Okay, let’s talk about getting Gunsmith Part 8 done. It was another one of those Mechanic tasks, you know the drill.
Getting Started
First thing, I checked the message from Mechanic. Saw it was another M4A1 build. Seems like he really likes these AR platform guns. The requirements looked a bit tricky this time around, especially balancing that recoil and ergonomics while keeping the weight down.
So, I needed an M4A1 base. I think I had one stashed away from a raid, lucky me. If not, I would’ve just bought a stock one off the market or from Peacekeeper.
Figuring Out the Parts
Here’s what I remember needing, the important stuff anyway:
- Low Recoil: Had to get the total recoil way down, under 300 I think it was.
- Good Ergonomics: Needed it to handle well, over 60 ergonomics.
- Long Range Scope: A scope that could zero out to 800 meters.
- Light Weight: Had to keep the whole thing under 3.8 kilos.
- Big Magazine: Specifically needed one of those 60-round mags, the MAG5-60 ones.
- Quiet Time: A silencer was mandatory.
- Grip It Good: Needed a foregrip, one of the good ones for recoil.
- Tactical Bling: Had to stick a specific tactical device on there, like a laser or something.
- Stock Situation: Usually need a specific stock setup for these builds.
Getting these numbers right, especially recoil, ergo, and weight all together, that’s the tricky part. You change one thing, it affects the others.
Gathering the Bits and Pieces
Alright, so I went shopping, basically. Checked my stash first, then hit up the traders and the flea market.
For the recoil and ergo, I focused on the handguard, pistol grip, and stock. I remember grabbing a decent handguard, something like an MK10 or similar long one. The pistol grip, went for one that gives good ergo, like the Hogue OverMolded maybe. The stock was key, I think I used the MOE Carbine stock, but you must remember the rubber butt-pad for it, that helps a lot.
The silencer part needed two pieces, usually. Grabbed a common suppressor like the KAC QDSS NT-4 and made sure I had the right flash hider for it to attach to the barrel.
The scope, needed one that could handle 800m. Something like a Vudu 1-6x or maybe one of the bigger sniper scopes would work. Just had to make sure it fit on the receiver.
The 60-round mag was easy, just bought the MAG5-60 STANAG. The foregrip, I slapped on something solid, like an RK-2, helps pull that recoil down.
Then the tactical device, just bought whatever specific one Mechanic asked for, probably a Steiner LAS/TAC 2 or similar.
Had to keep an eye on the weight while grabbing all this stuff. Some parts are surprisingly heavy.
Putting It All Together
Okay, got all the parts laid out. Opened up the modding screen for the M4.
Started swapping things out. Put on the new handguard, pistol grip, stock with the butt-pad. Attached the flash hider, then the silencer. Mounted the scope. Slapped the foregrip and tactical device onto the handguard. Finally, popped in the 60-round magazine.
Then, the moment of truth. Checked the stats at the bottom. Recoil sum, had to be below 300. Ergonomics, above 60. Weight, under 3.8kg. Sighting range, 800m or more (checked the scope specs). Made sure the silencer, 60-rounder, foregrip, and tactical device were all the correct ones.
Might have had to fiddle a bit. Sometimes you pick a part and it pushes the weight just over, or the ergo just under. Might have swapped the foregrip or pistol grip for a slightly different one to get the numbers right. You just play with it until all the checkmarks line up.
Finishing Up
Once the stats looked good and matched all the requirements, I backed out of the modding screen. Double-checked the gun in my inventory just to be sure. Then went straight to Mechanic’s tasks and handed it over. Job done. Another Gunsmith task out of the way.
