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HL Recoil unit questions.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2025 12:13 am
by Emerson0005
Hello all, I've recently gotten into the hobby and have three HL tanks. Two of my tanks have a no recoil function.
I was wondering if these can be converted to recoil units by simply tapping into the barrel and knob on the launcher on a standard bb unit, and making a makeshift brace for recoil effect without buying a servo.
Secondly is the little housing on the launcher circled on the first picture needed for the bbs to be successfully loaded into the launcher. Replacement units seem to be lacking this little housing from what I've seen online. I'm thinking of buying the recoil units if a standard bb launcher cannot be modified to have recoil effect.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Re: HL Recoil unit questions.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2025 7:30 am
by HERMAN BIX
I think so yes mate.
I did a King Tiger recoil with one of those recently & the replacement did not have that appendage.
Not needing to be a BB unit the owner didnt care.
Im sure if you are keen enough to do the swap/conversion you can create a suitable substitute.
Re: HL Recoil unit questions.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2025 7:40 am
by Jofaur86
Hello, and welcome to the forum. Like Herman? Possibly, yes, I seem to remember seeing (on YouTube, I think...) the modification to be made...
Re: HL Recoil unit questions.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2025 12:27 pm
by Jofaur86
Thanks Herman, but my problem is that the movement is jerky and not linear, plus there's significant play in the existing Torro system. I acquired a Clark module second-hand; it's heavily modified, but not properly, so it's not easily usable. My only options are Kaczor's solution, or this one (YouTube video).
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iIp6tos9J ... 4Bo7VqN5tD
But honestly, I don't really know how to go about it. So I'm thinking about several solutions.
Re: HL Recoil unit questions.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2025 6:46 pm
by Emerson0005
HERMAN BIX wrote: ↑Fri Dec 05, 2025 7:30 am
I think so yes mate.
I did a King Tiger recoil with one of those recently & the replacement did not have that appendage.
Not needing to be a BB unit the owner didnt care.
Im sure if you are keen enough to do the swap/conversion you can create a suitable substitute.
It boggles me that the appendages are not included with the purchase of a recoil unit. Let alone no one seems to have the parts available.
I think I'm going to experiment and see if I can pull off transforming my non recoil tanks.
Re: HL Recoil unit questions.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2025 7:41 pm
by MrChef
I've seen it modified from a Non Heng Long "Recoil" Barrel to What they call "Recoil". So yes just fabbing a connection to the airsoft unit will cycle the unit. I have to dig and find some videos from a few years ago showing how it works. I know I've seen it. But I also remember not being satisfied with the results and persuing other avenues.
But the thing is that it doesn't recoil the way a tank cannon recoils back After firing. It winds up and snaps the barrel forward when the BB lets loose. Again I have seen a video experimenting but it still didn't get a reslistic recoil.
The Servo recoil is the most reliable realistic recoil that I've come across. And I've messed extensively with the Asiatam unit to fits of frustration which drove me to just do servos. But I'm a glutton for punishment and still have several of the other units that I randomly put in my tanks. The main issue with them is reliability. They work Great when they work. Then they don't and I end up pulling whats left of my hair out while gouging out one of my eyes with a wooden spoon because I can't get it to work Just Right.
Re: HL Recoil unit questions.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2025 7:44 pm
by MrChef
I've seen that done before and it's actually pretty cool for the tank its being used on. It's a decent bit of modding the asiatam unit which isn't the most robust piece of plastics.
What is Kaczor's mod?
Re: HL Recoil unit questions.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2025 7:55 pm
by Jofaur86
Hello Mr. Chef,
I completely agree... I'm spending a crazy amount of time on it, and getting nowhere. I'm trying to get Clark's back up and running, but it was heavily modified by the previous owner... Yes, the Asiatam in the video is great, but I can't figure out how to modify it. As for the servos, no problem, plus The mechanical part?
Re: HL Recoil unit questions.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2025 8:00 pm
by Jofaur86
Upon rereading the message, and if I understood it correctly, our friend would like to modify the existing system while preserving the existing mechanical components. Indeed, there was (years ago) a modification to make it more realistic, but I can't find it.
Re: HL Recoil unit questions.
Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2025 4:34 am
by Emerson0005
MrChef wrote: ↑Fri Dec 05, 2025 7:41 pm
I've seen it modified from a Non Heng Long "Recoil" Barrel to What they call "Recoil". So yes just fabbing a connection to the airsoft unit will cycle the unit. I have to dig and find some videos from a few years ago showing how it works. I know I've seen it. But I also remember not being satisfied with the results and persuing other avenues.
But the thing is that it doesn't recoil the way a tank cannon recoils back After firing. It winds up and snaps the barrel forward when the BB lets loose. Again I have seen a video experimenting but it still didn't get a reslistic recoil.
The Servo recoil is the most reliable realistic recoil that I've come across. And I've messed extensively with the Asiatam unit to fits of frustration which drove me to just do servos. But I'm a glutton for punishment and still have several of the other units that I randomly put in my tanks. The main issue with them is reliability. They work Great when they work. Then they don't and I end up pulling whats left of my hair out while gouging out one of my eyes with a wooden spoon because I can't get it to work Just Right.
Intresting I wonder if maybe using a small spring would assist in improving the reliability. I've seen good video's on you tube of modifications but all have servos on recoil launchers from looking at them and their features. If you come across the video of non recoil bb units again I'd love to see them. I was doing some research earlier but no cigar.
Haha aaah yes the frustration, the unwanted part of the hobby makes for good stories as well.