Star VS CA
 

Im thinking of getting a 249 and i was wondering which manufacturer is better.
Classic Army or STAR

List Reasons why pls ^^

Cheers,
DarkAngel

Well, this is a 2 part thing. The STAR M249 series is about half the weight of the CA249 series. So, if you would not like to lug a big peice of steel around then get the STAR. The CA will be full-metal tho, and weight a ton. I belive the STAR has a plastic gearbox, and the CA has a metal one. It all depends on how you use it. If you treat your guns with care the STAR should be fine. If you abuse a bit, the CA should put up with it better than the STAR. Plus the CA can prob. take better upgrades without upgrading the plastic gearbox which is on the STAR model. The CA would prob be more realistic but it is more expensive. The STAR is cheaper, lighter and that can be a plus or minus in both ways. For basic airsoft use I would get the STAR, because it would be way lighter, and cheaper for me. I would only get the CA for something like Mil-sim, because of all the relistic weight and stuff. Thats only my opinion tho.

Please read the review of the STAR M249 on arnies airsoft. There is a huge thread on it, I know if you take the time to read it, the information will be quite insiteful.

Arnies Only has the TOP 249 under its review section T.T

*edit* Oh wait, found their DB lol

The STAR M249 review is actually on AirsoftGI. Google it, it should be the first link.

When everyone says Star M249 is lighter, it still isn't too light, it still weights in at 7.28lbs without BBs and Battery, and the CA is about twice the weight.

Lugging around a CA would be one hell of a workout, I wouldn't worry about STAR's plastic gearbox, if anything goes wrong, you'll have money saved from not buying the CA to get a brand new gearbox.

People have ot go beyond the simple fact that one if metal and the other is plastic. I own the Star and I have to admit I really enjoy his features such as the quick spring change and the auto-winding boxmag. Check out the AirsoftGI review, it is what convinced me to go with the Star.

The STAR is a nice looking gun, but side by side there is no comparison... I have moral issues with carrying around a SAW that only weighs as much as a regular AEG (is it really 11lbs? doesn't feel like it). The CA is 6.3kg stock, i can't imagine it goes up to 22lbs dry.

The CA249 is a beast, very good external construction, and a proper mechbox so you can mod it out to your heart's content. Come by ASCA sometime if you want to try one out, it'll probably answer alot of questions, such as "Is this gun awesome?" or "How did they manage to make this gun so awesome?".

If you are going to get the CA, make sure you are comfortable with opening up the gearbox. The CA can be finicky with the internals.

Word is the Star copied much of the CA M249, so both will have similar features. CA has the quick change spring and autowinding box mag as well. I've worked a fair bit on the CA one, it's a brute of a gun and will put up with a lot of abuse. Just got a Star 249 to work on, install a metal mechbox and upgraded spring. I'll post anything I find out about it once I start working on it.

I read both the Star and CA reviews on arnies, and from what it seems, the star has alot of advantages when it comes to changing mechboxes on the fly and from what i understand its performance is pretty good stock. However, the Metal body is a good advantage, last night game, i was playing with Atreyu and his CF guys, and when we were doing a bunker assault in the night, the ground dissapeared from under us and we all fell into a 1m trench we didnt see lol. well all in all, i landed on my m4 and snapped the rear tabs from the upper receiver. which is why im opting for the metal 249. Im planning to use the 249 as a mobile fire support platform within an assault team, so im expecting to move quite frequently, and hitting the dirt alot. Im also debating about saving up for an NVG *grin* either that or the elcan and go for the c9 look lol.

If by auto winding, you mean wedge the feed button onto the plastic so it constatnly spins, then I suppose yourcorrect stalker. The Auto winding on the Star is nothing like that of the CA box mags. The Star mag only feeds when you fire the AEG.

This is a pic of the game i was in, thats me in the right holding the m4.
what i want to know, is the saw the guy on the bottom is holding (i never caught his forum name) is that a CA or a Star hes using? I heard something about yellow or red gearboxes, so im assuming star because i heard star gearboxes are color coded, am i correct?

*edit* I think thats you rico in the picture lol. You were in the FR game for 5-6 right? and since there was only 3 saws, im pretty comfortable saying it was you ;p Are you using the STAR or the CA?

Ah, that's what you mean, right. CA box mags have the button you can push to wind, or press all the way in for constant winding (it's a latching type switch.) My mistake, am so used to the auto-winding circuit I designed that is used in the boxmags to wind when the trigger is pulled.

My mistake, updated on my post to reflect the change. The STAR is actually 7.28lbs, which is roughly half the weight of the CA (13.86lbs).

Yep, thats me. Its a CA that I picked up from Whoha on the forums. Its beefy and the full metal is definately worth it. Once I swap the piston (again) you can fire off some rounds and the next game ;)