Question regarding quality of full metal AEG and lower plastic receiver one
 

Hi guys,

I wanted to know if there is a significant difference between a full metal ICS M4 and a Canadian legal one being full metal save for the smoke tinted lower receiver.

I know that some people absolutely want a full metal but is it only for a question of look or there is a quality (durability) issue too? Is there a chance of having the lower receiver breaking more easily or not really?

Lastly is it canadian legal version that people call "Halfbreed"?

Thanks for your help

Yes the cansofts are what we refer to as halfbreeds. And please unlearn the term "Canadian Legal" since for you and I, the end user, the colour of the receiver doesn't mean squat. Its merely for the importers. Once its in country doesn't matter if its black or whatever.

Ok so the lower plastic receiver is not necessarily cheaper (less robust) than full metal ones? It is more of a personal taste, like people want full metal because it is exactly like the real deal?

No, it's because it's much easier for the retailers to import a clear or tinted lower receivered gun than a full black one. Full metal (where applicable) is typically much more robust than plastic ones.

Ok I already knew all that, that it is easier for retailer to import clear or tinted one, because full metal don't pass the custom. So I think that I need to be clearer then with my question

Should I be worry buying a cansoft with lower plastic receiver that it will break easily. Let say that you trip and fall on your gun, on a plastic lower receiver one. Is there some good chance that it can crack or I would have to fall on it and on a rock etc...before it can crack.

That's what I need to know.

The only clear lower receiver I would trust are the ones from Velocity Arms' custom line of JG guns.

I can't speak for ICS, but the clear lowers on the G&G line are pretty weak.

The ICS lower is much like the JG one from VA, probably stronger, don't take my word though, I haven't used a hammer on my gun yet.

There`s a good chance you`d break any AEG if you fell on it. How bad depends on the particular model and the situation. I wouldn`t worry about it too much, unless you`re really klutzy. I haven`t heard of very many players breaking guns falling on them, bits and pieces of the guns, yes (both metak and plastic based guns), but like snapping it in half, rare. If you break it, just get Age Verified (if you`re not by then) and buy a metal replacement in the classifieds.

Imagine dropping or falling on your AEG in a game situation...How often does the gun fall RIGHT on the receiver? I think the weakest parts of the gun is everything that is attached/branches off of the receiver: barrel, handgaurds/RAS, scopes, stocks, mags, etc.
I've had 2 plastic receivers (JG)...broke them of both in the same spot (the top metal rail) because I hit the scopes that were on them... I bought $7.00 of eproxy...and I can't break the rail off now with my bare hands...

Everything else equal, its just the receiver. If you were going to buy an M4 with a clear lower with no intent on changing it to metal, go with Velocity Arms' custom series. There is a video on someone taking a hammer to their polycarbonate body. It didn't break. Coat of paint and it'll do you well. Only gripe is that I learned their upper is plastic. Shouldn't be a problem if you're willing to do clear plastic lower anyway.

99.9% of the time, metal > plastic

I have few Armalites with both metal and plastic lowers and having taken them apart numerous times and IMHO metal is better than even polycarbonate. I also play them differently knowing that fullmetal M4s will take more abuse than my M16 with a plastic lower receiver.

You have more chances of breaking a metal AEG if you bump it. As the metal is cheap and don't flex.

Plastic will flex a little and won't break as easely.

Red Tiger can attest to that. He broke an ICS MP5 SD4 in a power slide that ended up in a wall during a CQB game. The thing was full metal and broke in several places.