GBB vs AEG gun purchase advice for UK climate & DMR

[BigJimB]

Hi guys

So my 13 yr old son and my 33 year old self have been playing for a couple months now so are ready to now buy rifles under UKARA.

Just want some advice on mine really. My lad is usually out spraying full auto and changing hi-cap mags within seconds lol so he is getting a Combat Machine or G36, no question.

I however would rather have a GBBR. I have handled real firearms for years so really would prefer the realism of a GBBR and yeah i accept that i will be slightly outgunned by the AEG wielding opposition, but thats fine I usually get double-tap kills during games anyway so have no issue with real-cap mags/cooldown etc.

So I am trying to choose between the WE Scar H or the WE MSK; i appreciate that these have their fans and haters, and that it wont handle cooldown as well as a G5 or have as many upgrade options as an M4 but thats ok, i just like these platforms having handled them, they cost about and perform the same, but i am open to better options around that price/type.

So, really after some opinions on whether it is feasible to run these almost in a DMR-type way in February in England. Will they be useable at all? Maybe on red gas, propane or co2? Or will they be pretty much useless until the summer?

Can a WE Scar or MSK really fit the DMR role? Obviously with accuracy/consistency upgrades over time?

I am planning on carrying and AEG sidearm so if i do end up dug in and with frozen mags i do have a non-gas backup, but will i find myself using it more than the rifle? Lol

Thanks for any help you can give ta

[Wilkes 1875]

Re: GBB vs AEG gun purchase advice for UK climate & DMR

Hi Pal!

To put it simply - you can use gas all year round really! I have used my little KWA MP9 in the snow.
You can feel that they are a little 'sluggish' in the cold and performance does suffer a little but they are by no means unusable!

I for one don't hate WE rifles and they can be reliable and consistent with the correct maintenance.

I'd definitely use strong gas - whether that's Nuprol green gas, propane or maybe CO2 in the winter months. The MSK may be a better bet due to the fact you can get polymer mags, which may help keep the gas a little warmer - but others may argue this will reduce cool-down.

Generally, it's up to you regarding whether it will suit your role.. I'm sure if you're good enough, the gun will be accurate enough to get some kills!

Upgrades wise - I'd install an npas for your fps control, mod to semi auto for site regulations, and maybe change the hop and barrel. I'd personally say leave the rest unless something breaks!

I'd have said you'd be fine with a GBB pistol as a side - perhaps a TM so you can use it all year round. A Glock 18 with the full auto function could be ideal?

All just my opinion, but hope it helps you come to a decision!

[Proto]

Re: GBB vs AEG gun purchase advice for UK climate & DMR

Gas has inherent issues with accuracy as it relies on propane for propulsion which is unstable, however you would be able to run those guns all day on Co2 but the msk would be more efficient (5.56x45mm beats 7.62x51mm bolt travel).

There is another issue and that is GBBRs are more prone to wear and breakages and WE quality gets mixed reviews so bare in mind repair costs (which are more expensive and harder to source parts for), AEG issues are more likely to be plastic piston/nozzle/hop damage which is all easy repaired.

AEGs require more specialist knowledge to work with (electronics and gearing) but they're still just as easy to work with, getting a good airseal is easier and you can pad the body with foam to dampen a fair bit of the sound.

If motor whir really bothers you, you could go as far as getting a spring bolt-action which is very easy to work with to get good results then get either a GBB pistol for a little fun when close up, TM's gas, no blowback MK23 for the most quiet sidearm you could get or an MP5K which would be light enough to carry around as a sidearm but be easy to work with unlike AEPs.

When running a bolt-action, most woodland sites will allow you to run as high as 500-550 fps but an engagement distance of 20-30m so it does have some nice advantages despite the severely slowed down gameplay.

Hopefully this has helped, and good luck!

