring (like $10-12) so I could see it being $40-45 if you need to buy an M90 while you're at it.

EDIT: Kokanee does bring up a good point about shops backing up their work though and I assume you'll be able to test your gun in the back to verify that it actually works and is the FPS you want it to be. And yeah a lot of competent gundocs are folding these days or not advertising their services anymore except to people they know (I think it's partly because of the flood of kids and "young adults" in my age group (18-25) who are whiners and part of the "I want it nao!" generation).

Kokanee · June 21st, 2013, 02:30

Tru dat.

Spadona · June 22nd, 2013, 00:53

The video seems great, Latency, but I'm just concerned that the process getting up to the gearbox for my rifle might be different. I remember hearing somewhere, while I was doing my research for my first gun, that Lancer Tactical disassembly is a bit different compared to some of the more traditional M4s.
I think I might get someone to do it for the first time, and just take notes while I watch him or her work.

Acid44 · June 22nd, 2013, 01:15

Mine was the same as any other M4 disassembly I've seen, it being my first gun, it was pretty simple, along with opening/closing the gearbox again. Would be fairly simple to change the spring as long as you have the patience for it.

This may help, some shots of my LT04-B's internals:

http://imgur.com/a/Sj79v

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June 21st, 2013, 01:29	#1
Spadona Trader rating Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Scarborough, ON	Lancer Tactical Spring Swap I just purchased a Lancer Tactical CQBR Mk18 M4 to get into airsoft, but I realized my muzzle velocity is above what a lot of CQB places allow (at around 370-390 FPS w/ .20g). So I need to change out the spring (currently m120) with an m90 spring. I asked around, and certain places charge $40-80 for the spring swapping service. I'm wondering if this is something a newbie can do on their own, to save themselves a few bucks while learning the internals of the weapon. Would you guys recommend it? Or would it be a better idea to get a professional to do it for the first time? If you suggest me tinkering with the internals, would you happen to have any tutorials on how to do it? Are there detailed youtube videos to hold my hand through this process? Thanks!

June 21st, 2013, 01:46	#2
L473ncy Trader rating Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: 11-30-24-1W5	Depends on your mechanical aptitude. There are youtube videos out there but unless you can follow the instructions to the t I would recommend against it. I wouldn't pay more than $30+tax for a spring swap tbh, it's like 25 minutes worth of work tops for a competent guntech. If you do decide to do a spring swap on your own, make sure you don't touch anything else in the gun and make sure the piston is correctly on the gearbox "rails" afterwards. Also good idea to have a small precision screwdriver to hold the spring guide in place or the spring will pop out and your gearbox will not only be in pieces but you might even loose some small parts. __________________ ಠ_ಠLess QQ more Pew Pew READY TO >> RACE

June 21st, 2013, 02:09	#5
L473ncy Trader rating Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: 11-30-24-1W5	Sorry man, I'm way out west in UTM Zone 10 (BC). Here's something I found if you want to do it yourself; How To: Change the spring in your AEG (Airsoft) - YouTube I quickly checked out the video. It's not made by a 12 year old and the guy seems pretty competent so you should be fine following his instructions. BTW the $30+tax doesn't include purchasing a spring (like $10-12) so I could see it being $40-45 if you need to buy an M90 while you're at it. EDIT: Kokanee does bring up a good point about shops backing up their work though and I assume you'll be able to test your gun in the back to verify that it actually works and is the FPS you want it to be. And yeah a lot of competent gundocs are folding these days or not advertising their services anymore except to people they know (I think it's partly because of the flood of kids and "young adults" in my age group (18-25) who are whiners and part of the "I want it nao!" generation). __________________ ಠ_ಠLess QQ more Pew Pew READY TO >> RACE Last edited by L473ncy; June 21st, 2013 at 02:12..

June 21st, 2013, 02:07	#4
Kokanee Ministry of Peace Trader rating Join Date: Mar 2002	The best way to go about it is to find a player who can perform this maintenance and is willing to teach you... that being said those people are getting harder to find as every johnny with a torx screw is hanging up a "gun doc" shingle and charging money. Your second best bet is indeed to find a legit airsoft shop that offers this service, as when you pay a store they will back up their work. At least you'll have the piece of mind knowing that if someone else makes a mistake, they'll fix it; and gun stores tend to employ people who really know their way around a mechbox, at least that's what I am seeing so far out in my neck of the woods.

June 21st, 2013, 02:30	#6
Kokanee Ministry of Peace Trader rating Join Date: Mar 2002	Tru dat.

June 22nd, 2013, 00:53	#7
Spadona Trader rating Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Scarborough, ON	The video seems great, Latency, but I'm just concerned that the process getting up to the gearbox for my rifle might be different. I remember hearing somewhere, while I was doing my research for my first gun, that Lancer Tactical disassembly is a bit different compared to some of the more traditional M4s. I think I might get someone to do it for the first time, and just take notes while I watch him or her work.

June 22nd, 2013, 01:15	#8
Acid44 Trader rating Join Date: May 2008 Location: Scarborough, ON	Mine was the same as any other M4 disassembly I've seen, it being my first gun, it was pretty simple, along with opening/closing the gearbox again. Would be fairly simple to change the spring as long as you have the patience for it. This may help, some shots of my LT04-B's internals: http://imgur.com/a/Sj79v __________________ Why are you wearing that stupid man suit? Last edited by Acid44; June 22nd, 2013 at 01:19..

Lancer Tactical Spring Swap

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