I really want to build a custom marker from the ground up...any suggestions?

[breg]

Ladies and gentelmen,
I really want to build a custom marker. I've thought about this for a long time, and decided this was the place to look for advice. I want to go beyond just adding barrels and different bodies. I want something totally my own. I'm thinking about starting with a basic mag or cocker. But, I really want to do this, but I need help to get started. I'm not ruling out machining, but that might get expensive. Needless to say, this will be a L O N G process.

Help me out brothers!

[Dayspring]

Well, first off- welcome to AO.

Now down to business. (We don't beat around the bush here.)

Mags can only do a certain amount of upgrades really.

A classic powerfeed mag can add a ReTro Valve/ X-Valve, Intelliframe, Warp & Level 10. The body can be changed as well. Anything outside of that- barrel, drop forward and grips/gas through is up to you. As you can see, NOT a whole lot you can do. You can do some powdercoating to color her up as well. The difference being- the mag will last you FOREVER.

The Autococker has MANY, MANY parts to spend money on. New pneumatics, trigger frame, body, bolt, reg. Stuff like that.

I'll put it to you like this-

If you want something that will work EVERY time, ALL the time, go Mag. If you're into tinkering, go for the Cocker.

[punkcmonkiez]

i agree with dayspring... if i were you i'd start with the valve then build around that

[Russ]

If you want to build a custom, you need a machine shop, and the skills that go with it...

[breg]

Yeah, I know all about the whole Mag reliablity, and the mass of cocker ugrades. What I am askig for is some direction, and when thetime comes, maybera litte guidance. One thing I'm wondering though, and maybe you gentelmen can answer, is: does anybody make any after market eletronic grip frames fr Mags? I know there are a few nice one out tere for cockers.

[BajaBoy]

centerflag

[Hemorrhage]

IMO, (and I'm sure most others) an aftermarket e-frame isn't the best route. With the intelliframe, x-valve, and an aggitated hopper than can keep up, you'll have a pretty high rate of fire to compete. If your thinking of going electro just go for an e-mag (or *hint hint* X-mag). I don't speak from experiance, but I'm a good backseat driver and from what I've heard from the guys here on AO e-frames aren't the best. Besides at most fields/tournies you can't even use full auto. So what's the point of going electro. The only real way to have a custom marker is an original milling/anno job done. Most markers are original in their own way with just the parts. I know that each one of the components of my mag now have their own little story. That's just my thoughts. But it is your marker and your money. Experiment. Have fun. And as long as your marker works (which a mag always will, cockers got the timing issue, unless you go e-cocker, that's a-whole-nother ball game) you'll have good times. Good luck making a custom marker though.

[breg]

Thanks for the tip.