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AICS AIRSOFT STOCK for Rimfire Conversion Review

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Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 19, 2008
4,591
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SCRANTON AREA PENNSYLVANIA
Well after getting motivated by several posts here on Marlins, Savages, etc. getting retrofitted into airsoft rifle stocks and talking not only through the threads but PMs also to those that have done it, I was impressed, intrigued and committed to dropping a rimfire into one.

I had a CZ455 Varmint on order, and thought they both would compliment each othe with their styling, so I purchased and had the stock in my possesion long before the rifle arrived.

I chose a Wells G-96 folder for a few reasons. One, it was the model others had used, and I didn't want to take a risk in getting another that didn't have the aluminum skeleton. Perhaps they all have them, I don't know squat about airsoft other than they are usually a replica dimension wise to the rifle they are decoying.

Two, it had other nice features: a removable magazine that housed the pellets and air resivoir (actually quite heavy), the butt stock monopod (probably will not use it, but hey it is a feature), it folded for compactness, it has the magazine well situated in the "right place" to match up with the action of the rifle without having to cut more plastic, the forestock has the bipod / handstop rail cut out. It is also adjustable for length of pull via spacers, and sports a pretty nice rubber butt pad. It also has an up and down, side to side adjustable cheek rest and is thumbscrew loosening and tightening for height only. Side to side is achieved by allen wrench. A large barrel channel ensures a free float of the barrel.

Third, it actually comes with a quick detachable 3 sided rail where the traditional AICS bipod attaches. Though I will be using a harris in a more customary sling stud mounting, the tri rail is still an added feature for pest removal at night with a light. The bonyard variety had the bipod missing, but that's ok as the quality of it may be questionable.

From researching, the only 3 airsoft rifles that have those features are the Well G-96 around $250.00, G&G armament between $350.00 - $450.00, and a Tanaka around $450.00+. But if you are patient and search, you can pick up a Well G-96 in the "airsoft boneyards" (inoperable rifles for parts) on many airsoft suppliers. I had picked mine up for $99.00. Just by using price as a comparison, I take it those three are of a higher quality than others. Many of the others range between $25.00 to $75.00 in the boneyards.

Moving on, I have to say to my surprise I was really shocked and delighted to find the quality of the Well G-96. A VERY heavy stock / rifle with tons of features, a pretty comfy stock that is dimentionally a duplicate of the real AICS folder Real on top, airsoft on bottom). Only difference I can notice is the shroud that goes around the bolt handle cut out:

AICSSTOCKSIDE.jpg


A quick picture of the magazine and well. My plan is to use the magazine for "looks" and to also hide the 10 round rimfire magazine once the internals of the airsoft magazine are removed. I chose to use a 10 round magazine as it will be easier to reload / grasp reaching into the magazine well cavity when the CZ goes in. The internals are easily removed and the bottom plate of the magazine slides off, allowing access to the real magazine underneath, or if not interested in keeping the high capacity centerfire look, the airsoft magazine can be removed.

aicsstockmagazine.jpg


For the price, when compared to say a "tacticool" stock, I began to think that this was the better way to go. So then I took it apart, the grip area shows pins that help hold the "clamshelled stock" together and give it more rigidity. Also a view of the bottom forestock, and a top view of the inlet.

BOTTOMGRIPFORSTOCKANDINLET.jpg


The 2 sections articulate on a pinned hinge, 2 set screws loosened and a few taps of the pin had the sections seperated. The two sections felt more solid than I had expected, but still had a little play in it. Once removed, I took black electrical tape and wrapped both the hinge mechanisms where it inserts into the square aluminum skeleton once with black electrical tape to act as a shim. When put back together the "slop" was greatly reduced and improved the rigidness once the stock was locked into the open position.

AICSHINGE.jpg


An exploded view shows that this stock does have many parts. You can see that ther is a square aluminum skeletal frame, if you are curious enough to break it down this far, take pictures and notes to make sure you can reassemble it.

AICSEXPLODEDVIEW.jpg


I was very impressed by the skeletal system and other attachments considering the original use of the stock. The sling attachments in the front and rear did rattle a bit, so I used the electrical tape method mentioned earlier to deaden the noise, and followed up by doing that shim technique to all adjoining parts in the skeleton.

