AI on MPA chassis chambered in 6 Dasher

Saf3sh00t3r

Saf3sh00t3r

Gen. Ho Lee Faak
Full Member
Minuteman
Supporter
    • Feb 10, 2017
    2,104
    214
    San Antonio, TX
    #1
    A friend of mine here in Texas has done a couple of things that many say is impossible or troublesome.

    He loves machining and it seems also tinkering.

    That said he mounted an AI on an MPA chassis and also chambered it with a 6 Dasher.

    Note: a thread was going on on my of my sale posts, so am moving it here.

    e61341618a47efd0e71a2920c82ffdec.jpg


    Code: 
    https://youtu.be/g65gwkLv2Dw

     
    Last edited:
    #2
    Posted the link for you, that's pretty awesome! I'd love to run a Dasher with my AX. Tell your friend to market those AW mag blocks, he'd do very well.
     
    #3
    I wonder if the reason it run the Dasher is because the action is mounted in the MPA, he could play with the offset. It's just what pop's in my head.
     
    #6
    Wyfox those were made by josh at PVA, allegedly he doesn't want to make them because guy's were whining about having to trim the follower. If you have a 5k rifle, why complain about mod seems silly, but what do I know.

    i guess I do know...it negates the multi caliber with the same mag. I'd say, buy extras. Lol
     
    #8
    Saf3sh00t3r said:
    If I can get the followers, I'm giving it a shot.
    Click to expand...

    I have the reamer and the blank, I can make that happen. 100.00 mag being modified does not bother me. I would not want to run a MPA on my AI just to be able to run the Dasher.

    If you want PM me the contact for the followers. If I can can a few I will spin up a Dasher if it does not work I will set it back and go back to 6XC.
     
    #9
    That is my rifle and vid that friend posted with my permission.

    I was running 6XC, “jail broke” my ATanf put my action in MPA chassis. Just bolted it in and it
    ran like an AI does. Perfectly. I believe MPA retained same height above mag. There is no way to adjust this on my chassis.

    Found a AI Dasher barrel at Bison Tactical. I had seen a video they had posted with AI/Dasher. BT pointed me to Josh Kunz, who
    chambered that barrel for AI/Dasher. Josh sold me the last four spacers he had at that time.

    The only thing I have done is install the spacers, and mod the cartridge lifter to clear the spacer.

    You can find AW mags used or unused. I bought three for $40 each.

    I have run 1300 cartridges through mine with only one misfeed, and that was my fault from short stroke causing a jam.
     
    #12
    This should be a fairly simple mod to make run just by the correct mags. I messaged Mr Barber and he gave me the same info. I spoke to a few people about this and will be testing out some modded mags that have been running a BR in an AT successfully. Which is a tad shorter then the Dasher.

    I have the reamer, not a barrel (yet) but will be chambering an aluminum piece to see how this runs before I run a barrel.

    And the kicker...I’ll be running this in an AXMC.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    #13
    trophyhunter said:
    This should be a fairly simple mod to make run just by the correct mags. I messaged Mr Barber and he gave me the same info. I spoke to a few people about this and will be testing out some modded mags that have been running a BR in an AT successfully. Which is a tad shorter then the Dasher.

    I have the reamer, not a barrel (yet) but will be chambering an aluminum piece to see how this runs before I run a barrel.

    And the kicker...I’ll be running this in an AXMC.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Click to expand...

    gilbert are you ever going to get a short action?
     
    #14
    Can ForestBarber or someone else with access to the spacer give the dimensions and how its attached to the follower? It doesn't seem like a complicated piece to make and this would be nice to run out of my AX.
     
    #15
    Neat that it's running with AW mags. I tried getting 6 Dasher to run in my AT about 2 years back, but the "step" where the bolt head inserts into the bolt body kept snagging the next round in the mag and would hang up the bolt since the tip of the bullet was still against the front of the mag body. If you ran the bolt quickly like in the video above it was OK as the bolt body would "skip" over the next round down in the mag, but if you tried to run the bolt slowly it would snag the next round down in the mag after stripping the top round off the mag lips and stick the bolt.

    Here's a pic showing the issue I had with some 6BR cases I was testing with, you can see the bolt body snagging the head of the next case in the mag and the case tipping downwards because the bullet tip is jammed at the front of the mag:

    aiat_dasher.jpg


    When I couldn't get the AT to feed reliably out of the double stack AW mags, I decided to test in my AE instead using AICS mags, initially with home made spacers and modded magpul followers... that worked great testing with 6BR cases so I had a 6 Dasher barrel spun up and the firing pin turned down and the bolt bushed. I've since switched to Josh @ PVA's AICS dasher mag kits which work great. 6 Dasher out of the AE is a nice combo.

    Would really like some more pics/details on that AW mag spacer and also videos of how it feeds when running the bolt slowly... if I could get my AT to feed dasher reliably I wouldn't need my AE anymore!
     
    Last edited:
    #16
    As far as the spacer goes it is deceptively complicated. Looks simple until you notice the multiple angles that are cut on the piece.

