Doesn't CA usually cost more than KWA? Or do I just have really bad memory XD

Yes, CA's cost more.

Oh I totally agree that 6,000 isn't anywhere near enough of a benchmark to judge whether or not it's reliable. I just checked the internals about a week ago when I put the stock spring back in after trying out a m100 that I had. Everything still looks good to go. There is a guy on the KWA forum that took photos of his stock internals after 120,000+ rounds and the damn thing looked brand new and that with a 11.8V 15c Li-Po in it. I personally use the Li-Po because I don't have to worry about swapping batteries in the middle of a game, I charge it up the night before a game and I know I'm going to get at least a bag of bb's out of it before I start noticing any change in it's performance.

I've worked on both the KWA and CA. Quite a few clients owned them and I personally owned both at one point as well.

Both guns have their ups and downs really. But if you have perfect confidence in gearbox upgrading, go with CA. It's a much better base and 100% compatible to just about anything M4 out there. But you start out with a not-so-great performing gun(IN MY STANDARDS). 330FPS gives you mediocre range, accuracy is meh(Hop up rubber is below par), ROF is meh, though the externals are great.

However if you don't want to touch anything and just want to play it stock, the KWA will outperform a CA anyday, Range, Accuracy, ROF, Mechbox durability, you name it. The only thing I hate about KWA is that you can only use 2-Piece hop up units unless you do major reconstructive surgery. And some other parts are not TM compatible as well.

Both guns can perform superb if you tune it up properly with the proper parts(I can say the same to just about any guns out there on the market).

Hope that helps

Yes, I would most likely be upgrading it.

Some of the guys on our team have the kwa m4 and they are sweet but 2 of them have had their mech shells snap off at the front (typical v2 failure)
Neither of these had been run on lipo, nor were they abused or heavily gamed.
Seemed odd.
No other problems to report.

Not a fan of CA internals.

Were they, per chance, gamed in cold weather when they snapped? (I'm not defending KWA, I just want to know. ;) )

KWA V2 mechboxes are far too weak for the stock power these guns come with. You don't need a lipo to blow the internals apart. The stock springs and weak shells are responsible for that. Their V3 boxes are rock solid though.

So I've really gotten both sides, but I'm a little undecided. For some reason I'm feeling the CA a little more, although I don't have experience with either gun. I'll be gaming a KWA soon enough, but can't really compare it to a CA. Damn!;)

What upgrades are you thinking about doing? There really isnt much you can do to make a KWA better other than a tightbore ;)

I would let that be decided by my gun doc. Since you guys know, how much would the average cost be too bring the CA up to par. It might just be easier for me to go with KWA, and cheaper. Can you switch lowers on KWAs?

Ok, well im not an M4 kinda guy, i personally own a KWA G36C, but to tell you the truth, now that KWA came out with a version 2 hop-up bucking, Theres is nothing you can do to it to make it any better
Out of the Box:
400fps
Great ROF
Insanly tough gears (Only Gun that AirsoftGi has tested that can withstand a 16v battery)
Full Metal Body

Just a bit of info ;)

I can find a KWA for $450. Whats the average price for a CA? I'd have to add upgrades too.

For CA, add a spring (if you want a higher velocity) and a new piston, and you're golden. Personally, I'm up to about 40 000 rounds on my stock CA piston and no issues with it yet, but results with their pistons may vary. Nothing else required unless you push it up past 375 fps, then a harder type hopup rubber would be a good idea. I'd also throw in a bearing spring guide (which I did) just for better consistency. They already come with hardened gears and a reinforced mechbox, so there's really nothing else you need to do.

Unfortunately, as 'good' as KWA Armalites are internally, their mechbox shells suck ass. If you do go the KWA route, I'd strongly recommend a spring downgrade and a sorbo pad to prolong the life of the mechbox.

I know you guys are talking AEGS but you couldn't PAY ME to use a KWA GBB.