Heavy-Hearted

[Orwell]

Today my SOCOMGear M4 died. I may be able to fix it some day, but the damage done may cost more in airsmith time than a new rifle altogether. For now I'm going to tinker, but while I do that I'm hunting for a new rifle.

My question is this: Given a budget of <$200, how would you recommend I go about getting a new gun? Should I buy good parts and assemble it myself? Should I just buy a low-end G&G? What about JG, KWA, etc? Are Evike's builds any good? What guns hold their worth best?

Now, before you get angry and sarcastic and tell me to use a search bar, know this: I have. I have read every review I can get my hands on. I have searched, and compared, and analyzed everything from Nightshade's widely-contested guide to AEGs to the slew of "wut gunz are bessst!" posts. I've read raves and rants about JG, I've seen people who will only use KWA for the rest of time and people who hate them. I want new material. Something that stands out. I bought a rifle from a small company that's supposed to be utterly fantastic, and I got a mid-range gun that died quickly (I'll be avoiding the used market!). I'm sad, and I'm afraid I'm going to mis-judge again. Help me out, guys.

Thanks.

[Diegunner]

up ur buget a little and get a kwa they dont brake.

[Mcluvin]

I would suggest the new KWA CQR when it is released( relatively soon). Same KWA goodness but with a polymer lower receiver. The simple version(still 2GX gearbox) is only $190. If you never want to open up your gun, get a KWA. Happy searching, and good luck.

[Ivan Daylovich™]

I could be wrong, but I don't think KWA makes an AEG in that price range.
From my little experience I can tell you I have a G&G CM Raider. It's fairly nice for the price. I plan on slapping a tightbore and H nub in it, but I do that to most everything.

Also I assume you are only looking at M4s? If not I'd strongly suggest the CYMA AKS74U. It's just amazing.

[Mcluvin]

KWA CQR- http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.p ... s_id=10377
$190.

[Orwell]

Ivan- as to your M4-only assumption, you are correct. AR-15 platform.

[Jester316]

Dboys metal bodied M4. I've had 3 and always been happy with them.

[NFS_Shadow]

To answer your question about evike built guns, i own a matrix brand, evike custom gun and i couldn't be happier, didn't have to spend a huge amount of money and while it's not the best rifle on the field it can hold it's own. high quality gearboxes and they almost always come with a tightbore already installed. O they are also very easy to put pretty much any brand of custom parts in (as long as they are still for an m4 of course) just stay away from the matrix re-branded jg guns. open a jg and you're dead. Make sure it's one of the aimpoint base or truly full matrix platforms.

[Cyph34r]

1. Evike slaps the "Matrix" brand on anything from china that they don't think people will buy under its actual brand name. (this might be an importer doing this, but the effect is the same)

2. KWA Guns are nice, i'm sure the CQR follows this trend.

3. Combat Machine by G&G is a great brand

Edit because I'm not 100% certain that Matrix does not also produce guns, but i've used a few of Evike's "Matrix" Guns, and one was a JG, another was a generic china brand (i've seen it elswhere branded as Asia Electric Guns). I'm not saying "Don't buy Matrix they suck" as i actually have liked most of the JG guns i've used, but be aware of what you're buying, and with options like the combat machine and CQR, i don't see a reason to go generic-china for an armalite platform.

Edit 2: I'm not goign to fix the grammar and spelling in my first edit because i'm too drunk to do so.

[Hamster]

Edit 2: I'm not goign to fix the grammar and spelling in my first edit because i'm too drunk to do so.

I wish I could use this excuse.

Only five more years....

G&G Combat machines are great rifles. Although I've heard they've had some motor issues, I have yet to encounter any issue with mine and I've had my rifle for almost a year. Except for the front half of the outer barrel falling off. Para cord fixed that.

Get a combat machine if you want.

Replace the motor if it ends up crapping out.

They are delicious and work.

[Diegunner]

I would go kwa airsoft gi has some sick custom guns off there new cqbr to http://www.airsoftgi.com/advanced_searc ... QR&x=0&y=0. I would also avoid working on the internal unless you have done it before I messed up my gun doing that and it cost me 75 in repairs

[Ivan Daylovich™]

I would also avoid working on the internal unless you have done it before

This makes no sense. How would you ever be able to work on your gun if you can't do it because you haven't done it?

[DJ]

up ur buget a little and get a kwa they dont brake.

Please go take some remedial grammar and writing. I'm not a grammar nazi and you even make me cringe....

[Orwell]

EDIT: Before all the rage-y crap, I just want to say to all of you passing me your suggestions, thank you. I really appreciate the help. I owe this community a lot. You're good people.

I would go kwa airsoft gi has some sick custom guns off there new cqbr to http://www.airsoftgi.com/advanced_searc ... QR&x=0&y=0. I would also avoid working on the internal unless you have done it before I messed up my gun doing that and it cost me 75 in repairs

I didn't want to attack you before, Diegunner, because I'm basically begging for help, but I need to get this out:

First, guns don't brake. Braking is reserved for things with brakes, and to my knowledge airsoft guns don't have those. Unless you meant the flash hider.

Second, I made pretty clear my budget. I get that it must be really hard to be 15 and have mummy buy all your toys for you, but I don't have that. I earn my money with sweat and hard work. I save my money, and I can't just whimsically decide to "up my budget" by as much as 40%, which is what you're telling me to do.

Get out.

[prowl375]

My friend has this, and I have to say, it's an amazing gun. It's G&G, so it's high quality, Crane stock (plus for me, don't know about you), and RAS. all for about $150.


http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.p ... ts_id=7967

The problem is that the FPS is a little low, so I would suggest getting a 9.6v battery or a LiPo.