Vector FA .22 Kit

[salvo]

I got a call from Debbie at Vector she said the kits are shipping, mine is on the way. So what have been your experiences with them and the 28 rd. Mags?

[Dan0341]

Salvo, the kit is a lot of fun! The 28 round mags work just as well as the 20 rounders. You can actually fit 22 rounds in the 20 round mag. I initially had some feeding problems, but realized it helped to moderately lube the follower and inside of the mag body with CLP. The mags will collect debris faster with the lube - just keep patches and a cleaning rod handy and swab them out and lubricate as needed. Someone told me that a synthetic dry lube works well, but I haven't tried it yet.

You'll receive instructions with your kit about trimming the ejector. You DO need to do this so the rimfire mags fit properly. It's pretty easy with a dremel tool (I tried a file first, but it didn't work for me). Just go slow and continue to fit the mag to check your progress. I won't go into detail because you'll get these instructions. This modification does not cause any issues in 9mm in case you're wondering.

Some people report that their kit runs without tinkering. I found I had to do one thing. I had to remove some of the aluminum off the rear of the bolt with a file. Here's what was happening with my kit: The top of the bolt (rear section) was a little too high and the bolt would stick in the back of the receiver. I suggest that upon arrival of your kit, you place the bolt in the receiver (without the recoil spring) and ensure the bolt moves freely from front to rear. The bolt should touch the very back of the receiver. If the bolt sticks, take a marker to the rails of the bolt. The spots where the bolt rubs will smear the marker. Gently file the spots where the smeared marker shows.

Once your bolt moves freely, insert a magazine in the mag well. Once it clicks in place, pull down on the magazine. Leave your bolt in the receiver, without the recoil spring, and attach the top cover. Manipulate your Uzi so the bolt will move from front to rear in your receiver. The bolt should not hang-up on the top of the magazine. I've not had this problem of the bolt stopping on the top of the mag, but others have reported this problem.

I was able to use my 22 recoil spring immediately. Others reported that they needed to break-in the kit using their 9mm recoil spring. You'll get a faster rate of fire with the 9mm spring. If this is the case, use the 9mm spring for a couple of hundred rounds, then drop-in the 22 spring and see if it works reliably. I like the 22 spring since the rate of fire is slower. I can squeeze doubles and even singles without much effort.

My kit works well with Remington Golden Bullets (Walmart), Winchester Dynapoints (sold exclusively at Kmart), and CCI Standard Velocity. When it comes to Federal ammo, my kit jams every couple of rounds. I found Winchester Wildcats leaded my barrel something awful. I'd buy several different brands and try them out to see what works best for you. I've shot my kit using my AWC MK9 suppressor and it works quite well - the neighbors aren't even aware that I'm blasting away:D I like the CCI Standard Velocity as it is subsonic in colder weather. In colder weather, Winchester Dynapoints are subsonic half the time. I'm hoping when it warms up, the Dynapoints will remain subsonic 100% of the time - I'm fairly certain it will.

The kit is a lot of fun and the ammo is cheap. Where else can you get 500 rounds of subsonic ammo for around 20 bucks! In my experience, it's not as reliable as it is in 9mm - but it's close enough to have a great time with it. If you have more questions, let me know. I'm no expert, but I've shot about 6,000 rounds through my kit.

Dan

[salvo]

Dan0341, thanks for the great tips!
Does the .22 shoot to the same point of aim?

[Dan0341]

For me, the 22 kit shoots pretty close compared to the same spot as the 9mm (maybe off an inch or two at 25 yards). Close enough so as not to adjust my sights. I talked to one person at a subgun match and his shot about a foot from where the 9mm was shooting. He didn't mind too much as he uses a dedicated top cover with optics when shooting his 22 kit.

Dan

[Dan0341]

I read this on http://rimfirecentral.com and thought it may be helpful to those trying to suppress their Vector 22 kit. If you're into 22 rimfire, check out the website - lots of good info. BigMike is the author of the information below.

The speed of sound at sea level is ~ 1,082. fps.......

So, a muzzle velocity of 1,080 fps would be subsonic under most conditions [elevation, temperature, barrel length, etc.] ......

Note that "advertised velocity" will vary, causing some rounds to be 'supersonic' and some to be 'subsonic', depending upon the mean [x] of the Lot.

Velocity Help:

The terms "standard velocity", "target", and "sub-sonic" are used rather loosely by the ammunition manufacturers.......

"Standard Velocity": [Range: 1070 to 1150 fps]
Aguila Standard Vel, .22 LR 40 gr 1135 fps
CCI Standard Velocity, .22 LR 40 gr 1070 fps
Eley Standard, .22 LR 40 gr 1085 fps
Rem Std Vel (Target) .22 LR 40 gr 1150 fps
S&B Standard Vel. (Target), .22 LR 40 gr 1089 fps
Win Std Vel (T22), .22 LR 40 gr 1150 fps

"Target": [Range: 1050 to 1150 fps]
Aguila Match Pistol, .22 LR 40 gr 1050 fps
CCI GreenTag Comp, .22 LR 40 gr 1070 fps
Eley Tenex, .22 LR 40 gr 1085 fps [typical for all their "target"]
Fed Target, .22 LR 40 gr 1150 fps
FIOCCHI 330 Super Match, .22 LR 40 gr 1080 fps
Lapua Midas M, .22 LR 40 gr 1072 fps
Rem Target, .22 LR 40 gr 1150 fps
RWS Target, .22 LR 40 gr 1080 fps
S&B Club (Match), .22 LR 40 gr 1089 fps
Win Match Supreme, .22 LR 40 gr 1080 fps

