VFC KS-1/L403A1 GBBR

[BenJackson]

I'm not sure you want shady practices elaborated on, but sure:

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Because there are no "shady practices". I don't run business that way. 

The "patch" aka this kit, which I ran for about 6 years with no issues either in person or online until HRC, weird. I only put that together because I found the K98K. You can complain about anyone in the Frontlines Airsoft Discord too who also do historical kits, who are a great bunch of guys.

Yeah I made some comments about that too, look at the rules about the server and how militant and childlike they are. Never had any issues anywhere before, or since,  and certainly not related to the way in which I conduct business ?

HRC has its own reputation, and its not just coming from me.

I'll leave it at that, as this has far detracted from the original point of this thread. 

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[Tackle]

Guys, im gonna say this one time, play nice, no name calling etc, & here we judge people by their conduct HERE, not on lesser platforms in years gone by.

The ignore option is there for a reason, ive got a  few members on mine, suggest if you don't like or agree with someone's opinion, block them so you don't see them & feel the need to get in to a row.

 

[JLR]

Anyways... I'm also loving the look of this ?

 

[Lyndication]

Hey Ben, quick business tip: VFC products are manufactured in Taiwan and ProAct is their primary wholesaler in-country. So much so that you can special order any VFC part off-catalogue and they'll send a guy out to collect it from VFC. 

Products imported to HK have wholesale deals but are still paying for shipping and then a little bit for the shop itself. WGC and the rest are great, but there's a bit of extra being put on there to keep their lights on.

It makes a lot more sense to buy from Proact on a wholesale account using large orders as previously mentioned. You can get some great deals that way! 

Hope this helps you grow your business.

 

[lokkers]

EMS shipping is significantly cheaper than that. On a 10KG order from Taiwan, I paid less than £45. A single rifle is going to be less than £30.

Not sure where you're getting that figure from, but that's not been my experience.

I bought a VFC 723 and 4 mags from Proaction in July for £479. Shipping was £83, so a total of £563.  I then paid £113 import. Total cost £676.

Same gun and mags would cost about £770 from HPA, so that's about a 15% markup?

Back on topic - I'll wait for some reviews on the KS-1 before I take the plunge, but it has made me put another carry handle gun (M16A2) on hold in the interim

 

[Anonymoose]

EMS shipping is significantly cheaper than that. On a 10KG order from Taiwan, I paid less than £45. A single rifle is going to be less than £30.

My last single rifle order from ProAct had a £74 shipping cost. A single pistol + 3 mags cost £26 in shipping.

 

[ButcherBill]

Don't think this has been posted yet but this appeared on my YT feed.

 

[mightyjebus]

Combat South will have them in the shop very soon.

 

[ButcherBill]

Combat South will have them in the shop very soon.

is this rumour or really happening?

 

[mightyjebus]

is this rumour or really happening?

Might only be one left even before they arrive. Might want to give them a call. 

 

[1st commando]

Combat South will have them in the shop very soon.

Hopefully the end of next week depending  which day the shipment arrives in uk distribution.  They are due next week but if it's Thursday they may not get to shops in time for the weekend

 

[TheFull9]

Does VFC avoid knocking-off magpul stuff usually? The stock and pistol grip seem an odd choice, all the pics of issued 403s I can see have a CTR and MIAD.

 

[Lyndication]

They don't have a Magpul license 

 

[TheFull9]

Naturally, but neither do E&C or the many chinese airsoft brands that knock-off magpul; becuase nobody has the license since PTS lost it (unless something changed recently?). Possibly they have a US based arm and hence actually care about litigation.

 

[Lyndication]

VFC tends to do either licensed releases, or unlicensed. When they do licensed releases, like an official KAC L403A1 replica, they tend to make sure everything is above board. They get the rights to MLOK via KAC, for example, as they're reproducing KAC's design that in turn includes Magpul's MLOK IP.

When VFC wants to do something completely unlicensed, they go to one of their shell companies, like Maruyama, APFG, or Star Arms. That way they can do B&T or Sig products without incurring the relevant costs or design oversight. For example, VFC P320s via Stark Arms or Parabellum run much better overall than the officially licensed Sigair P320s because Sig demanded they be designed for CO2 first and foremost as military/law enforcement training aids and Airsoft toys distant second.

Generally KAC is not gunna want its officially licensed replica to have stolen IP from other companies, so you tend to get basic A2 grips and the like on them. Overall it tends to be pretty all-or-nothing in terms of replicas.

That's before you get into companies that just hold licenses and outsource to companies like VFC, such as Umarex or Cybergun.

 

[TheFull9]

Generally KAC is not gunna want its officially licensed replica to have stolen IP from other companies, so you tend to get basic A2 grips and the like on them. Overall it tends to be pretty all-or-nothing in terms of replicas.

Do they have licenses from Reptilia and B5 Systems? (No clue on that myself)

They obviously have their sister companies for the added metaphorical/legal 'distance' for various other releases, not sure that's what's happening with this one. Feels more like they just went off early press release pics for the grip and I don't get the stock choice. Not that it matters because anyone who's trying to copy a setup will slide the knock-off Bravo right off and most likely slap on whatever else they saw in a military pic (which is basically always a CTR).

 

[Lyndication]

They only really bother with licenses for guns tbh. Where manufacturers have accessories they replicate those, but they don't really seem to go in for repros of tactical accessories.

Based on the Armourer's Bench video it looks like the L403 is used a lot with Magpul SLK stocks. They probably just don't have a repro license for that and slapped the basic not-B5 stock they use on their AEGs/GBBs. 

 

[Cannonfodder]

According to their faceache post JD Airsoft have them on pre order now with an estimated arrival date of September 5th. No mention of price though, probably because it's faceache 

 

[1st commando]

VFC will not copy magpul furniture and they have just put cost effective items on knowing people are going to change them right away if they are fussed and if not it doesn't matter.  JD will get them the same day as combat south 

 

[Wavey_Gravey]

They make the B5 stock for other models so cost savings on that front.

Th reptilia grip is an odd choice but they did win a contract for accessories and early photos of the KS1 had a CQG grip.

Personally I like the grip.

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