Bring a few vm's back to life

[Kit352]

I was digging through my old gear and came across several of my old vm68s that looked in decent shape so I want to bring them back to fighting strength. I think I have 4 in total but can only find two right now nor can I find my spares bin for them just yet. I have one tiger striped with the metal sides and one black one with plastic sides. My missing ones are another tiger and a special edition one. I want to say it was a Palmer's job but I honestly can't remember, it was probably done in the early 90s. I do remember buying it in Brockton Mass though so that's something. I had a bunch of detents and oring kits but considering they are pushing nearly 40 years old now they are probably junk. What are some of the current work arounds regarding those? I know I have a barrel adaptor so I'm good there. I would love to run the factory front CO2 setup but I don't know if I can fill those at the field. I remember trying to run hpa years ago and it ran poorly, have any advancements been made with that? I'm pretty sure some have been modded inside but I have no idea with what. I'm gonna have to rip them apart and maybe make a couple good ones that can run in today's world.

[jokers]

So I was having a discussion with someone the other day and he is running the CO2 in the VM68 and I asked them about an SHP regulator. He seemed to think that it would not work I disagree, if anyone else can weigh in I would appreciate it.

[Chuck E Ducky]

I run HPA on mine it runs great. I use a First Strike 2” 17ci 4.5k fits right under the barrel. Co2 is around 800-850 so if you run HPA it should shoot fine. I run a Doc freak barrel so it fits today’s paint.

[Kit352]

How many shots do you get out of that 17ci tank?

[Chuck E Ducky]

Enough to shot a JoLo and about three 50 round pods. So maybe 200. I stick feed it a lot.

[wthomas333]

For detents I have one of the Bret G detents which works great and I have also just bought a sheet of 1/8" Buna rubber and cut new detents out of that. Not as pretty as something properly stamped, but they work. Never had good luck with 3d printed detents, they just don't seem to be able to handle that kind of abuse.

infamoussmiley has hammer orings.

[Chaos]

I was digging through my old gear and came across several of my old vm68s that looked in decent shape so I want to bring them back to fighting strength. I think I have 4 in total but can only find two right now nor can I find my spares bin for them just yet. I have one tiger striped with the metal sides and one black one with plastic sides. My missing ones are another tiger and a special edition one. I want to say it was a Palmer's job but I honestly can't remember, it was probably done in the early 90s. I do remember buying it in Brockton Mass though so that's something. I had a bunch of detents and oring kits but considering they are pushing nearly 40 years old now they are probably junk. What are some of the current work arounds regarding those? I know I have a docs barrel adaptor so I'm good there. I would love to run the factory front CO2 setup but I don't know if I can fill those at the field. I remember trying to run hpa years ago and it ran poorly, have any advancements been made with that? I'm pretty sure some have been modded inside but I have no idea with what. I'm gonna have to rip them apart and maybe make a couple good ones that can run in today's world.

If you got them in Brockton,MA then you must have gotten them at USI/Apache Paintball....That's my old primary field! Was a dump but,fun as hell!
Most of the VM O-rings can be purchsed at a hardware store,except for that Hammer seal,that is the hardest seal to get......difficult but not impossible. As for the Detent Fingers,there is a 3d Printed replacement but I recommend contacting BretG about his CHARM detent....it is spring loaded at the last detent you'll ever need. Also if you're on Facebook come join the VM Empire Group where we share new ideas and tips https://www.facebook.com/groups/552671518402392

[Kit352]

Thanks for the info guys. I took apart the two guns today as best i could. It would seem that when we had a robbery a decade ago they took a good chunk of my paintball stuff as well because i am missing so much old gear and more irritating, tools and parts to keep the old stuff running. So no spare vm parts like barrels, orings or even the valve tool and of course two of the missing guns.
So of the two guns i do have one has an aftermarket bolt and barrel. It might have a valve as well but i cant get it out. The bolt is annodized blue and is probably a starfire bolt. i need to get orings for it to test. hammer oring looks good but i have no air to test. Looks to be overall in good shape. Hand cycles nicely. This a front mount c02 unit. Nice aftermarket barrel but i think i couldnt use it because the bore is too small, even years ago
The other gun i must have modified by hand at some point. Stock bolt but has been cupped, has bad orings . Hammer oring looks good. Cant get to the valve. hand cycles nicely. Stock barrel with a good indent at the tip so no balls will pass. I just used it for display back in the day but now i need to do something it since its my only barrel. I may try to ream it circular again.
Sadly i can not find my barrel adaptor. It must have been on one of the missing guns. I guess it doesnt matter much because i am also missing all my smartparts freak barrel kits i had. I just have one tube on an old automag i forgot i had until i found it this morning. Nice looking gun so i need to get that working again now.

And yes, I went to USI for all my paintball stuff back in the day. I will have to join the facebook group.

I will contact the mentioned members about getting parts i need. Thanks