F/M M1911A1... KJ vs WE vs KWA vs Bell vs CA vs Upgraded Marui/KSC/WA

[Kid]

I would like to hear about the other options before I open my wallet for an upgraded Marui...

What I'm most interested in is the finish - both how good it looks when it is new, and how good its going to look when it gets worn down a bit. Paint chips would be terrible.

Trades are also pretty important - but a blank slide is acceptable if it'll cost me $150+ less.

Realistic function is also important. Gaming performance is least important.

Real steel grip compatibility would be a plus.

So...

KJ
- Marui compatible
- Larger magazine capacity
- ??? finish
- no trades on current versions

KWA
- better performance / stronger kick than WE
- not Marui compatible
- cocking the hammer, without racking the slide, will result in firing (WE does not suffer from this - unsure of others)
- ??? finish
- no trades

Bell
- Engraved trades
- Marui compatible (?)
- Easily scratched finish (?) and silver mag

Classic Army
- ??? finish
- Partially or fully Marui compatible

Upgraded Marui/KSC/WA
- Full trades
- Upgraded slides are limited to aluminum at best
- ??? How do the upgraded slides wear? (especially the cheaper ones like Guarder... would like to keep the total price within $400 at most)



Too many choices...

[juicy]

Way too general... What upgrades are you talking about in the TM's, WA's and KSC's?

From what I've read, Bell M1911's are super shitty, but super cheap - you get what you pay for. Also, I've never even heard of Classic Army making a M1911...?

[Kid]

Yeah, I know. I was pretty shocked when I found out CA made a 1911.

Neither it nor Bell are really on my potential list of options... I just included them because I had done some reading about them. Bell doesn't measure up in the quality of finish and CA has the same problems as any first generation CA gun - questionable internals. (although I can't confirm that - there really isn't much info)

http://fraginternational.com/2008/06...w-back-pistol/

As for what upgrades - just a metal replacement slide/frame/barrel. Don't know what brand - probably not Guarder.

I'd like to avoid that option, though, as it is excessively costly.

My primary options are KJ, WE, and KWA - possibly CA, but there's not much info on that and I'm sure the availability is pretty slim.

[Kid]

Insanely cheap - that's like $50 CAD.

[juicy]

In terms of stock performance, TM is your best bet. Also, in terms of upgraded performance, TM still wins.

Depending on how many upgrades you are willing to perform, KJW or WE might make good base guns for projects (just for the hell of making something custom). However, by going China-clone, you may have some serious fitment issues. Note that clones tend to be built to looser specs, and thus accuracy may be compromised due to just poor mechanical fitment.

I personally choose clone because I enjoy cheaper full metal guns that need plenty of work. When I buy my clone pistols, I fully am aware that I may have to dump an equal or greater amount of money in parts and magazines just to get it performing ON PAR with a stock TM.

[Kid]

Haha... looks like I already knew about this.

http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showpos...40&postcount=5

March 19th, 2007, 19:54

Originally Posted by Kid

I dropped my drink when I saw the metal Colt.

...even though the glass was empty, I have never done that before.

I just hope it's a M1911A1...

And it was.

[juicy]

Originally Posted by Kid

Insanely cheap - that's like $50 CAD.

Wait. You know you can't import ANY guns, right? Even companies that say they can get guns in for you... they very likely can't.

[Kid]

Well, I'm not really worried about performance - this isn't meant to be a gaming gun for me - that's what AEGs are for. This is just one of those guns I've always wanted to own.

So, I'm not really looking to do a bunch of upgrades - I basically just want to get one that looks good and shoots. I don't plan to do any internal upgrades.

[Kid]

Originally Posted by juicy

Wait. You know you can't import ANY guns, right? Even companies that say they can get guns in for you... they very likely can't.

Originally Posted by Kid

I'm sure the availability is pretty slim.

Yep... I've been around for five years, I know the drill.

[juicy]

Originally Posted by Kid

Well, I'm not really worried about performance - this isn't meant to be a gaming gun for me - that's what AEGs are for. This is just one of those guns I've always wanted to own.

So, I'm not really looking to do a bunch of upgrades - I basically just want to get one that looks good and shoots. I don't plan to do any internal upgrades.

Oh for looks? Hmmmm, WA - from everything that I've read/heard, that might be a great way to go. Plus, the more recent WA heavyweight material feels cold to the touch like metal, even though it's just plastic - very cool!

(KSC is aite in terms of plain looks too - though, I'm talking about Glock's here... I'm not sure about the M1911A1)

[juicy]

Originally Posted by Kid

Yep... I've been around for five years, I know the drill.

Thought so. You probably know it way better than I do, hahaha. Just wanted to make sure

[Kid]

Originally Posted by juicy

Oh for looks? Hmmmm, WA - from everything that I've read/heard, that might be a great way to go. Plus, the more recent WA heavyweight material feels cold to the touch like metal, even though it's just plastic - very cool!

(KSC is aite in terms of plain looks too - though, I'm talking about Glock's here... I'm not sure about the M1911A1)

Yeah I know... WA is nice, so is KSC, so is TM - but none of them are metal and that's what I'm looking for. So, I'm either going to go a clone route or I'll have to upgrade one of those three to a metal frame, slide, and barrel - which is costly for a M1911A1.

[juicy]

Oh, just read your first post again. As to finish wear, plastic guns won't wear like a metal gun will wear. I.e. you won't get paint wearing off. From my experience with early-generation Socom Gear (rebranded WE with full trades), the paint is clearly paint, and tends to wear extremely quickly. They do look good when brand new though...

Can't say on KJW's M1911A1, from personal experience. I've run a KJW Hi-Capa on a field a few times now, with an open ended holster, and the wear is starting to show.

As to KWA, you hit the nail on the head with "no trades".

Asides from that, I can't think of anything else to say, lol. Hold on, gonna send a quick reply to your new post.

[juicy]

Originally Posted by Kid

Yeah I know... WA is nice, so is KSC, so is TM - but none of them are metal and that's what I'm looking for. So, I'm either going to go a clone route or I'll have to upgrade one of those three to a metal frame, slide, and barrel - which is costly for a M1911A1.

Yup, you got that right. A metal kit will likely look the best out of all your options. That, and it will perform great. I honestly can't think of any drawbacks to that, minus the price.

[Kid]

Yeah... I know, which is why I wanted to discuss the cheaper options (KJ, WE, KWA) first. I realize that the best (and most expensive) option is to get a TM/KSC and then empty my wallet into it - but I'd like to avoid doing that, if possible.

Tercel is another brand that I forgot about. Seems to be in the same league as Bell though.

BTW, when I mention trades - I prefer not to have laser engraved trades. I really don't understand the appeal - kind of takes away from the accuracy of the reproduction - no offense to those who own them.

edit: I've actually been leaning towards the WE because I like the finish, the consistency in the finish, and the reviews are pretty good. KWA seems to have an upper hand in performance, but WE has more realistic function (see note above) and the finish is more consistent.