First Gun Conundrum

[grandwitch]

Hello everyone this is my first post so be gentle. I have just got into Airsoft and played my first 5 games. I am now going through the process of trying to decide on my first gun purchase. The sheer choice and conflicting recommendations have really set my head spinning. After my first round of research I have come up with the following list. Just as a note I tend to over research everything and dig too deep into technical specs, perils of my job as a technical architect.

• ICS L85 A2
• TM G36c or G36K
• G&G CM16

I appreciate there is a range of prices. For some background I mainly play on a open wood site only a few close quarter areas (Absolute airsoft reading mainly) As a more senior man (not old) money is not really the issue but I don't want to spend a fortune just for the sake of it.

 

Thanks

 

Daniel

 

 

[Esoterick]

Welcome to the forum, I'd probably go with the combat machine. I guess it just depends if the plastic body would be an issue for you.

[Ian_Gere]

ICS L85A2 is the best of those choices in terms of how good it will be out of the box. If you want to tinker with it however, you need to be aware that ICS use many proprietary parts externally and internally, so costs can spiral.

 

The G&G CM16 is our default recommendation for first guns, because they are cheap, pretty robust, hold their own in the field, and are easily upgradeable. But they are also common as muck and you may prefer not to have the same gun as 5 people sat nearby in the safe zone.

 

IMO TM guns are overpriced for what you get. If you want the same thing cheaper with more power, get a JG G36 and upgrade the hop rubber to a Prometheus Purple (soft) or Maple Leaf 60 degree.

[bornleverpuller]

The forum gets commission for combat machines

[Undieing_Lust]

Pretty much what Ian_Gere said.

[Ian_Gere]

The forum gets commission for combat machines

No we don't. But we should!

[grandwitch]

It probably would bother me to have the same gun as everyone else, but I guess it would leave me money to customise...

[Undieing_Lust]

If the forum had a penny for eveytime someone recommends a G&G CM...We would have a new forum. The Airsoft Forums UK Powered by G&G Combat machines

[Ian_Gere]

If you have a bit of money to throw at the whole sport/hobby, you should also consider what kind of loadout you prefer. If you want to wear yank camouflage, an M4 with an EOTech or aimpoint T1 on a high mount (the height of current fashion) will be a good choice. If you want to wear MTP or DPM, then the ICS is the best L85A2. But if you want to wear something more exotic, you may want a more exotic gun to go with. Bear in mind however that if you choose a G36 of some flavour, for eg, you will need specialised webbing to carry mags because they do not fit well in pouches designed for NATO STANAG mags (like an M4 or L85 uses). But we can advise you on what works or doesn't.

[grandwitch]

Currently I have DPM and I am leaning towards the L85 or the G&G CM16, I think the answer is I need to go to the shop and have a play. Whatever I get there will certainly be tinkering involved.

[Ian_Gere]

PM Airsoft-Ed for the full info on the ICS L85A2.

[sp00n]

+1 on the combat machine. (i have one great gun)

 

that said consider a cyma CM028, yeah they may be old ... but i am mega impressed with mine

[Ian_Gere]

+1 on the combat machine. (i have one great gun)

 

that said consider a cyma CM028, yeah they may be old ... but i am mega impressed with mine

Yeah, but if we're recommending the dark side, a CM.048 is better and within his price range.

[Guest PT247]

the ICS is a lovely bit of kit, felt like being back at work when I had mine.... but they don't like being opened up regularly, the motor wires/connectors snap very easily. They also can suffer with a random trigger issue causing it not to fire.

[grandwitch]

Thanks for all the advice.

[grandwitch]

maybe the G&G is the best option as my first gun so I can fiddle and make mistakes. Sounds like the L85 might be a good second gun.

[Ian_Gere]

There's a lot to be said for getting a cheap gun to learn tech skills on.

[sp00n]

Yeah, but if we're recommending the dark side, a CM.048 is better and within his price range.

 

yeah this is very true, but the lack of rail space puts me off ... that said full metal and wood .... i couldn't skirmish that ... too nice

[DEF]

Let's be honest. Once you've bought the first one, it gets easier and easier to justify buying more guns. Get something cheap and cheerful to begin with and before long you'll have a veritable arsenal!

 

My first was a CA M15A4 for which I paid the grand sum of £120 and 3 years later it still has a regular outing for CQB, despite the fact I have 5 others to choose from...

[DX115FALCON]

CM16 is good, However, if you want a metal gun, I'd get the NEW Combat Machine but with the full METAL body- FOR THE SAME PRICE AS THE POLYMER ONE. My younger brother has one, and they are absolutely astonishing out of the box. Definitely worth the money (of which it doesn't cost much).

They do either a short or a long version. The long one is (in my humble opinion) much better as it has the static front sight post as opposed to the pretty bad "flip up" one on the stubby version- which I find really unpleasant to use.

 

Here's a link to the short version

 

Here's a link to the long version

 

They also come in tan, if that's your thing...

[Russe11]

I would urge you not to follow the crowd. The G&G M4's are good and lots of people have them, but thats boring. If you want a G36 then look at either an SRC or JG one, which will cost about the same as a combat machine. G36's may not have as many options for adding bits and pieces but there are some fun ways to change the look. A Cyma AK is also another option in the same price range.

If you want something really different though, try and find an ASG Sten Mk2. They are very simple guns with no fire selector or safety, just full auto. They are also deceptively accurate. Although you can't add toys like sights, torches etc, the iron sights are the best I have ever used. There is no option for a high cap magazine so you will want to get hold of some spare mags (50 rounds per mag or King arms does 135 round mags).

[DX115FALCON]

If you want something really different though, try and find an ASG Sten Mk2. They are very simple guns with no fire selector or safety, just full auto. They are also deceptively accurate. Although you can't add toys like sights, torches etc, the iron sights are the best I have ever used. There is no option for a high cap magazine so you will want to get hold of some spare mags (50 rounds per mag or King arms does 135 round mags).

 

Of course you'd say that, you mad WW2 lover!

[two_zero]

Although you can't add toys like sights, torches etc,

more like shouldn't. seen a twotone green with tac torch attached... I don't get it.

[Russe11]

 

Of course you'd say that, you mad WW2 lover!

Yes but I'd say it because with my Sten, I can pick people off at ranges where they can't even reach me with their combat machine M4's. I keep trying to tell u guys that the Sten is a really good gun, but no-one listens.

 

 

more like shouldn't. seen a twotone green with tac torch attached... I don't get it.

 

Australian Stens (Austens) were available in 2 tone. They also came with a tacticool front grip and even a folding stock. Now I just need to work out where to attach the tactical light!

[TheGrover]

I can vouch for the ics l85's performance. And i can also vouch for ian's point about spiralling cosrs with tinkering (im up to about 500 quid including the gun, dd rail and attachments)