Early 2000s M4A1, Specna Arms, ICS, or E&C?

[TheFriendlyBro]

Hey gang.

I'm after an early 2000s style M4A1, as I'm looking to re-create a particular build from Resident Evil 3 (not the remake). Either way, I've come across three potential options but I'm unsure about each brand and some guidance/recommendations would be much appreciated!

Money isn't an issue for this build and here are the choices, Specna Arms, ICS, and E&C. Now, I'm not too familiar with these brands and as you can guess, I'm looking for quality. Are there other options I should consider from other brands?

I know TM makes an M4A1 but I've heard mixed things regarding their recoil shock version.

Any help would be grand, thanks everyone!

 

[Druid799]

If money isn’t a problem get the TM recoil Socom end off . 
You say you’ve heard mixed things about , what have you heard ? 

 

[Ebeneezer Goode]

From what I've heard, the problems with TMs happen when folk start fucking about wi... er sorry "Upgrading" them.

 

[Druid799]

From what I've heard, the problems with TMs happen when folk start fucking about wi... er sorry "Upgrading" them.

100% correct good sir , I currently have 6 TM recoils but over the years I’ve had around 13-14’ish ? And can more than happily say the only ones I’ve ever had problems with where the few that had been ‘up-graded’ , I have a Socom that’s 12’ish yrs old and a 74su around the same age , both stock(bar deans connector) and both STILL running fine . ?

 

[ak2m4]

I've had the E&C version in the past and it's pretty decent, just upgraded the motor and hop rubber.  It's the cheapest AEG they do, if you can get it outside UK you should be able to get one with the COLT markings
View attachment 82147

 

[TheFull9]

Yeah I love my TM SOCOMs as people on airsoft forums are sick of hearing.  Be an ideal base for this idea.

ak's suggestions above would be smart too though.

 

[Spartan873]

I had the E&C Platinum and I have the Specna Arms EDGE 2.0 and I can confidently say that the EDGE 2.0 is one of the best performing OG M4's out the box. Usual hop and barrel upgrades and you're pretty much there already.

TM NGRS are good but as already suggested, only when you leave it the FK alone. Been burned by that mistake..

 

[Danno46]

I think G&P make a M4a1 I’ve got their M16a1 version and a very nice thing it is to, But if money was no problem I’d be inclined to go down the TM route 

 

[ak2m4]

I had the E&C Platinum and I have the Specna Arms EDGE 2.0 and I can confidently say that the EDGE 2.0 is one of the best performing OG M4's out the box. Usual hop and barrel upgrades and you're pretty much there already.

E&C Platinum.  Do you mean the CYMA Platinum?  

 

[Spartan873]

What a wally, I meant E&L Platinum. That was one of those OG M4s as well, picked it up from Gunfire a ways back.

E&C are the OEM for Specna Arms, aren't they?

 

[Adolf Hamster]

What a wally, I meant E&L Platinum.

out of curiosity what are the externals like on that? i know e&l make a nice ak but never really hear much about their ar derivatives.

 

[Spartan873]

Externals were pretty solid - no gaps between upper and lower receiver, no barrel wobble and the stock clicked in nicely. It had the bolt lock feature to adjust the hop which released with a nice snap. It lacked trades which took a little away from it if I'm honest but a laser engraver would have that looking boss in no time.

You're right though, their AR series rifles don't get spoken about too often but I think that's because the market is oversaturated with ARs.

 

[ak2m4]

E&C are the OEM for Specna Arms, aren't they?

only the "One" range 

 

[Adolf Hamster]

Externals were pretty solid - no gaps between upper and lower receiver, no barrel wobble and the stock clicked in nicely. It had the bolt lock feature to adjust the hop which released with a nice snap. It lacked trades which took a little away from it if I'm honest but a laser engraver would have that looking boss in no time.

sounds good, do they make parts like the outer barrel from steel? most m4 variants i've seen tend to have alu for the outer barrel.

You're right though, their AR series rifles don't get spoken about too often but I think that's because the market is oversaturated with ARs.

always figured their non-ak lines were rebrands, but doesn't really matter who the oem is if the final product is decent.

 

[TheFull9]

Do rebranders ever really change anything about an actual product vs the packaging?  I'd flip that and say OEM is what really matter most.

 

[Spartan873]

sounds good, do they make parts like the outer barrel from steel? most m4 variants i've seen tend to have alu for the outer barrel.

I believe the outer barrel was steel actually, I remember watching a few reviews on YT before I bought it and I think that was something that they tried to push hard. They wanted it to sound as though it was made to mil-spec.

I agree with you on the final product being the most important thing. I've seen cheap CYMAs have amazing QC and outperform guns that are 5 times as expensive. I'll always opt for solid rather than be a brand snob, got bitten once too many by that... *cough* TM HK417 *cough* 

Do rebranders ever really change anything about an actual product vs the packaging?  I'd flip that and say OEM is what really matter most.

My understanding about rebranding is that it usually occurs when a company owns the rights to a trademark but doesn't manufacture themselves. Like Umarex owns the HK licencing rights but VFC make the guns.. if that makes sense. And you're right about the OEM being important. I might have been unlucky with mine but I've had a few VFC weapons and the internals always caused issues in one way or another.

 

[Adolf Hamster]

I believe the outer barrel was steel actually, I remember watching a few reviews on YT before I bought it and I think that was something that they tried to push hard. They wanted it to sound as though it was made to mil-spec.

yeah it's part of their appeal for ak's, not really milspec ofc but close enough for airsoft standards.

I agree with you on the final product being the most important thing. I've seen cheap CYMAs have amazing QC and outperform guns that are 5 times as expensive. I'll always opt for solid rather than be a brand snob, got bitten once too many by that... *cough* TM HK417 *cough* 

oh for sure i won't deny there's lots of good shooting m4's out there, but just like a cyma ak with a few tweaks will be just as proficient at lobbing bb's as an lct/e&l the reason to go for the latter is when you also want that extra bit of attention in the look/feel of it.

Do rebranders ever really change anything about an actual product vs the packaging?  I'd flip that and say OEM is what really matter most.

a fair point, hence my curiosity given that just because it's got the e&l name on it doesn't mean it'll be the same standards as their own products. that is with the assumption that it's a rebrand at least, they could be making them themselves i've never really looked into it.

 

[Druid799]

What a wally, I meant E&L Platinum. That was one of those OG M4s as well, picked it up from Gunfire a ways back.

E&C are the OEM for Specna Arms, aren't they?

AND Specna are the supplier to (with a fair few component changes to customers spec) Arthurian Airsoft !

 

[Tackle]

Talking of Specna, wasn't @L3wisD an "envoy" or summat for them, I know he had quite a few of their gats.

Also, where's he gone, he's not done a "Borg" on us has he ? 

 

[Stratton Oakmont]

E&L M4 platinums had steel barrels, I had two at one time. Completely changes the balance of the gat to  more front heavy like my .22 rim fire m4. Obviously heavier so if you’re a weight weenie then it’s not for you.

the platinums just need a new hop rubber and if you really want to fine tune the shimming then they are as good as any non recoiling aeg out there.