Resealing WE M4 GBBR Mags (56K hurt)

[Brian McIlmoyle]

I have easily $1800 tied up in WE M4 mags.. and easily half of them are down with leaks at any one time.. These kits would be a substantial boon for me,

are these kits actually available anywhere?

[MultipleParadox]

I just got a WE PDW in a trade with a bunch of Gen1 Mags; Wasn't quite aware of the Gen1-2 thing before now. 4 of the mags have leaks and was looking into resealing them.

Seeing that the conversion kits are (indeed) 20$ at eHobby, what do you guys would recommend? Ditch the faulty cores and buy 4 kits for those mags, or buy a gasket maker tube and put some more time into it? I guess my question is: is it really worth it? Does the Gen2 reduces risks of leaks that much?

[Brian McIlmoyle]

Originally Posted by MultipleParadox

I just got a WE PDW in a trade with a bunch of Gen1 Mags; Wasn't quite aware of the Gen1-2 thing before now. 4 of the mags have leaks and was looking into resealing them.

Seeing that the conversion kits are (indeed) 20$ at eHobby, what do you guys would recommend? Ditch the faulty cores and buy 4 kits for those mags, or buy a gasket maker tube and put some more time into it? I guess my question is: is it really worth it? Does the Gen2 reduces risks of leaks that much?

even resealed Gen 1 mags will have seal failures.. it's just a bad design.. if the mag is dropped.. it's pertty much assured it will leak .. which is why so many of mine do.. they get used by soldiers for training.. and they are not gentle with them.

I can see with the design changes.. the risk of a fall deforming the seal area to be much lower. I think that the Gen 2 mags .. will be MUCH better.

[m102404]

The gen 2 design is a good proven design. It also appears to be "fixable" in the event that you do tear/dry out that oring. All the other sealing parts are stubby little orings around screws...that's good. They work.

This design has been in use with all sorts of GBB mags for years. Hicapas, 226, etc...

The only odd thing of the Gen 2 M4 mags vs. the VN mags is that cross pin screw that holds the nut that the main screw screws into. Other mags have the nut molded into the upper half. That's good in a sense since if you strip out the molded part your mag is done...it's bad in a sense that it puts a hole into the side of the mag. It's sealed up well...but still.

The big upside of this two half design is that one screw pulls the two parts together and tightens up on the seal evenly. If the seal shrinks (and it's using a pretty thin oring...so it could be better) then you just tighten it up more. Not going to use your mag for a long while...loosen the screw to let the seal relax. Seal is blown...get an appropriate sized oring (great that they didn't use a weird rectangle/box seal) and replace it.

I've sealed a lot of mags...I've resealed more than a few. Even after you seal them you'll end up with bits of sealant or a thin coating of silicone/something on everything. I'm sick of dealing with it.

I'd get the kits if there were no issues with the fill valves/knockers/feed lips/top seals. But if you suspect that your valves or other parts are too gummed up/busted then I'd buy a new mag. Airsoftparts.ca is getting a big shipment in soon and they'll be about as cheap as you're going to get anywhere.

[technosnob]

Lol. I stumbled on these kits yesterday and ordered a couple this morning. ASC is one step a head of me as always!!!

[LongStone]

LOL @ "kit", its a complete new core...
if its available for $20 that is a damn good price for conversion

[technosnob]

Found mine for $21.00 per/kit plus $13.00 for shipping.

[LongStone]

not 'seal" related but, is there any where to get new sets of "mag bolt levers"
full set, not just the TSC catch lever

[Basic-Wedge]

This what one of the kits looks like.

It takes 20-30 minutes to do a change over, as you're dealing with quite a few little bits and pieces.

[MultipleParadox]

Thanks for the your inputs
I'll gut the faulty mags and see the valves and what not condition and see if I orders these

[Brian McIlmoyle]

Originally Posted by Basic-Wedge

This what one of the kits looks like.

It takes 20-30 minutes to do a change over, as you're dealing with quite a few little bits and pieces.

20- 30 minutes.. I may as well buy new mags.. and sell off the old ones for $15 each .. purchasers willing to put in the time then could have "new mags for $35, and I could fund a new suite of version 2 mags ..

[Basic-Wedge]

In your case Brian, it probably does make better sense to buy new magazines. For those with only a small number of leaky mags, a rebuild may make better sense.

[Stealthee]

Has anyone found solutions for leaks coming from the top exhaust?

[MultipleParadox]

Originally Posted by Stealthee

Has anyone found solutions for leaks coming from the top exhaust?

Had this issue on 2 KWA PMags
Removing the output valve, cleaning and screwing them back solved that for me

Maybe you got gunk in your and it prevent the valve from closing or an oring is damaged

[Curo]

Wait these mags let you keep closed bolt design with gen 2 mag.

Hooray I'm torn about keeping my CB cause it's all upgraded.