New to airsoft and need a gun

[Peacemaker13B]

I'm new to airsoft and I'm looking for a quality M4/M16 platform, I would like an ACOG scope/red dot, RIS rail, magpul stock, and maybe a vertical grip. What brand of gun and parts would you recommend?

[ReaperM14]

If you can afford it, go KWA for your M4. I know some people say they are overrated, but mine has never let me down. Just swap out your hop-up bucking and inner barrel and you will be good for awhile.

[Peacemaker13B]

What battery do I need for a KWA, this is the one I'm looking at only thing I would really add is an acog reflex sight (what brand) and a vertical grip and of course the hop up and a better inner barrel

[ReaperM14]

The battery needs to either be a smaller LiPo battery, or a butterfly type. As far as an Acog, idk, I don't have one, and I've never really looked into them.

[contracody]

I actually have an 11.1 Lipo(crane stock) that would work great with the crane stock. And I would sell it to you!

[JGSCHS]

I'd stay away from KWA. They are highly overrated and overpriced. If you're in that price range get a G&P, or you could look into JG enhanced m4's for a cheaper yet good alternative. They are both excellent
http://www.evike.com/product_info.php?c ... s_id=37369
http://www.evike.com/product_info.php?products_id=32876

[ReaperM14]

[trevorst]

G&P are wonderful for externals. Somewhat sh*tty for internals. Feel free to google G&P gear failure, I have owned more of them than I can count on both hands and as long as you know that going into it they are amazing.

The only gearbox non polarstar that I would own or that I didnt make would be a KWA. (And for the record, even on the gearbox that I would make, unless I had an abundance of cash for RiotSC gears... then it would have KWA gears also).

Externals G&P > KWA
Internals KWA > G&P

Pick your poison.

[Russel]

I have owned both a KWA and a G&P. The G&P was nice, but remember that externals don't win games. There's a reason I run 3 KWA's now.

[JGSCHS]

KWA is overrated for many reasons. The first of which being that they advertised, heavily advertised I might add, as being "lipo-ready" when they are far from it. Their bearings absolutely suck, their piston heads aren't nearly strong enough to handle the stress put on them, airseal problems, and they're off-spec. I could provide more reasoning than this but I know if this isn't enough to get the point across for you then anything else I say will be useless. Perhaps if you KWA fanboys were a little less zealous and a little more open-minded then you'd understand . I do agree, however, that listing a G&P as an alternative was not such a good idea given their past gear issues(notice I say past because the gear issue thing was due to inconsistent heat-treatment and has been over for quite a few months now)

[trevorst]

[ReaperM14]

[Smartkid312]

I will say KWAs are good but for the price I can make a full metal JG or JG enhanced just as good. I mean correct AOE shim via bevel to pinion maybe new piston but its just as good if not better with the right mods done.

[trevorst]

[BigRed1]

Oh boy! Another "KWA is better...no it's not" thread!


To the original question, if you're just getting into the sport, I'm assuming you want a good, entry level gun. The Echo1 or JG M4 platforms are really, really good guns that will hold up well on any field. G&G is also making a high quality M4 right now (look at their "Raider") that runs about $200.
From there, you can go up to higher performance, higher price guns (like KWA's, etc). But for entering the game, one of the above at $150-$200 will give you a great gun.