New(ish) Player

[Clart]

Hullo,

I've been playing airsoft for nearly a year now, and I'm just starting to buy my own gear. (thanks for the DEagle, Destroyer :D)

My main stubling block is as there are so many gun manufacturers out there. I'm getting a feeling about most companies from reputation, although I understand how this can also be biased.

I'm looking for a main weapon, a few I have looked at:

M4
G36
FAMAS
MP7

Is there any others like these I should consider?

From the following Manufacturers:

TM
CA
STAR
G&G

Again, any others?

I tend to (at the moment) play indoor skirmishs (at newport, wales) so something for this would be ideal, and maybe getting into woodland this summer.

My budget is £100-£300, would prefer a new gun, or if possible a well looked after example of a better gun, second-hand.

Any tips/advice would be greatly welcomed.

[bravotwozero]

Re: New(ish) Player

As your buying your own gear for the first time, try some JG.

[shadowcaptain]

Re: New(ish) Player

i disagree with starting out with JG - clones are good if you dont want to spend much but if he has a budget of up to £300 he could get a weapon that will last him his entire skirmishing life

i would reccomend starting out with TM - they are pretty much the most reliable make and stock can out perform heavily upgraded guns from any brand

BUT - depends if you want to go with the realism of a metal body, or the lightweight plastic bodies

[Clart]

Re: New(ish) Player

I seem to be swaying towards TM, they just seem to have a reputation for quality.

To be honest, I'm not too fussed if it's full metal, just something that works, will keep working, and if/when it does fail, it's not a PITA to fix.

[Chowder Head]

Re: New(ish) Player

TM is widely considered to be one of the best manufacturers out there. They are generally underpowered at 280fps but this can be sorted easily enough with a 1 joule spring.

To put it simply - you can't really go wrong with a TM.

What type of gun are you swaying towards then?

[Clart]

Re: New(ish) Player

G36, I think.

But it's swaping quite frequently between this and an M4/M16, as I've been using M4 Rentals.

[bravotwozero]

Re: New(ish) Player

Actually try G&G combat machine, or get a tm m4 and upgrade the hell outta it :D

[rhyswilliams]

Re: New(ish) Player

i think i have to agree with people here, TM M4, and the upgrade it, will never let you down

[shadowcaptain]

Re: New(ish) Player

tbh mate if i were you i would get a tm m4 or m16

you are used to them, they are easy to fix/upgrade as most airsoft parts fit them, very reliable and good performance stock

dont bother with upgrades untill you understand the guns more - upgraded guns tend to break more than stock guns

the g36 is very nice but the mags are large and difficult to carry- m4 mags are very slim and easier to carry imo

thats just my opinion though

[Clart]

Re: New(ish) Player

That's another thing, upgrades.

I'd like to get a tracer unit, but other than that, is there any "must have" uprades for TM rifles?

The only thing I really know about the inside workings of airsoft guns is the trigger makes the bb fly :P

Is there any actual difference between the two, other than cosmetics?

[jagillham]

Re: New(ish) Player

I'd vote for the G36! My friend has a Classic Army version, and it's damn sexy. Nice ROF, and looks great.

Besides, every other "funk-er" has a M4!

[shadowcaptain]

Re: New(ish) Player

the only thing worth changing on a TM is getting the spring upgraded for a higher FPS (depending on your site)

TM generally have a low fps due to restrictions in japan - however their phenomenal hop ups give them better range than the majority of guns

no point getting a TM for reliablity then changing all the internals for something else

[Clart]

Re: New(ish) Player

Besides, every other "funk-er" has a M4!

Which is the reason I sway back :P


I totally understand, shadowcaptain. I was just wondering if there was anything

Is changing the spring a big job? I believe the site limit is ~340fps

[shadowcaptain]

Re: New(ish) Player

its not a BIG job - but if you have never opened a gun up i wouldnt reccomend it

if you are getting the gun new shops like zeroone have a cheap upgrade option - just tell them what FPS you want and they will ship it with the appropriate spring

the tm famas is also meant to be a great gun - its creaky and plasticy but ive heard of people owning them for 6 or 7 years without anything going wrong

[jagillham]

Re: New(ish) Player

Change of spring involves opening up the gearbox. If you don't fiddle with the other parts, and read a guide on how to open it (ie, so the spring don't shoot back and knocks all the gears out of place.) Then it's not too bad a job.

Too be honest though, I'm unclear what a FPS gain achieves - apart from shots hurt more. The range is in the hop up, and the accuracy is in the barrel. So keeping it standard might be a good move.

I've upgraded my MP5 tonnes, but at the end of the day it's caused me so much hassle. Cost in total 3x a new TM one, and is it 3x better.... probably not!