[BigJimB]

Re: GBB vs AEG gun purchase advice for UK climate & DMR

Thanks for the help guys, yes the pmags on the MSK do seem to get better reviews in terms of cooldown, and the actual physics of gas cooldown would support them warming back up again quicker after use.

Bolt action springer is pretty much out for me i'm afraid, it would annoy me when compared with my Daystate bolt-action air rifle which single hole groups at 50 yards in the wind...!

Saw a couple of lads emptying gas pistols at the weekend and venting gas all over the place after a few shots, so I am not entirely sold on having 2 weather-dependent guns lol. Whereas i use an AEG pistol at our local CQB place and they just work, mag after mag with very few issues. Hence why i wanted one, a bit of guaranteed backup if gas isnt working out on a cold day!

I think for me it is the AEG noise and "dead" feeling that is putting me off, it kinda feels like the middle ground between playing lasertag and firing a real steel rifle... it looks like a gun, but it doesnt sound or feel like a gun. I appreciate a GBBR doesnt really sound or feel real either, but at least it does add something to playing.

Also I think there is more of an element of skill to being successful with a GBBR, even if it is just trigger discipline, whereas if i spray a 300 round hi-cap mag at someone i have 300 chances of a hit...!

Just dont want to buy something that feels more realistic but just cannot keep up, be a waste of money.

I guess the answer would be something like a TM Scar H, AEG performance but with a least a bit of recoil. Still doesnt sound right though and they are much more expensive

I think i would be more comfortable with GBB repairs, i am ok with gas, seals and mechanical parts, but electronics is just freakin voodoo magic to me lol

Thanks for the help

[Proto]

Re: GBB vs AEG gun purchase advice for UK climate & DMR

the actual physics of gas cooldown would support them warming back up again quicker after use.

Actually plastics are more resistant to heat change in general, while the cooldown is slower, they also warm up slower, but chances are by the time you get around to reloading them again, they would've reached equilibrium anyhow.

i use an AEG pistol at our local CQB place and they just work, mag after mag with very few issues. Hence why i wanted one, a bit of guaranteed backup if gas isnt working out on a cold day!

Your options there sit firmly with TM/CYMA G18, they seem to always rank well, never heard a bad word about them.

I guess the answer would be something like a TM Scar H, AEG performance but with a least a bit of recoil. Still doesnt sound right though and they are much more expensive

Here's a thought, the KJW KC-02 is based on the ruger 10/22 so the recoil would match up a bit better, gas efficiency and accuracy are well regarded and they go for about £200, they fit RS furniture too!

[Wilkes 1875]

Re: GBB vs AEG gun purchase advice for UK climate & DMR

My vote would be the MSK - I've been thinking of one myself.

I have a weihrauch air rifle so I too struggle with the accuracy of a bolt action sniper!

I wouldn't rule out a TM pistol - I run mine on summer gas all year round and it has never ever vented on me!

I completely understand why you want a GBBR, and I'm sure as long as you're aware that you may be outgunned by AEG's then you'll enjoy using one!

Although I'm currently selling a lot of my kit (needs must) I have GBBR's along with a TM recoil and a G&G Toptech with blowback.
I can become annoyed with being outgunned sometimes so the TM comes into its own with performance, and it really does just put a smile on my face! The Toptech is just a great great performer - the only reason I have it!

But with regards to the MSK - go for it imo. It'll be fun to use and normally simple to fix if stuff does go wrong! Just don't rule out a TM Recoil if you are really bothered about performance!

[D KINDER]

Re: GBB vs AEG gun purchase advice for UK climate & DMR

I wanted a WE Scar H GBBR so bad! But I went with an AEG. Similar to yourself I have been playing around 2 months and I decided to play with larger magazines for the first year until I become more efficient in my game play.

The AEG version is pretty much identical to the GBBR apart from the engine and recoil. So I can comment on the build quality, is second the none and offer nothing but greatest! Although I did have to install a new spring as the FPS was around 290. I'm also planning on putting a longer barrel in to help with range.

Good luck with your choice.