New Vector Uzi SMG owner wanting spare parts

[Hassayamper]

Howdy folks,

I have recently purchased a fully-automatic, full-sized Vector Uzi SMG. It’s still in Form 4 jail but I am starting to collect magazines and accessories for it.

I am interested in laying aside a set of replacement parts to keep the gun in good order, but from what I am reading the parts supplies that used to be so plentiful are now drying up.

If you were in my shoes would you try to assemble a specific set of parts that are known to need replacement more commonly than the rest? If so, what would you buy and where would you get it?

I’m tempted to buy one or two of the milsurp IMI factory parts sets from Israel that you can get at this website:

https://products.mckay-ent.com/mcka.../uzi-smg-parts-kit-with-folding-stock-3395975

These are all perfectly interchangeable with a Vector SMG, right? They are pretty pricey, but then, so was the gun…

And they don’t include a barrel or a bullet guide. I definitely want those too, don’t I? Where would you source those?

Any other suggestions for my new toy? Are those enormous 100 round magazines worth having or no?

Thanks for your advice.

 

[OkcPuckfan]

First things first, congrats on the purchase!

Secondly, I bought my Vector in 2003, have run thousands of rounds through it, and the only part I’ve replaced due to failure was a top cover spring and ratchet due to an OOB detonation using some Swedish training ammo.

That being said, I have a full kit put away as well as a spare lower, a couple of barrels, a couple of top covers and that’s about it. The “bullet guide” they are referring to, I believe, is the feed ramp and that is a stamped part of the receiver on an IMI gun. Your Vector might have a semi feed ramp added, mine does and it helps with feeding odd shaped bullet types and .22 if you go with one of the conversions.

The wait is tough but so great when it’s done. Good luck!

 

[Roaster72]

1. Buy magazines. Your biggest concern should be having magazines in case of a new assault weapon/magazine ban. I don't know what 100 round magazines your are referring to but the standard 32 round magazines are robust, cheap, and easy to load.

2. Don't buy parts kits, buy parts. Parts kits are for builders. A lot of that stuff you won't ever need like trunnions and sights. I personally have owned a Vector for over a decade and have never replaced a part. That is after thousands of rounds of ammo including probably 3-4000 rounds of extremely sketch Egyptian 9mm. If I were buying parts, I'd buy a top cover, sear, bolt, and lower (may include the sear) to keep in reserve. All barrels commonly available now are new manufacture, maybe buy a couple.

3. Learn to reload. Cheap ammo days are over. Eventually the powder/primer supply issues will equalize. Reloading is the only true source of cheap ammo.

4. Buy a suppressor for the Uzi.

5. Consider caliber conversions. I am a big advocate of the Uzi in 9mm but some like to convert to 22 or 45. Arch Stanton on this board is the source of 22 conversions. There is no current source for 45 conversions except the secondary market. Remember that it is best to buy something when it is initially available. For instance, the tungsten M11 bolts were $800 new but check what they are selling for now.

 

[chili17]

Lets see, like okc broke a top cover spring and ratchet, 1 extractor (still was working, just chipped) and I think that is it. Parts kits are still cheap for the UZI. I would buy two kits and a couple of barrels and a few extractors and that should be good for a lifetime I would think. Of course I would load up on mags because they are cheap too

 

[SecondAmend]

I bought my Vector full size, full auto Uzi in 2006 from the original owner who had shot it very little. Thousands of rounds of 9mm and .22LR and a few hundred .45ACP later, the only thing that I've changed is the grip safety spring. The original was really stiff, and it wasn't until I bought a semi auto Vector Mini Uzi that I realized how needlessly stiff the safety spring in the full size Uzi was. The replacement spring has about half the squeeze effort.
As noted above, buy lots of mags. As far as the 100 round Beta mag goes, I don't have one so I can't provide any personal experience. There is a Vector 72 round drum on Gunbroker:
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/939586002
and my experience with a same make and model drum has been 100%.
Best of luck.
MHO, YMMV, etc. Be well.

ETA: There's also a .45ACP bolt and barrel currently on Gunbroker:
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/939636695
Original IMI .45ACP mags are pricy and somewhat scarce, but there are readily available Uzi .45ACP mags from ProMag.

 

[Garrett]

The 100-round Beta Mags are big and awkward. But use the graphite with them, and they tend to run well.

Here’s a run at Knob Creek using two of them.

The Beta Mags don’t get used all that often. I don’t know that I would put them up at the top of the list.

Caliber conversions are fun as well. I can run my gun in .22LR, .40S&W, .357Sig (doesn’t feed very well), and .45 ACP. But nearly all of my shooting is in 9mm.

As noted by others, 25- and 32-round stick mags are cheap and reliable. I have some Taylor Freelance +10 base pads on some of mine, bringing the capacity up to 42 rounds.

 

[Roaster72]

One more thing. Buy a wood stock. Thank me later. Here's a site to get most of the parts you would ever need including the stock.

https://www.robertrtg.com/store/pc/UZI-c22.htm?pageStyle=h&ProdSort=3&page=1&idCategory=22

One last thing. I also like the Uzi K grip. I keep it on mine so that I don't have to worry about some newbie slipping and putting their fingers in front of the barrel.

https://www.robertrtg.com/store/pc/UZI-K-GRIP-HANDGUARD-22p2795.htm

 

[Samuel_Hoggson]

I broke a sear pin, resulting in a runaway gun at a shoot. Not a big deal - $5 part and about 5 minutes work. But I'd forgotten to bring a spare complete lower, so the gun was done for the shoot.

Parts kits were a decent way to get most any part mentioned at a discount. Usually, a stock of your choice was part of the deal.

You're not likely to break a bolt, but squibs happen. Alas, most parts kits no longer include surplus barrels.

Starting over from scratch would get a barrel, complete lower, top cover assembly, extractor, RSA, and wood stock assembly.