Reliable backup for my GBBRs?

[God]

So, as many of you know, GBBRs, especially AGMs, are not really skirmish-ready guns. So I am looking for a mid-range priced AEG ~$150 for a backup. I will be buying used. My question is, what would be best as a reliable back up? I can do gearbox work just fine by the way...

KWA-2GX if it can be found at my budget. I know this is probably better than below brands, so kind of ignore it....

All brands below are asking about their V2(M4/MP5) gearbox guns. MAYBE a V3 AK74.

G&P-seen them for less than $200 used
CA-sportline, easily found
G&G-sportline (Combat Machine)
Tokyo Marui
WE SCAR??-I hear this is actually quite reliable in stock form?

[Patrick750]

I use my CA sportline m4 as a back up. It's been in use for about 3 years and (with 8.4-9.6 NIMH's) has been working perfectly since. I'm even considering giving it minor external upgrades to be used as a night game gun. I use it whenever i'm playing a MOUT game or CQB game. You can get a new one (plastic body) for around 150.

[VogonFord]

G&G Sportlines are basically the new Marui. They trade off some of the Marui fairies that magically carry BBs insane distances for stronger plastic, and they're actually pretty tough. They're really well made.

That said, I'm also always a Marui fan.

[Beran]

the G&G combat machines use almost the same gearbox as thier $450 guns. bushings instead of bearings, and lower quality barrels and externals. FAR higher quality internals than TM guns. if i was looking to spend $150ish on a new AR platform as a backup, or even as a primary i'd get a G&G combat machine above anything else.

[Shiloh]

I can attest to the quality of the G&G sportlines/combat machines. I ran mine HARD this past year, more than I usually would. No jams, not a single internal issue, FPS and accuracy have remained very consistent (at least to my knowledge) and the externals have held up extraordinarily well.

[ZombieMan]

Am I the only one to dislike the combat machine?

[Russkie]

Am I the only one to dislike the combat machine?

I dislike them as well. Their wiring sucks and their blowback causes the gearbox shell to crack.

[Beran]

really? the pneumatic blowback action causes the gearbox shell to crack? you have a source on that, one that wasn't related to you through a guy that heard it from another guy?

i worked in an airsoft store for two years. we carried the combat machines for one of those years. it was the single most commonly sold replica that went out the door, and i can think of less than ten that came back not working that weren't due to user error. literally HUNDREDS of guns sold. the most common problem we had with them was customers calling back complaining that the flash hider was broken, because it has the notch molded into it like the real SR16 flash hiders do.

its certainly not on the level with the higher end KWA/CA guns, but it pretty much cant be beat for $150, in my opinion.

[Eric111k]

I love my Combat Machine! Use it for my CQB and field gun as my normal one is out of action, it does great. Also I have one for sale! Brand new PM me if your interested

[ZombieMan]

I like mine when its running but I ha the rare one that is down more than up.

[Russkie]

really? the pneumatic blowback action causes the gearbox shell to crack? you have a source on that, one that wasn't related to you through a guy that heard it from another guy?

i worked in an airsoft store for two years. we carried the combat machines for one of those years. it was the single most commonly sold replica that went out the door, and i can think of less than ten that came back not working that weren't due to user error. literally HUNDREDS of guns sold. the most common problem we had with them was customers calling back complaining that the flash hider was broken, because it has the notch molded into it like the real SR16 flash hiders do.

its certainly not on the level with the higher end KWA/CA guns, but it pretty much cant be beat for $150, in my opinion.

Yes it was Delta1 again. He says he's worked on a few that had cracked gearbox shells due to the blowback. Then again it is a V2 gearbox, so the crack could have easily come from something else. I think you may be correct on my source being unreliable.

As for the wiring, though, I got that from another forum. Some guy apparently had his wiring on his Combat Machine catch fire from running it stock and on a 9.6v (probably just over exaggerated). I know a guy who was having some wiring issues on his Combat Machine, also. Gun wouldn't fire or randomly fire. Then again these all could just be lemons.

[code789]

Am I the only one to dislike the combat machine?

well for me, the price for one is too hard to hate but when you put it next to a fully metal body M4/M16 the ugliness just appears

[BlacksunshineGAAS]

http://www.airsplat.com/Items/ER-DF-M4-SS001.htm
Just got one. Well built and preforms wonderfully.
20 bucks more and you can get their pro series that has titanium gears, PTW hopup and 6.02 tbb.
http://www.airsplat.com/Items/ER-DF-M4-SW016.htm

[Lunchbox]

http://www.airsplat.com/Items/ER-DF-M4-SS001.htm
Just got one. Well built and preforms wonderfully.
20 bucks more and you can get their pro series that has titanium gears, PTW hopup and 6.02 tbb.
http://www.airsplat.com/Items/ER-DF-M4-SW016.htm

If it has a PTW hopup avoid it at all costs

[Eric111k]

Hmm I have been running mine on a 7.4 lipo with no problems with wiring or anything