Most Compact Marauader!

[ackuric]

First, MANY thanks goes to Lee aka Vash, a member known for making the most compact prod stock! I now introduce to you its brother, the most compact marauder stock.

Weight in this config...4-4.5 lbs. (approx. 6 lbs with stock air tube) - Weight saved from original stock is just over 1lb. With titanium/aluminum guide rods the weight would be further reduced by about 4-5 oz's...bringing a stock rifle likely into the high 5 lb range.

OAL = 31" - 46" (plan on personally reducing to max 42")

Plan on making a removable LDC which will reduce OAL another 5" to 26.5" at its most compact state!

Only detail I need to iron out is the foregrip, which I have a few ideas but please feel free to chime in as yours are welcomed.


I plan on molding some kydex into a desirable shape that will sit over the stock gauge, but nothing in stone there.

The stock end cap is replaced with one that has guides for the rods. This system works beautifully and I am thrilled to be the first Marauder going down this path! Hope it all works out in the end!





Thanks again Lee for your great craftsmanship on both this stock and my aluminum air tube!

-Matt

[ackuric]

I should add, you can reach Lee yourself either on these forums or by contacting him here at leeairpros@gmail.com - www.leeairpro.com

I definitely recommend Lee for any custom machining work/concepts! He is a great guy to work with and is VERY insightful.

-Matt

[Tom SC]

I love that!  Well done

[Xraycer]

Resemble a spear gun.

How's the balance in that set up?

[kkarmical]

That's very nice, can't wait to hear how it shoots.  Well done!

[ackuric]

Resemble a spear gun.

How's the balance in that set up?

Balance is amazing, haven't scoped or fully assembled + shot yet so can't say in entirety how it is...but I will say that from the little bit of handling I've done, the balance is more favored on the back end / butt stock by a small margin, especially once I scope it, the majority of the weight is in your grips/stance opposed to having a very front end heavy rifle. Its so light in this config, 40% lighter than stock! Its literally night and day difference in terms of balance/handling. I get no fatigue holding this rifle off hand opposed to the stock rifle...I'd fatigue within seconds and my aim would go all over if I were to try..

Some more persepctive. the bare stock tube + the bare stock alone weight combined 4.6 lbs, where as the rifle assembled in its current config is 4.5~ lbs...  (custom stock + aluminum air tube)

It kind of does look like a spear gun doesn't it! Even more frightening! LOL...although any marauder that has gone tactical in the past has the same resemblance...this version is just a economical, compact alternative that turns a heavy rifle into a nice petite rifle that is much easier to carry / shoot off hand. All hammer settings are identical to stock and adjustments can be made without taking anything apart.

-Matt

[Wayne52]

Very cool

[ackuric]

Lots of work to finalize the product and get it working for me.

Today I drilled + tapped the rear screw hole for the prod trigger frame that goes into the end cap. I am working slow because I am a little nervous, so bare with my during the process of finalization. So slow I still have to drill/tap the forward screw hole, deburr the all the holes on the rear of the tube so I can remove/install my valve from there without having to mess with the regulator, and of course finish the hand guard / fore-grip. Once those few details are done, I will begin assembly and attempting to air this thing up! Hopefully if all goes well I will be able to put air into it on either Saturday or Sunday.

The method I used to find the prod trigger frames screw location to keep the sear in the proper location and retain near stock hammer throw was measure center of sear to center of the stock rear screw, then went center to center on the prods sear to rear screw, and subtracted the difference and made my new hole's center the distance of that number from the center of the original hole. Hope that makes sense!

I did not decide to go with a taller sear rather, I used a 1" inch tube wrapped in 400 grit sand paper which brought the OD to around 1.2" to sand down the grip frame itself with the sear/guts removed. I removed approximately .02-.03" worth of material so the prod frame sits FLUSH with the tube, which IMO is a better approach than the taller sear as the prod trigger frame does NOT cleanly sit flushto the 1.25" air tube on the marauder which I was not fond of...the method I used kills 2 birds with 1 stone if you will, by matching the prod trigger frames contour to the 1.25" OD of the air tube as well as increasing the distance the sear sits into the air tube by the recommended .03".

Kydex has been ordered, I will attempt to build a very light weight fore-grip / hand guard that both covers the gauge and provides the shooter with a good grip.

I really hope all works out on this project!

-Matt

[Machinist]

It's kinda crude, but what about a piece of foam pipe insulation, split in half and held onto the tube with strong double stick tape. Would only take a few minutes and be very light?

Steve

[ackuric]

Here is a pic with the grip installed. Nothing special just a better angle for presentation...this picture also shows the concept of using the cheek riser Vash/Lee provides as a fore-grip, it ideally would be lengthened from 3" to around 8" for the average hands comfort, as well as the depth would increase so it hides the pressure gauge. I will be in contact with Lee to possibly make me a mount or two for my custom fore-grip I'll be pursuing.

-Matt

[ackuric]

It's kinda crude, but what about a piece of foam pipe insulation, split in half and held onto the tube with strong double stick tape. Would only take a few minutes and be very light?

Steve

I honestly like that idea. I've thought of even using a pool noodle cut in half! LOL I would prefer to have some type of mount though opposed to double sided tape, even if the pool noodle or foam pipe insulation double sided tapes to the mount then the mount can screw in on a clamp/mount/bracket.

I want a very light K.I.S.S solution as I feel its paramount in the whole idea. So keep the ideas coming!

