Metal or plastic?

[emilianoksa]

Like most people I have been drawn more to rifles with metal receivers because they look more autthentic, and are probably tougher.

But recently I have been having second thoughts. There are a couple of plastic guns that I have taken a fancy to: the GHK G5 and the ASG Scoprion EV2. I believe owners of the former have had problems with cracks or splits occurring, but the Scorpion is said to be very tough. This doesn't surprise me as good quality polymer is stronger than steel. It's also lighter, doesn't scratch as much as metal, and is not going to rust. What does surprise me is that many of the polymer guns are said to be pretty fragile. There is no reason why they should be apart from cost. Which makers of plastic guns use the better quality polymers? 

Can anyone tell me what material is generally used in the mid priced (£250-350) metal guns: is it aluminium, aluminium alloy, or zinc based pot metal? How sturdy are these materials?  I know that one or two of the higher priced guns use steel, but I'm not asking about them. 

I'm getting ready to pay my first visit to a CQB site and have always been drawn towards the M4 platform. I had been thinking of paying £250+ for a metal CQB gun after I get an UKARA number - probably G&G, though I've also been advised to look at SRC and ICS. However I have just learned about the ASG Scorpion and how well made and reliable it is. A reliable polymer gun with decent internals is going to be better than a metal one with cheap parts. It's a bit more than I wanted to pay but I suppose I could stretch to it, if I sold another air rifle.

Do you think this gun would lend itself more to CQB more than a short M4? Since I would spend most - if not all - of my time at my local site, which is CQB only, I would be shooting at short range most of the time.

 

[Davegolf]

Most RIF receivers and such like are made from random alloys and pot / zinc metal, but at your budget from good brands such as G&G, ICS etc are well made and seldom have cracking issues.

Some products, mainly from ICS are making proper stamped steel parts however this would never apply to an AR as RS guns are all aluminium.

I prefer metal guns, I like a bit of weight, the lack of creaking and generally longer lasting / tougher construction.

A Scorpion is hard to beat as an out of the box RIF, especially in a CQB environment.

There is no reason an AR style gun couldn't do the same however and you have a wide range of mag options, customisation and upgrades open to you as well as 'metal' reciever etc.

And the option to ultimately make a better gun than the Scorpion for example.

G&G toptechs are nice kit that again work great out of the box and an excellent starting base for whatever you want to do later.

Compared like for like both standard the Scorpion boasts higher ROF, mosfet, trigger response.

 

[Gepard]

I like metal for the feel, but plastic will perform just as well, or in the case with pistol slides, much better. I'd take a good plastic gun over a cheap and nasty pot metal gun every time. Lighter too, which is a bonus if you're running about for 6 hours.

Depends on the manufacturer on what quality you get I guess.. 

I think I'd stick with the boring old M4 to be honest. Wider range of customization and upgrades available to you for later. You could always make something similar to this abomination for CQB: 

 

[emilianoksa]

Thanks for your replies.

You've given me some things to think about.

 

[jcheeseright]

The scorpion evo is pretty indestructible. 

 

[Wo1f]

I tend to go for realism. If it’s metal in RS I want metal, etc. The scorpion evo is ‘plastic’ but it’s nylon fiber and for what I’m told is made from the same materials at the real one. I’ve no worries about it’s strength at all. The G36 is the same. My brother has a jg and I have a WE. The WE is nylon and much nicer, but the JG has stood up to an airsoft game virtually every week for a year, even with cheaper plastic. 

 

[Lozart]

Most "metal" airsoft receivers are pretty bloody awful pot metal alloys. In many cases a good polymer receiver will outperform these cheaper metal parts in almost all ways that count (lighter, stronger, more durable, not prone to corrosion). If you want a decent metal receiver than there are plenty of aftermarket CNC billet options but they ARE expensive. At some point you have to draw the line though, we are after all talking about toy guns. In terms of your particular price point, the metal guns are mostly OK but a decent polymer will potentially still be better.

More to the point, the EVO is a good gun regardless of what it's made of. If you like the look and the functionality then go for it.