Which M4 is good in 2009?
 

Hi all. After years of casually lurking ASC, I've finally decided to get my feet wet and create an account so that I can ask some questions before buying my first gun.

My first experience with Airsoft was about 10 years ago when my friend showed me a silver all metal shotgun he brought back from Hong Kong. That blew my mind, and then he brought out his full auto Tokyo Marui MP5. I had to excuse myself so that I could go change my underwear after I unloaded the first clip.

As cool as it was, I couldn't justify spending that kind of money on what would essentially be a wall hanger for me.

Fast forward 10 years: I'm no longer a student and now have more disposable income to dump in to a hobby and hopefully find a way to get outside and get some exercise rather than sit in front of a computer all the time.

I've always been a great fan of M4's and all the different types they have. For years, I've always had my eye on Tokyo Marui, and Tokyo Marui was always the recommended beginner's gun - but now there are so many nice guns out there and so many manufacturers. I know each manufacturer has their ups and downs. I'm totally lost on who the good brands are, or even where to get them now. All the links I get from Google are for shops in the US or some in Hong Kong.

I'm aware I can't import guns - I'm age verified now, so I'd like to get a gun - I just can't figure out which M4 to get!

Tokyo Marui, as far as I understand it is still the standard, and they even have that sweet new SOPMOD coming out.

I'm not so sure about all of these China brand guns and Classic Army, but their prices definitely look interesting. However, I'm after something reliable and won't break down on me in the short run. I'd like a high durability and very LOW chance of failure.

The Systema PTWs look like the bees knees, but from all the various threads I've read, look to be a bit higher maintenance. I could afford something like that, but like a hot supermodel trophy girlfriend, I wouldn't want to treat her delicately either. I want to be able to USE the gun.

The KSC ones look pretty decent... metal, Lithium-Polymer friendly and all at a good price. Sounds like a good compromise...

What do you guys think? Which M4 would you recommend your buddies to get? Once that's narrowed down, which retailers do you recommend to purchase from?

Go CA or G&P

do some research on what you like each gun has its maintenance and some plastic body can be changed to full metal ones PTWs are really nice tough but in the end your the one who needs to make a dicision

Obviously, money is not really an object if you could afford a PTW. You're looking for a reliable, durable gun that will hold together well with minimal maintenance and perform at a decent level out of the box.

In that situation, I would wholeheartedly recommend Classic Army as your first choice. They're excellent, durable guns. Nothing else comes close in terms of quality of the externals in that price range. It's a solid gun that you won't have to baby for fear of breaking.

As for internals, you start off with a reinforced mechbox (most stock guns like TM don't have this) and hardened gears. The other internals are all of decent quality, and if you wanted to replace them, you'd be looking at $75 or less for top-shelf aftermarket parts. Internally, CA have had issues in the past with a few minor parts (all sub-$20 parts), but they really stepped up their game in the past couple of years and their guns are top notch performers.

And as recommended by surebet, G&P make some badass guns too. You'll probably pay more than CA, but they're good reliable guns out of the box.

G&G are great bang for your buck. Already upgrade. However the G&P Colt metal body has an incredible finish. But they are harder to find.

After handling almost every brand of M4...

CA and G&P are my top choices, followed closely by TM

i am a G&P supporter 100% the bodies are great, all metal and better quality metal out of the box! i have had myn for a while, and i havn't looked back since.

Classic Army! Great outer, a little work req'ed on the internals but its your best bet out there.

-no complaints on them.

You're going to get everyone's personal preference, unless you can specify specific features you're looking for. ;)

For examples:
Gas or electric?
Standard M4 or fancy M4?
Blowback (faux bolt movement)?
Recoil?
Empty mag stop fire?
Quick spring swap feature?
Etc

I'd personally recommend against a PTW, at least not until you've had a chance to handle PTW, standard AEGs and GBB rifles.

G&G's are good, really good stock internals. BUT, the gears blow. every G&G stock gear i had went within the first few months. my last one out of my RK-47 stripped 8 teeth all at once.

if i had to choose between my G&G and my G&P, hands down i would go for my G&P.

Try to go out in one of the games in your area. I'm pretty sure your local players can show what they have and if you ask them nicely they can let you shoot a couple rounds. From there you can see how each one works.

:confused:

Any gun requiring gear replacement within a couple of months I would not class as "really good stock internals".

he might of just got a defective in manufaturing gears because 8 teeth is hella of alot to be stripped completly 1-3 understandable to a point but 8?... weird only imo tough

G&G is known to have shitty gears.

I was lucky enough to snag a custom built M4 off the classifieds.

If I were in your position I would just lurk the classifieds until an M4 that you like comes up.

Also I know that there are some players who sell on their local forums only (eg. JOC, and Op-For's B/S/T Section), check out your local forums and you may even be able to drive out and test it out before buying.

King Arms. Best out of the box next to a stock TM. Stock internals last a long time.

Jeez, it really looks like I opened Pandora's box on this one. I thought I was confused before, now I'm COMPLETELY lost!

I think in the end, I may just end up grabbing whatever crosses my path and looks interesting.

Thanks for all the input you've given, guys. People always complain about ASC being such an unfriendly place - I've seen some pretty harsh threads before, but I'm actually surprised at the outpouring of help here.

Thanks again guys. I really appreciate it and hope to see you guys on the field this coming summer.

Question: has anybody here tried the new Tokyo Marui M4 yet? Is it even available here yet?

In short. Full Metal M4's (1)KA, (2)G&P, (3)CA, (4)ICS and (5)G&G.

Well I don't really need to spring for an all metal gun. I'd rather start with a solid platform with reliable internals and upgrade to a high quality receiver later down the line.

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the VFC line of guns yet. Those look amazingly built and might be something I'd consider getting as well if I don't go all the way to PTW.

Are there not too many VFC owners here?

Vfc for the win!!!

Once you start mixing mechbox and body parts from different brand, the initial benefit of reliability of a given brand starts diminishing. Conversely, when you buy a good all metal gun, all the parts are already made to fit together properly.

Really? I've been running a G&G GR16 Light carbine since May now on a LiPo with stock gears and have yet to come across any issues. I can be pretty heavy on the trigger to boot.

I would highly recommend G&G guns to anyone looking for a good quality gun at an affordable price. Finish is nice, internals are quite good, and they've always proven to be reliable. The only issue I've had would be motor contacts disconnecting on me but that's easily remedied with a pair of pliers or some solder if you don't open it up too often.

As you would guess by the signature...I prefer G&P.
But just make sure you lube the gears!!! Even if it's BNIB!

At least for M4's. I don't know about other models.