Introduction:This is a write-up explaining how to make a simple but useful modification to your Longshot (LS). One of the annoyances of the stock LS is that, once the piston is cocked back and the bolt is closed, the bolt locks forward. To me, this is particularly annoying because I cannot remove the magazine to check how much ammo I have left unless I fire the shot that has already been loaded. Also, once the air restrictor has been removed, the LS of course should not be “dry-fired.” If you forgot to put a loaded magazine into the LS before you closed the bolt, the “bolt lock” will keep you from opening the bolt until you dry fire the LS. Due to these annoyances, many nerfers simply remove the bolt lock. For instance, Forsaken_Angel24 (F_A24) removed his and can now “shotgun load” his barrel with several shots. However, I did not wish to remove the bolt lock entirely. This is because, while the bolt lock is an annoyance, it also serves a purpose.
Theory:The purpose of the bolt-lock, far from simply being there to annoy nerfers, is fairly simple. In short, it keeps the bolt from sliding back at a time when you would not wish it to. For example, one would not wish for it to open before or during the firing of the LS, thus letting the air pressure leak out. Now, depending on how you modded your LS (in particular, a fancy brass breech based off of F_A24’s), you may not need to worry about that happening; however, for those of us who are les skilled, the bolt lock may be necessary. And so I present: “The LS Bolt Release Mod.”
Materials:• One LS
• One narrow screw (preferable) or similar
• Narrow drill bit and drill
• Hot Glue
Procedure:1. Remove all of the screws from the LS’s outer shell, and take a look inside.
2. Identify the bolt lock. In the above picture, the arrow is pointing at it.
3. Remove the bolt lock. At the least, this requires the removal of the silvery screw that partially covers it. However, you may also have to move the orange trigger bar (seen slightly below the bolt lock) and/or even remove the entire bolt assembly. Either way, you’re going to need to remove the bolt assembly, so remove them in whatever order you wish.
4. Once you have removed the bolt lock, observe that there is nothing between it and the outer shell.
5. Use a small drill bit to cut a thin slot in the shell where the bolt lock was. Since I was only experimenting at the time, mine is much more hole-like than slot-like (see above); do as I say, and not as I did. Note that the slot should be vertical, and does not need to be very long (perhaps only 1/8” to 3/16”).
6. Now, place the bolt lock temporarily back into its place. Temporarily reinstall the bolt assembly, too. I suggest taking the spring off of the piston for now, to make this next part easier.
7. Work the bolt, examining how the bolt lock snaps into place after you pull the bolt back and then push it forward. In order to unlock the bolt, push the piston all the way forward or push the bolt lock down directly. By the end of this mod, you’ll be able to push down and thus disengage the bolt lock even when the case is closed.
8. Look at the outside of the LS, through the slot that you cut/drilled. You should be able to see the bolt lock. While the bolt lock is pushed all the way down, mark the bolt lock at the bottom of the slot. Then release the bolt lock, and make sure that the mark you made is still visible. If not, you will have to make the slot longer (vertically).
9. Find something to attach to the bolt lock that can slip through the slot that you made in the shell. I chose a very narrow screw that I just happened to have.
10. If you are using something narrow enough that it can pass through the side of the bolt lock (see the picture below) without significantly altering the structural integrity, drill a whole through the mark that you made on the bolt lock. Also, make sure that the slot in the shell is wide enough for whatever you are using.
11. Again, if you’ve got something narrow enough, I suggest placing a bit of hot glue in the hole that you drilled and then stick the screw (or whatever) into the hole. Do not push it so far that it goes into the middle of the bolt lock (see the photo above). If you can’t find something narrow enough, you’ll need to find some other way to attach whatever you’re using.
12. Finally, put everything back together. The screw/whatever in the bolt lock goes through the slot, of course. If you wish, you can test the release before you close everything up.
Additional Comments:This modification ends up putting the bolt release on the right side of the LS. This is perfect for left handed people like me, who can keep their shooting hand on the “pistol grip” while using the right hand to simultaneously disengage the bolt lock and open the bolt lock. Potentially, you could change the mod in order to put the release on the left side.
PS: I figured it was about time I finally contributed something.
