Purchasing My First "Good" Gun
 

What's up guys. Just joined the forum today, and I have a question.
To begin, I've only recently started getting really into airsoft (I've played a lot in the past). I used to (and still do) organize small games with my friends in a local field where we wouldn't get much attention (as I understand that airsoft in general is looked down upon by many). We mostly just run cheap guns that are good enough to hit each other with.
Eventually, it would be nice to find experienced people around my area to engage in the sport with, but for now, finding the right gun and playing with my friends is just fine.
On to my question. Basically, I turned 18 on Friday, and as a result, I have received a numerous amount of money, therefore increasing my budget. Basically, I'm looking for a new gun. I hear that AEGs are good guns to start out with. Can anyone suggest any intermediate to experienced level airsoft guns for me to buy? I want this one to last me awhile, unlike all the cheap guns I've gone through. Any suggestions and links (youtube videos, reviews, pictures, etc.) would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for the help!
Also, any newbie tips would also be appreciated.

You won't get much help outside the age verified section.
There are a number of threads posted like this weekly. Just scroll down the page

from the forums it sounds like the KA m4 has the best price for its quality also since its a basic m4. you can customise it to whatever you want it to be. M4/M16 are basically everywhere and hence isnt hard to find parts. If you have more questions about it just PM me.

well my latest m4 is from Tundra Arms with a pnumatic blowback, i got it for $499.00 taxes in right now. got great internal externals. after i got it i ordered their M14 GBB but its getting harder to hide this from the wife..lol

Tundra Arms M4 Blowback AEG - YouTube

You know that it's probably just a disguised G&G right?

And you paid too much for it.

oh ya ... just not the max price. i will buy another for sure

and paying too much is your opinion. i am not into upgrading guns or taking them back for repairs like some of the "best bang for the buck" deals. its well worth the money. in my opinion

Second time you post that video advertising those rebrands, kinda smells like spaming to me.

not spam... he asked and i love the gun... dont buy one if you dont like. if is is a G&G OEM then even better. so u dont like the smell? blow your nose

The best advice I can Give you is to first decide what kind of gun you want... G36, M4, M16, AK, MP5, Sig..... IMO AEG's are better for the beginner. We can't tell you what gun is the best for you only you can decide that. Find a gun that fits your body, feels comfortable to you, suits your style of play and that you like. Keep in mind things like where the battery is going to go, is it going to be a tiny battery are you going to need a few to get you through a day of gaming. Mag availability and can you get pouches for those mags. Do you want to put an optic on it, can you put an optic on it. Do you want to be a rifleman, a DMR, a support gunner, a CQB specialist. If you're not sure of the role you want to play I would recommend a rifleman, this is the most versatile role you can play. Rifleman will generally carry full length or carbine length assault rifles.

Once you decide on the type of gun you want then do some research on the different brands that make that particular model of gun. Try to stay away from brands with proprietary parts such as pneumatic blowback units and unique hop-ups etc. IMO AEG's with blowback are very unsatisfying and only serve to make unnecessary noise and have extra moving parts that can break. If you want blowback get gas. If you do get a gun with proprietary parts make sure replacements are easy to get (KWA). Look for something with "Marui compatible" or "Marui spec" parts, these are non-proprietary parts they are the common standard and are readily available.

Edit** The AR (M4 M16) is the most common platform out there. If this thread goes the way I think it's going to go you'll probably want an M4 in which case everyone will tell you to get a King Arms M4A1, great value for the money. I would say that everyone and their grandmother has an M4... you don't want to use a gun for grandmothers do you?... all the "cool kids" are being different and rocking AK's. Get yourself a Real Sword Type 56-2.

just in case the op cant find anything on "mauri" it's because it's spelled wrong, the right spelling will be Marui - original manufacturer of electric airsoft gun from Japan

Ah yes... good catch. I fix.

Stay away from EBB (electric blow backs) IMO they drain more battery power and he blow back is meh. Not mention extra strain on both internals and externals.

Leave the blow back to the Gas guns.

Sorry, didnt mean to steal your thread, but about the electric blowback...is every ones opinion on it the same? I mean, I think it looks and sounds nicer but if its damaging the internals why would they make it? Does it suck in any brand?

No, Tokyo Marui recoil shock is well worth it. Most people's apprehensions apply to G&G, KA etc.

I have a King Arm Galil SAR, I had it since they came out so far no issue what so ever with the blowback it is one solid gun

I think the only downside to the TM EBB is that is seems a bit rare over here now. Maybe coming this season they'll show up more often. I have my eye out for a Recce rifle.

