GBB vs. Spring ?

[A Lime]

Hi all, I'm extremely new to the sport. So new infact that I've yet to perchase my first Airsoft.

Before everyone goes off on me, I've already used the search and read SIMILAR posts, I'm just trying to get as many opinions and as much information as possible.

I have been searching for days and so far i've broke it down to two different models (open for suggestions),

1. KJW GBB M4a1 Rifle https://www.buyairsoft.ca/rifles/gas...ack-rifle.html

2. Any L96A1 or M24 Replica Spring sniper rifle (I've not yet found a model I feel is perfect)

I am looking for as much realism as possible, thus my choice with the GBB and Spring.

My questions are as follows,

1. What am I better off with?
2. Witch will allow me to play the most fields and scenarios
3. If i should ABSOLUTELY go AEG... why?
5. Any tips you can give to a starting player you feel I may have not heard.


Thank you for taking the time to read and possbily answer my post,

Anthony

[pusangani]

any thread where the OP has indicated that they wanted to start with a sniper rifle has ended with 1 of 2 outcomes:

1. Ridicule
2. More experienced players explaining that it's unwise to start with a sniper rifle

it's up to you where you want to go with this.

GBBR as a first rifle has become a popular noob thread as well

[Blitzed]

Three words?

Get An AEG.

You're going to here this so much..
and as pusangani stated, those two lines are the most common replies to this.

[A Lime]

Alright, so.

Instead of ridicule,

Explain why AEG is better than GBB with terms I'll understand as a noob if you don't mind.

The reason I like the idea of GBB is because of the 30 round cap (without the need for realcaps) also the blowback feature adds that extra edge.

I am really against AEG just because of the complexity.. I am very familiar with Gas operated weapons (being experienced in paintball) and am much more knowledgeable on the subject.

Keep in mind im trying to go for as much 'milsim' and realism possible.

thanks,

Anthony

[ShelledPants]

I'm all for buying the GBBR to be honest. But I wouldn't recommend the KJW, it's more expensive than the WE M4... and the WE M4 is externally the same as a real steel M4...

Once you know the ins and outs of GBBR usage... they are about as real as you can get in Airsoft. They get expensive very face, at ~$50 per magazine, if you want to be sustainable in battle, you need a minimum of 4 magazines, at preferably 10.

They are cheap to maintain as you can rebuild the inside of a WE M4 for about $200 with upgraded parts, and propane is the only expendable other than BBs.

AEGs, well, I just don't like the sewing machine sound any more. The kick from a GBBR is a nice addition as well.

Sure, AEGs fair better in cold weather. They are cheaper to buy accessories for, and have tonnes of upgrade parts... but they are also finicky, far more expensive to repair (if you hire a gun doc) and if they go down in the field, there is nothing you can do until you have a nice clean table to work on them...

[Geoffrey B.]

Well an AEG is not that complicated once you understand it ( I am no expert btw.) .Now a gas blow back rifle as far as I know has more moving parts which means more possibility of something breaking. For a beginner's gun an AEG if defiantly the way too go. If you still want realism there are blow back AEG's but I have not heard much about them personally.

Anyway good luck with your first purchase =) I would suggest 007airsoft as Ken is a great guy to deal with and will look after you . So is Frank at velocity arms too. Both great retailer's.

[A Lime]

Something else I'd like to add,

My friends and I will be playing together on property we own, there is no electricity near by. So I would have to pre-charge a lot of batteries.

Thats another reason I felt that for now, Gas seems to be the more reasonable option.

In terms of relatiability... Do GGB's have issues that anyone knows of?

[Geoffrey B.]

Besides not working very well in cold weather and the occasional magazine leak (If you dont look after the mag's). But if you get a higher mAh battery it will last a long time. Also I run a 9.6v 1500mAh and it last me over 1600 shots which is plenty. Also I know alot of people that play with just batteries and they have no troubles. Really its a choice of opinion GBBR's seem new in Canada (1 year).

[kalnaren]

Originally Posted by A Lime

Something else I'd like to add,

My friends and I will be playing together on property we own, there is no electricity near by. So I would have to pre-charge a lot of batteries.

Thats another reason I felt that for now, Gas seems to be the more reasonable option.

In terms of relatiability... Do GGB's have issues that anyone knows of?

99% of airsoft venues have no electricity. Most people charge batteries the night before, and just bring 2 or 3 of them.

A GBB and a GBBR are not the same thing. A GBB (gas blow back) is a pistol, a GBBR (gas blow back rifle) is a rifle. And yes, a GBB/GBBR is generally more of a chore to maintain than an AEG. It's not hard per se, but you can leave an AEG as is for years if you really want to. Can't do that with a GBB/GBBR.

[A Lime]

Alright,

Well I believe I've made my decision.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to answer my "noobish" questions. It's very much apreciated.

I look forward to seeing many of you in games as I plan on traveling and playing around Canada.

Take care,

Anthony

[pusangani]

hehhee the 'ole private property bit

AEG is alot simpler, most people charge their batts the day/night before a game anyway and you can always carry extra batts as spares.

GBBR's are alot more expensive to get them to perform consistently and depending on field fps limits, you may need to adjust it down a bit.

[pancakedestroyer]

GBBR = less moving parts than an AEG
The break down of a gas rifle is simple but it is proper maintenance that requires the diligence.
A great working AEG will last you ages, you only have to worry about buying rounds and charging your battery. They are more reliable in colder weather and the preferred item of choice for people starting out, its also cheaper in the long run.

A gbbr requires regular cleaning to make sure everything is functioning properly. It does have the realism factor behind it but when you start to factor in propane/green gas, upgrades and after market parts, rounds, magazines that hold roughly 30-40 rounds as opposed to mags that can hold 60+. Magazines alone can run from $40 - $90 depending on brand and quality, AEG mags are far cheaper $10 and up depending on quality, brand, ect.

I have a gbbr scar, I love it but I highly suggest looking at some of the AEGs out there. I won't even comment on spring guns because most people will reiterate that you shouldn't be looking at a spring gun (l96,ect) until you get some experience behind you with an AEG.

You can get some amazing AEGs from the classifieds fully upgraded for less than what you're going go spend on a gas rifle but if you are set on a gas rifle I'd say go for it, I don't suggest the KJW, now that WE tech has m4s on the Canadian market it is a more cost effective platform to use and there are a variety of upgrades already available for both the internal and external of the gun.

[CDN_Stalker]

Agreed, a GBBR has less moving parts (and less parts that can break/go TU on you) than an AEG. This is from my having zero experience with GBBRs, but LOTS of experience with gas guns. Lots less to screw up on you.

[Shooting Addict]

Originally Posted by Geoffrey B.

Now a gas blow back rifle as far as I know has more moving parts which means more possibility of something breaking.

No...No it doesn't, a GBB/R that is built of quality parts will break a lot less and be cheaper to fix then an AEG.

[A Lime]

Maintenance and cleaning isn't an issue.. I find that part of it fun. Can't go into battle with a dirty gun, Paintball taught me that.

I'm not too woried about the price as I was looking to spend around $1000 for the rifle itself, if the rifle is $600 I dont mind spending another 200-300 on huge ammounts of mags, however I only plan on carrying about 5-6.

I'm not a heavy shooter, I've tried very hard to discipline myself to only shoot what I know I can hit, instead of accuracy by volume.

I think I'm going to go with the GBBR, it seems to cator much more to my liking, if I absolutely hate it, picking up an AEG won't be hard.

I feel asthough the GBBR will satisfy my want for realism more-so than an AEG and its on that basis that i'm making my decision.

Thank you all again for your time and wisdom,

Anthony