Anti-Reverse Latch

 The anti-reverse latch prevents the spring from decompressing during the AEG's mechanism cycles during operation (when you squeeze the trigger, in plain words); whereas the motor winds the gears and compresses the spring to it's full extent before being released at the end of the cycle. So the higher/ heavier the spring rating/strength, the more stress this part (anti-reverse latch) receives. In most cases the anti-reverse latch rod gets bent and prevents the airsoft gun (AEG) to function properly.

  There are aftermarket anti-reverse latches available which are made with "stronger material",  while other manufacturers claim that they have anti-reverse latches with friction reducing coatings (fact: this doesn't add any FPS on your set-up). In my opinion these are a bit on the pricey side. While simple (not to mention cheap) modification for this is to replace the rod of the anti-reverse latch with a stronger metal (I've used various materials for this ranging from welding rod steel to stainless steel). I've used these DIY reinforced anti-reverse latches with M150/SP150 spring AEG set-ups and seen them hold even after years of regular use and abuse (so far my favorite anti-reverse latches to modify are made by Tokyo Marui).

Procedure:

1. Carefully press out the bushing and rod of the anti reverse latch.

2. Get the dimensions of the rod (length and diameter, a caliper would come in handy for precision) and fabricate one with similar dimension (had used a particular type of welding rod which has almost the same diameter as the stock rod and also had success fabricating one out of stainless steel (but you'll need access to a lathe machine for this, the hard way of fabricating one is to use an electric drill secured firmly and reduce the size of the rod using a file and sandpaper)

3.once you get the rods dimension exact or close to the stock rod dimension, you can "temper" it to make it harder. My crude way of tempering is to torch the rod till it's red (this is the point where the metal loses it's magnetic property or on it's non-magnetic state) then cooling it rapidly in oil (vegetable oil or corn oil would do, but do this in a well ventilated area because you'll be expecting a bit of smoke in the process). Manufacturers have a more sophisticated way of doing this. But so far this method no matter how crude still worked for me for this mod and for projects that i did whenever tempering is required.

4.Clean the anti-reverse latch rod properly (the rod will most likely be covered with carbon after cooling it in oil).

5. Assemble the anti-reverse latch by pressing in the fabricated rod and slip the stock bushing back into it's place.

(note: will provide pictures when i get the opportunity to have my camera beside me while doing this mod)

Update May 18, 2007

If you can't locate a donor rod/axle for the anti reverse latch and stock one is still ok. You can just do some tempering on the stock rod by disassembling it and heating the rod/axle either by using a blowtorsh or a stove till it gets red.... then quickly dipping it in motor oil (some use vegetable oil). This will harden it and prevent it from bending.