Need Hicapa input...

Lakonian · May 10th, 2008, 18:25

K, so, I've had a really rough 3 weeks trying to set up my hicapa juuusssttt right. Everything was tested, re-tested, and re-tested AGAIN.

Then the gun explodes.*

So, I'm really in a bind right now. I've been told by atleast 12 different people that :

A. Hicapas with metal slides, and spring upgrades are VERY LONG LASTING guns, and are very reliable.

B. Hicapas with metal slides pose many barrel/chamber/breech lock (little grooves that lock the chamber/slide in place when in battery) issues.

C. Hicapas should be run STOCK only.

......

So WHO can give me the RIGHT info. Cause, I'm about to trash this thing, and go glock like originally planned.... There's no point in having a really nice gun that will eventually destroy itself.... AhemWAahem.....

* Regarding the explosion. It WAS NOT rig related. My Hicapa was holstered without the cord, thus making it impossible to snag. Upon inspection, I noticed that the problem may have come from the Airsoft Surgeon Blow-Back Chamber, as the piston was loose (by loose, I mean about to fall off). The threads were intact.

Scooby Steve · May 10th, 2008, 19:23

Contact KEVORKIAN and ILLusion. They're a mine of information and parts on all things Hi-Capa.

Endymion · May 10th, 2008, 19:27

Unless something more dramatic happened after I left, your Capa hardly exploded... the rear sight came off somehow and because that part of the slide was no longer there to hold the piston return spring in place, the spring got crunched. Were there any other parts damaged in the malfunction? Will help others to diagnose the possible cause. Also, what modifications have you made to the gun?

The *right* answer is the one that you feel most comfortable with. If this experience has turned you off Capas, then no amount of trying to convince you will ever set your mind at ease. TM makes a number of other equally reliable GBBs.

I've owned five TM Capas in various states - stock, mod, 4.3, 5.1, new, used... they've all been reliable and I can't complain about any of them. Sure, they have their quirks, but so do *all* airsoft guns, mechanical devices, electronics... you name it.

RacingManiac · May 10th, 2008, 19:45

The rear sight blowoff as I've said at the time is a common issue from other Hi-Capa owners I've talked to in other forums. remedies I am not sure. I've heard that the metal rear sight eventually will tear the plastic off the slide and break due to the force of the cycling action on propane. I think running a recoil buffer(the little rubber washer) at the end of the recoil guide rod spring base will help a lot(and thus I believe that feature was implemented in the newer 5.1 as well as the 4.3 models).

The loose AS piston is also a reported issue with that part. I've secured mine with loctite upon hearing the problem, and I have not had any issues with it.

In terms of metal upgrades, I don't think there are any issues with them if they are installed properly. Like most metal upgrades a certain break-in period is required for the parts to mate properly, and you also need observe where is the sticking spots and maybe use a file to break off the edge to help it cycle smoother.

Interesting guide here to most of the available upgrades for the Hi-Capa:
http://community.tradersairsoft.com/...ad.php?tid=488

lokisama · May 10th, 2008, 21:20

Well the advantage the hicapas have over WA is that the parts are more readily available.. No airsoft is immune from eventually destroying itself. So it's the availability of parts that should be of concern IMO.

Not to mention being able to borrow mags. You've seen how many people had TM hicapas last nit at IPSC heh. like 9 to 10 ratio.

Scooby Steve · May 10th, 2008, 22:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacingManiac

Interesting guide here to most of the available upgrades for the Hi-Capa:
http://community.tradersairsoft.com/...ad.php?tid=488

That's awesome. Thanks.

Lakonian · May 10th, 2008, 22:50

Yeah, that's true.

But... what if you're running a 200$ slide, and your chamber eats it? You heard what Carl was saying...

Endymion · May 11th, 2008, 00:03

Thats simply the downside of running a steel chamber against an aluminum slide. It's not just the design of the gun; the choice of materials for moving parts plays a factor here. You could simply leave well enough with your chrome plastic chamber.

Brian McIlmoyle · May 11th, 2008, 00:21

After the APS Session last night at TTAC3 We were sitting around smoking and drinking... as usual

The desk was littered with guns.. as usual.. all of them High capas. ( except for my FN FAL that seems to sneak out of the lockup wherver there are more than 3 people around..)

Carl was talking about upgrades and such.. And this is what he had to say... I think I understood his gist so Ill paraphrase

As soon as you put a non stock part on any gun it will lead to unintended wear and eventual failure, particularly when you combine un-like materials of differing physical characteristics coming to bear in manners not intended by the designers of the base gun.

