Clones?

[Muskrat]

I hear people talk about clones when they are referring to guns.

Does this mean its a gun that is made to look like the real thing but unendorsed by the real manufacturer?

I have also hear some people say "do not buy clones" is there any truth to this?

[Strikerz]

No, it means they take a top brand of a gun, eg. ECHO 1, CA, and make a cheaper, plastic (most of the time)and the internals are usually Subpar. While externals look exactly like their more expensive counterparts. And no, many people buy clones, mostly new people, thats why they are reffered to as starter guns

[Merchant]

Clones, like Strikerz said are simply exact copies of higher end models. They are cheaper, and often come with poor quality battery and charger. However there are some good quality clones for the price.

Bottom line, if you can afford a high end rifle with a decent battery and charger, defiantly make the investment in that.

[Darius137]

Non Clones: CA, KWA, TM

Clones: D-Boys, CYMA, JG

There are others. Also I think it's funny you said Echo1 was a top brand. :P

[Strikerz]

Well TM makes good guns, internally, externally they lack with the plastic bodies

[G36 FTW]

Well TM makes good guns, internally, externally they lack with the plastic bodies

Technically almost all other airsoft brands are clones of Tokyo Marui, they designed the gearbox and most airsoft gun models.

[Strikerz]

Well just because something is plastic on the outside dosent always make it bad. From what ive heard TM internals are amazing. And G36 is right, correct me if im wrong but werent they the very first Airsoft manufactuors. So they should have some very nice internals

[league 4]

Well just because something is plastic on the outside dosent always make it bad. From what ive heard TM internals are amazing. And G36 is right, correct me if im wrong but werent they the very first Airsoft manufactuors. So they should have some very nice internals

They aren't "amazing". Plastic bushings, plastic spring guide, no bearings, Japan-legal FPS, nothing's reinforced much. Also, ECHO-1's are most definitely clones.

[Cap n pickles]

Well just because something is plastic on the outside dosent always make it bad. From what ive heard TM internals are amazing. And G36 is right, correct me if im wrong but werent they the very first Airsoft manufactuors. So they should have some very nice internals

They aren't "amazing". Plastic bushings, plastic spring guide, no bearings, Japan-legal FPS, nothing's reinforced much. Also, ECHO-1's are most definitely clones.

Exactly. Buy a Dboys and get a metal body, 9.6v battery, nice steel gears (I think they are pretty good, they are not G&P thank god!) and really nice pistons.

ALL Airsoft guns break, so unless its some one of a kind gun that only "So n So" makes then i can see a point. But to me there is not point to spend the money on "High End" when i can just get the same out of my "Low End".

Its like Buying off brand Aspirin, it has the same effect as name brand.

[Russkie]

ALL Airsoft guns break, so unless its some one of a kind gun that only "So n So" makes then i can see a point. But to me there is not point to spend the money on "High End" when i can just get the same out of my "Low End".

Indeed. I can testify to that with my Real Sword Type 56. Considered to be flawless by many, mine has been continually failing since June and I had some problems already before that. I regret not buying a cheaper clone AK, such as Dboys.

[Nocte]

ALL Airsoft guns break, so unless its some one of a kind gun that only "So n So" makes then i can see a point. But to me there is not point to spend the money on "High End" when i can just get the same out of my "Low End".

You're right about all AEGs breaking, but only to a point. A nicer airsoft gun will break less (and less catastrophically) than the cheaper ones. You are also not getting "the same" (I can only assume you're talking about performance) when you compare a clone AEG with an original design. I know you want to think that you will, because you want to believe the clone you purchased is "just as good," but it just isn't.

On the point of everything being a clone of Tokyo Marui designs, it might have been the case 5 years ago, but today there are so many revisions to those designs on top of tons of new platforms that TM never produced. You can't really lump CA into the "technically a clone" category anymore.