Want to make an airsoft SMLE out of one of those Denix replicas?
Don't do it
1. Denix SMLE is undersized. Length is ok, but it is very skinny in parts it shouldn't be
2. Denix SMLE has a seperate butt stock and body (similar to the real SMLE). OK for realism; bad for airsoft conversions
3. Denix SMLE bares only a passing resemblance to a real SMLE (see point #... above). Parts are mostly cosmetic, eg: Barrel band does not sit in a recess, rear sight block sits on the top wood, rather than the barrel.
4. Denix "replicas" can be quite expensive. Locally, my SMLE cost ~$400, but can go for up to $600 (about 200-300 quid)
5. Denix SMLE is a set of solid blocks of wood.
On the plus side:
1. The Denix SMLE uses a fibourous blonde timber. Far softer than pine. It is very easy to work with, my first guess is Blasa tree.
2. Easier to find than a real (non sporterised) SMLE.
This is not a how too.
Photo #1 - parts laid out
Photo #2 - using the VSKar98 as a place holder - sacrilege!
The Denix trigger/reciver/magazine cuts out a large volume of the wood for us, this still needs to be trimmed to fit the VSR receiver and trigger mech.
Once the trigger is in the right place trim the outer barrel flush with the front edge of the rear sight "cut out". This is then covered with a 3D printed rear sight block, attached to the outer barrel.
carve out a track for the outer barrel (trimmed), hop unit, VSR magazine and inner barrel in the lower wood.
Fit a wooden plug to attach the nose cap through. Denix screws this into the top wood.
Carve out a track in the top wood for the inner barrel, outer barrel and rear sight block. This got *very* thin.
The nose cap needs to be bored out to fit the inner barrel.
Stock joint is a major weakpoint
3D printed rear sight mount (with ears) and bolt handle
Nearly finished, VSR mag sits proud
Timber sanded back
Stained and varnished
Attempting to colour match the metal and plastic parts
Finished
To action! Just needs a bayonet.
Pack out stock/reciever joint with card.
Stock/rear band is attached through the bottom into the normal VSR tab. This will forever be a weak point.
Magazine is screwed into the trigger guard.
Denix parts retained:
woodwork
handguard band
nose cap
front sight
outer barrel
rear sight
trigger guard and rear band
magazine
butt plate
Looks fantastic,fine work too.
Great work.
Looked like hard work but you've done a great job on it
armoury
m1a1 Thompson,sten mk2,mp40,stg44,sterling,mk2 bren gun,lee Enfield no4 mk1,Mauser Kar98, Walther ppk,smith and Weston m10 and Mauser m712
Give me a big enough hammer and a place to stand and I could fix the world.
i'll kill a man in a fair fight or if i think he's going to start a fair fight or over a woman or.......
a problem shared is a problem halved ,but an advantage shared is no advantage at all
if a job's not worth doing then its certainly not worth doing well
Hiya
Absolutely cracking build, I’m running a shoot and scoot custom but your build looks beautiful
Any chance you’ll make a custom for a fee?
Hiya
Absolutely cracking build, I’m running a shoot and scoot custom but your build looks beautiful
Any chance you’ll make a custom for a fee?
I could, but the geographic differences would make things expensive.
