which do you recommend for a first airsoft gun?

[duveng1]

I'm looking to buy my first airsoft gun, I've narrowed it down to a CA G3, CA M4, or a TM 552. Which would you recommend to me as a starter rifle?

[Thenooblord]

Pewrsonally i like the 552, but the M4 is alot easier to find parts and upgrades for, so its up to you

[NoGear]

its all on tastes if you want something uncommon don't get an m4 as many people have them. the g3 and 522 are less common

[theguy]

Get a CA M15A4

Basically an M4, the CA will be full metal, and CA's quality quality control(although still not equal to TM's) has gotten much better over the past feew years. The CA
might be more expensive, but by the time you add a metal body to the TM, and bring its internals up to the CAs you probably wont have saved yourself anything.

[KND]

CA and TM is mostly the same price.

So people turn to like CA than TM because it's already pre-upgrade and shot right out of the box. That's big advantage.


A lots of people would recommend for CA and TM but for me, I would recommend for ICS M4, The newest version ( not the halfbreed ). It's easy to work on. I broke like at least 3 gun this year from G&P to PTW but I didn't break my ICS M4 yet, I put ton of upgrade on her but all the upgrade I put are working properly. oh ! wait, I broke it last game but I manage to fix right away before the game start. Thanks for their split mechbox.


KND

[theguy]

Aren't ICS guns only like 75% compatible with TM(and everyone elses for that matter) parts?

[The_Decider]

Get the CA M15 you wont regret it! The G3 is very cool though.

[Kuro_Neko]

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.

Kuro_Neko

[Ashton]

Hah! Since I've been doing the same sort of prodding about as Duveng here, I'd like to thank you, Kuro. This further enforces what I've been reading about the CA M15A4 and is great advice.

[Kuro_Neko]

You're welcome. I absolutely love my CA M15A4. Here's some gun pron for you:

When I got it:


Now (=^_^=):


Kuro_Neko

[GSK88]

I 2nd the Classic Army choice, either really. Bought an M15A4 SPR a while back, rock solid externals and despite me knowing nothing about the internals or doing anything to them, it's fired solidly since day one. Realistic trades, a body you could club a bear to death with and from what more informed players have said about the new guns, the internals aren't half bad either.

[HaZarD SFD]

ICS is very compatible.. only things that are ics specific are, Mechbox, Anti Reversal, Nozzle, and Hopup.. other than that.. Ver.2 parts all the way. Easily maintaned and to work on.

[KND]

Originally Posted by HaZarD SFD

ICS is very compatible.. only things that are ics specific are, Mechbox, Anti Reversal, Nozzle, and Hopup.. other than that.. Ver.2 parts all the way. Easily maintaned and to work on.

Now finally, I have people on my side.

Ask all ICS M4 owner, none of them won't disappoint except a few who own the halfbreed version.

KND

[Donster]

those are all guns used for different play styles IMHO. the G3, is more of a DM style gun, while the M4 is a general purpose gun, and the 552 is more of CQB gun IMHO. you are going to have to decide on what role you want to play as. if you dont know, then an M4 would be your best choice as it can be used and upgraded to suit and real purpose.