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View Full Version : Had both Vector drums at the range yesterday

tommygun2000
08-10-2003, 09:05 AM
along with my C&S MW drum. Using Hirtenberger +P+ ammo, doing full dumps on the drums, both Vector drums choked with about 20-25 rounds left. After clearing the stoppage, it continued to fire the remaining rounds in each.
I repeated this function test 4 times with each Vector drum and got the same results each time This leads me to believe that the spring in the drum needs to be adjusted, and there is some binding of the last rounds coming around the last bend in the drum before turning the sharp corner into the feed tower. It appears during loading that the rounds fit a little bit tighter in this particular portion of the drum.

I'm going to measure the width of the feed channel at that point and compare it to the C&S drum. My guess is that the C&S drum has more clearance hence no binding.

Also going to measure the relative spring strength while winding the drum to see if there is any noticeable difference, particularly on the first, second and third clicks form the start. This should indicate whether the spring tension is inadequate to properly push the last portion of ammo into the feed tower.

The C&S drum worked flawlessly everytime. I will never sell it, and would trust my life to it without question.

Report to follow.
amphibian
08-10-2003, 11:14 AM
Just an FYI, I spoke to Mike Maguire about the proper spring tension for his drums (he made them for the Colt and MP5) and he told me to do them as tight as I can. He told me has only run into one broken spring and those complete non-modified suomi drums are pretty cheap. I've got one as a back up if I ever break a spring.
Adjusting spring tension is pretty easy.
osprey21
08-10-2003, 05:05 PM
tommygun,

Does your Vector have the plastic strips on the drum walls ?
tommygun2000
08-10-2003, 07:22 PM
Originally posted by osprey21
tommygun,

Does your Vector have the plastic strips on the drum walls ?

I think they may be the cause of the problem, being a C H too thick. The ones in the C&S drum are noticeably thinner by several thousandths.

Any recommendations? I thought of removing them but then the slot might be too loose. The must have been put there for a specific purpose(to add lubricity to the curverature of the drum is my best guess). The drum was already designed for 9mm ammo and I'm sure they funtioned on the gun that they were made for before reconstruction into Uzi drums.
Brian Ski
08-10-2003, 11:32 PM
There were a couple posts on subguns a while back and the popular method was to give them another crank. Then they seemed to work great.
tony k
08-11-2003, 01:08 AM
I have two of MMAG's drums for my M16/9mm and neither has any plastic strips added. After adjusting the spring tension and tuning the drums up, they both run 100% for me.
tommygun2000
08-11-2003, 04:27 AM
Originally posted by tony k
I have two of MMAG's drums for my M16/9mm and neither has any plastic strips added. After adjusting the spring tension and tuning the drums up, they both run 100% for me.

Ok, I'll give it a try. I have disassembled these drums(regular Suomis' not the Vectors or C&S) before and its not that difficult.

Thanks for the recommendations and info.
M60joe
08-11-2003, 03:12 PM
Vector drum works in UZI SMG and M16. Little long for the M16, but, still fun. M16 w/drum video coming.....

Use a little graphite every once and a while. I use it in a Beta C too.
osprey21
08-11-2003, 04:45 PM
Originally posted by tommygun2000
I think they may be the cause of the problem, being a C H too thick. The ones in the C&S drum are noticeably thinner by several thousandths.

Any recommendations? I thought of removing them but then the slot might be too loose. The must have been put there for a specific purpose(to add lubricity to the curverature of the drum is my best guess). The drum was already designed for 9mm ammo and I'm sure they funtioned on the gun that they were made for before reconstruction into Uzi drums.
I just got the drum and dont have any real 'hands-on' time with it to speak of as I haven't been able to live fire it yet. I also have never seen the internals of one (Vectors) before. I was hoping the plastic strips were put in place to eliminate the jamming problem(s) I've been hearing about, although the spring theory sounds plausible .


Thanks
M60joe
08-17-2003, 06:42 PM
MuzzleFlash
08-18-2003, 12:45 AM
Joe

Is that Silver Bear ammo subsonic?
M60joe
08-18-2003, 09:54 AM
Yes it's sub sonic in the 6" M16 upper and a UZI SMG