    The spacer is a semi press fit. Remove the follower from mag, wrestle the spacer in/down/rearward.

    As to feeding properly when running the bolt slowly, mine does.
     
    Last edited:
    #17
    I hear you on the spacer, there are several angles required for a good snug fit. Had the same "fun" when making my own spacers for the AICS single stack mags before Primal Rights and then PVA had their mag kits on the market.

    Glad to hear it runs well in your AT. For me it ran fine on the bench running the bolt fast but it snagged the next round down every time when running the bolt slowly. Then again, I didn't make a spacer for the AW mags at the time when testing and simply pushed the rounds to the front of the mag to simulate having a spacer in there.

    Your video has me thinking I might have to toss a mag on the CMM, take some measurements, and then model and 3D print some spacers and give the Dasher another try in the AT. If that works well I'll machine some out of delrin.
     
    #21
    yeah. I would buy a couple of those spacers and then get a couple of mags to make my "dasher" mags. is he going to market those spacers? and directions on how to cut the follower to fit properly?
     
    #22
    I would email Josh at PVA to express interest. My guess is that if you were wanting to buy chambered barrel from him he would be more liable to crank up and make some spacers.

    As to the follower mod you just cut the rear of the follower to make a “tail” that fits in the “U” of the mag spacer.

    Look at the pic at the top of the thread.

    I did my two by hand with dremel/cut off wheel and cleaned it up with a file.

    It doesn’t have to be very precise. Mine both worked first try.

    I made another video of me running bolt slow with no hiccups.


    I don’t know how to post though.
     
    #23
    Slightly off topic but how hard would it be to rebond a AI barreled action back into the chassis.

    I occasionally get the crazy idea my AX would be nice in a MPA.
     
    #25
    RyanM said:
    Slightly off topic but how hard would it be to rebond a AI barreled action back into the chassis.

    I occasionally get the crazy idea my AX would be nice in a MPA.
    Click to expand...

    Why would you do it to an AX? Makes no sense, that would just end up being a $6500 barreled action. If you want to play around and are worried you won't like it, why not buy a used AT for half the price?
     
    #26
    samb300 said:
    Why would you do it to an AX? Makes no sense, that would just end up being a $6500 barreled action. If you want to play around and are worried you won't like it, why not buy a used AT for half the price?
    Click to expand...
    I already have the AX, but do agree that an AT would make more sense. The pricing is a bit different up here in Canada.
     
    #28
    I'm pretty encouraged by Forest's results here.

    The emails/PMs and a couple of phone calls have swayed my thoughts... I spent Tuesday blanking out more material for AICS kits and while I was doing so I setup the table saw and ripped out about 75 pieces for making AW spacers too.

    I should have them up on the website for sale in about 2 weeks, maybe a little less if the timing works out in the shop.
     
    Last edited:
    #30
    trophyhunter PM inbound momentarily.

    The modification is pretty simple.

    1) Pull the guts from the AW mag.
    2) Slide a paperclip or toothpick in between the spring and follower to wedge the spring away from the bottom side of the follower. This is to allow clearance for a band saw blade to avoid the spring.
    3) Measure 0.30 - 0.32" and trim that much off the back edge of the follower to make room for the spacer. Take care not to hurt the spring.
    4) Insert/wedge the spacer so that the channel in it is facing towards the front of the mag with the cutout for the spring and bolt facing "up"

    Done.
     
    #31
    bohem said:
    I'm pretty encouraged by Forest's results here.

    The emails/PMs and a couple of phone calls have swayed my thoughts... I spent Tuesday blanking out more material for AICS kits and while I was doing so I setup the table saw and ripped out about 75 pieces for making AW spacers too.

    I should have them up on the website for sale in about 2 weeks, maybe a little less if the timing works out in the shop.

    Expected price is 12-13 bucks plus shipping, buy 3 get them shipped free
    Click to expand...

    I have a reamer & barrel ready to go if you need a test dummy, I’ll be running this along the other ones I’m getting to see how they work.

    Please send me a PM so I can get a few of these ordered and instructions on what to modify to the mags.

    Thanks
    Gilbert


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    #32
    bohem said:
    trophyhunter PM inbound momentarily.

    The modification is pretty simple.

    1) Pull the guts from the AW mag.
    2) Slide a paperclip or toothpick in between the spring and follower to wedge the spring away from the bottom side of the follower. This is to allow clearance for a band saw blade to avoid the spring.
    3) Measure 0.30 - 0.32" and trim that much off the back edge of the follower to make room for the spacer. Take care not to hurt the spring.
    4) Insert/wedge the spacer so that the channel in it is facing towards the front of the mag with the cutout for the spring and bolt facing "up"

    Done.
    Click to expand...

    Awesome news! Making the AI guys dream come true!!
     
    #33
    trophyhunter said:
    I have a reamer & barrel ready to go if you need a test dummy, I’ll be running this along the other ones I’m getting to see how they work.

