Decked out CA M16A3 vs Systema PTW M16
 

Yet another comparison thread (you guys are probably going to get tired of me sometime... sorry)

Right now I'm facing another dillema on my money spending on airsoft :

First option, Upgrading my CA M16A3, and by upgrading, I mean changing the whole gearbox for a Revolution (most likely a M130) + the appropriate Systema motor, plus getting a new inner barrel + hop unit. Good point would be that I keep using my 18 regular magazines, a tad cheaper than option #2. Bad point : still just an upgraded CA.

Second option : Getting a PTW M-16. More expensive, have to replace my whole magazine loadout, but, It's a PTW.

What do you guys think...?

Keep the CA.

personally, id go with the CA route. that way, if something breaks, you dont pay an arm and a leg to replace it and the parts for the CA are abundant. also, you dont have to worry about using the CA in wet weather. with the PTW, you do. finally, to truly make the PTW good, you should get the Tackleberry mod, which is more money. for the CA, just get a Shredder Concave Spacer and there you go. while the CA wont be as cool (case the PTW is real spec), you will save MUCH more money with the CA and get much more use out of it.

I personally would go the PTW route

I live on the Wet Coast and have played in rain and all sorts of crap with no issues ever... same goes for the other 3 guys running them

The price is the only thing that bites... as far as replacment parts go yes there expensive but how often do you have to replace them? I charge my batteries plug them in and go and never worry about anything... Only thing that needs to be done is the Tack/Mcguyver motor mod and the hopup mod is very very worth while. Oh... and the occasional cylinder rebuild ($15 cylinder rebuild kit) every 10k rounds or more

No matter how much you dump into an AEG its still an AEG... CA is really high quality but still doesnt compare to the Systema in my opinion

There are only two reason that I bought my PTW. First, I want to know how it feels when holding 2K gun ? Second, I want to see the performing of the gun and compare to my other guns. You may not believe but I sold my PTW 2 days after I got it and get Real Sword Type 56 and ICS M4. The feel of PTW is great and the performing is not that bad but only one reason is that I can't justif spending 2K for a gun which just a regular gun cost around 500 to 600 $ can perform the same.

I would say go to CA M16A3 route and get the system revolution drop in mechbox. Save a lots buck though.

stick with the CA

If you can't afford to keep your current gun and mags plus buy the new PTW, keep the CA.

If you end up putting a Revo box in it, you won't be buying off the shelf AEG components if something gives. Plus, you are still going to be facing down the usual compataibility/tolerance issues that have always plagued AEGs and upgrades.

It will cost you the same when you are done anyways. The PTW will perform better, but will not be as easy to get and any mods you want done will result in you sending the barrel assembly and motor to the UK.

Buy what you like.

PTW, it doesn't even compare to CA.

PTW gets my vote.

ptw ability to swap fps quickly . only downside is the trades but g&p make replacement bodies.

Everyone I know who has a PTW seems to be happy with it, but then again, they'd better be at that price!
Does the PTW actually justify its price?

Extremely expensive to maintain if something gives. We're talking the price of BNIB GBB pistols here.

PTW was the worst route I've ever gone down.... 2.1k of sweet fuck all. AND, I can't sell it..

Well, pretty mixed opinions here. I have to say, getting a Revo box into the CA will destroy the big advantage that the CA had over the PTW, i.e. parts avaliability & low cost, since it'll basically use PTW parts & circuitry, less the advantage of quick swap cylinders (but I didn't plan to swap FPS that often since it'll mostly be an outdoor gun).


Also, someone mentionned the Tackleberry Mod and the Motor Mod, what are they exactly, and are they only for the M16/M4 PTW series? Or will a TW5 will require it a well (got one on the way).

a few youtube videos comparing the ptw and the revo. ptw owners say it's very close to a ptw feel. Plus you already HAVE the ca. If you had to buy a ca AND a revo drop in, i'd go with ptw. Besides revolution replacement parts at redwolf are far cheaper than a ptw...anything. Go with the drop-in about 1500 bucks cheaper.

And how exactly is this a bad point? Quite honestly, I'd choose my mildly upgraded CA over any PTW I've ever laid hands on. It's seen range time side by side with a few PTWs and without exception has outranged and outperformed them. Yeah, its ability to swap cylinders is awesome, and the bolt stop feature to stop dry-firing is brilliant and realistic. But otherwise, I'll stick with my good old CA. 50 000+ rounds and still going strong on mostly stock internals.

I'm not saying that the CA is a bad gun, I've owned a couple through the years (couple MP5s mostly) and still own one (the M16A3). However, having the CA, even fully decked with Systema internals won't give the "bragging rights" that a PTW owner usually has ;)

But the bottom line seems that the CA way is cheaper and probably going to end up beign more reliable than the PTW. Thanks

A PTW is great when it works. No traditional-AEG mechanics will match it. (you've got to gear an AEG up really fast to get that kind of trigger response...then FA is way too fast...durability/reliability goes down the pooper...etc...)

When a PTW goes down...they're actually very, very easy to fix. But expensive. That's the real Achilles Heel of the PTW...it's reliance on its electronics and the price of the replacements.

There's not a whole lot can be done when you're slinging the same weight sub-6mm plastic BB from either an AEG or a PTW at the same velocities. The way the hopup is applied on a PTW is innovative...and I think if it's working right it's more consistent.......but a nicely dialed in AEG is probably be as good (and/or for all intents and purposes for the typical ranges/distances in a game the same).

From what I've seen/handled of a Revolution mechbox...the trigger performance is great. Again, when it works. Parts are pricey and I've heard of too many horror stories getting them to be reliable (time+$$$) to dive into one myself.

So ithe Revo costs as much as a nice AEG...it's parts are expensive and not really easily available (i.e. got to order everything in)...and even then it's not necessarily a "drop-in" fit. You will get the performance of a PTW...but not the other features (i.e. quick FPS swap, ease of working on the mechbox, stop on empty, etc...). Not a winning combo.

There's some great deals on for PTW's...still a lot more than a clone setup but getting close to a nicely done up traditional AEG.

Best of luck.

Tys

Have the bragging right of having an AEG that work even when humid/wet.
I was impressed by the PTW feeling and responsiveness, but IMO, it's not enough to completely dump the curent stuff you have plus the money.

And since you are more than able to take care of your own AEG, having a CA won't be a problem, since it's not too expensive to repair.

I have a CA M15A4 with the M110 Revolution gearbox. The Revolution comes with a motor, by the way, and if you were looking at a TW5, the Revolution gearbox is essentially the same.

You will definitely need a Systema metal hopup chamber, so that is a small additional expense. I only run my MAGPUL 120 round mags through it, so I don't know how it feeds with hicaps, but I am told it does not feed them well.

Semi auto is very fast, which is one reason I went with the Revolution. The other is weight, as I wanted a lighter M4 than the PTW.

Nice thing about the Revolution is that they are warrantied, and Zshot is very helpful when you need assistance (in the US anyways.)

There is no Systema warranty in Canada, however Wallace at Z-Shot has extended me courtesies in that regard that he really didn't need to.

PTW is nice but as a previous PTW owner (total of 4 PTW in less than 6 months)I would rather have a nice dialed in AEG (like my King Arms) over a PTW any day, at least they shoot with out an issue.

As for CA well the last CA aeg I owned ended up in a million pieces at Wasaga, they might have gotten better over the years but that sour taste they gave me back in 99 still lingers, but I do still own one of the 1st production run G3 bodies, they are by far the best metal bodies I ever owned.

*edit* yes Wallace did extend me the courtesy of Systema warranty but i think he avoids my call as soon as my number pops up in his cell