Buying my first AEG

[SonAvich]

Ok so I've been doing some research on guns. At this point I'm starting to learn the different qualities in gun manufactures. Looking at G&G just for the fact it seems easier to get a hold of and upgrade.
Looking for some practical advice / reviews before I dish out my hard earned
G&G TR16 R4 Commando Combo AEG
G&G GR16 CQW Rush
G&P Magpul CQB MOE AEG (on sale)
Socom Gear - PWS MK112
Classic Army M4a1 RAS
Echo1 SR25K SE

[pestobanana]

Go to the store and try out and hold the G&G's, G&P and Classic Army. The other two are crap. I'm pretty sure those aren't the top of G&G's lineup but they should be okay ish.

Of the guns you listed I would go for G&P or CA.

[Kuro_Neko]

Originally Posted by pestobanana

Go to the store and try out and hold the G&G's, G&P and Classic Army. The other two are crap. I'm pretty sure those aren't the top of G&G's lineup but they should be okay ish.

Of the guns you listed I would go for G&P or CA.

+1

G&G is a good mid-range starter gun. G&P and CA are high-end guns and are preferred if you have the cash.

I did extensive research and settled on the Tactical Carbine version of the Classic Army M15A4 (basically a full stock m4) as my first gun. If an Armalite is what you're looking for then I think it's the best of all possible versions. You have the shortened M4 carbine barrel, which makes you less likely to smack your barrel off something when turning quickly, combined with the full stock which houses a large battery. Small batteries don't have near the run time of a large battery, not to mention that the reinforced slip ring (the ring that keeps the fore-grip on) is really strong. While this is mostly a good thing and a big step up over CA's previous M15 versions, it makes changing small batteries in the field very difficult if not impossible.

CA's M15A4 series in general is a big step up over their previous versions and as far as stock armalites go they're probably the best. All metal where the real steel version is, the plastic parts where the real steal version is plastic are made of high quality enhanced nylon fiber rather then abs for great texture and feel. Classic Army has a deal with Armalite so you get all the proper markings. Plus that deal also goes to show the quality of the manufacture, Armalite wouldn't put their name on a shoddy product.

Internally the gearbox is reinforced metal and all the gears are metal as well. It fires hotter stock then Tokyo Marui's as well, firing at 300-320 fps where your average TM only fires 280-300 fps.

All in all this is a great starter gun if you can afford it. Because it's all metal you don't have to worry nearly as much about breaking it and you won't get any of the wobble or creaking that is infamous in stock TM M4/M16's. Unfortunately affording it is the biggest problem, they're not cheap. For reference I got my CA M15A4 from the classifieds, upgraded with a bunch of Systema internals to fire 390fps, for $600 shipped which was a great price.

As you can probably tell, I'm a big fan of Classic Army. One thing to keep in mind about Classic Army is they now have two lines, a proline and a sportline. Originally they were easy to tell apart because the proline had the metal body and the sportline had a plastic body but recently CA has been releasing their sportlines with metal bodies. The price tag should still allow you to easily tell the difference but it's still something to keep in mind. All the pros that I went over above were regarding the proline model. The sportline model has cheaper everything internally and externally.

There's alot of people that will expound the virtues of G&P as well. And I'll admit the externals of G&P are very nice, easily on par with CA, in some cases better. The reason why I don't say G&P over CA though is much the same reason why people weren't big fans of CA up until a few years ago: their quality control for the internals is not the greatest. That means a fair number of lemons. CA got a handle on this a few years ago and they've been making great strides in terms of their rep ever since, but G&P isn't quite there yet. This is simply my personal opinion and there are many people that would likely disagree with me, but it's something to keep in mind.

Now for some gun pron:

My Classic Army M15A4 Tactical Carbine without external addons:


My baby, CA M15A4 Tactical Carbine with m203 grenade launcher, red dot sight and taclight:

[BioRage]

^ I see these pictures non-stop on all your posts, lol.

If you got the cash, get a Polar Star

[Nifield]

G&P magpul is a great gun. Beautiful externals and hi end internals to match. I've got the same gun and dropped the fusion engine in it.. Now it scares people. I say get the g&p .. Like BioRage says when you can afford it drop a fusion engine in and have the most reliable sexiest gun around.

[Stealth]

Originally Posted by Kuro_Neko

G&P and CA are high-end guns

LOL WUT. No.

G&P
The Bad:

• Proprietary receiver threading which means you're pretty much stuck with the rail system that originally came with the gun or the other choices are another poorly-anodized G&P rail system
• Off-spec buffer tubes = wobbly stocks(most AEG manufacturers are guilty of this)
• 14mm CLOCKWISE barrel threads which is incompatible with the industry standard counter-clockwise thread
• Poor quality, inconsistent-bore brass barrels of various grades which makes me think they just got whatever brass tubes were cheapest at the metal mart that week
• Painted receivers (not anodized) which actually has a thickness to it so that means when you do scuff or chip your receiver it ends up looking much deeper than it really is.
• Picatinny rail sections lack any standard of any kind - a Colt M4A1 model will have a different rail thickness than an LMT MRP
• Mechbox features silicone "wet-noodle" wiring which has insulation that rips easily and is way too thick than it should be
• Proprietary screw-type motor connectors which basically force you to use G&P motors unless you switch to another wire set (see previous point)
• Mechbox shells that only accept bearing spring guides with the pin-type retainer supports
• Gears that are either bulletproof or fail after 500rounds (depends on your luck - see previous point about brass barrels)
• The bearings used in their 8mm mechboxes aren't the best and sometimes do not fit in the holes drilled in the mechbox, which means you have to remove it and epoxy them into the shell. Otherwise they will rotate and enlarge the holes over time and cause the gears to mis-align.

The Good:

• Innovative platforms - LMT MRP, Magpul bodies
• Mechbox shells are durable

CA
The Bad:

• Unless you get the X-series, receivers height is not standard so if you buy a rail system with a continuous Picatinny rail section, there will be a step between the rail and the upper receiver
• Hop-up units notorious for un-dialing itself if you do not modify it.
• Janky mechbox internals which aren't really any better than a JG, unless you get the X-series or the LWRC series.
• Receivers are all laser-etched and not engraved

The Good:

• LWRC M7's
• Receiver anodizing is good and durable

G&G
The Bad:

• Hardly any real licensing agreements except for the recent deal they struck with FN so finally their SCAR's are licensed, but you're pretty much stuck with G&G trademarks or whatever they can dream of (Navy Seal Skull Frog anyone??)
• Horribly off-spec buffer tubes
• Non-TopTech internals are nothing to write home about
• Lightweight metal receivers almost feel TOO light (see below)
• Clear plastic hop-up units that typically leak
• Mechbox screws are on the other side of the mechbox - not a big deal but why they do this is beyond me

The Good:

• Lightweight Magnesium alloy metal receivers with great anodizing - careful you don't like these on fire - they make great flares
• Mechbox shells are relatively durable and are on-spec with TM/VFC

[phloudernow]

Socom Gear guns should either be VFC or G&G OEM from what i know, and i think the PWS model is G&G? not sure but you can probably check.

but +1 to what Stealth Said

tbh you can already pick up a VFC for a tiny bit more since those guns you listed probably will run you at least 350 - 450? not sure but im just Guesstimating :P

but yes G&G seems to be an extremely common all around Canada so you could go for those