Buying first gun : Metal vs Polymer

[ThunderCactus]

Big downside with plastic is actually how they put the receivers together. They're not always single piece upper receivers like metal guns, sometimes they're 3 or 4 pieces glued together.

Casting have their faults, they can crack in cooling around 90 degree corners or where cooling isn't uniform. But the single piece construction and fact it's some kind of metal usually helps them stand the test of time in guns that are traditionally metal, like the M4 and AK.
Actual real polymer guns, like the F2000, P90, and Aug, are originally designed to BE plastic, and the engineering of their bodies represents that, so the airsoft versions are very tough despite being plastic.
A metal receiver is DESIGNED to be metal.
A plastic body is DESIGNED to be plastic.

So a plastic receiver designed to be metal will always be less reliable.
And theoretically a metal body for a plastic gun would be crazy heavy and unnecessary.

[Enthusiast]

remove

[lurkingknight]

you have no idea what you're talking about.

the rof and fps have little effect on the durability of a plastic outer shell of a gun. None of these components interact directly with the gearbox which is completely self contained.

unless your only experience is with walmart plastic guns, I'd advise you not to speak again on technical issues.

[ThunderCactus]

Plastic mechboxes exist, there's a reason nobody has one lol

The idea of a "noob gun" is misunderstood by most people.
A beginner gun isn't one that is simply cheap, and plastic.
It's something:
-affordable
-decent stock performance
-good record of fair reliability
-something that won't be in the shop after the first game *cough* G&P *cough*
-great upgrade potential
-Good RESALE value

The G&G's fall into all categories. They're good base guns, totally TM spec for upgrades, and pretty affordable when compared to what you'd think of as a more "veteran" airsoft gun like the VFC, G&P, RS and ptw, and yet boast very similar performance to the VFC/G&P/RS when upgraded.

If you buy a crap $120 gun, sure you got into the sport cheap, but 3 months later you love the sport and want a better gun? Well now your $120 gun is worth absolutely nothing. You're $120 in the hole and now have to scrape up $350 for a G&G anyway.

OR you spend the $350 on the G&G, yes it's a lot more money, but if you don't like the sport or now want a VFC you can turn around and sell it for $300, or upgrade it to shoot awesome.

It used to be the marui guns that were the perfect noob gun at $500, compared to a $200 CYMA/DBOYS/Both elephant for the same reasons lol

[SuperHog]

Metal in RS could be forged or cnc billet, but in airsoft metal is "pot metal" same stuff you find in toys.

[kalnaren]

Originally Posted by ThunderCactus

-something that won't be in the shop after the first game *cough* G&P *cough*

Haha man, you must have such a love/hate for G&P guns. Since I joined ASC you've been posting about how awesome their bodies are, and how annoying their internals are

[ThunderCactus]

It's sort of a double edged sword depending how you look at it.
If you want a stock gun, to use as stock, and gradually upgrade, get a G&G or VFC
If you want a peak performance gun that doesn't need much and kicks ass, RS or PTW
If you want a base aeg with the intention of dropping a $500 full tune kit in, get a G&P

Mind you, they're from a time when FTK's were actually a thing, and fairly common. People don't upgrade very much these days.
It makes perfect sense if you're buying a dedicated upgrade platform, but not as a kind of budget gun.
It's rare for anyone to buy an FTK these days so I just don't recommend them anymore.
They still make the best 249 out there lol

[Azathoth]

Originally Posted by ThunderCactus

Actual real polymer guns, like the F2000, P90, and Aug, are originally designed to BE plastic, and the engineering of their bodies represents that, so the airsoft versions are very tough despite being plastic.
A metal receiver is DESIGNED to be metal.
A plastic body is DESIGNED to be plastic.

So a plastic receiver designed to be metal will always be less reliable.
And theoretically a metal body for a plastic gun would be crazy heavy and unnecessary.

Mostly agree with that lots of shittastic G36s brands out their. SCAR also has a nice poly lower, but the hinge (part 27?) seems to dislike Canadian temperature

I did forget that RUST is a problem known in metal guns. I've seen a lot of CYMA AKs with rust on them, and several G&P, VFC SR16s with rust on the rail systems, and threads of the upper receiver.

[ThunderCactus]

Rust can be a GOOD thing, on the G&Ps it means they actually used a ferrous alloy, maybe even STEEL!

On the G&G's, it might just be the older ones, but specifically the AK's, they used magnesium alloys to actually make it rust FASTER. For that authentic "shitty gun" look

[daishi]

I know of a few WE Ak's that have rust on them. Just makes them look more legit.

Just get a metal GBBR and make good decisions.

[spiderman6]

no plastic! the one and only plastic i bought HK MP5, and done. never again a plastic. never gives u a real feel.

[Danke]

Originally Posted by spiderman6

no plastic! the one and only plastic i bought HK MP5, and done. never again a plastic. never gives u a real feel.

Except of course for the grip and furniture, that's plastic on the real ones.