The OP should definitely hit a few games up and see what's what. Renting etc. or using the cheap gun till you've been exposed to some of the higher quality product. The first AEG I ever had I wound up never gaming and swapping away because I never got hooked on it, that was a JG G36 (fairly mid level but reliable). The next was a VFC SCAR, that saw a lot more use over years of play.

While you're getting a handle on what kind of AEG you want get an idea if you're going to be the kind of player who also does an impression of a real world outfit. If you find you really want to gear up as a Soviet and you've got a Masada or a MP5 you'll be starting all over again with. Decide if you want to mount an optic, some models are easier to do that on than others. Pick something you can get magazines for, and make sure those are not high caps but mid or low caps.

And while all this is going on meet up with an age verifier and get that tag on here. That will let you see posts you can't see right now leading to retailers and discussion of hardware that you may find very useful.

+1 except for the edit part. also you said you got cash for your birthday so whats your cash limit for a gun+gear?

you need to ask yourself a few questions. there are a few things you will NEED and things you will want. buy what you NEED first.

1. how serious do you wanna get with the sport? once a month? every second weekend? every weekend?

2, do you wanna just to skirmishes or get into serious 24hr milsims?

3. how much are you willing to spend over the next few years? some players spend literally 10k+ on single load outs and complete collections. i am NOT saying you have to spend this much money. you can get a very respectible loadout for around 1000-1200$

answer these questions and well tell you what you should look into buying getting ect ect. anyother questions along these lines someone asks answer and it'll help us tell you what you should look for. and remember everything said here is an opinion. so don't be a drone. do lots of research and figure out what you want for yourself.

MY opinion is: don't buy rebranded things or anything with prioritary parts. don't buy super cheap anything cuz you'll probably have to buy it more then once. buy mid grade stuff at minimum and for the important things buy upper-middle grade stuff or higher end

I was looking at the Javelin JAK74...their version of the AK. Heard anything about their blowbacks by any chance? :)

So here's a top tip when buying a "good" gun.

You won't have to post a thread or question saying "has anyone ever hear of this gun", or "is this a good brand". There will be a ton of online reviews and threads here and at the other key locations. People will have photo's posted up of their setups and there will be a lot of general talk about them.

You just have to search and read.

Now no one here will stop you from being the first guinea pig in the piranha tank but you will get lot of I told you so's if you get a lemon, or you can't find parts or if it's just a general letdown.

So if this is your first major purchase I suggest hedging your bets on the side of reliability and commonality. If your new purchase does go down before you even get a few games out of it you'll be sidelined and kicking yourself.

Don't touch Javalien or APS guns..... and EBB sucks. For Blow back, always go gas. But seeing as your new. Getta normal AEG.

Again, TM is a completely different animal than the ones you are bringing up. I shouldn't have lumped KA in there since they are actually great guns but Javelin, APS, G&G, no good.

If anyone can get their hands on a TM Recoil Shock (I have three), they are nearest to PTWs in awesomeness. Oh yeah, but not really for beginners since they also approach them in price and a quite a commitment for upgrading.

What like the TM AK74M? I've never actually seen one in person. I know retailer here has it on ASC but its always sold out.

I have the SOPMOD M4, SOPMOD CQB-R and the M4 SOCOM. I can't speak for the SCAR-L/H, AKs, and RECCE.
But yeah, nothing but great things to say about them, especially with an upgraded spring and 9.6v battery upgrade. Except for the prices and rarity in Canada.

So I've heard a lot of good things on KA's M4...but for AK, which brand is a go for a starter gun?

I have heard good things about the new TM's, perhaps all BB AEG's aren't bad. I'm anxious to try one out. I have also seen that KWA is making a BB AEG and with the use of proprietary mags the bolt will lock back when the mag is empty. Regular stanag mags wil also work in these.

When it comes to the AK's it would be hard for me to recommend anything other than the Real Sword, truly an amazing gun. I understand that VFC makes a nice AK if you're looking more for a AK74.

^Anything huhhh cheaper? :P It's not that I want to cheap out or anything, it's just that there are some good m4s for 250-300$...I'm sure there has to be a AK in that price range that is good!

This question runs into a paradox. I had a CYMA AK for a while, real wood and metal.
It was fine, reliable and easy to throw around.
I have a Real Sword Type 56-1, triple the price in Canada but to me, well worth it.
So the question is, cheap out on a gun that you won't keep for awhile, or commit to airsoft and get the highest quality AK IMO right off the bat and it will stay in your collection as you grow in the sport.
That's the dilemma as I see it.