Once I continued with putting the rifle in the chassis (the actual install will be posted later) I realized a few things that actually make the stock stiffer, and felt confident enough that it would handle .17 hornet, .204 ruger, and a .223. Maybe even a .243, and possibly a .308. If you do take it apart to this extent, use loctight on the reassemble, be careful too not to strip out any screws as they are a bit on the chimsey side.

There are 2 bedding blocks that slide inside the square chassis that would be able to be used to shim and solidify the action spacing of many different rifles (further detail in the install post).

All in all, surprisingly a very good stock for what I paid for it ($99.00) and glad that I went on with the project. I didn't feel that it was a toy or a piece of junk that a rifle is screwed to, and will be searching for another stock for another rifle. If I were to do it again, I probably would have looked for a non-folding one as I'm sure it would be more rigid, but no real regrets of carrying on with the folder.

After a little simple fitting with basic tools, some basic mechanical ability, a few hardware items and a weekend, the AICS airsoft stock for a rimfire conversion gets a thumbs up so far without a performane test of the rifle.

There will be an upcoming post on the install (which looks and feels great by the way) but first I want to do a range report of before and after the install to see if the Airsoft stock added, lessened, or there's no change in consistancy / accuracy of the rifle itself.

Stay tuned, To be continued.
 
Re: AICS AIRSOFT STOCK for Rimfire Conversion Review

I will be watching for your write up. I have enjoyed shooting my TR in the airsoft AICS so much that I have plans on doing a 455 in one.

My TR ended up weighing 12 lbs with the optic, so it is nearly perfect for what I was after in a trainer. I am confident that with the combined knowledge of all the folks who have done these conversions, and the learnings of my first attempt, the 455 will turn our great.

I absolutely agree that if you do these airsoft stock conversions correctly that they rifle does not feel like a toy. The friends that have held and shot mine definitely think it feels like a real rifle. In fact, I think it feels more like a "real gun" than a lot of other rimfires.

Waiting patiently for your write up and review.
 
Re: AICS AIRSOFT STOCK for Rimfire Conversion Review

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SLO</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Did you pick up the G-96 at a local store or online? Looking for ideas on where to go to start looking </div></div>

I found two complete stocks years ago in the Boneyard at Airsplat... $99ea
 
Re: AICS AIRSOFT STOCK for Rimfire Conversion Review

same place i found mine (airsplat).

there's also evike, airsoft gi, trinity airsoft, airrattle, airsoft mega store. they all seemed to have a good selection of stuff.

BTW the install is coming along good, i did have an oops moment and had to rethink and consequently redo the whole thing. that part is taking longer than i thought, but the solution is pretty easy.

of course my oops will be in the install thread once i get everything buttoned up. perhaps my mistake will help someone else out if they choose to do it.
 
Re: AICS AIRSOFT STOCK for Rimfire Conversion Review

Is it wrong that Im planning on buying this stock before I have the Bolt .22 to go in it? Can't choose between a Savage Mark II or a Marlin XT-22 but leaning towards the Savage because of the aftermarket stuff available.
 
Re: AICS AIRSOFT STOCK for Rimfire Conversion Review

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: -Mil-Surp-Phreak</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is it wrong that Im planning on buying this stock before I have the Bolt .22 to go in it? Can't choose between a Savage Mark II or a Marlin XT-22 but leaning towards the Savage because of the aftermarket stuff available. </div></div>
+1

Is it a big deal if they have a broken bolt carrier?
 
Re: AICS AIRSOFT STOCK for Rimfire Conversion Review

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DRAGON64</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SLO</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Did you pick up the G-96 at a local store or online? Looking for ideas on where to go to start looking </div></div>

I found two complete stocks years ago in the Boneyard at Airsplat... $99ea </div></div>

I am thinking of doing this same project and so I have just purchased one from airsplat in their Boneyard section for $99. There were 3 when I made the purchase today so there should be 2 left.

Hope this helps

Gene
 
Re: AICS AIRSOFT STOCK for Rimfire Conversion Review

Picked up one of the last 2 at Airsplat.com Neither of the remaining ones this morning had magazines which while not a huge deal it would have been nice to have the price dropped further on the deal since a new magazine is 30-50 bucks on top of the 99 for the boneyard rifle. It is gonna suck shelling out the cash for the new mag just to gut it for the cosmetics. Or I could just suck it up and not use one and just use the rimfire mag only.
 
