AEG Recommendations For A Newb

[steve_slugga]

Hello

Im just wondering what are some good noob friendly AEGs for someone just entering the airsoft world? I wont be able to buy for a little while, but i figured id ask now just so i can research & read reviews, id like preferrably one that wouldnt need much maintenance/and or known for reliability, also, no clear ones please i like the replicas, as for price probably no more than $500, help is appreciated

[Skladfin]

http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=58784

[steve_slugga]

thanks, i read that a few days ago, it was nicely written, i was just looking for a little list of specific AEGs from peoples personal experience though

[KNIVEZS]

TM m14's are rock solid probably the most reliable gun i have. but its not for every one, its long and heavy

[Kuro_Neko]

If you could state how much you're willing to spend on the various parts of kit we would be able to advise you better. Is $500 is your total for everything or just the gun?

Manufacturer is generally more important then the style. Generally all airsoft aeg's work the same so how it looks like outside is up to you. Though the advice in the Airsoft Newbie Buying Guide about styles is good. Generally ak47, m16/m4 or mp5 are good starter gun styles due to the availability of accessories and upgrades.

For $200, the best you could manage is Aftermath stuff. Both the Broxa (full stock MP5) and the Kraken (AK47) are decent bargain basement guns, about $160 or so each. Stay away from Aftermath's Kirenex or Knight (both M4 variants) and the Lycaon (collapsible stock MP5) though, not a good rep.

If you're willing to go up to $300 you could get a JG. Yeah JG's are China clones but they're getting quite respectable nowadays. JG's M4 runs about $290. You could even get one of the G&G cansoft (clear receiver) M4's for about $340. G&G is the cheapest of the midgrade guns. $400-$450 would get you an ICS which is a higher end midgrade gun. $450-$550 would get you a G&P, there's some debate on whether this is the highest of the midgrade guns or the lowest of the higrade guns. Either way they make very nice guns.

If you can afford it highgrade guns such as Tokyo Marui or Classic Army are the way to go. They're going to run you $600-$700. Though if the M4/M16 style is what you want then I'd recommend staying away from stock TM's, the barrel wobble and creaking are pretty bad on the stock TM M4/M16's.

I did extensive research and settled on the Tactical Carbine version of the Classic Army M15A4 as my first gun. If an Armalite is what you're looking for then I think it's the best of all possible versions. You have the shortened M4 carbine barrel, which makes you less likely to smack your barrel off something when turning quickly, combined with the full stock which houses a large battery. Small batteries don't have near the run time of a large battery, not to mention that the reinforced slip ring (the ring that keeps the fore-grip on) is really stong. While this is mostly a good thing and a big step up over CA's previous M15 versions, it makes changing small batteries in the field very difficult if not impossible.

CA's M15A4 series in general is a big step up over their previous versions and as far as stock armalites go they're probably the best. All metal where the real steel version is, the plastic parts where the real steal version is plastic are made of good quality. Classic Army has a deal with Armalite so you get all the proper markings. Plus that deal also goes to show the quality of the manufacture, Armalite wouldn't put their name on a shoddy product.

Internally the gearbox is reinforced metal and all the gears are metal as well. It fires hotter stock then Tokyo Marui's as well, firing at 300-320 fps where your average TM only fires 280-300 fps.

All in all this is a great starter gun if you can afford it. Because it's all metal you don't have to worry nearly as much about breaking it and you won't get any of the wobble or creaking that is infamous in stock TM M4/M16's. Unfortunately affording it is the biggest problem, they're not cheap. For reference I got my CA M15A4 from the classifieds, upgraded with a bunch of Systema internals to fire 390fps, for $600 shipped which was a great price.

