Hellion's POP Builds (Sorta) - Mag/ION combo

[Hellion360]

I missed out on the Enmey packages to start with during some health problems. But I am working on my own Mag ION conversion and then an Enmey that I got from tyronejk who also sent me a bolt out of his POP spares as one of the last items I needed for the ION.

So I figured I would post my builds here as it is sort of related.

I am starting with an ion build inspired by Jordan

[Hellion360]

ION / Mag Build: Current Progress: 90%
COMING SOON: Detent Covers!

Back is all chopped now.




Shooting good!







Starting out with my Mag/ION Mech Conversion.
I was inspired by Jordan who has done at least three of these. My first attempt has some clumsy bits. But it is currently firing (and really consistent) and is nearly complete. I learned a lot doing this one and it has been fun.


Air goes in to the donut through a drilled and tapped hole for a 1/8th NPT macroline elbow.
I am using a small 90 degree 1/8" elbow for the output to save space. Which is at an incredible premium on this build. It is TIGHT.



The barrel locking pin slot is used to attach the body to the rail. The original frame screw spot as been helicoiled to attach the frame to the rail.



Here you can see the trigger directly hitting an SMAV-3
You can also see the 1/4" Ball end dremel bit I used to chunk out space for the SMAV-3. Initially I tried drilling, but that was a failure. There are two small set screws that hold the SMAV-3 under tension. You can see one to the left of the dremel bit.




This picture shows you how tight it is in there.
The springs are very helpful to keep the hose from kinking.



The frame has been notched to fit the QEV. The QEV is a clippard MEV-2.

[Hellion360]

Enmey Build: Progress 10%

[Hellion360]

I now have access to a 3D printer and I am working on 3D printing Detent Covers that lock into the eye board slots on the ION.
If it is successful I will post the files.

[Hellion360]

Updated! We are shooting now and the ION Mag is working great. Still need to sort out the detent covers. But I have a couple irons in the fire for that.
The barrel I am using is a Stella .680 into .689 front.

Got the rail chopped on the back and just going to alumablack it. I might trim down the front of the body too.

It is worth noting that I found the SMAV-3 performed dramatically better with a qev than without. I would consider the QEV to be necessary. Otherwise it just didn't vent fast enough reducing the consistency.

[Jordan]

Something I've noticed with my builds, too. I think it really needs a consistent trigger pull otherwise.

It's looking good! If you cut the front I generally just trim the "hood" off, just in front of that little dip in the front of the breech. You'll see it. Leave a titch of body in front of the threads so can file it square if need be.

[iamthelazerviking]

Gosh dang I love it. If you ever get around to it, shooting vid would be cool to see

[Hellion360]

Once the detents are sorted I would be delighted.

[Hellion360]

It reminds me very much of this mini-micro-mag.
https://www.mcarterbrown.com/forum/b...pless-halo-mod

Which is interesting because Jordan made that mag and he made the first mag/ion that I have seen.

[gnarlynick]

What is a Mag Ion, exactly? Based on the name I can infer an amalgamation of an Automag and an Ion. How much of it contains Ion parts? What modifications are required?

Really liking how this is turning out. That micro mag you linked was gorgeous btw.

[JohnB]

It appears to be a mag lower attached to an ion body that was tapped in the back for air. It is neat seeing the inside air routing

[Hellion360]

Yeah, just mag lowers (one of my favorite frames) with an ion body and external air inlet.
There are pics of the modifications required above, but it is mostly just cutting away enough rail material to fit the 3-way and qev, and some drilling and tapping. The rail holes already line up pretty conveniently.

[Hellion360]

The ION/Mag is now 99% done.

I have been a great admirer of member's POP builds this year, but I was especially impressed with the work from Calvin and he traded me some 3d printed bits; Including these detents. With the locking tabs installed I am pretty sure these are going to hold in on their own, with no body or detent covers. I have shot it a bit now in the yard as is with great results. I am still going to do some 3d printed covers that lock into the eye slot, but I doubt they are actually needed at all.

[Calvin]

Sweet! Glad they got there. I have a case through mine, and they have been rock solid with an LTR pushing paint into them.

[Hellion360]

This build is now 100% complete.
I played with it today and put up numbers shooting a bit less than a case through it. I am quite confident in the detents holding at this point and they work fantastic. Thanks again Calvin !

Shot real nice, fun to shoot, no ball breaks, all around a good time. Someone had asked for a video of it shooting, so here one is!

https://youtube.com/shorts/fjfdPjMmGvw

[Calvin]

Glad that they are working for you! I think I am north of 4 cases through them now, and they have proven to be flawless in that time. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

[iamthelazerviking]

Great now I want one

[Hellion360]

It was really cheap to build too. I had a cracked mag frame and messed up rail. Fixed the frame by epoxying in a brass tube for the rear screw. I got the Ion for basically nothing in a lot of parts.

I had to spend 40 bucks on the SMAV and 10 bucks on the QEV. I had everything else already just sitting in bins except the bolt that came from a pop build lot from another member.

Obviously it has some pricey little bits on it but they could be any reg, barrel, or grips. I just used them since I already had them.

[iamthelazerviking]

Just the sound signature in your video you can tell it's satisfying to shoot. Such a cool unique creation.

Totally hypothetical, but if someone provided all the necessary parts, would you offer to throw together another one (for a price of course)?

[Hellion360]

It depends on what I had going on at the time, its a maybe.
But Jordan has also built a few of these now and is more experienced at it than I am.

Also, although time consuming, none of the work is actually difficult. I think just about anyone could do it and the tools needed are simple. I would be happy to provide input on whatever questions you had.

Also Jake (BeardedWorks) had said he would mill a rail out for a project like this. I did mine with hand files and it worked great, but for best clearance and finish that would be a solid option and not too expensive. Its just cutting out as much of the inside as you can basically. The clearances for the hoses in the rail and frame are very small.

[Hellion360]

Here also is my second POP Kinda build.
I will call it little Calvin.

[Calvin]

Thank you, Sir. It's a good setup. I have moved almost completely into various forms of it. Your Ion-mag build did inspire me as well. I love the way air flows to the back first, and then up to the front. I am waiting on some fittings from Oregon Pball to try out that flow setup. It makes sense to me to minimize the hoses too and from the valve in that way.

[Calvin]

Hellion360 I finally got some fittings to re-route the air in this. Thank you for the inspiration! This is a much better hosing path. The hose turn angles are better. The hose lengths are shorter. Breakdown is now to remove the two upper grip screws that pin the SMAV bracket, and lift the bracket out when you separate the body from the grip frame. From there everything is easy to deal with. This will be my new standard with mech Ion builds.

[Hellion360]

If you haven't put springs on your hoses I like it a lot. It keeps them from kinking in the small space. I have them near the SMAV where it must turn quickly.

[Calvin]

I have done so. I went through alot of ball point pen destruction about 2 months ago. I use two on most of my builds, but this setup only needs one for the bend around the SMAV bracket to the front air fitting. The very short hose from the rear fitting to the SMAV input is a gentle 40 degree bend.