For $429 or whatever, meh it fills the gap and makes use of the pile of Sten magazines I have. Velocity parts seem to be what the 3d print guys love right now so factory parts are plentiful for now.
I have heard the frame is a bit wider, not sure how much that affects internal parts dimensions. Some guys run MPA bolts in their Velocity receivers. For whatever reason, nobody mentions trigger slap in the Velocity design. No clue why that would be the case unless there’s a difference internally. It seems they run good too, but not a lot of info out there. Possibly due to their low production runs?
The “problem” with the original Cobrays is I sold mine back when they cost about what a Velocity costs today. Getting back into one last I checked is $700-900 with maybe one iffy Zytel magazine. Same with a used MPA930, if you can find one. I just can’t justify that much for what it is. But for low $400s, we’ll see how well this one does and it likely will just be a good once a year sort of blaster, lol.
If you just want a shooter the VMAC is a good choice. Cobrays are cool collectibles but at the end of the day, a semi auto Cobray M11/9 from the 90s (most I see are 90-94 guns) are junk, the welds are trash, the edges are sharp and will cut the shit out of your hand when cocking the gun (and they’re not easy to cock either). Not to mention the trigger slap.
The newer designs have managed to remove the trigger slap somehow. I believe MPA was the one who first implemented the newly re-designed components to reduce the slap. They also modified the bolt for easier cocking, rounded off the rear corner where it contacts the hammer on the way back.
as a collector, I would always want an original Cobray gun… but from a shooting standpoint the MPA930 (old school model, not their hideous new abomination) and the VMAC are probably gonna be more comfortable and enjoyable to mess with at the range than a LEINAD M11 that requires bandaids in the range bag.
You are correct about the VMAC side charger parts being popular for the poison SUMAC or whatever 3d printed design they work with. A new outfit is even manufacturing semi auto bolts and other pieces that are built to VMAC spec for use with 3d printed kits.
If you like to tinker in the shop, building a MAC type gun from a flat or a weld kit is very simple and rewarding when it’s done. It can also be a money saver if you are smart with where you buy the parts. I am not really into the 3d printed stuff personally, so I’m not gonna reccomend that route for cost effectiveness, but the other avenue is a very viable option. Velocity sells frame sets but you would have to find side plates elsewhere I believe, they aren’t too hard to come by and most are pre-drilled for the closed bolt semi auto FCG.
