Current LMG of choice

[Baser]

Considering an LMG for my next toy and not sure what to get.  In my head I see myself laying down covering fire like a mad man for my team to advance and I've been playing this role with the well with the DMR, hanging out on the flank and picking off targets but its a bit slow at times so I'm looking to get back in on the action. 

My usual full auto of choice is a CYMA Platinum MP5 which gives 25rps at 1.1j on a .28 BB's.  A LMG will be bigger, heavier and from what I've seen will have a lower rate of fire than the SMG.  This is covered as my usual site allows full auto rifle/SMG for 2 seconds max but LMG can go full auto until you run out of ammo. 

Looking for advice as reviews on LMG's are a bit few and far between so my research has come up a bit short.  I want the big heavy, bipod LMG experience, I have a LCT G3 which I use as my DMR and love the size, weight and feel of the thing.  I have tried a few on field most are poly and sound very anaemic so not in the running.  Only one I've seen I've liked is a HPA converted GBB of some kind, truly epic but well out of my budget and my local sites don't top up HPA tanks which will be a pain.

Options so far are 

https://www.bespokeairsoft.co.uk/a-k-mk43-aeg-with-box-magazine Like to look of this and Airsoft Mikes recent review with his usual infectious enthusiasm has me very interested.  Like the (slightly compact) Ramboness of the platform. 

https://www.bespokeairsoft.co.uk/ares-m60-e4-aeg-support-weapon-mg-005 Same gun but in Ares flavour, not sure if its better or worse than the above

https://www.patrolbase.co.uk/novritsch-ssr249-machine-gun-aeg Love the para stock on the m249 and the spec / fire rate on this one looks more modern

https://www.patrolbase.co.uk/krytac-trident-mk3-lmg?pv=27295 Another m249 like para stock but this looks more AR than LMG? 

Also like the look of the LCT RPD / RPK16 but these are out of stock everywhere I've looked.

 

[Austeyr]

The A&K m60 series is a solid contender, very easy to work on when it eventually goes down. Just be cautious of the feeding mechanism and making sure the tube doesn't get crinkled as well as making sure the internal feed tube also is positioned properly.

I've always avoided anything Ares just on principle so can't speak on that one

The Novritsch SSR249 (Not owned one personally) would be good I assume, the other few Novrtisch AEGs I've had and/or worked on have all been solid. Although my only video I've seen of one was the youtuber who had his catch on fire (I assume that's been QC fixed by now?!)

Krytacs are good, when they work. When they break, it's usually some form of slightly out of regular spec thing which makes them a bastard to fix up.

@HuttArmouries had an LCT RPD for a cracking price, not sure if he still has it though

Alternatively, if you want to try the LMG role without investing too much (Make sure your site counts them as an LMG first) a Cyma RPK could be a good way to dip your toes into that side of the gameplay without spending a fortune

I've primarily been an LMG gunner for my friend group for the past 4 years and I've loved it so much. However, you have to factor in that you're going to be suppressing more and going for accuracy a lot less - Which you seem to understand. Also be prepared to be hated by the enemy, and financially in ruins because of BB's and breakages

 

[Cannonfodder]

I had an A&K M249 years ago and I think one of my teammates summed it up best. "Cannonfodder tends to swear at his saw than by it."

The pot metal parts were very fragile and the micro switch in the trigger kept sticking causing the gun to keep firing after I released the trigger. To be fair though this was over 10 years ago so I don't know if these issues have been solved.

Other things to bear in mind are the extra weight and ammo costs. I was going through several bottles of bbs a day

 

[Austeyr]

so I don't know if these issues have been solved

Nope Still a poor design choice in every m249 style gearbox, but it's a £3 fix at least

 

[Lozart]

I have an A&K M249 Para. When it feeds it's great fun, but it is a heavy beast to lug about.

Unlike the average carbine/rifle, there is NO point in chasing ultimate accuracy or rate of fire; the whole point of the things is to lay down a field of suppressing fire. The main thing to concentrate on is a) does it feed, and b) do I have the strength/stamina/sheer bloody-mindedness to lug it about all day.

 

[The_Lord_Poncho]

Maybe the Specna flex offerings, in Polymer be another (lighter) option? I might presume (but don't know for certain) that they are effectively polymer versions OEM'd by A&K?

Edited: I see that you are actually after a heavyweight option!