Systema Questions and Feadback Please

[jumpin]

I am interested in getting the most realistic AEG, and having always been partial to the M-16 Carbine I am pretty sure I will go the Systema M4A1 route. From what I can tell these are the absolute highest quality albeit pricey, with arguably the G&P versions coming in second.

I have done a TON of reading the posts here and elsewhere, as well Googling and I have the following questions regarding the Systema M4A1:

1) A review I read indicated a 6.1mm inner barrel with resulting poor accuracy and no barrel upgrade possible. Yet I read in a thread here, that they all ship with a 6.04mm tightbore barrel. Is one newer? From those who have this weapon- what can I expect for accuracy etc?

2) I am thinking of special ordering the Challenge kit through a Canadian retailer (which lists on US websites for ~$600 LESS than the fully assembled ones). I am mechanically inclined and like "building things". Does anybody have any experience building this kit in particular?

3) I have noticed different battery requirements for different Systema models. I assume these are for different cylinders with corresponding different power? Any recommendations here?

Thanks (and please be gentle with me) !

[Greylocks]

In the Airsoft Guns discussion part of the forums, there's an entire thread about what is the best/toughest AEG.
I strongly suggest you read that. It's full of really neat information.

The Systema guns are horribly expensive. I doubt you need to modify one for realism.
Their relative rarity may cause you issue if you want work done on them, or extra parts.

[mcguyver]

The different battery voltages are for different cylinders. 7.2v for M90, 9.6v for M130 and 12v for M150. I have the M90 in my M16A3 and the rate of fire is quite good. The accuracy is as good as any other AEG I've used.

[jumpin]

Originally Posted by Greylocks

In the Airsoft Guns discussion part of the forums, there's an entire thread about what is the best/toughest AEG.
I strongly suggest you read that. It's full of really neat information.

The Systema guns are horribly expensive. I doubt you need to modify one for realism.
Their relative rarity may cause you issue if you want work done on them, or extra parts.

Thanks, but I really wasn't asking "what gun is the best", nor was I really thinking of modding the Systema. In doing my research, I read the thread you referred to and, in fact, the information I referenced, and linked to, on the inner barrel diameter was from that thread (post #29 from mcguyver)
Sighhh... I know it's horribly expensive, which is why I was interested in anyone's experience with the cheaper kit.

I am absolutely not trying to flame or write a negative post (I'm clearly the noob here) - just trying to point out that I DID do the requisite reading and research before I posted. :-D

[mcguyver]

As probably the ONLY guy on ASC to have any knowledge of the internal workings of the PTW, you can pm me if you like and I'll try to answer your questions.

And btw, if you get the chance to hold or use the PTW, you understand instantly why it costs as much as it does and why it is, without a doubt, the best engineered and built AEG on the planet.

I've torn apart pretty much every make of gun out there and the quality and expense put into the Systema are worth every penny.

I would only sell my M16A3 in order to purchase their M4.

[jumpin]

So there is nothing negative about this gun other than the price? (As if I needed more convincing) Tell me something to ground my expectations! I read in a review (trying to find it now) that there were somewhat frequent 2 BB misloads on a tested unit. Any experiences like that?

From what you know about the guts of the gun- would you build a kit to save some $ or buy a pre-assembled unit (I think only available for the M4A1).

[mcguyver]

I would buy pre-assembled no doubt. If you've worked on an AEG before, you could do it, but there is very little about these guns that resemble a Marui AEG that you could quickly find yourself scratching your head.

The tutorial on Systema's site is a definite help, but I could see that a part could become damaged during installation and you won't find the replacement right at hand.

Unless the price difference is huge (like half), I'd go with the pre-built. At least you know that it was done right and tested before you get it.

BB misloads are common on any AEG and are frequently caused by dry or over-engaged hop-up. The hop-up on the Sytema needs to be lubed as does any other. Systema recommends after every 300 rounds, but more likely that's a typo. 3000 is most likely the right number and Marui calls for every 10,000 as an example.

Buy the Systema if you want. I have no objections, obviously. But to make the gun truly a universal weapon, invest in the cylinder kits as well. The gun was designed for 500 FPS, or 300 FPS if you have to.

The only thing I would upgrade would be to change the 15 amp rated Tamiya (or 10 amp Kyosho I think on the M4) to a 30 amp Dean's connector. It's a superior connection and all AEG's should use it, but few do.

If you have yet to see a Systema, check with Dave's Surplus in New West. They had one when I was in there 2 months ago and they still may have it.

[PTE. Pyle]

i belive it is gone i was just in there today poking around and i dint see it anywhere. enless they hid it away verry good. but my god is that a sweet peice of steel. wow