[Ricochet]

Honestly, start off with Systema weaknesses, and go for there. Coming in under, or even tying with the benchmark is stupid. System fail, is the manufacturing of their motors, not the engineering, the manufacturing. So, create a motor of exact or better quality in "every" way, and then address the armature issue. Make the bullet proof motor. Next address the areas Systema succeeded, but could've done better. Obviously start with a custom hop-up, engineered off of the modern hop-up mod concept, but built for the user. An easier way to pull out the key and do maintenance, which I think FCC actually did, and a better way for hop adjustment. Remember it has to be as good or better than the standard, properly modded version. Next would be the receiver. CNC every receiver out of a solid aluminum, fixing Systema's mediocre receiver strength. Next, improve on the durability of all wires, boards, and electronics. Make them engineered for outdoor play, so they can survive the abuse and weather encountered in airsoft. So basically fix one issue, and advance three areas of improvement. Like RA-Tech, start off by selling the upgrade parts, ensuring their reliability and accuracy.

Beyond all that, stage two I'd recommend improving weight and realism. Go for custom aluminum barrels like Dytac, and releasing a series of stainless steel fluted inner barrels, from tight bores, to 6.1s, etc, so a guy can maximize his accuracy to BB weights and play-style. Release some customized stocks, grips, handguards, and receivers, possibly in different colors, or with specific function in mind. On and on and on.

Once you've proven that your product is what the players and market need, you can start by building complete guns if you like. I'd focus mostly on completely different platforms, ACR, 416, M249, etc. Except the AK, $&@% the AKs. LOL. Anyways, the training weapon market doesn't need anything else, especially not a higher price tag for a base product. Today, if you wanted he best airsoft platform around, you'd still get a modded Systems hop-up and modded Systema motor. Nothing beats them, so why pay more? Beyond that, I'd likely switch out the lower receiver, not that I'd have to, and I'd leave the electronics alone. Add in the fact that Systema guns have come way down in price, and I'd still rather go back in time and pay more for a Systema, knowing I'd likely have to do at least the one, maybe two, mods, than buy any of the clones.

It's not about the price in the end, it's about the product. If you can improve on function, reliability, quality, and performance, we'll spend the extra. Fail in one area, and you pretty much just wasted everyone's time.