New Guy with an M24

(Heh, this is kind of a 2 part post, 1 is why I chose the sniper's role. 2 has internal parts questions... it's kinda lengthy :S)

Hey everyone, first off I'd like to say that I love both these forums and theairsoftsniper.com. I've been perusing this site for a while and I have to say it's one of the coolest airsoft sites I've seen so far. Now for introductions, and my motives for being a sniper.

Names Eric. I never was really much into airsoft until just recently when I bought a springer pistol from a sporting goods store. I had a friend who was interested in it enough to try to bring me in but I really didn't care at the time. Long story short my parents are the coordinators for the Marine Corps Toys For Tots in my area, that got me interested in the Marines but I can't join due to an unwaivable handicap. Somehow that lead me to airsoft.

I've heard everywhere that you want to start in a more high energy roll when being a beginner but that aforementioned handicap kinda tires me out quickly, I kind of like to lay low. Not only because of that also because it leaves a lot of quiet time for sorting out my sporadic brain and praying every now and then. Keeps me calm y'know? I really am sort of a behind-the-scenes guy but I have leadership qualities so I figured being a sniper would fit me well.

I saved up for a while for a beginner's sniper rifle but passed by an army surplus store in Grand Rapids, MI that sold airsoft, which is about an hour away from where I live. I found a Classic Army Enhanced M24. Something I wanted but couldn't find in stock anywhere online. So I ended up buying it with some extra savings I had, and I have to say, I enjoy shooting more than I expected.

I haven't had much field experience yet but I will be going out fairly soon with a few friend to play some games like King of the Hill, Capture the Flag, and normal war games. I would have went today but it seems something is wrong with my bolt handle... which leads me to the reason I decided to join.

I've looked everywhere for diagrams of the different possible upgradeable parts for an M24 and a list of vendors that sell them, as well as some of the better parts. All I know right now is that I need to get a new bolt handle, and a tightbore barrel. I also need to get a bipod but that isn't really the type of upgrade that I'm getting flustered over. What I want to know is what are the most fundamental upgrades for stability, dependability (on the rifle and the shots it's taking), and accuracy? From what I've learned so far any upgrade that affects these should inadvertently also increase power if only by a little bit. Power is really not a huge deal for me. I like power, but I don't want it to affect my accuracy or possibly put too much stress on my rifle.

Thanks for future answers and taking time to read this and answer them! Hope this place keeps me comin' back!

from what im reading i think for an accurate rifle you just need a tightbore barrel, a well adjusted hop-up, and need to use heavy bb's (not .20 gram) as heavier bb's will be more direct and won't fly everywhere.

Alright, thanks NoNeed. I was thinking of getting the Prometheus Tighbore, would 509mm be long enough and will I have to do anything to get it to fit properly? As for hop up, would this do the trick? I use .43 Javelin BBs right now but I think I'm gonna go down to .36s.

Also, would this be a good investment? Would it mess with accuracy too much? Like I said, I like power, but I don't want it to affect my accuracy.

Lastly, could anyone direct me to a video, thread, or web page that would sort of walk me through installing these upgrades? Or at least give me an idea? Thanks again.

im not sure if 509mm would be long enough as i don't know the specs of your rifle, but assuming its a DMR or just a regular sniper rifle, 509mm tbb should be enough. be sure to buy some new bucking as well since you will be replacing the hopup. generally the bucking gets ruined when replacing the hopup.

that cylinder should work perfectly fine, power really isn't needed for a sniper rifle, be sure to check your fps limits at the field you play at or plan to play at so you don't upgrade it and then are unable to use it.

the hop-up will be the easiest to replace just be careful when replacing it, there are some small parts that tend to fall out etc, the cylinder i believe will actually involve you getting inside the gearbox and that will be very tricky, i suggest finding a friend who has opened up gearboxes before and replace parts. because doing it yourself with no experience might lead to you just having a nice wall decoration.

Alright well I think I'm coming around the corner to the final stretch here. I found out that 509mm works fine. I'm going to get a Prometheus Tighbore 6.03 and a PDI Hop up Chamber. What bucking would you suggest? I believe I'm going to want hard bucking. Where should I get it from?

Finally I'm in desperate need of a new bolt handle (thing just plum fell off o.O) I'd like to get a good one. Is the PDI worth it?

i believe this is the kind of bucking you would like
http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?cPath=31_170&products_id=4694

yes i reckon that bolt handle should work just fine

When you say M24 i assume you mean a Classic Army M24, correct?

I would go a Prommy 509 TBB (if it takes AEG buckings, im not sure) an SCS (get this regardless, or the Polar Star one, same thing) and a Systema bucking.

If the internals are stock, i would use .32's. im shooting 408 with .28 and i use .32's

BTW: welcome to the forums from a fellow sniper.

Thanks a lot for the welcome! I have a few more questions and then I think I'll be ready to start ordering.

1. Systema vs Prometheus Bucking...Systema has a lot more reviews (and good ones) and is half the price but is the Prometheus good enough to have a $15 price?

2. Is there a hop up that is as good or almost as good as the PDI hop-up? I'd like to save some money on shipping and the only place I could find it was Red Wolf.

3. My bolt is the priority right now and same as the hop-up I can only find PDI overseas, are these 2 pieces really worth it? I need a good bolt handle that won't just fall apart on me.

If you use the SCS then use a Systema bucking. If not go for a Prommy. The Systema is only good for the SCS because
its very thin.

As for Hop up, what needs fixing? are you having seal issues? hopup not working at all, etc.

Same deal with the Bolt handle? what exactly is wrong with it?

PS: pics would be great!

The hop up doesn't really need fixing, I'm just looking to upgrade it. As far as I can tell with my bolt handle my theory is when I was cleaning my rifle I could have gotten some oil on the handle and the screws/ball bearings came loose and the handle came off. Chances are I'll get the SCS if it makes my shot straighter.

I'll try to get pics when I can but for now just imagine a CA M24 Military rifle with a 4x32 Ednar rifle scope on it and no bolt handle lol.

..well.....do you have the parts? try putting it back together? If its anything like a TM VSR10 then you could be missing the screw that holds on the end-cap which holds on the bold handle...

The hopup is your decision but i would try the SCS and the factory arm first becuase it requires some modding.