Someone modified an MK18 gel blaster, spending two years on the project. He is GMWCL from SDgun, a master at turning toy guns into realistic feeling works of art.
Below is his detailed account of modifying the MK18 gel blaster:
This blaster has been in self-assembly for over a year, undergoing numerous modifications and countless accessory purchases. After extensive testing, I selected the most optimal components for this MK18. This post serves as a self-assembly guide for reference. I will now provide a detailed breakdown of each component and its corresponding pros and cons.
Starting with the Receiver
When I began a year ago, the MWS market was chaotic. I purchased a variety of receivers from VM, Lao Tan, Yuezhang, and others—most of which turned out to be terrible investments. Eventually, the BJ military version of the “Colt” was released, and it became my final choice. The first generation of Colt receivers was nearly flawless and satisfied my perfectionist tendencies.
Lower Receiver
The lower receiver is practically perfect, with no visible tool marks and smooth surfaces inside and out. Even the magazine well is polished smoothly.
Upper Receiver
The forging marks on the upper receiver look great, with no sharp edges or noticeable imperfections. It’s well-crafted both inside and out.
When combined, the upper and lower receivers fit tightly with no wobble or excessive force needed to assemble. However, a friend’s third-generation Colt receiver required more force to insert the rear pin. According to BJ, this design prevents wobbling, but I felt the excessive pressure suggested imprecise machining.
The Second Main Component: The Gearbox (BOX)
The core component I chose was BJ’s steel-shell 1.0 version. While it has the best appearance and texture, its significant downside is the weight. I also purchased the 1.5 version with an aluminum shell for a more balanced weight but misplaced it over time.
Upon disassembly, the craftsmanship and material quality of the gearbox are undeniably top-tier. The stamped “033” numbering on both sides of the casing indicates precision pairing of the components, a nice touch.
Common Issues with the Gearbox
Many users report problems such as single-to-full auto conversion, stiff triggers, and difficulty installing the selector switch. Most of these issues stem from overly stiff springs. BJ’s obsession with hard springs results in usability issues. I recommend replacing all springs with softer alternatives. Once I swapped out the springs (excluding torsion springs), the performance became buttery smooth.
Due to text limitation, the blog divided to 5 Blogs presented on Triggertoy.com, one of the best toygun online seller.