Modifying the Maruzen APS type 96 to accept a mag like real steel

[7thGuardian]

This is the journey of modifying the Maruzen APS type 96 to accept magazines like the L96. I will make updates as I continue construction over the Christmas Holiday.

**WARNING – LONG READ - If you want to read only what I made, skip the next 3 paragraphs**

I initially purchased the Maruzen APS type 96 (type 96) with the intent of modifying it to accept magazines where the real steel would. I ordered the type 96 through Tru, paid, and then I began my journey of awaiting the package.

Day one, my anticipation stated building. Day two, I had class in the morning, when I got home I started looking at pictures and info to ease my eagerness. Day three, I was expecting the package to arrive, “VROOM”, my heart was pounding as I rushed to the window and saw… an ordinary truck drives by. I sat back down, disappointed. A few minutes go by, “VROOOM”, I jumped up, heart pounding, and rushed to the window, another ordinary truck. This happens for the rest of the day until I had to make dinner. Day 4, I had class in the morning, and when I got home there was a Canada Post package slip on the door! I rushed to the front door and read the name on the slip…it was for… my dad. AHH! That night I sent an e-mail to Tru (remembering the story of the type 96 that was delivered to the wrong address, I had the notion that the type 96 was the cursed rifle that would never find its way to the rightful owner), and said @%&$*(!@^#*()@!$@!#, just kidding. I simply told him the situation and he gave me a tracking number and told me that sometimes the post-wo/man forgets to leave the package slip. I checked the tracking number and found out the package was waiting for me at the postal office, a huge sign of relief! Day 5, I had class in the morning, then I drove about 170 km/h on the highway to the postal office. I entered the postal office, there was no line, I knew that the rest of the day would be good. I gave the lady at the counter the tracking number and showed my identification. She went into the back room, moments later she comes back with a plain brown package that was very long and narrow. A huge smile covers my face and the lady gives me a weird look. On the way home I drive like my new born baby is in the back seat, stopping early, and slowly applying gas. When I finally make it home, there’s a package slip on the door with my name on it… When I got inside I grabbed my trusty Olfa knife and revealed my new toy.

After admiring the type 96 for a few hours and putting two magazines through it, I finally started the task of taking it apart to see how I could modify it. After careful examination and comparison with real steal pictures I determined that modifying the type 96 to accept magazines like the real steel could be done the way I wanted. After some research I decided to use a Tokyo Marui G3 magazine because both real steel guns share the same ammo (308 or 7.62mm). I ordered some Tokyo Marui G3 magazines, a bipod, and two WE Hi-Capa 5.1s(heck, I might was well order more while I was already at it) through Tru, and began another journey of waiting for the package. While waiting, I was looking at other type 96s that people modified to accept magazines like the real steel. All the while thinking to myself that many people have already done this, how could mine be different? I decided that I would modify the G3 magazines to accept dummy rounds. I checked around to see where I could acquire 7.62mm bullets. My only option was Ebay.ca and it was for a 100 count, 7.62mm linked belt for machine guns. I purchased it and my exams started. As I was studying for and writing my final exams the packages slowly arrived one by one.

**Read here for what I made**

Before I even touched the type 96, I wanted to create the magazine that could hold dummy rounds, and the magazine bay with working release switch. Today I finished the magazine and started on the magazine port and release switch.

Picture 1
The finished magazine, a total of approximately 5 hours work.

Picture 2
The magazine is capable of holding eight (8.) rounds of 308 or 7.62mm ammunition

Picture 3
The magazine in it’s basic components. The shell and base cover are from a butchered Tokyo Marui G3 magazine, the spring is a coat hanger and a folded piece of paper with taped to the makeshift spring that pushes the bullets up.

**Detailed info**
Shell - When my exams were finished I started to cut down the G3 magazine with a hacksaw. I must have spent 5 min hacking away before I made a cut of only five cm that wasn’t even where I wanted it to be, I said “screw it” and picked up the type 96 for some indoor plinking. The hacksaw wasn’t showing results fast enough so I started digging through boxes in the garage and found a Dremel! YES! I cut whatever I needed to cut and took care of the sharp edges in less than five minutes. After the cutting and the rounding of edges was finished I used some pliers to bend the metal so that bullets could be held and secured in the magazine. I must have adjusted it at least a dozen times before I achieved the right curve.

