New member here, so if there is already a thread on this, I apologize in advance. I am looking for anything to best explain parts interchangeability between a full sized UZI SMG and a Mini-Uzi SMG. For example, the full sized Uzi top cover and slot cover plate are longer than vs the mini; however, the cocking knob w/ screw and cocking slide assembly (including the ratchet pawl, spring, etc.) are interchangeable. Obviously, the barrel, stock, and forward grips are different. If anyone knows of anything literature-wise that's more comprehensive, I'd appreciate it.
Mini-Uzi SMG vs Uzi SMG Parts Interchangeablility
- Thread starter miniuziguy
- Start date
You also may want to clarify Open bolt vs Closed bolt since IMI made both.
In closed bolt the bolt assemblies, FP assemblies are completely different but the extractor and retaining pin are the same.
Also, I don't know if IMI ever made any full size SMG's with the model B style sights or not.
I think only prototypes of the Mini had the Model A style but production model's all had the Model B style.
Grip frame assemblies are the same w/o going into the different sear types....closed vs open bolt.
Barrel nut, barrel nut ratcheting pawl, 8mm grip lug pins, ejectors could vary if running closed bolt to engage the bolt safety but if talking open bolt - same. Topcover cover retaining catch and springs the same.
Internal diameters of the trunion are the same. On the Mini SMG, it is relieved for the feet of the open bolt though.
I personally run a cut down full size guide rod in my Mini to get a little bit more bolt travel and slower cyclic rate.
That is all I can think of off the top of my head.
In closed bolt the bolt assemblies, FP assemblies are completely different but the extractor and retaining pin are the same.
Also, I don't know if IMI ever made any full size SMG's with the model B style sights or not.
I think only prototypes of the Mini had the Model A style but production model's all had the Model B style.
Grip frame assemblies are the same w/o going into the different sear types....closed vs open bolt.
Barrel nut, barrel nut ratcheting pawl, 8mm grip lug pins, ejectors could vary if running closed bolt to engage the bolt safety but if talking open bolt - same. Topcover cover retaining catch and springs the same.
Internal diameters of the trunion are the same. On the Mini SMG, it is relieved for the feet of the open bolt though.
I personally run a cut down full size guide rod in my Mini to get a little bit more bolt travel and slower cyclic rate.
That is all I can think of off the top of my head.
You are correct, and I do appreciate your response. I know there are numerous Uzi variants. For the sake of my question, let's assume an open bolt Vector Arms mini vs a full open bolt IMI SMG. To build on my initial comment, the full sized Uzi SMG top covers are 2.5" longer than they are for the mini. The slot cover plates are longer too by my own measurements. I'm probably not telling you anything you don't know.
I'm looking to put together a spare parts kit for my mini. Let me elaborate. The last time I fired it, the cocking knob flew off during a burst. I don't know for sure, but I assume the cocking knob screw came loose. There was no finding the screw in the snow that day. To the credit of my mini, it finished out the magazine without issue
. I ordered a full sized Uzi SMG top cover assembly for about $20 online. As I learned, they are not cheap/available for the mini. I rat-fucked out the cocking knob, it's screw, and the cocking slide assembly for use in my mini. My min runs great again, and I'll be sure to check the cocking knob screw every time I clean the old girl going forward.
I'm looking to put together a spare parts kit for my mini. Let me elaborate. The last time I fired it, the cocking knob flew off during a burst. I don't know for sure, but I assume the cocking knob screw came loose. There was no finding the screw in the snow that day. To the credit of my mini, it finished out the magazine without issue
. I ordered a full sized Uzi SMG top cover assembly for about $20 online. As I learned, they are not cheap/available for the mini. I rat-fucked out the cocking knob, it's screw, and the cocking slide assembly for use in my mini. My min runs great again, and I'll be sure to check the cocking knob screw every time I clean the old girl going forward.As you may know a full size open bolt UZI SMG is typically bare metal in the back. While the Mini's have a plastic/polymer buffer that is around 1/2" in thickness. It is left in there and a closed bolt or open bolt spring assembly is drop in.
Since the full size doesn't have anything back there, I pull mine out and replace with a piece of 1/8" gasket material so the guide rod doesn't contact bare metal in the back.
If you try to use a factory open bolt spring assembly it will flop around in there. Which is why I use a cut down full size rod.
Been running mine like that for a long time and can't remember how much my rate dropped.
The best thing is Troy's Mini Heavy bolt but I want to try a few other things that are not ready yet.
Some topcovers come with a split washer but many do not. I just use blue Loctite. I also just use a mill to modify full size slot covers for the Mini. Vector and others do/did the same thingYou are correct, and I do appreciate your response. I know there are numerous Uzi variants. For the sake of my question, let's assume an open bolt Vector Arms mini vs a full open bolt IMI SMG. To build on my initial comment, the full sized Uzi SMG top covers are 2.5" longer than they are for the mini. The slot cover plates are longer too by my own measurements. I'm probably not telling you anything you don't know.
