Scarab v2
9mm Mac 11-Based PDW
By SwarmTech
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the documentation for the Scarab v2. The Scarab v1 was originally
released in May of 2022, and was my first foray into a complete firearm design
after multiple smaller projects. This iteration of the Scarab was created specifically
for the flexing purposes of Bitplumb and ManyEnemiesBringMuchHonor, two people
I consider some of my best friends. The update features significantly improved
ergonomics, aesthetics, quality of life upgrades, and many accessories I did not
have the experience to create at that time. I would consider this to be an extremely
easy, forgiving build perfect for beginners. It is my pleasure to present this iteration
with the full expectation that you will be able to customize, edit or otherwise alter
the aesthetics to your preference, and many simple design elements were
incorporated to this end. If you print or remix this design, send me some pictures of
it via Element or Instagram; I’d love to see it.
As always, I’d like to send out a heartfelt thanks to the community at Are We Cool
Yet?, as well as folks outside the AWCY? community who worked with me or hung
out with me as I revisited an old project and provided input. I also would like to
give a special thanks to MiddletonMade, DurbanPoisonPew and Danny Meatball for
letting me include my remixes of their models in this release pack.
I had a lot of fun reworking this design, and I hope you have even more fun with it!
It is worth noting that the use of firearms is inherently dangerous, and building
them can be even more so. By downloading any of the files or their derivatives in
any form, you agree that you alone bear responsibility for any harm that may come
from their use. This hobby is a blast, but it’s not worth injury, so please make sure
you take appropriate safety precautions when starting your Scarab journey.
Stay dangerous, my friends.
Swarm
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CONTENTS
Bill of Materials…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4
Print Orientations + Print Settings……….…………………………………………………………………….5
Receivers….………………………………………………………………………………………………………..5
Shrouds………………………………………………………………………………………………………………6
Folding Brace……………………………………………………………………………………………………..7
Muzzle Devices…………………………………………………………………………………………………..9
Foregrips………………………………………………………………………………………………………….10
Magazines…………………………………………………………………………………………………..……11
Misc Small Parts…………………………………………………………………………………….…………12
Assembly…….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………14
Troubleshooting…………………………………………………………………………………………………………20
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BILL OF MATERIALS
The links provided are not required, but were what was used when designing. Feel free to source the metric
hardware elsewhere if it is cheaper/more expedient.
Receiver
Vmac 9mm Complete Upper (top or side charging)
Vmac 9mm Lower Parts Kit
Vmac 9mm Trigger Guard
Folding Brace
M3 x 30mm + M3 Nut - Brace Arm Hinge
M3 x 25mm + 1 Yellow Ender Bed Spring (8mm OD x 20mm Die Cut Spring) - Brace Button
M4 x 32mm + M4 Nut - Pic Rail Attachment + Closer
M4 x 20mm + M4 Nut - Tail Hook Arm Attachment to Tail Hook Body
M6 x 20mm + M6 Nut - Tail Hook Attachment to Brace Arm
Folding Stock
M3 x 30mm + M3 Nut - Brace Arm Hinge
M3 x 25mm + 1 Yellow Ender Bed Spring (8mm OD x 20mm Die Cut Spring) - Brace Button
(2) M3 x 35mm + M3 Nut - Buttpad Attachment to Stock Body
M4 x 32mm + M4 Nut - Pic Rail Attachment + Closer
M6 x 20mm + M6 Nut - Stock Attachment to Brace Arm
Scarab-Adapted Beer Brat
M4 x 15mm + M4 Nut – Pic Rail Anchoring
Magazine Release
6mm OD Compression Spring - Cut to Length
Danny’s Mag
Glock 17 Magazine Spring
Swarm’s ‘Stendo Mag
33 Round Glock Magazine Spring
4
PRINT ORIENTATIONS + SETTINGS
Receivers
Receiver With Integral AFG – Default Settings
Pic Rail Receiver – Default Settings
5
Shrouds
Top Charging Shroud – Default Settings
Side Charging Shroud + Pic Rail – Default Settings
6
Folding Brace + Stock
Pic Rail Attachment + Closer + Button – Default Settings
Brace Arm (All Lengths) – Default Settings, Support Critical Areas Only
7
Tailhook, Bench Rest + Angled Stocks – Default Settings
8
Muzzle Devices
Burnt Bacon – Mac Threads – Default Settings
Dimpled Linear Comp – Default Settings
9
Foregrips
Integral AFG – Default Settings
Scarab-Adapted Beer Brat
10
Magazines
Danny’s Mags – Default Settings
