If gun should I get?

[targetGspot]

I would stay away from Ares, more trouble than their worth. Look at G&G for a budget gun that'll be good quality. Go get a feel for them at your local shop then order from a less expensive shop with better selection. Much of G&G's internals are similar across their lineup so you can get the same gun with different furniture and polymer body to fit budget. I agree with ThunderCactus, Aftermath Kraken is a great starter but if you go that route be sure not to get the kurz! I've had 1 Echo 1 that was, (is a great gun although my friend has it now), but they are primarily a rebranding operation so I hear they can be hit and miss.

[Hughes]

G&G doesn't make the G36, just the UMP unfortunately.
Gspot Are you basing your distaste for ARES on something you've read or personal experience? I also own G&G and would recommend most of them. Beautiful in and out.
If you are still on the fence, maybe stick with a kraken. Some guys in our community still use them after years of playing. Workhorse through and through.

[targetGspot]

I read a lot of bad things about Ares but I really wanted a Tavor so I bought one anyway, (only one available at the time). The thing was externally beautiful, as are most of their guns but plagued with issues. My local shop fixed her up and pttttt! again. My group tech fixed her twice and I made minor repairs myself. The gun was cool but I ended up selling it, (I told the buyer all the issues and repairs that had been done). I replaced it with a PTS PDR which has either Ares or Ares inspired internals and while I haven't had an issue, there are some proprietary parts that worry me. But it was another one of those gotta have it buys, lol!

[targetGspot]

Also, unless you really have your heart set on a particular gun you might want to keep in mind that parts for guns like m4 variants and ak's are plentiful and easy to get new and used so easier on the tight budget when something does break. And magazines are easier to find, m4 mags are easiest to carry. Are you planning on joining a team? If so best to see what they are playing with so borrowing/lending mags in a game is possible...

[Comeau-SCS]

Originally Posted by morbidkingmk

I've saved up some more money, I should get paid this friday. I've got about 350 now. I'm looking at the Ares G36c, Echo 1 MTC series, or the APS UAR right now. Which one would you guys recommend? I'm going to take a look at these hands-on in the store before buying. I just love the look of G36s, so I'm leaning towards the Ares.

Edit: The 350 is for the gun, battery, charger, and tax together...

I'm not a fan of ARES G36. I'd recommand in that price range to get a full metal king arms m4. Those are compatible with tons of parts if you wish to build up and their receivers are well built. They also have a good gearbox shell and set of gears. You could start to play with this and slowly upgrade or change what you dont like.

However if you absolutly want to get a G36 i'll let others speak for wich one to choose in that price range.

[Ricochet]

I never recommend a noob a cheap piece of crap as a starter so they can save some cash. A gun that is unreliable and doesn't shoot straight, or has feeding issues, or whatever usually discourages a player more than anything. They have more fun when they spend the extra $100 and get the right tool for the job. Any airsoft gun worth its salt in my day was like $800, and that wasn't including any mags, batteries, ammo, or gear. Now you can buy one for $250, a lipo for $10, a bag of quality ammo for $15, etc, etc. So there is no excuse really. If all you can afford is a piece of crap, then even if you like the sport you will not have the funding to go forward in it.

[lurkingknight]

cyma is the cheapest anything I'd get if I went cheap. Their AKs are great.

JG g36s are great.

Those all hover around the 200$ mark. And they're great out of the box guns for entry level.

EVERYTHING breaks. just because you paid 600$ for a vfc doesn't mean the shitty self shimming gears will hold up, or the brittle polycarb piston won't strip.

On the ares g36 I'd keep the shell and toss the entire gearbox and put in a regular v3.. but you're really overpaying for anything ares. Wait til you need to replace the microswitch trigger. nobody even sells that thing.