A Beginner's First Post; Advice?

[Czek]

Originally Posted by Krooger

I recently bought g&g m4 commando MAX and so far it's really great. It is almost exactly like the regular version so i assume the front sight is the same. I want to remove it to but it isn't made to be easily removed. I haven't looked to close and i don't have it with me right now but it appears as if you can knock out a few pins and it can come off. I'll take a closer look when I get home.

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You have the MAX version? I've heard the FPS is too high to be allowed in lots of fields. Does it come with a downgrade spring to put it lower than 450 or whatever it's at?

[Krooger]

Yup the fps is too high for any field I have heard of. It does come with a downgrade spring but will void your 30 day warenty so I'm waiting on that. I'll try to add some pics of gun spring and front sight. Never done it from my phone hope it works.

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[Czek]

That MAX looks actually really good. I'm pumped to get a decent G&G then in a year, maybe less, (if I like airsoft) move up to a G&G MAX or something like it. If my girlfriend's birthday wasn't a week before my paycheque-after-next, I'd be getting this gun right away. Looks like I'll probably have a gun within a month. Hopefully earlier, though. Maybe I'll just buy her some really expensive shoes

[MaciekA]

Originally Posted by Czek

That MAX looks actually really good. I'm pumped to get a decent G&G then in a year, maybe less, (if I like airsoft) move up to a G&G MAX or something like it. If my girlfriend's birthday wasn't a week before my paycheque-after-next, I'd be getting this gun right away. Looks like I'll probably have a gun within a month. Hopefully earlier, though. Maybe I'll just buy her some really expensive shoes

A more likely route is that you'll just upgrade and improve your first G&G to beyond what the MAX could ever be. It's really easy to do with relatively inexpensive upgrade parts and the people here can help you along.

[L473ncy]

Originally Posted by Czek

That MAX looks actually really good. I'm pumped to get a decent G&G then in a year, maybe less, (if I like airsoft) move up to a G&G MAX or something like it. If my girlfriend's birthday wasn't a week before my paycheque-after-next, I'd be getting this gun right away. Looks like I'll probably have a gun within a month. Hopefully earlier, though. Maybe I'll just buy her some really expensive shoes

If you have time then wait to get AV, bigger selection of guns and bigger selection of prices (cheap fixers from say $100, to slightly used guns, to slightly used with upgrades, up to upgraded to the tits sniper rifles for $1500 or SystemA PTW's with real steel stuff for $3K). If you're competent (NB: most people aren't, and if you need to ask about simple mechanical system things then you probably aren't) you could start off with a fixer and fix it, or even have a bigger selection than the standard G&G, and whatever other companies that are common place. Not to say that G&G isn't good (IMO it's a great starter and mid end gun) but instead of just looking at Ford's and GM's once your AV goes through you can look at other brands like Chevy, Toyota, VW, Peugeot, etc.

As for the Hardcorps field, they host wheltfest and their website if you haven't found it is: http://www.hardcorps.ca/ Not sure about admins or local club leaders but ask around and I'm sure you'll get the help you need. I didn't go to wheltfest this year sadly but from what everyone else tells me it's fun and it's a fun group to play with.

[Czek]

Is it possible to buy aftermarket full-metal receivers? Bottom and/or top-and-bottom? Because you guys gave me the idea of rather than buying a cheaper gun and selling it to get a full metal one once I get really into airsoft, I had the idea of throwing a full metal receiver on one. Also, is the buffer tube on G&G M4's plastic or metal? (If anybody knows. I can't seem to find a confirmation anywhere I look.)

[SuperCriollo]

It would end up costing you more than buying a full metal gun. Seriously, wait until you are AV'd firts. You can get a brand new Full metal King arms M4 for as little as 350 bucks !!!

Just be patient.

[Jsquared]

Hey Czek, I just got into airsoft in September and I love it. Here are a few little things that I kind of picked up along my learning path.

1. Do NOT buy the first gun you like! It may be expensive. These fourms are a great way to find great guns at lower prices! I have already picked up a few off the guys here for prices well below any other price you will find!

2. New is not always better! Sure its nice to have a brand new gun but its going to cost more. Look into getting a lightly used, well maintained gun, it will perform the same just cost a few hundred less.

3. PLAN A BUDGET. I though i had this one set, the plan was to spend $800 to get a gun a few accessories and some gear, since that budget was set i have near doubled it >.< Make a budget and stick to it.

4. Ask questions! everyone I have met both in games and at stores have been amazing about fielding my questions and giving me tips and pointers. If there is every anything you don't understand, dont hmmm and hawww about it ask, someone will usually be more than willing to help you out!

I hope these points help you out. and lastly BRING WATER TO GAMES. staying hydrated is important! I think it has kinda been lapsed as a must do for games, sometimes a snack is a good idea as well.

Cheers I hope all goes well
-Jsquared

[Czek]

Thanks for the wise advice, guys. I hope to get AV'd soon. Probably within a couple weeks or so, when the verifier is back home.

[Kozzie]

Welcome to airsoft. My advice would be go out to a game before you buy a gun. Meet the crowd ask some questions, spectate some games. Perhaps see if someone has a rental for you (post looking for rental in the game thread). You may see a gun there that much better suits the field or the way you want to play. And get AV'd first, generally you'll find better prices here than out there, hate to say it but be patient.