Swarm’s ‘Stendo – Default Settings
11
Misc Small Parts
Magazine Release – Default Settings
Feed Ramp – Cut VMAC Trigger Guard
12
DEFAULT PRINT SETTINGS
This design was tested with the traditional “Oops! All Walls”/100% infill approach,
and that approach is swarm’s personal printing philosophy. That approach can be
summarized as follows:
PLA+ or better (ASA, Filled Nylons)
>9 walls with 100% infill or 420 walls with 69% infill
Printed with a 0.4mm nozzle
X-Y Hole Compensation: 0.1mm
Detect thin walls: Enabled
Rectilinear or gyroid infill
Printed 10-20 degrees C hotter than manufacturer recommedation
Support critical areas only: Enabled
Tree supports, preferably from Bambu or Orca slicer
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ASSEMBLY
1. Ream out all holes and clean support interfaces
2. Using the 6mm OD mag release spring and the magazine roll pin from the VMAC
LPK, insert the paddle mag release
14
3. Insert the sear clip behind the pegs in the rear of the receiver, along with
the sear plate mainspring and sear plate
4. Insert the safety
15
5. Insert the trigger, and then the trigger pin
6. Insert the trigger bar, angled side up. You will need to pull the sear plate
back to accomplish this
16
7. Insert the hammer and hammer pin. Cock the hammer and function test
the safety. The trigger link up will be mushy until the upper is in place
8. Attach the shroud to the upper. If you are using the side charging shroud,
attach the upper shroud by screwing the nuts from the OEM pic rail such
that you sandwich the shroud onto the upper receiver posts. To ensure
there is no gap between the shroud and the receiver, place the upper into
place and secure with the front Chicago screw. Get the upper into the
placement you want, and then attach with the nuts. See assembly video
for details
17
9. With the hammer cocked, slide the upper and shroud back until the front
trunnion hole lines up with the frame. Secure with the Chicago screw
from the LPK
10. Assemble and attach the folding brace, if desired
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TROUBLESHOOTING
“My upper won’t slide into the receiver”
-Make sure your hammer is cocked.
“My magazine release is touchy”
-You will need to trim your magazine release spring down to length, approximately
15mm in length. If it does not stay in the cutout in the frame, it may need a small
dab of super glue between the spring and the release. Once this is done, you may
need to very lightly radius the tip of the magazine release that contacts the
magazine. Don’t be afraid to play with this part for a good, solid hold; the release is
less than 10g of filament, and the mac action is very violent. Having a strong mag
release/mag hold is key to reliable functioning.
“I’m not sure how long the tail of my trigger guard/feed ramp should be”
-Cut it longer than it needs to be at first, and file as necessary. Ideally, you do not
want your feed ramp/trigger guard to stick out into the trigger guard for aesthetic
reasons, but it will not hurt anything if it does.
“My trigger is mushy”
-This is a mac-based platform; I did the best I could to clean up the fire control
system but at the end of the day, printer tolerances and the base design lend
themselves to being somewhat mushy. Learn to embrace the confident, gun-tilted-
sideways trigger pull you see in the movies
“My safety is very tight/does not insert flush to the receiver”
-Double check you did not leave any support material in the interior hole; it is very
easy to forget. A small punch or screwdriver can clean out this hole fairly quickly
with good support settings.
“Getting my feed ramp in place is tough”
-Get your feed ramp lined up with the hole it will sink into, and then insert a
magazine into the mag well from the top. Once the mag slides in, it will push the
bottom tab into place.
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CONCLUSION
This is a simple, quick build to put together that has lasted multiple
thousands of rounds on a single frame. There is a video to demonstrate
assembly, visible here. Once assembled properly, it should be a reliable
source of fun for the years to come. If for any reason you run into trouble
with your build, do not hesitate to reach out to the AWCY? community room
or to SwarmTech directly via Element or Instagram.
Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God
Swarm
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