Re: AICS AIRSOFT STOCK for Rimfire Conversion Review

I will be very interested in how this goes. i had planned on trying to fit my 455 varmint into a tacticool but now im changing my mind!!
 
Re: AICS AIRSOFT STOCK for Rimfire Conversion Review

i got a week of R&R coming up and should have it together by end of next week. i want to take it to the range before posting the install / conversion just to make sure it's worth the effort and not just a cosmetic thing.

i figure the the weight of the stock and the more or less aluminum bedding block of the frame should provide stability and a good foundation. i definately would not put this on a rifle used for hunting, unless you like carrying around ALOT of extra weight.

i did notice that even though i "shimmed" all the interlocking pieces with electrical tape (on the interior) there still is a little play at the hinge joint. not much, but enough to be annoyed if you let things like that get to you.

if having to do it again, i think i'd go with the 1 piece non folder. while the folding model is neat looking and has some wow factor, unless you need to store the rifle in a tight space i do find the little play or flexing at the hinge is slightly distracting.

but i can't form a good opinion until i get it to the range.

i was thinking of going the tacticool route, although it's laminated, it's still wood and having to get decent bottom metal equals at least $200.00. the airsoft deal was $99.00 plus under $10.00 for extra washers, screws, etc. that i had to use. plus the length of pull and cheek piece adjustability gives it some more creature comforts.

still i hope it doesn't adversly affect accuracy, hopefully will know in a few days.
 
Re: AICS AIRSOFT STOCK for Rimfire Conversion Review

not much of a pain at all, just taking a break from it now. as i'm a bit anal, i'm taking my time with it.

basically hardly any extra hardware to get, the biggest "pain" is the fitting or slight trimming of "this or that" and making sure of alignments / clearances.

the inital positioning is the key (where the trigger goes in the guard, etc is the <span style="color: #FF0000"> 1st step and IMO the most important tip</span>) then build or trim the rest of the sub frame from there. trying to compensate or plan ahead for what needs to be removed or added. i did screw up on the first pass and lowered the action too far down and when the skins were put on, i didn't have enough bolt clearance to have it cycle
mad.gif
( <span style="color: #FF0000"> TIP #2</span> ). of course depending on what your rifle action make and model is and what AICS version / manufacturer stock you get, the install will differ. <span style="color: #FF0000">TIP #3 </span> - use of measuring tapes, calipers, etc. forget it. eyeballing it (at least in my case) seemed to be the preferred method. being of the analytical sort, it's killin me to do things by eye, but once you trim something in the front, something in the back goes screwy and visca versa. it's not a big deal though, take your time and think first, trim a little at a time then check for fit. anyone that can figure out how to replace a doorknob could do this and is really as simple as that, just a bit time consuming to make it all come together nicely. with a good plan and a dedicated weekend to do it you should have an end product. if not all that interested in having a "wow, that looks like it came with that stock" it would take less time.

for instance, i had another "pain" the other night. i thought i had it all together and ready to go, when i solved the bolt clearance issue, i trimmed the R.S. plastic skin for the closed bolt. then i noticed that the frame had to be notched a little for the bolt to close completely and the CZ safety to engage. no big deal, just a little frustration that it all had to be taken apart again to file in the notch. if the barreled action was propped up high off the frame originally, none of that would have happened, but it did look kinda out of place with the action sitting so high. if that's not a concern as a looks factor, none of that extra stuff had to be done or shall i say re-done.

until i get this project buttoned up, here are a few of the threads that got me convinced to do it that should give you a taste of what's involved (thanks to Blackwhiskey & TheWoodyguy). there are a few more here on the hide, but these have some good pictures along with them:

MARLIN 800 SERIES IN AICS (AIRSOFT) STOCK

Savage MKII IN AIRSOFT AICS

i truely believe at this point that it's worth it, of course a range day trial after all is said and done will be the most important detail of it. i'm not going the bedding compound route at this point, just mounting the action to the sub frame.
 
Re: AICS AIRSOFT STOCK for Rimfire Conversion Review

My donor boneyard airsoft stock will be here Tuesday, I got a local shop to hold a Savage Mark II with 20 inch fluted barrel for me till tomorrow and I have a 5 day weekend starting the 4th of July so I will hopefully get it up and running. I snagged 4 HD Samsung camcorders off woot.com when they were $40 bucks last month so I plan on running a hatcam video of the build as well as a 3rd person camera running simultaneously as I run a live commentary. Wish me luck and I will hopefully be posting the video after next weekend.
 