Kydex is VERY light, the foregrip would end up weighing around 72 grams or just over 2 ounces if it works out, I just have to test my molding skills! At least I got 4 sheets 8" x 12" so I have 4 attempts!

[ackuric]

Sorry to be so pic happy guys, I just have to keep doing my part in giving Lee/Vash his due credit! Huge difference especially for those that want a lot of potential power in a small package! I hope he can keep finding new rifles to adapt this concept to as I feel its brilliant.

Here is a pic showing the difference in length from stock. Sorry don't have 2 barrels so I had to just line up the air tubes, your imagination should do the rest of the work



-Matt

[kkarmical]

It's kinda crude, but what about a piece of foam pipe insulation, split in half and held onto the tube with strong double stick tape. Would only take a few minutes and be very light?

Steve

I honestly like that idea. I've thought of even using a pool noodle cut in half! LOL I would prefer to have some type of mount though opposed to double sided tape, even if the pool noodle or foam pipe insulation double sided tapes to the mount then the mount can screw in on a clamp/mount/bracket.

I want a very light K.I.S.S solution as I feel its paramount in the whole idea. So keep the ideas coming!

Kydex is VERY light, the foregrip would end up weighing around 72 grams or just over 2 ounces if it works out, I just have to test my molding skills! At least I got 4 sheets 8" x 12" so I have 4 attempts!

What about something like this, with a little work you can make it work, then you can use a bipod or forearm grip.

[ackuric]

It's kinda crude, but what about a piece of foam pipe insulation, split in half and held onto the tube with strong double stick tape. Would only take a few minutes and be very light?

Steve

I honestly like that idea. I've thought of even using a pool noodle cut in half! LOL I would prefer to have some type of mount though opposed to double sided tape, even if the pool noodle or foam pipe insulation double sided tapes to the mount then the mount can screw in on a clamp/mount/bracket.

I want a very light K.I.S.S solution as I feel its paramount in the whole idea. So keep the ideas coming!

Kydex is VERY light, the foregrip would end up weighing around 72 grams or just over 2 ounces if it works out, I just have to test my molding skills! At least I got 4 sheets 8" x 12" so I have 4 attempts!

What about something like this, with a little work you can make it work, then you can use a bipod or forearm grip.

That is actually quite sweet... I could see possibly using these! Thanks for the idea!

[LeE]

First, MANY thanks goes to Lee aka Vash, a member known for making the most compact prod stock! I now introduce to you its brother, the most compact marauder stock.

Weight in this config...4-4.5 lbs. (approx. 6 lbs with stock air tube) - Weight saved from original stock is just over 1lb. With titanium/aluminum guide rods the weight would be further reduced by about 4-5 oz's...bringing a stock rifle likely into the high 5 lb range.

OAL = 31" - 46" (plan on personally reducing to max 42")

Plan on making a removable LDC which will reduce OAL another 5" to 26.5" at its most compact state!

Only detail I need to iron out is the foregrip, which I have a few ideas but please feel free to chime in as yours are welcomed.


I plan on molding some kydex into a desirable shape that will sit over the stock gauge, but nothing in stone there.

The stock end cap is replaced with one that has guides for the rods. This system works beautifully and I am thrilled to be the first Marauder going down this path! Hope it all works out in the end!





Thanks again Lee for your great craftsmanship on both this stock and my aluminum air tube!

-Matt

Thank you Matt! I am happy I could be apart of your project. I enjoyed the challenge and the Most Compact Marauder Stock is a great addition to complement  the Prod and 2400 offerings.

[screwwork]

Matt,

Sweet looking Alum Mrod buddy! Nice and light too.
Way to go Lee, nice work again my friend!

check out Tim Hill, he has a nice picatinny mount for the Mrods.
https://hillairgun.com/products/barrel-band-with-integrated-rail-for-the-benjamin-marauder-rifle/

[ackuric]

Matt,

Sweet looking Alum Mrod buddy! Nice and light too.
Way to go Lee, nice work again my friend!

check out Tim Hill, he has a nice picatinny mount for the Mrods.
https://hillairgun.com/products/barrel-band-with-integrated-rail-for-the-benjamin-marauder-rifle/

I like that idea a lot for a potential bipod. I would likely just retrofit a sling stud on the stock one myself for bipod. Cost is just 5-6$

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Uncle-Mikes-1-4-SLING-SWIVEL-STUD-for-MOSSBERG-500-/311853876894?epid=685146285&hash=item489bf0869e:g:shIAAOSwB09YDZJc

[ackuric]

Another day, another small step. Started deburring the rear of the tube so I can slide the valve in and out from there easily. Will be done with that tonight, I like the valve to be able to slide in and out of the rear with ease so I don't have to remove the regulator if/when I mess with the valve.

Got the gun fully set up with valve/hammer/action all together and tested the cycling to make sure sear engagement was fine, and all is well!

Got the air tube wrapped in carbon fiber vinyl for now. I think it looks really good.



Starting to look like a rifle that fits in between a p-rod and the m-rod like many desire, well it's what I desired and this is very close to the vision I had, can't thank Lee enough for producing such great work! Love the compact stock design!

I may end up making a butt plate out of carbon fiber or ask Lee to, to save even more weight and make for a really good look, imo. We'll see!

-Matt

[Xraycer]

That looks great with the air tubed wrapped and blacked!

[moorepower]

Your link to leeair pro is missing something, it does not work.