tm 1911 metal upgrade propane myth?

[MagikMann]

I want to buy a tokyo marui 1911 model an upgrade to the full metal slide and reciever from evike.com because i heard it is better for my gun if im using propane rather than HFC134.

-will it make the gun run on propane better?
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-is there a cheaper way of getting a metal kit?
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-is evike's kits any good?
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-can i put one of thier kits on the tokyo m.e.u they have?
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-is there a problem with using propane in tokyo marui's guns?
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-is there a better 1911 "i've owned a WE/TSD 1911 before" anything else?

[Roughneck]

TM 1911's can handle propane right out of the box, with the plastic slide

[RacingManiac]

you don't need metal kit to run 1911(or MEU) on propane. Propane will give your more power(on blowback and fps), but it'll probably cost you on efficiency. With extra power and such it'll cause more stress on the gun and metal kit will make help in that respect(at even higher cost on efficiency)

FYI, you can't get stuff from Evike if you are in Canada....guns or metal kits....

[MagikMann]

should i concider a different 1911 and sacrifice quality to get a longer life expectancy? or is there a 1911 that is built to handle propane properly and has as reliable quality like tm? i,ve only bought 1 bbp that wasn,t tokyos model please excuse the crudness im on my ps3

[cbcsteve]

Well Evike you cannot get guns there

Yes there may be some success stories you hear from now and then but don't forget how many unsuccessful evike stories there are that those people do not share.

Anyway best to try to hunt for a TM Meu here but the chances are a bit slim as they get grabbed up pretty fast. Even for all of us retailers if we post any TM Gbb its gone in the same day

The TM MEU is really good that you just don't even see it for resale unless the guy fudged on his mortgage or forgot his/her spouses' anniversary

Anyway though I usually do not like suggesting to sacrifice quality you can go for the WE Meu, when I held and shot it, I would have to say its a big BIG LEAP in quality and feel than its previous core guns the Hicapas.

The WE MEU is a great subsitute for your 1911 craving, and when I opened up one and inspected the parts they definitely look better than their previous guns they made. I think WE is getting a little better though of course not to the quality of TM but if you can't find a TM MEU and want one really bad go for the WE MEU, its not a big loss as oppose to going for WE Hicapa over a TM Hicapa (Which is a big no no)

[RacingManiac]

I think if you really want 100% propane ready 1911/2011, you might want to think about the newer KSC/KWA full metal 1911 or 2011s. They can be had with aluminum slide stock(apparently actually machined aluminum and not pot metal). Issue with them is that except inner barrel and high flow valves, and perhaps springs there isn't much you can do to them. And their metal 1911 is only available in tradition GI style, which means difficult to use sight.

Aside from that, I'd stay away from WEs. They tend to be worse on efficiency than TM, and certain parts(such as the recoil spring plug) will fail on them rather quickly....even with the newer "Wilson Combat" or "Socom gear" line of 1911...

[Crunchmeister]

I think you're pretty safe with a TM 1911 running on propane stock. Many people do this and run their guns for years without issue.

Personally, I'm a big fan of metal slides. If you wish to increase the durability of the gun without sacrificing any of its performance, you can get a nice CNC aluminum slide for it. They're quite plentiful and easy to find, and you can import them from abroad without any issue. They will make your gun feel and sound a lot nicer than a stock plastic slide.

As for WE, I'd avoid their 1911 line completely just because of their poor track record and the lack of available spare / replacement parts. While I keep hearing that their new MEU is a lot more durable than their standard 1911, they're still incompatible with any other aftermarket part. If the smallest thing breaks on the gun, it essentially becomes a $200+ paperweight. If their 1911s were compatible with another major brand like TM or WA, then I'd be all for them, as replacement parts would be cheap and plentiful. But that's just not the case. I personally wouldn't touch them, even though they're nice guns that shoot well - until something breaks...

And to add to this last part, I'm in no way a WE basher. I own 2 WE pistols, and love them both. The Luger is a collection piece, so it sees little use, and even if it were to break, it would still do its job of looking good. The Hi Capa gets heavy use for plinking and has been gamed. And if anything breaks, it's 100% TM compatible, so parts are cheap and plentiful. That gun I would recommend. Not the 1911 though, simply because it's been proven to have a high defect rate and no available replacement parts.

[m102404]

I personally don't care for the tiny fixed sights of the 1911...but that's a personal preference.

The stock TM 1911's, as said, fire great on propane...as do many of their other pistols (i.e. G17, 226, M92, 5.1/4.3). You always stand the chance of getting a lemon (they're only toys...) but TM has an excellent track record for a long time.

An enhanced (150%) recoil spring is a simple and expedient "upgrade" that you can do. A stiffer recoil spring will slow the rearward movement of the slide and take the sting out of it slamming back until it's stopped by the frame. It'll also snap forward faster...which is said to provide the opportunity for a faster follow up shot (I'm too slow and can't out-trigger my pistol anyways).

1911/226 metal kits are not all that common because the frames are prohibited items. That means that it's possible/probable/likely that customs will seize your order if it's coming across the Canadian boarder. So...DON'T order one from a foreign country unless you want to risk loosing it and being out of pocket for the money (let alone whatever records they'll keep on you that may never go away...smuggling prohibited items isn't a great resume item).

With perhaps 3 exceptions...EVERYONE I know uses propane in their GBBs, upgraded/stock/whatever. It's too cost effective, accessible and it just plain works compared to "duster". Find Airsoft Innovations' write up as to propane vs. green gas for a great analysis.

Bottom line: WE's are metal but they suck salty balls. TM's are plastic but they work and there's tons of replacement parts around. Which do you prefer?

Best of luck,

Tys

[Capt. T/O]

like mentioned before...
TM 1911 run fine on propane out of the box.
had mine for two years... no problems yet
but i do agree that the plastic slide will eventually fail (sooner rather than later) when compared to a metal slide
but that said... its been two years and its still running fine.. (knock on wood)

[sgtscarfy]

Originally Posted by Capt. T/O

like mentioned before...
TM 1911 run fine on propane out of the box.
had mine for two years... no problems yet
but i do agree that the plastic slide will eventually fail (sooner rather than later) when compared to a metal slide
but that said... its been two years and its still running fine.. (knock on wood)

+1 for me as well

[MagikMann]

ok thanxs for all the help
i'll be getting a tm meu for sure this summer
i have a fool proof method of getting it
and i will be getting a spring to ensure longer slide life
for all those who have assumed that i am just another online order kind of guy thx for nothin.
- but seriously thx for the input