Re: AICS AIRSOFT STOCK for Rimfire Conversion Review

Oh yeah, I also snagged 2 of the airsoft mags off a random craiglist ad from Pittsburgh that was 5 days old but he never sold them. He was willing to ship so once they get here my plan is to gut one and leave just the hollow shell so that it can just click into the rifle but still have room inside for the .22 Magazine. The other mag I am going to gut it again but fill the inside with "Great Stuff" the expanding foam and epoxy a .22 mag inside it.
 
Re: AICS AIRSOFT STOCK for Rimfire Conversion Review

Great, add one more project to the list. This is a never ending obsession! Any recommendations on the best bolt action .22LR to use?
 
Re: AICS AIRSOFT STOCK for Rimfire Conversion Review

the install is done, took it for a walk at the range, 7 mph winds to 12 mph gusts kept me at 50 yards as i felt it wouldn't do justice going out further.

just from the initial range trip, the 455 is scary accurate, and i do believe the solid foundation of the AICS (although airsoft) aluminum bedding block and weight clicked up the accuracy even more.

3 groups, a 15 round under .75", a 10 round UNDER .5", and one more in between.

hopefully tomorrow will prove a less windy day and can do a few 100 and 200 yard groups and compare to the groups shot before the AICS airsoft stock was installed.

i'm gonna post the install itself in a seperate thread, as mentioned before depending on firearm and the model airsoft you get, the install will vary.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: -Mil-Surp-Phreak</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> The other mag I am going to gut it again but fill the inside with "Great Stuff" the expanding foam and epoxy a .22 mag inside it.</div></div>

i don't think the expandable foam will work, especially if you have to cant or work your magazine in...the AICS mag fits pretty tight with not much wiggle room, but i do wish you luck to get that to work. the hollowed out shell (stripped of the air resevoir) works execellent as a shroud for looks, but with the 455 + wells G96 model stock i have to use 10 round mags. the 5 rounder sets in way too deep to manipulate.


also found a way today to take the slop out or the hinge joint. the whole darn thing is solid as a rock. "VERY TICKLED" is the only words to describe it.

<span style="color: #FF0000"> <span style="font-weight: bold">I HAVE NO REGRETS GETTING THIS STOCK OR PUTTING A BRAND NEW 455 INTO IT!!!! </span> </span> it is a peach.
 
Re: AICS AIRSOFT STOCK for Rimfire Conversion Review

pics of how you used the action screws into the frame.

i have the one piece i paid about $60 from airsplat. i want the folding stock instead because it has that aluminum frame.
 
Re: AICS AIRSOFT STOCK for Rimfire Conversion Review

Anyone think the UTG L96 AWP stock would be worth a try for a mod like this. I saw one for 21 bucks. dont need the rest of the gun anyway as it's just going to be junked but not sure how well made the stock is.
 
Re: AICS AIRSOFT STOCK for Rimfire Conversion Review

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: defcon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">pics of how you used the action screws into the frame. </div></div>

they are in the install post http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3416277#Post3416277 i used the original action screws, but the receiver sat too low in the aluminum block and the bolt would not go in, so raised the action up with the pillars and washers. then i needed longer screws, 6mm stainless pan heads at lowe's. cut them to length also described in the thread, used the mounting hole already in the stock behind the trigger guard, and up through the magwell of the airsoft stock through the sliding mounting blocks for the airsoft receiver.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Don in SC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Anyone think the UTG L96 AWP stock would be worth a try for a mod like this. I saw one for 21 bucks. dont need the rest of the gun anyway as it's just going to be junked but not sure how well made the stock is.</div></div>

i wish i can give you an answer on that, i don't know if it has the aluminum block in it. this guy did it with what appears to be a UTG, and looks as if it has one. http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3209817#Post3209817

perhaps a PM to him just to make sure what the manufacturer is.
 
Found the spring Well g96 is it ok anyway? Any pictures of the inletting and screw holes in the stock?
I've seen some mounting the action on an alluminium base and fixing that to the stock, but looks complicated