"Sub-Sonic": [Range: 1000 to 1050 fps]
Aguila Subsonic Solid, .22 LR 40 gr 1025 fps
Eley Subsonic Xtra Solid, .22 LR 40 gr 1050 fps
FIOCCHI Subsonic HP, .22 LR 40 gr 1030 fps
Rem Subsonic-HP, .22 LR 38 gr 1050 fps
RWS Subsonic HP, .22 LR 40 gr 1000 fps

Reference:
http://www.korabrno.cz/bal-22.html

Here are a couple of websites that sell a variety of 22 rimfire ammunition:

Cheaper Than Dirt (http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/dept.asp?dept%5Fid=203&category=Ammo&dept%5Fname=Rimfire+Ammunition&mscssid=3NBFC2G6JPKJ9M4KS73KP36BXFUJ9DC7)

Gold City Gun and Cartridge Co. (http://www.22ammo.com/22ammo.html)

[salvo]

It's here!
Thanks Dan, great info, printing it out right now.
Quality looks good on the kit, the barrel is nice and smooth (No chatter) clean rifleling. They even include the mag loader with the kit. I'll be shooting it this weekend, I'll let you know how it performes. My buddy has the kit also, his shoots point of aim same as the 9mm. Hope mine does too I hate adjusting that front site :) The 28rd mags are actually priced right concidering they are made out of 32rd mags. Two thumbs up for Vector so far.

[Dan0341]

Cool. Let us know how it goes. Shooting with the 22 kit is addictive.

Dan

[salvo]

Well I took it out this last weekend and should have trimmed the ejecter first, like Dan said to do. My buddy with the same kit did not have to trim his so I thought I would give it a try first. NO luck, comparing his gun with mine, my ejector is at least 1/16" longer than his. I brought a couple of files with me, no way was I able to file on that ejecter, way to hard it felt like I was trying to file glass. Took the old dremmel to it and it's ready for another try this weekend. I'll keep ya posted.

[Dan0341]

Salvo, keep us posted. If you experience some feeding failures, clean the mags and add some lube inside the magazine body. This has helped me. Earlier this week, I shot about 700 rounds using my 22 kit. It's cheap fun. I just wish I could load the mags faster!

Dan

[Paul556]

Here are some tips in making the Vector kit run well. This was posted on Subguns some time back. I saved it for reference in case I had problems with mine. I got my kit, but no Uzi, so I still don't know if I will need it. The autor is Swede or 5Bears as he is sometimes known. Enjoy the read.

http://www.5bears.com/nfa/uzimod.htm

[RoverDave]

I can't get to that URL.

[salvo]

The URL can not be found with my browser? I would really like to read that link above if any one has a sugestion on how to open it?

Going out tomarrow to test one of my friends brand new select fire SA M1A, FA .308 should be fun!
I'll also test the dremmel work out on my Uzi and let you all know how she runs.

[salvo]

I've tried every thing I can think of to open that link, OH well.
Can someone copy it and e-mail it to me? salvo15@yahoo.com

[salvo]

Trimming the ejector fixed it, the 20 rd mag runs perfectly. I bought two 28 rd mags and one runs great the other jambs now and then.
CCI MiniMags seem to be the best ammo. Remington bulk pack is almost as good. Fedral bulk made it a single shot. Still need a bit of breaking in, but with the remington and two out of three mags it runs fantastic.
I brought a 25 rd 9mm mag that always jambs on me, trimming the ejector must have cured it, I could not make that magazine jamb. I need to shoot more 9mm to be sure but all an all a good day at the range. My buddys new FA M1A was a blast I took a few MPEG's of it and will post the URL as soon as I upload them.

[Dan0341]

Salvo, good to hear it went well. Probably with use, the other mag will work better for you. If after time it doesn't, let Vector know and they'll swap it out for you. Others have done this without trouble. That M1A must be a handful!

Dan

[salvo]

I finally got those mpeg's uploaded
http://www.angelfire.com/nv2/salvo/
Click on "Guns, lots of guns" and then check out my mpegs, enjoy!

[RoverDave]

I can see why. I watched them last night and they were great.

[salvo]

Yes that is my humble little corner of the web, free build your own web site as long as you dont exceed 20megs, I have to remove files to upload new ones and found out it shuts down alot, sorry about that.

[salvo]

I checked my sites bandwidth use, looks like alot of people have been checking it out, I have exceeded the 1 gig limit 121 times in the past month. Oh well it's free, I hope you guys are able to get in soon that M1A was a blast and I have alot of Uzi mpegs and others too.

[salvo]

I forgot to mention, the .22 kit shoots dead on, no site adjustment needed from 9mm to .22
I hope your having better luck loading my site, I've been unable to log on since my last post here.

[Paul556]

Works for me. Try the root page www.5bears.com There is no link to the NFA page, but try that to see if it works.

[treedawg]

salzo,
nice site............

TD

[salvo]

Thanks treedawg

[cooey82]

What make are the mag bodies Vector is using for the .22 conversion mags? There are no tool marks or holes for viewing the remaining ammo

[Dan0341]

Vector uses US made ProMag magazines for their conversions.

Dan