Sports line or Chinese clone?

[JerryMcGoulBerry]

A bunch of my friends want to get started into Airsoft, but they're on a budget. I told them to skip the low powered AEG phase and upgrade to a sports line/Clone. For sports line I'm think and SRC, ICS, or G&G sports line AEG. As for the clones, I know that JG is the best clone company out there with some shimmings and re greasing. So what do you guys think?

[Spike]

CYMA/Kalash AK series

[Juke16]

Chinese clones can be just as good as the originals, take the CYMA CM-040+ rifles for example, they have a steel body, VFC style realistic takedown, and a very good gearbox.

Dboys AKs are not bad as well, the recent generation also features steel bodies and VFC style takedown; just throw in a CYMA V3 gearbox (basically indestructable) and it should be good.<---- At least that's what people from Red Alliance say.

[skalnok]

jing gong g36c's the new generation are apparently extremely good for the price and as spike said the cyma/kalash aks are really nice

[Ricochet]

Save a little more money, it's worth it. You can now buy a fairly decent non-clone for cheaper. The other good option is to get age verified and buy used from the classifieds.

Remember my friend; buy cheap, buy twice. If it says clone, avoid it like the plague. $300 will buy you a decent gun. If you find a retailer that carries what your after, and you and a pile of friends are all going to buy one; see if they'll give you a deal on a multiple order. I have handled/used the King Arms Colt M4, and was impressed. It's cheaper than some of the clones, and a great starting platform. If you buy something and it breaks or doesn't shoot true, you and your friends will be disappointed that you didn't save a little more. If your looking to only spend $250 or less on airsoft, you'll be very disappointed with the result, unless your just plinking with it.

Start off on the right foot.