Lozart

Errrmmm...if you say so. I thought you were saying that an NPAS was expensive so I pointed out that going GBB is expensive anyway. If that was your point then yes, yes we do agree (kaloo! kalay! What excellent fortune). Of course if that's not what you were trying to say then you're wrong. Totally wrong. *skips off with fingers in ears singing "LA LA LAAA I'M NOT LISTENING TO YOOOOUUUUUU"*

Likewise:

They're only £70. I guess it depends on what you call a "great deal of money" but if you're buying a GBB rifle then an NPAS is a drop in the ocean...

I know how you feel. Personally I'd do what Sitting Duck suggests and get something a bit cheaper first (like the G&G Combat Machine range he has suggested) and get a feel for how a gun behaves long term, what can go wrong etc etc. It does seem that there are certain models of G&G (the T4-18 by the current suggestions for one) that are not as good as all the others. I wouldn't let that put you off buying a £300 G&G though. The CM16 and CM18 models are incredibly popular and very upgradeable and not a ridiculous price (£120 ish). At the higher end the G&G SCAR range is very good (I have one and the only time it's gone wrong is when I've taken it apart and dicked about with it). I've certainly never had any issue with mag compatibility (although as I said I don't use G&G midcaps). The thing to remember about the T4-18 is that due to the base of it's design (the HK416) the magwell is a slightly different shape than a standard M4 which is why there are compatibility issues at a guess. If you're up for the AK side of life, I can personally vouch for Cyma (plenty of others here have them too). Again though there are things to be aware of; the models are numbered CM0xx starting around CM020 and going up. The lower model numbers (below about CM040) are based on a Tokyo Marui design and are generally considered inferior to those with a higher model number which are copies of a VFC design. This is mainly due to the TM based ones having a lot more plastic parts so bear that in mind when you make your selection. They're reliable enough but the FPS will be a bit lower (easily fixed with a better spring) and parts may break if it's roughly handled (although spares are cheap enough). The VFC ones are built like tanks and tend to be too hot out of the box (again - simple fix that can either be done for you by the retailer or simply enough at home yourself). Do NOT consider a Cyma M4 though. Pretty much everyone is in agreement that they're just bad.

Fair enough. All I can say is that all the G&Gs I've used have been excellent and reliable out of the box. I've not had the feed issues but then I don't use G&G midcaps (I use Dytacs - a magazine that again, plenty of others have criticised but I've had no issues with and neither have any of my friends that use them). No manufacturer is perfect, I understand that (even TM make lemons) but there is a reason as to why G&G are so highly regarded by so many people. That's not to say that a decent CYMA AK can't outperform and outlast one for half the price but that by itself doesn't make the G&G a bad gun. I've run my G&G SCAR plenty and it's been nothing but reliable and accurate. Between my close player mates there's two TGM A5s, a CQB mini, a GR4 G26 advanced, an F2010 and a T418 and they've all been absolutely fine. I can only speak from experience the same as you.

But that's the whole point. If you want to use an M4, you adapt your movements to compensate. You don't HAVE to have a ridiculous "M4 babby pistol" thing to do CQB. Granted as airsofters we have the choice to use whatever style of weapon we can afford/want but the point remains. You don't NEED anything less than a 10" barrel to play CQB effectively. Of course - if you look at dedicated anti terrorist groups (SAS, DEVGRU, SWAT etc) then you see an increased use of SMGs for close in work. They're plenty powerful enough against non armoured targets and more manoeuvrable in tight spaces but as soon as the likelihood of body armour goes up so does the choice of weapon (all irrelevant in airsoft but it dictates a choice if you're looking for a specific loadout).

More money doesn't guarantee reliability. Also - this may be an isolated issue. I know a lot have people have complained about the G&G midcap mags but I know plenty of people that use the T4-18 regularly and have no issues whatsoever.

Worth looking at the "Places to Buy" forum on here too. Plenty of deal to be had from the site sponsors and reviews from users!

You could also look at RSOV.com If the items you want are small/light you can get express air mail for very little extra.

Bought a few things from them. Standard HK "slow boat from China" postage though. They have a lot of stuff that nobody else seems to carry too.

I was wobbling back and forth on this but a tripwire trigger? Oh go on then!

^^^^^^^^^^^This. A thousand time this. You don't see real world armed forces using M4s with 3 inch barrels because their CQB gun must be short. Learn how to move about properly instead. That said they DO use SMGs for CQB more frequently so maybe look at MP5s/P90s/MP7/MP9 for something a little different (out of that lot the MP5s probably have the best range of bolt ons and upgrades available). 10.5" M4 should be fine and dandy though if that's your chosen path. Or a short barrel version M416, maybe a SCAR-L CQC (my personal weapon of choice).

What's the scope?

I know you're listening to it because of the film but I find the Peter Gabriel version needlessly maudlin and far inferior to the original:

Ha ha! Yeah I think you're right!

If you haven't already, get some custom orthotic insoles from your local hospital and also a dorsal night splint. Fixed my plantar fasciitis a treat.

At the moment I'll be running it as a standard AEG. I do hope to DMR it at some point though but not out and out sniper levels!

Black electrical tape, or sticky backed velcro pads. The only problem with both though is that they can come off and leave a sticky residue. If you really want temporary attachment just use elastic bands!

Cheers for that. Only looking for low end of the magnification and eye relief is more of an issue than high magnification!

Fair enough then. I may be getting mixed up truth be told. The PP Ts & Cs say they won't offer protection if an item breaches their own usage policy which specifically excludes firearms but doesn't mention RIFs specifically. It does however also say they won't cover anything that breaches Ebay policy which I believe excludes the sale of RIFs on ebay.co.uk. That said if the sale was outside of ebay then that clause wouldn't apply I guess? Was the sale you mention from a private individual or a business?

Been looking at scopes for my new M14 EBR but big proper sniper scopes seem a bit overkill so I have been looking at Visionking Short Dot types. Can anyone recommend alternatives? Are the TAC Vector ones any good? Looking for something reasonably low magnification because let's face it, this is airsoft not The Deerhunter.

I like the idea a lot. Always like trying to spot myself in pics when there is a photographer about on a game day, but then I am a massive tart.

Worth remembering that PayPal won't cover you for buying rifs regardless of gift or standard payment.

They'll give it different muzzle velocities. In theory the m100 should be around 328ish, the m90 a little less (290). Wildly variable in practice though.

It's a decent enough basic starting point for a gun with a completely standard (ie a bit crappy) gearbox so that you know the rough ball park of where your FPS is going to end up but certainly very variable! Once you introduce airseal nozzles or a decent piston head or cylinder head, hell - even a new hop rubber and some decent grease in the gearbox - it all goes out the window and every gun is different!