Need Advice on KWA KM4A1 -reliability, compatibility, quality etc.

ao_tenshi · April 27th, 2012, 22:28

Hi all, I'm totally new to airsoft, and looking to pickup my first AEG. I have my eyes on the KWA KM4A1, but wanted to get some advice from this forum on the following if I went with this aeg:

1) Is this a high quality, high reliability gun in stock condition for gaming (my 2nd choice would be the G&P Cdn Carbine)
2) Are the internals and magazine compatible with TM, or can be easily found at low/reasonable cost (this is my biggest concern, as I've heard that the internals are proprietary)
3) How customizable is the gun, if I want to add rails, scope, RIS etc down the road

*Read the battery sticky - i think a 7.4v lipo should work well*
On a separate note: is there a newbies guide on picking the right battery for an aeg? The various voltage, and lipo/nimh etc... is a bit overwhelming.

Look forward to hearing some good advice. Thanks!

Styrak · April 27th, 2012, 23:12

1) Yes they are high quality, gameable out of the box.
2) Yes, they are TM compatible.
3) An M4 is the most customizable gun out there, with the largest aftermarket parts selection of any AEG.

The Chad · April 27th, 2012, 23:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonsM4

Use the SEARCH feature...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShelledPants

I believe he made the video review, no need to jump on the guy. Jeez.

LMAO

Styrak · April 28th, 2012, 00:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Chad

LMAO

Hunh? Wrong thread?

ao_tenshi · April 28th, 2012, 08:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Styrak

1) Yes they are high quality, gameable out of the box.
2) Yes, they are TM compatible.
3) An M4 is the most customizable gun out there, with the largest aftermarket parts selection of any AEG.

I've read somewhere that kwa uses proprietary internals. Is that true or maybe partially true?

Maethori · April 28th, 2012, 09:43

Most things inside a KWA (including the gearbox shell) are somewhat proprietary. All the parts look about the same and could be replaced by aftermarket stuff, but they design things tighter and very specifically for their guns. There are no guarantees that non-KWA parts will work well. Also, only KWA gearbox shells will fit in the KWA bodies.

ao_tenshi · April 29th, 2012, 01:50

Seems like KWA is of good quality and warranty support is great, but for the long-run, G&P Canadian Carbine would be a better choice? (from compatibility with aftermarket componets)

renegadelz · April 29th, 2012, 10:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by ao_tenshi

Seems like KWA is of good quality and warranty support is great, but for the long-run, G&P Canadian Carbine would be a better choice? (from compatibility with aftermarket componets)

G&P definitely would be a better choice, since it have wide range of aftermarket parts.

KheSan · April 29th, 2012, 18:57

I run a KWA KM4SR7 and i love it. Build quality is very high. I had it torn down the other night and all bushings are metal and include ball bearings. The hop up is proprietary. The piston, piston head and cylinder head are also very high quality. Everything is very tight tolerance. I run both 7.4 and 11.1 lipo and both work well. The ROF with the 11.1 is insane.

ao_tenshi · April 30th, 2012, 01:17

Heard a lot of good things about KWA M4, and Im really leaning towards it myself. Just curious on how "proprietary" is the parts? Like if i want to lower the velocity with a generic M100 spring, is that possible on the KWA?

Also, does anyone know where to get compatible parts for KWA if needed?

Styrak · April 30th, 2012, 01:17

AEG springs are universal.

ao_tenshi · May 1st, 2012, 00:14

One last question:

Will there be any issues with Canadian customs if I order Lipo Battery, Extra Magazines and parts online from the US?

THe_Silencer · May 1st, 2012, 00:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by ao_tenshi

One last question:

Will there be any issues with Canadian customs if I order Lipo Battery, Extra Magazines and parts online from the US?

Nope.

Wh1t3y · May 8th, 2012, 12:42

I'm considering getting back into the game with this rifle as well. Is it true that it can only use KWA mags?

Grizzly0679 · May 8th, 2012, 13:37

^ not necessarily. There's a list on the KWA site that tells which mags work. The proprietary issues of a KWA rifle is something to consider before buying but I use MAG brand magazines on my M4A1 and they work fine. Kings Arms and something else work fine too. There's about 3 they recommend but I think the list included 5.