My take away from that is... When it comes to GBB pistols unless you want to be constantly fiddling run em stock.

Also substantial upgrades and reliability are mutualy exclusive terms.. when it comes to airsoft the two do not exist in the same place.

I don't know how helpful that is... but I think it is good advice none the less

Lakonian · May 11th, 2008, 00:53

Yeah. I'm definitely going to be looking at something that comes FMU, and range ready after the other night.

Carl was totally right about inconsistency in performance, as a result of a "thrown together" gun.

Well, w.e. That experience isn't going to keep me away from coming back (maybe with a proper holster, and legal rig

)

Thanks guys.

Brian McIlmoyle · May 11th, 2008, 01:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by kos

Yeah. I'm definitely going to be looking at something that comes FMU, and range ready after the other night.

Carl was totally right about inconsistency in performance, as a result of a "thrown together" gun.

Well, w.e. That experience isn't going to keep me away from coming back (maybe with a proper holster, and legal rig

)

Thanks guys.

TM Highcapa 4.3 stock, not full metal but hard hitting, reliable and accurate what more could you ask for?

Lakonian · May 11th, 2008, 02:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian McIlmoyle

TM Highcapa 4.3 stock, not full metal but hard hitting, reliable and accurate what more could you ask for?

Something a little more lefty friendly.

I think a TM glock with a metal slide, and run on propane would be optimum.

RacingManiac · May 11th, 2008, 02:20

Or you could just swap the 4.3 thumb safety with the 5.1....

Lakonian · May 11th, 2008, 02:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacingManiac

Or you could just swap the 4.3 thumb safety with the 5.1....

... yeah. I could.. This is true.

But I think I should just get something that's FMU, or is more FMU friendly (I.E; Glock, USP, SIG226) ...

RacingManiac · May 11th, 2008, 02:45

A 4.3 won't have the same issue as 5.1's rearsight though, as it is not a adjustable sight which have IMO reduced strength. And much like the Glock or USP all you need to replace is slide and barrel then upgrade the recoil spring and you have a full metal gun. Besides, there are plenty of Hi-Capas outthere that have been FMU and have had thousands of rounds through it with propane and had no issues with wear. Mine have had at least 2-3000 rounds through it and the wear is minimum at the barrel lug. SD's slide are pretty tough as they are 7075, which as far as aluminum goes is about as tough as they come.

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May 10th, 2008, 18:25	#1
Lakonian kos Trader rating Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wherever.	Need Hicapa input... K, so, I've had a really rough 3 weeks trying to set up my hicapa juuusssttt right. Everything was tested, re-tested, and re-tested AGAIN. Then the gun explodes.* So, I'm really in a bind right now. I've been told by atleast 12 different people that : A. Hicapas with metal slides, and spring upgrades are VERY LONG LASTING guns, and are very reliable. B. Hicapas with metal slides pose many barrel/chamber/breech lock (little grooves that lock the chamber/slide in place when in battery) issues. C. Hicapas should be run STOCK only. ...... So WHO can give me the RIGHT info. Cause, I'm about to trash this thing, and go glock like originally planned.... There's no point in having a really nice gun that will eventually destroy itself.... AhemWAahem..... * Regarding the explosion. It WAS NOT rig related. My Hicapa was holstered without the cord, thus making it impossible to snag. Upon inspection, I noticed that the problem may have come from the Airsoft Surgeon Blow-Back Chamber, as the piston was loose (by loose, I mean about to fall off). The threads were intact.

May 10th, 2008, 19:27	#3
Endymion Trader rating Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Markham, ON	Unless something more dramatic happened after I left, your Capa hardly exploded... the rear sight came off somehow and because that part of the slide was no longer there to hold the piston return spring in place, the spring got crunched. Were there any other parts damaged in the malfunction? Will help others to diagnose the possible cause. Also, what modifications have you made to the gun? The right answer is the one that you feel most comfortable with. If this experience has turned you off Capas, then no amount of trying to convince you will ever set your mind at ease. TM makes a number of other equally reliable GBBs. I've owned five TM Capas in various states - stock, mod, 4.3, 5.1, new, used... they've all been reliable and I can't complain about any of them. Sure, they have their quirks, but so do all airsoft guns, mechanical devices, electronics... you name it. Last edited by Endymion; May 10th, 2008 at 19:53..

