GBB rifle suggestions?

SwarfegaHead

With summer coming up I'm going to be working full time again and so I'm probably going to have some money to throw around, and I've been thinking about buying myself a new rifle of some variety. I've been converted to the ways of CO2, to such an extent that I'm not really interested in buying an AEG, but I wouldn't really have the knowledge or experience to decide which way to go myself.

So, I'm looking for suggestions as to what kind of CO2 rifles are worth buying. I'm looking for something that won't break the bank, under 350 prefferably. Ideally I'm looking for an M16, but most of the gbb A1s I've come across are pretty pricey, anyone know of any cheaper ones?

The guys in Go Tactical in Wexford said they're getting in gbb Scar H in the future, which also sounds tempting. No mention of manufacturer though.

Any input is appreciated!

SwarfegaHead

Bump!

I've been doing some looking around and I've narrowed down my choices.
The WE M4 or M16 seem appealing, or possibly the AGM M4.

The AGM is a lot cheaper, but probably a lot less reliable? Does anyone have any experience with this, or any other AGM gbb rifle?

The WE is pricey, but seems to be good quality, I've heard nothing but good things about their SCAR. It also has CO2 mags readily available, which don't seem to be an option for the AGM? I'd also have to consider replacing the front handguard with a rail system, and I don't reall know how expensive or difficult that would be. I'm a relative noob to all this, so any advice/suggestions are greatly appreciated.

MerryDespot

AGM M4 is cheap as a basic set - but you shouldn't really think of it as being 'ready to go' in the condition you get it in when you buy it.
Does it work - yes.
Does it work well, consistently or is it failure free - no.
AGM needs a few things done to it and then it'll be a tank! You'll probably need to replace:
Various parts in the mag (o ring, valve possibly) otherwise the gas leaks out.
Anti reversal latch
Bolt (not essential - but the pig metal bolt is heavy and this influences the rate of fire) a lighter metal bolt (aluminium) would set you back a bit.
Npas kit (this is essential to bring the fps down - it lets you regulate the amount of gas released from the mag that goes down the barrel and how much operates the bolt - you'll need to be able to adjust this as your fps with gas can change with temperature/weather) - again, costs a wee bit and if you're not comfortable doing it yourself you'll have to get it fitted. Not too difficult, but fiddly.
Hop up - the AGM hopup is notoriously terrible. Complete rubbish (reinforced with tape!!).

This is just the immediate things that spring to mind (I'm probably missing a shed load of other bits that are in mine, but it's a while since I've cracked her open).

When you factor all these bits and pieces together you'd be at the same price (or possibly more!) than the comparable WE models.

And ... factor in that the stock AGM mags are heavy as hell and it's not easy to find AGM mags anymore - you'd end up getting ProWin mags for WA M4 (AGM use the same system as WA - not WE - different operating system) which are lighter but costly. WE mags are easier to get and lighter than the AGM type.

Also - be aware - the WE mags hold 30 rounds and the AGM varients hold anywhere between 50 and 30 depending on the make. Realistically there's never enough gas to fire the full 50 in the stock mags so most people I know limit it to 40 (which helps with gas cool down in the last few shots - i.e. where your pressure is reduced and as a result your fps too).

I've both a WE (SCAR) and AGM (M4). The main difference between them is that (at least as far as I am concerned) the WE needed far less upgrading and work to be decent. Rate of fire on the M4 is much higher - but then again the SCAR doesn't have a lightweight bolt and it's not fair to compare them as they're different systems (i.e. SCAR operates a much larger 'bolt' than the smaller M4 bolt - and as a result the rof is different).

If I had to pick one of them to hold onto it'd be the M4. It's fiddly, the mags weigh a tonne and it requires lost of tlc, but the rate of fire (once upgraded) is nice. Have a look at the Airsoft Equipment photos on Review thread - Masada has a lovelly AGM M4 that he has fully upgraded (to the extent that I'd say most of it has been replaced with upgraded bits!) - it's the Magpul M4 GBB (you'll know it when you see it - believe me!!).

Good luck - either way (AGM or WE) you'll find yourself having to shell out a load (either in extra mags or upgrades), but GBB is worth it.

SwarfegaHead

Cheers for the info!

I'd be tempted to go for the AGM simply for the fact it would take a bit of setting up, it's something I'd like to learn how to do, so I could make a summer project of it for myself. That said, I'm a sucker for the M16, which AGM don't offer...agh! I'd have to install a rail on the M16 too.
On the plus side I've 3 months or so to make a decision, and won't even be thinking of skirmishing 'til the summer, if I get a chance.

And I have my Cyma AK-47 to keep me going 'til I sort stuff out. If there was GBB 47 I would cry salty tears of joy. AEGs just don't do it for me like GBBs do anymore

MerryDespot

SwarfegaHead wrote: »

And I have my Cyma AK-47 to keep me going 'til I sort stuff out. If there was GBB 47 I would cry salty tears of joy. AEGs just don't do it for me like GBBs do anymore

Buddy, prepare to ante up those salty tears:

That said - I've yet to see any of the distributors here who stock either of these. I'd say that if you're looking for advice on anything Russian (including AK GBBs) you're best to drop a post on the Russian Theme thread and Puding will be good enough to point you in the right direction as only he can.

damagegt

aaawwww i think im in love,there a tad pricey still for me

bullets

The most important thing for me in a GBB is the action of the bolt.

If its a fake bolt "cover" that slides back and forth I would not touch it. Its one of the reasons I've not bought a WE.

If your gonna buy an GBB you might as well get one where the Bolt/Breech block actually moves back and forth, and not some system where its just a fake looking cover that goes over the ejector slot that simply moves. (EBB's do that already so its a Sin if GBB's are designed this way)

Ideally you want the action of the GBB to function just like a real gun would (apart from the fact the propellent is coming from the mag rather than a brass round)

The other thing that has put me off some GBBs is the Gun Model!

An M4 or AK actually looks impressive seeing them in action but for some reason the likes of a SCAR or MP5 just
dont look impressive at all watching the action cycle.

Ideally for my own preferences you want a big meaty bolt
roaring at you going hey hey!!!! I'm a feckin big bad ass bolt powered by gas and I'm movvvving.

~B

SwarfegaHead

I agree, it's definitely about the sheer power felt from a GBB, the noise and the kick from them is just too good to pass up.

Im not sure of what you mean with regards to the proper bolt compared to a bolt "cover", I've only used one GBB rifle so I've nothing to compare to

MerryDespot

I think what bullets means is that in the WE models the bolt moves back only far enough to load the next bb - meaning that it doesnt' slap back as much as it would on the real steel or the AGM/WA models. In an AGM the bolt moves all the way back and strips the next bb from the mag on it's way to the locked position, more like the real steel.

That said Bullets, the recoil on the WE SCAR is far more than the AGM. Firing it is much more satisfying. And as the bolt cycles pretty fast you'd have to be pretty quick to notice what you desribe. Me, I'd be too busy taking note of the nice loud, crisp clank from the operation of the bolt.