Looking to Modify a JG Star Dragon

[saiyanslayer]

First up:

I know a lot of people don't like the Dragon on these forums. Please do not respond with:

-"Your problem is you have a crappy gun"
-"Just buy a better gun"
-"This makes no sense"
-"These mods are useless and/or futile" (At least back these up)


I'm new to airsofting, and I used a JG Dragon in a game and loved it. I plan on modifying it to learn about the internals of an airsoft rifle, and to eventually become somewhat of a gundoc. What I need is help on how to disassemble it, and how to add a longer barrel, how to upgrade the POS battery with it, and how to modify/replace the existing internals.
The end result I want is a more accurate, farther range, and reliable rifle. If there's a guide online to taking one apart and describing what part does what, I'd love a link.

[surebet]

I'll have to go with buy a better gun, simply because you'll basically need to swap the whole mechbox (you probably have a v.1 plastic gear version in there), replace the foreend completely and replace the stock.

That's the bare minimum to get it back to something m4 looking. Sky's the limit after that, hence why get something better is going to be a popular vote.

[Thenooblord]

waht if he doesnt want M4 looking, and like me, actually LIKES the way the thundermaul looks? id say completely replace the mechbox with a GOOD one, and go from there

[saiyanslayer]

I'm ok with the work and cost, hence why I asked people not to respond with buy a better gun (but you explained your reasons, which are valid). This is a project to learn.

How could I tell if it's V.1 gearbox?

[Thenooblord]

not V1, just a first gen, but the dragons do have them, its a version 2 mechbox, but JGs early generation, which is shit

replace it entireley with a TM box, that makes it simple

[surebet]

Oops, gen 1 of a V2, my bad.

I'm not saying it can't be educationnal, but to take what you have and replace everything to get it on par with say a CA armalite, not worth it.

[saiyanslayer]

Originally Posted by Thenooblord

not V1, just a first gen, but the dragons do have them, its a version 2 mechbox, but JGs early generation, which is shit

replace it entireley with a TM box, that makes it simple

I have a hard time finding a full gearbox set for TM online. Will I have to assemble it myself, or is there a reliable retailer for a complete set?

[Thenooblord]

http://www.airsoftparts.ca/store2/in...ex&cPath=66_77
get one of the version 2s, i dont know if the thundermaul is front or rear wired, so you gotta know that one

[saiyanslayer]

I suspect it's front wired (assuming you mean where the battery is located). Does it make a difference if it's 7mm or 8mm? what does that measurement refer to, the air-nossle-thingy?

[Thenooblord]

bearing/bushing size
if you're replacing the whole mechbox, it doesnt really matter, Id reccomend the G&P complete mechbox

http://www.airsoftparts.ca/store2/in...oducts_id=1428
but you should downgrade the spring to an M100 and it will need a new ported cylinder

[saiyanslayer]

heh, that's the one I was checking out

why would you downgrade the spring and a new cylinder? The stock motor wouldn't have the power to use that gearbox?

[Thenooblord]

possibly that, but thats just too high FPS for most uses, 350 is a good speed, and a heavy spring like that is sure to crack the mechbox eventually
you also need a ported cylinder because the thundermaul has a short barrel, again, to reduce wear and tear on the mechbox

[Kos-Mos]

What the fuck are you guys talking about.

The most reliable and constant rifle I ever had was that thing...

If the mechbox shell it gray, it is first gen.
If it is black, it is sec. gen.

If you want to keep it as a Dragon, all you want to do is clean the mechbox, re-shim it and port the piston head.

If you don't know how to port it, simply remove it, then remove the o-ring from it. Take a small (1/16" or under) drill tip and make 4-6 holes the closest to the inside wall as possible, and only through the top face (the face that strikes the cylinder head). This will help a lot with air seal.

You also might want to change the spring. Stock outputs a little too much. Go with a M90 for indoors and M110 for outdoors (unless you stock spring is right under 400 fps, then keep it for outdoors)

[ginnz]

Kos-Mos

you HAD one of those things?

[saiyanslayer]

Well, the gearbox is black. Cocking handle popped out as I disassembled it, so now I have to figure out how to put that back together. Seems like the spring is too large for the area, so it's not as straight forwards as I would have liked.

So let's say that if I kept the gearbox set as-is, would it be pretty easy to get a longer barrel? If I also consider a motor (and lipo battery), the only effects that would have is a faster rate of fire and the ability to handle stronger springs right?