    Please send me a PM so I can get a few of these ordered and instructions on what to modify to the mags.

    Thanks
    Gilbert


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Click to expand...

    My advice place an order with him ASAP! Many people are doing it!
     
    #34
    He PM me already, I need this for the new year. It was one of my New Years resolutions. Surely he’s gonna want a poor helpless shooter make his dreams come true.

    i can’t wait, I’m eager to run this through it’s paces.
     
    #42
    Just placed an order to get me going.
    I have an idea of making a fake barrel with delrin or aluminum chambered up and threaded to ensure everything works before I start cutting a barrel.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    #43
    All orders placed up itl 7pm EST tonight have been packed, labeled and will ship in the morning.
    Emails with tracking info are sent as well, if you ordered something and didn't get tracking check your SPAM first as it might have gotten filtered.

    The AICS kits are back in stock too, I updated the inventory on the website to reflect them as well.
     
    #44
    I received the spacers and trimmed the follower but I’m having trouble putting the spacer in the mag housing. How is everyone doing it ? When I install through the back at an angle it’ll go in a bit but then jam on the 2 edges that touch the lips. If I push harder it marks or gouges the edges.

    Help ?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    #46
    Got it, I massaged the rear corners a tad with 320 sandpaper to put a slight radius and snapped right in. Trimmed the follower a tad more cause it was tight.

    But so far 6BR is feeding 100% in my aluminum fake barrel. Extraction & feed is perfect slow & fast so I should start cutting the barrel tomorrow.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    Last edited:
    #47
    trophyhunter said:
    Got it, I massaged the rear corners a tad with 320 sandpaper to put a slight radius and snapped right in. Trimmed the follower a tad more cause it was right.

    But so far 6BR is feeding 100% in my aluminum fake barrel. Extraction & feed is perfect slow & fast so I should start cutting the barrel tomorrow.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Click to expand...


    Please provide updates when you have the barrel installed. I'm curious on 6BR feeding/ejection and would like to know how this project turns out.
     
    #48
    so i started playing with a few Dasher & BRX loaded dummies today. ALL fed perfect from an extremely slow feed to a normal speed. I then tilted the rifle all the way what the atlas would allow and added a 1" spacer under the foot to see how it would do leaning away from ejection port...perfect. I also would drop the dummies on the mag follower to see if it would feed...perfect. The ONLY issue I had was ejection at an insane slow speed, it would get caught after it would clear the barrel and ride along the action till it was almost gonna eject and just fall off the bolt face and stay in the ejection chamber. But i'm talking extreme slow, i would have the bolt up and it took 20secs to remove the case. I doubt in real life this will ever be a problem.

    I'll start cutting the barrel most likely Sunday
    will keep posted
     
    #49
    I chambered up the barrel yesterday from an old barrel I had at the shop till my new blanks get here from Bugholes.com. Loaded up the only brass I had with a mild load under 110smk. Went on the range in mid 20's weather with mid 20's wind and ran it. It ran flawless, not a problem feeding all 10 from a mag, then 3 with a few on top of mag to single feed to finish up my ammo. It was a successful test. The adapters worked, the mag fed reliably and the groups were impressive for the cold af weather.

    I'll load up the fireformed brass with a slightly more aggressive load. But i'm 100% sure my rifle works with 6BR & 6Dasher.
     
    #50
    trophyhunter said:
    I chambered up the barrel yesterday from an old barrel I had at the shop till my new blanks get here from Bugholes.com. Loaded up the only brass I had with a mild load under 110smk. Went on the range in mid 20's weather with mid 20's wind and ran it. It ran flawless, not a problem feeding all 10 from a mag, then 3 with a few on top of mag to single feed to finish up my ammo. It was a successful test. The adapters worked, the mag fed reliably and the groups were impressive for the cold af weather.

    I'll load up the fireformed brass with a slightly more aggressive load. But i'm 100% sure my rifle works with 6BR & 6Dasher.
    Click to expand...

    Thanks for the update. Glad to hear that 6BR is working with these spacers.
     
    You must log in or register to reply here.

    Similar threads

    BrianPTR
    Firearms 6 Dasher - Deviant Action on MPA Chassis with Extra Prefix Barrel - $1700 OBO
    Replies
    5
    Views
    409
    rpg777
    rpg777
    Shootershorty
    Firearms New Custom 6 Dasher Rifle
    Replies
    7
    Views
    953
    Shootershorty
    Shootershorty
    Fitz
    SOLD AI AT/AX/AT-X 26" 6 Dasher Barrel / Bartlein, Straight Jacket Armory, MTU
    Replies
    3
    Views
    190
    Fitz
    Fitz
    Curahee19
    Accessories MPA BA chassis for Accuracy International
    Replies
    10
    Views
    530
    J-Fonz
    J-Fonz
    S
    Firearms DST 6 Dasher *Price Drop
    Replies
    7
    Views
    872
    Ewhite80
    E
    Top Bottom
    Back
    Home
    Forums
    Merch
    Alerts