May 10th, 2008, 19:45	#4
RacingManiac Trader rating Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada/US	The rear sight blowoff as I've said at the time is a common issue from other Hi-Capa owners I've talked to in other forums. remedies I am not sure. I've heard that the metal rear sight eventually will tear the plastic off the slide and break due to the force of the cycling action on propane. I think running a recoil buffer(the little rubber washer) at the end of the recoil guide rod spring base will help a lot(and thus I believe that feature was implemented in the newer 5.1 as well as the 4.3 models). The loose AS piston is also a reported issue with that part. I've secured mine with loctite upon hearing the problem, and I have not had any issues with it. In terms of metal upgrades, I don't think there are any issues with them if they are installed properly. Like most metal upgrades a certain break-in period is required for the parts to mate properly, and you also need observe where is the sticking spots and maybe use a file to break off the edge to help it cycle smoother. Interesting guide here to most of the available upgrades for the Hi-Capa: http://community.tradersairsoft.com/...ad.php?tid=488 __________________ My Arnies' Album My PBase Album Custom Pistol Whore...

May 10th, 2008, 19:23	#2
Scooby Steve Trader rating Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: St. Catharines, ON	Contact KEVORKIAN and ILLusion. They're a mine of information and parts on all things Hi-Capa.

May 10th, 2008, 21:20	#5
lokisama Trader rating Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: etobicoke, ON	Well the advantage the hicapas have over WA is that the parts are more readily available.. No airsoft is immune from eventually destroying itself. So it's the availability of parts that should be of concern IMO. Not to mention being able to borrow mags. You've seen how many people had TM hicapas last nit at IPSC heh. like 9 to 10 ratio. __________________ Western Arms Infinity 6" Hybrid DX silver Limited Western Arms Infinity 5" Expert KSC MP7A1 KSC USP Match Kimber Warrior [Nova FMU kit] Kimber Gold Combat Stainless [Nova FMU kit]

May 10th, 2008, 22:50	#7
Lakonian kos Trader rating Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wherever.	Yeah, that's true. But... what if you're running a 200$ slide, and your chamber eats it? You heard what Carl was saying...

May 11th, 2008, 00:03	#8
Endymion Trader rating Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Markham, ON	Thats simply the downside of running a steel chamber against an aluminum slide. It's not just the design of the gun; the choice of materials for moving parts plays a factor here. You could simply leave well enough with your chrome plastic chamber.

May 11th, 2008, 00:21	#9
Brian McIlmoyle 8=======D Trader rating Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Toronto	I defer to the professionals After the APS Session last night at TTAC3 We were sitting around smoking and drinking... as usual The desk was littered with guns.. as usual.. all of them High capas. ( except for my FN FAL that seems to sneak out of the lockup wherver there are more than 3 people around..) Carl was talking about upgrades and such.. And this is what he had to say... I think I understood his gist so Ill paraphrase As soon as you put a non stock part on any gun it will lead to unintended wear and eventual failure, particularly when you combine un-like materials of differing physical characteristics coming to bear in manners not intended by the designers of the base gun. My take away from that is... When it comes to GBB pistols unless you want to be constantly fiddling run em stock. Also substantial upgrades and reliability are mutualy exclusive terms.. when it comes to airsoft the two do not exist in the same place. I don't know how helpful that is... but I think it is good advice none the less __________________ Brian McIlmoyle TTAC3 Director CAPS Range Officer Toronto Downtown Age Verifier OPERATION WOODSMAN If the tongue could cut as the sword does, the dead would be infinite

May 11th, 2008, 00:53	#10
Lakonian kos Trader rating Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wherever.	Yeah. I'm definitely going to be looking at something that comes FMU, and range ready after the other night. Carl was totally right about inconsistency in performance, as a result of a "thrown together" gun. Well, w.e. That experience isn't going to keep me away from coming back (maybe with a proper holster, and legal rig ) Thanks guys.

May 11th, 2008, 02:20	#13
RacingManiac Trader rating Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada/US	Or you could just swap the 4.3 thumb safety with the 5.1.... __________________ My Arnies' Album My PBase Album Custom Pistol Whore...

May 11th, 2008, 02:45	#15
RacingManiac Trader rating Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada/US	A 4.3 won't have the same issue as 5.1's rearsight though, as it is not a adjustable sight which have IMO reduced strength. And much like the Glock or USP all you need to replace is slide and barrel then upgrade the recoil spring and you have a full metal gun. Besides, there are plenty of Hi-Capas outthere that have been FMU and have had thousands of rounds through it with propane and had no issues with wear. Mine have had at least 2-3000 rounds through it and the wear is minimum at the barrel lug. SD's slide are pretty tough as they are 7075, which as far as aluminum goes is about as tough as they come. __________________ My Arnies' Album My PBase Album Custom Pistol Whore...

Need Hicapa input...

Upgrades & Modifications