G&G doesn't make a bad gun but I would highly recommend you stay away from G&G Top Tech because they have that very unsatisfying half-baked proprietary blow back system. If you want a great starter M4 that can grow with you (instead of having to buy another one later), look into the King Arms M4's. The King Arms M4 is an extremely good value for the money; high quality full metal externals, realistic trades, and solid "Mauri compatible" (easily upgraded) internals that perform well out of the box.

Don't be overly concerned with gear and clothes right off the hop. I, like most people had a budget when I started and one of my biggest regrets was spending a bunch of that budget on gear before I really needed it. All you need to play is eye protection, a gun w/ battery & charger, a high cap and bb's. No sense in having a bunch of gear just to look the part, don't waste your money on cheap crap only to regret it down the road. You can put together a contractor loadout for incredibly cheap. A pair of cargos, a regular collared shirt or sweater and a $25 chest rig. You never know what team you might want to join down the road, they may run something completely different from what you have and you'll be forced to buy a whole new loadout. Spend as much as you can right now on good quality essentials, your gun, eye protection and some good boots, you won't regret it. Get some quality full seal eye protection that's comfortable to wear and has a thermal lens that won't fog on you. Don't forget about those teeth, a mesh mask will do the trick. Get a good programable smart charger that does nickel, lipo and life batteries, they're not sexy and they're often overlooked but they're important to have. This will give you maximum performance and life span form your batteries and will last you for years to come. Get a nice set of boots: Magnum, Danners, Original Swat etc. your feet and ankles will thank you. When it comes to boots try before you buy, everyone's feet are different. And it sounds like you got the right idea about not getting a cheap gun. ***Far better to spend now on a gun now that will grow with you rather than spend now AND spend later. Cheaper guns and guns with plastic receivers tend not to hold their value and resale is low. In this country you're far better off getting a gun with a good quality metal receiver with your original purchase as they're expensive and hard to find later.***

Oh yeah, and invest in a nice set of rain gear. But living in BC I'm sure you already have some.

***this thread may interest you http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=131547 ***

[Czek]

Great post, Kozzie. I will take your advice into consideration as I have taken everyone else's. My plan with gear was basically have the PMC-style loadout. Just near-plain clothes and a chest rig with maybe three mags on it, an admin pouch, and maybe a pistol holster later on. I'd probably keep a utility pouch on my belt above my butt, so I can keep a water bottle or two in there, whatever other items I will need, but not need urgently. I have been planning and planning for months now, and I simply CANNOT wait to start actually collecting my airsoft setup. I'm really excited, but I'll wait until I'm AV'd and can look into a gun on here. Question, though: Are there any unused guns still in the original box, never opened (for the most part) ever found on the classifieds? I have a strange thing about buying used items, I started getting it last year for some reason, and I just don't have it in me to trust anybody selling used goods. I don't know why!

[MaciekA]

Originally Posted by L473ncy

once your AV goes through you can look at other brands like Chevy, Toyota, VW, Peugeot, etc.

I'm dying to know who the Toyota, VW and Peugeot of Airsoft are

[MaciekA]

Originally Posted by Czek

Question, though: Are there any unused guns still in the original box, never opened (for the most part) ever found on the classifieds? I have a strange thing about buying used items, I started getting it last year for some reason, and I just don't have it in me to trust anybody selling used goods. I don't know why!

Yes, there are tons, however you need to be prepared to get something that claims to be brand new in box (BNIB) but actually has a problem, like say, a piston with stripped teeth.

But don't let this scare you. If this happened to me at the beginning, I'd have been in a crazy panic. If this happened to me now, I'd just grab the spare piston I have lying around and toss her in, there are very few gun issues I'd be afraid of fixing now.

You can check my profile for a good idea of how quickly I got to that level of proficiency.. you can do it too

If you really get into this hobby and stick to strictly Marui-compatible stuff you can go from zero to decently-beginner gun doctor in a matter of a few months... It's really not that hard and with the way this forum is and the mountain of information out there (ASR, ASM, Arnie's, YouTube, etc), it's hard for me to imagine how someone would spend more than 6 months in this hobby and somehow manage to avoid soaking up how to work on gearboxes and guns.

Why do I mention this?

The used gun question. You seem like an inquisitive person who is already asking the right questions and gathers opinions and data right off the bat.. You could probably handle it. Yes, to some, used guns are gonna be scary black boxes of mystery, but to the sufficiently-determined beginner, learning how to re-shim or swap a piston or whatever is an easy project spanning a couple nights of tinkering. I personally consider it the only way to do airsoft, since guns need maintenance no matter what, and maintaining them is so damned fun.

That said, I totally agree with the suggestion to get a King Arms M4, which is probably now the cheapest way ($350 - 360) to get on the high quality tier of airsoft guns and have an awesome platform to grow with you. When you get A/V'd, I could suggest a place to find them in addition to the classifieds.

[L473ncy]

Originally Posted by MaciekA

I'm dying to know who the Toyota, VW and Peugeot of Airsoft are

yಠ_ಠy I was carrying on with the analogy previous to that sentence.

Instead of the typical G&G stuff you can find things like the SystemA PTW, CA, Daytonagun, Escort, Sun Project, Inokatsu, LCT, RS, Marushin, Maruzen, Tanaka, Western Arms, KSC etc. That probably won't mean anything to the OP but that's just some of the brands that can pop up in the classifieds on occasion (less so for "rare" guns like the Marushin or Sun Project).