Spring - I was thinking of the using the spring in the G3 magazine, I would unwind it and bend it to whatever shaped I needed. This did NOT work. Almost hopeless, I looked on the net to see if I could purchase a real steel magazine and only modify the gun, but I didn’t want to wait for shipping and spend even more money. Looking around my room, I saw a metal wire coat hanger and laughed. I cut off the hook, and bent it into shape. I folded a piece of paper and taped it to the spring, and trimmed the folded paper to fit into the magazine.

Magazine – the paper is only temporary, it does the job but I will replace it with a custom cut piece of plastic that isn’t as weak as paper. Overall, I am happy with the way it turned out, I was able to fit eight bullets (don’t want to try 9, because I don’t know if the coat hanger can take it) in the magazine without any flying out. The only problems are cosmetic, a Dremel slip mark, and tool marks from bending.

Picture 4
I created these two from a Tupperware container, some epoxy, and part of a coat hanger.

Picture 5
A close up of the dummy bullets sitting in magazine.

Picture 6
The magazine port for the gun, the masking tape is only to hold it together so the glue can dry. The magazine fits snug into the makeshift magazine port.

Picture 7
The release switch for the magazine

Picture 8
Notice the extra bent flap on the back of the magazine

Picture 9
The release switch how it would sit in the gun

Picture 10
The release switch shown how it locks the magazine in the gun.

Picture 11
The completed magazine with extra bullets.

More work will be done when I have time and updates will be made when significant work is done. Feel free to complement/criticize/give advice. Thanks

Matt

[Raygis LasVegas]

O noes, the forbidden magazine with real sized bullets!

Good job!

[SEALs]

nicely done.

[manchovie]

next step, get that stock to fold

[7thGuardian]

For anyone actually anticipating the completion of this project I'm sorry for the delay, I didn't have as much time as I thought during the holidays so I didn't get that much work done. I will try to make an update tomorrow.

I purchased many bullets that i didn't need so i'm selling a few. Here's some info on them.

Pic 1 - 10 bullets in the belt with extra link ( i don't want to damage the bullets so i'm not going to take it out)

Pic 2 - bullets stacked to show the spent primer and various head stamps

Pic 3 - the bullets have many perpendicular lines on them. The bullet can be removed from the shell, or it can be pushed in further to hide these lines.

Pic 4 - various things you can do with the bullets. Notice the awesome necklace.

The bullets are not perfect, most have small dents/scratches on the nickle/silver part. Also the bullets have not been polished yet, giving it a rugged appearance ( I heard that toothpaste is a good polish for brass).

I will be selling one (1) ten (10) round belts and 2 (2) five (5) round belts

Prices
10 round = $8.00 + shipping
20.00cm x 10.00cm x 4.00cm - 0.6818Kg package to your poastal code

5 round = $4.50 + shipping
12.00cm x 10.00cm x 4.00cm - 0.4545Kg package to your poastal code

**shipping will be calculated online at Canadapost Parcel Rate Calculation**
you pay exact amount online

Shipping methods are:
Priority Courier - Noon next business day
Xpresspost - 1 day
Regular Parcel - 3 days
Local pickup (Southwest corner of Woodbine and Mortimer in the GTA)

Payment methods:
Paypal (+3%) (matt_au07@hotmail.com)
personal cheque (1 week to clear)

PM me to reserve bullets, i am selling on a first come first serve basis.

I will make an update on the modification process tomorrow....

matt

**edit** if you know a better shipping method please let me know, i've never shipped small stuff out linke this before. the bullets were laid flat, and wraped in bubble wrap then put in cardboard for calculating the dimensions.

[Rumpel Felt]

I've got real M14 mag which I was thinking of doing this to my '96 with.

[7thGuardian]

Magazine well - part 1

During the holidays I didn’t have as much time as I had expected. I only had a few hours of actual work scattered here and there.

Picture 1 – the completed magazine with spare bullets

Picture 2 – the old magazine well, with spacers for the release switch

Picture 3 – this design did not work because the plastic was too soft and would easily bend out of shape

Picture 4 – the new design magazine well, made out of drywall cornering.

Picture 5 – the front and the two tips at the back have small flaps on the inside to prevent the magazine from going further into the gun. The piece of masking tape will not be there on the finished product, it’s only there to keep the shape of the magazine well.

Picture 6 – a picture of the magazine well on the magazine

Picture 7 – the back showing where the magazine release switch will go. A new magazine release switch will be created out of more drywall cornering.

Picture 8 – the magazine fits flush with very little wobble.

Comments are welcome

matt

[nefas]

Its a shame this thread has died off
7thGuardian has done an incredible job!