One of the perks of going with an M16/M4 variant is that mags are dead easy to come by and dirt cheap. You can get Star brand mags for like $5 a mag or less, plastic yeah but sturdy none the less (Star is also the only brand that makes realcaps too). Metal mags will run you a fair bit more, $15 to $30 a mag. There's no real reason to go with metal over plastic for mags except looks/realism. Though of course if you're going to go hicap then you might as well get metal ones. As to Brands, TM and CA make good mags. I've heard pretty good stuff about MAG brand mags as well. King Arms not so much, especially for M4/M16 mags. Star is always a good affordable fallback too.

Some people say you need to shell out for batteries, mags, camo, chargers and ammo in the begining. Most of that isn't necessary right off the hop. The stock battery will do you for awhile. Most of the guns come with a hicap (high capacity (300-600 rounds)) mag that will also do for awhile. I do agree that a good charger would be a sound initial investment, but not a total requirement, especially if you plan to get a good battery down the road and don't care if the cheap wall charger fries your stock battery. Camo isn't really required in the beginning either, just some dark clothes. Ammo, yeah obviously a requirement but even good ammo (BB Bastard) only costs $10 for two thousand rounds.

So truely, all you really need to start is the gun and a bag or two of ammo. That said, if you can afford it then it all helps. Camo would cost about $100, a chest rig or vest would cost another $100. A good loadout of mags, even the cheap Star mags, are going to cost at least $50. A good charger is at least another $50, with another $50 for a good battery. A sidearm is another thing that people like to have but isn't really necessary. A decent sidearm would cost you between $250 and $350.

Hope this helps you. If you have any other questions I'd be happy to pass on my (admittedly limited) experience. Feel free to PM me.

Kuro_Neko

[steve_slugga]

Originally Posted by KNIVEZS

TM m14's are rock solid probably the most reliable gun i have. but its not for every one, its long and heavy

i was actually looking at M14s, i love the look of this gun, thanks

[kalnaren]

For your price range, pretty much anything JG is a good choice. They're fairly reliable, sturdy, and $500 will get you a gun, some mags, a spare battery, and a good charger.

[steve_slugga]

Hey thanks Kuro_Neko, very thorough, i appreciate it, i would probably be only able to spend 500 for a gun+whatever i need to just get out & play, i dont plan on major modification or extras, eventually i will go all out & get a G36C which is my favourite weapon & than i will soup it up

[steve_slugga]

Originally Posted by kalnaren

For your price range, pretty much anything JG is a good choice. They're fairly reliable, sturdy, and $500 will get you a gun, some mags, a spare battery, and a good charger.

thanks, i hear great things about JG from what ive read so far, im looking at the JG MP5j, looks like a great affordable option

[FlyingCats]

You know, JG(Jing Gong) Has a G36c. Pretty nice too my friend.
http://buyairsoft.ca/catalog/product...roducts_id=209

That is a nice M4A1, but I cannot find you a G36c on a Canadian site.

Sorry

[kalnaren]

Originally Posted by FlyingCats

You know, JG(Jing Gong) Has a G36c. Pretty nice too my friend.
http://buyairsoft.ca/catalog/product...roducts_id=209

That is a nice M4A1, but I cannot find you a G36c on a Canadian site.

Sorry

JG36Cs are available here on the ASC Classifieds. However in order to access them you must be age verified, which means meeting with one of the AV reps and showing them ID proving you are 18 years of age or older. More info: http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=49408

[steve_slugga]

Originally Posted by FlyingCats

You know, JG(Jing Gong) Has a G36c. Pretty nice too my friend.
http://buyairsoft.ca/catalog/product...roducts_id=209

That is a nice M4A1, but I cannot find you a G36c on a Canadian site.

Sorry

Hey thanks man, the M4A1 looks really solid, im not big on the clear part of it though, but i guess you get what you pay for right

[kalnaren]

Originally Posted by steve_slugga

Hey thanks man, the M4A1 looks really solid, im not big on the clear part of it though, but i guess you get what you pay for right

Your AV'd, skip the clear and get a full black gun in the classifieds.

[incrediboy729]

Sorry this is so short but i'm a little busy right now. But anyhoo CA or JG (in that order) are very good.