A cursory search on the KWA forums should bring up some answers.

Home	Forums	Register	Gallery	FAQ	Calendar
Retailers	Community	News/Info	International Retailers	IRC	Today's Posts

British Columbia	Alberta
BCAC	EAR
Op-For	JOC
Northern Arms Airsoft	Skunkworx Airsoft
Airsoft Kelowna	RAAT
Prince George Airsoft	Manitoba
Saskatchewan	MAA
SK Airsoft	Ontario
PDW	Airsoft Ottawa
South Sask Mercs	Snow Dragons
Quebec	1st Ranger Platoon
PQAC	Wolfpack Tactical
1st Pathfinders Regiment	TTAC3
Quebec Airsoft
MTX Airsoft	Atlantic
FAQc	Atlantic Airsoft

April 27th, 2012, 22:28	#1
ao_tenshi Trader rating Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Toronto, Ontario	Need Advice on KWA KM4A1 -reliability, compatibility, quality etc. Hi all, I'm totally new to airsoft, and looking to pickup my first AEG. I have my eyes on the KWA KM4A1, but wanted to get some advice from this forum on the following if I went with this aeg: 1) Is this a high quality, high reliability gun in stock condition for gaming (my 2nd choice would be the G&P Cdn Carbine) 2) Are the internals and magazine compatible with TM, or can be easily found at low/reasonable cost (this is my biggest concern, as I've heard that the internals are proprietary) 3) How customizable is the gun, if I want to add rails, scope, RIS etc down the road Read the battery sticky - i think a 7.4v lipo should work well On a separate note: is there a newbies guide on picking the right battery for an aeg? The various voltage, and lipo/nimh etc... is a bit overwhelming. Look forward to hearing some good advice. Thanks! Last edited by ao_tenshi; April 28th, 2012 at 01:00..

April 27th, 2012, 23:12	#2
Styrak Trader rating Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Saskatoon, SK	1) Yes they are high quality, gameable out of the box. 2) Yes, they are TM compatible. 3) An M4 is the most customizable gun out there, with the largest aftermarket parts selection of any AEG. __________________ Airsoft Sales and Repair/Upgrade Services

April 30th, 2012, 01:17	#11
Styrak Trader rating Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Saskatoon, SK	AEG springs are universal. __________________ Airsoft Sales and Repair/Upgrade Services

April 28th, 2012, 09:43	#6
Maethori Trader rating Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Burlington, Ontario	Most things inside a KWA (including the gearbox shell) are somewhat proprietary. All the parts look about the same and could be replaced by aftermarket stuff, but they design things tighter and very specifically for their guns. There are no guarantees that non-KWA parts will work well. Also, only KWA gearbox shells will fit in the KWA bodies.

April 29th, 2012, 01:50	#7
ao_tenshi Trader rating Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Toronto, Ontario	Seems like KWA is of good quality and warranty support is great, but for the long-run, G&P Canadian Carbine would be a better choice? (from compatibility with aftermarket componets)

April 29th, 2012, 18:57	#9
KheSan Trader rating Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ancaster, ON, Canada	I run a KWA KM4SR7 and i love it. Build quality is very high. I had it torn down the other night and all bushings are metal and include ball bearings. The hop up is proprietary. The piston, piston head and cylinder head are also very high quality. Everything is very tight tolerance. I run both 7.4 and 11.1 lipo and both work well. The ROF with the 11.1 is insane.

May 1st, 2012, 00:14	#12
ao_tenshi Trader rating Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Toronto, Ontario	One last question: Will there be any issues with Canadian customs if I order Lipo Battery, Extra Magazines and parts online from the US?

May 8th, 2012, 12:42	#14
Wh1t3y Trader rating Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: London, Ontario.	I'm considering getting back into the game with this rifle as well. Is it true that it can only use KWA mags? __________________ I love a good shim job.

Need Advice on KWA KM4A1 -reliability, compatibility, quality etc.

Airsoft Guns Discussion