I'm looking to put together a spare parts kit for my mini. Let me elaborate. The last time I fired it, the cocking knob flew off during a burst. I don't know for sure, but I assume the cocking knob screw came loose. There was no finding the screw in the snow that day. To the credit of my mini, it finished out the magazine without issue
It required a fair amount of flat-head screwdriver torque to loosen the cocking knob screw from the top cover assembly shipped to me (through APEX). There was no Israeli installed locking washer. Repairing my mini top cover went well, easy, and cheap though. I'm not big on mechanical Band-Aids, but Loctite is perfectly suited for an Uzi cocking knob screw.
Working on the spare parts kit for a Vector mini open-bolt SMG, I'm thinking: cocking slide assembly (with spring and pawl), barrel nut, and a mag release spring and lever.
Working on the spare parts kit for a Vector mini open-bolt SMG, I'm thinking: cocking slide assembly (with spring and pawl), barrel nut, and a mag release spring and lever.
Vector FA minis are somewhat unique to themselves. They bought the remaining registered FA full size receivers from the Group Industries auction and used them, along with South African parts kits, to make their transferable UZIs. GI receivers were not exactly in spec and some tweaks had to be made. Once the kinks had been mostly worked out and full size sales had begun, they turned to the mini. Sourcing the required mini parts from Israel, they cut apart the full size receivers and shortened them, rewelding them back into a mini-sized receiver. As such it uses model A SMG sights, not the B ones used by IMI. They also used the full size solid trunnion instead of the lightened one IMI used with a "window" cut out of it. Stamped in grip retainer versus welded in, etc. Like IMI, they also relocated the front sling point to an eye mounted in the front sight area. On a Vector mini the specific mini parts used should be the stock assembly, open bolt and recoil spring assembly, top cover, front sling eye, and the bbl. Unless I missed a small part the rest (except for the receiver) should be the same as a full size one. Only about 500 were made.
The best source for knowledge of the UZI and it's many variants is of course the UZI book sold here by the site owner and author of the book.
www.uzitalk.com
The best source for knowledge of the UZI and it's many variants is of course the UZI book sold here by the site owner and author of the book.
UZI Talk - The UZI Submachine Gun EXAMINED
I love this forum, and I'm absolutely going to purchase this book. I had no idea such a publication was available. Thank you very much! I'll also continue to report here what luck I'm having with spare parts for my Vector Mini. I had no idea there were so few of them in circulation. If it can help even one other owner, I'm happy to share my real world experiences here. And I appreciate you guys advising me so promptly!Vector FA minis are somewhat unique to themselves. They bought the remaining registered FA full size receivers from the Group Industries auction and used them, along with South African parts kits, to make their transferable UZIs. GI receivers were not exactly in spec and some tweaks had to be made. Once the kinks had been mostly worked out and full size sales had begun, they turned to the mini. Sourcing the required mini parts from Israel, they cut apart the full size receivers and shortened them, rewelding them back into a mini-sized receiver. As such it uses model A SMG sights, not the B ones used by IMI. They also used the full size solid trunnion instead of the lightened one IMI used with a "window" cut out of it. Stamped in grip retainer versus welded in, etc. Like IMI, they also relocated the front sling point to an eye mounted in the front sight area. On a Vector mini the specific mini parts used should be the stock assembly, open bolt and recoil spring assembly, top cover, front sling eye, and the bbl. Unless I missed a small part the rest (except for the receiver) should be the same as a full size one. Only about 500 were made.
The best source for knowledge of the UZI and it's many variants is of course the UZI book sold here by the site owner and author of the book.
UZI Talk - The UZI Submachine Gun EXAMINED
Mechanically speaking, I can only thus far address the interchangeability of Uzi SMG top cover assembly parts. A skilled machinist (which I am not) could definitely cut down & fabricate the top cover and slot cover plate from a full-sized SMG to work for a Vector Mini. When I get the time, I'll show the difference in an AutoCAD file/format. The smaller components (cocking knob and cocking slide assembly) are the same. I may experiment with the recoil spring and mag release assembly next.
Send me a link. I may well be interested!
See my site here: https://c3junkie.com/?page_id=451
I have an ad in the ad section but I'm driving right now. It may have rolled off due to time. These were made like 15 years ago
I just bumped the old thread: https://uzitalk.com/forums/index.php?threads/new-cnc-machined-uzi-mag-catches-50-delivered.97866/
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There is also a library here of interesting articles on the UZI, everything from how conversions were done, building your own, differences in parts, etc. Just go to the home page link at the top of the forum.
You will also want to make one of these. Or several.
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