Airsoft Action 05 - Jan 2012 | Page 30

V V D W elcome to a new series looking at upgrades, gadgets and gizmos for your weapons. In this first article I will be fitting a variable velocity device from SAT to a standard Classic Army M4. The device includes a replacement piston and piston head (which can be adjusted to three different power settings) as well as an adjustment tool. The VVD is designed to be installed into V2 and V3 gearboxes but is not for use with next-generation Tokyo Marui or PSG-1 gearboxes or extended cylinders. There are no actual fitting instructions provided, although the VVD is a direct replacement for your original piston and shouldn’t present any major challenges. However, unless you are confident in your ability to strip and replace parts to your weapon I would advise taking it to your nearest repair agent. The packaging has some very clear and well-illustrated instructions on the actual operation and adjustment of the device, and once opened I found both the VVD and adjusting tool to be of good quality and construction. The adjusting tool consists of a handle, a set of six rods and an end rod with 030 January 2012 New contributor Banzai gives us the lowdown on fitting and using a variable velocity device a squared end. The handle also doubles up as a storage device for the rods, which is a very good idea. The adjusting tool does need to be assembled with slightly more than finger pressure or it will undo as you adjust the device. There are holes in the rods so that you can insert a fine screwdriver or allen key for this purpose. So, onto the installation. First remove the two main body pins, then the upper receiver; after that remove the stock by unscrewing the retaining screw (you will need a long shank Phillips screwdriver). Now remove the end cap from the pistol grip (which covers the motor) and extract the motor. Once this is done you will see the two retaining screws which hold the pistol grip in place – take these out and