All WE/WETTI GBBR Rifles - Tell me everything

[Monk]

I haven't started a thread on these forums in a quite some time, so here I am trying to glean some more information from you people.

I spent too much time on Saturday at Op: Fueling The Fire pondering why I was lugging around such a ridiculously heavy AEG with me, and after having fondled the new VFC SCAR-L's, I'm craving something new; something sleeker and more streamline. This has led me, and a few others in my party, in the direction of the GBBR, all types, sizes and shapes other than the standard M4/16 blocks. I'm reasonably familiar with the physics behind the GBBR, and I understand the market relatively well, but I've found that the field reports about WE, WETTI and G&P rifles have been decreasing steadily since their origin.

So this leads me back to my question, what can you all as a community tell me about your own personal experiences with the rifles? I want to know in detail:

• What are the pros and cons of the WE/WETTI System
• Do you think there is a better model out on the market than another, specifically different rifles over one another and this does include the PDW
• Are there any necessary aftermarket parts other than the NPAS?
• Would you recommend CO2 rather than Propane systems, and if so, why?
• For the cost conscious buyer, is a G&P replica going to be better in the long term than a WE/WETTI, even if I have to choose an M4?
• Do you suggest open bolt or AWSS and why?

Thanks for any information you can give me, I know that these GBBR's can be a fine art, and there are many different opinions on the matter.

[triggs]

The WE SCAR-L open bolt (and open bolt conversion kit) just came out on the market and they don't seem too bad. The older non-open bolt WE SCAR's are known for having trigger issues relating to a few of the springs. I had a closed bolt version with no issues in the trigger.

The largest problems with ANY WE (rifle or pistol) is the quality of the metal (cheaper grade aluminum and pot metal). The WE SCAR-L didn't have near the same nice clank my VFC SCAR-H has, and they're based on the same uppers/manufactured in the same factory. The second problem with WE is the quality of the rubber used in their rifles.

The WE M4 mags use a very poor design and utilizes a very large rubber seal that tends to spring leaks very often.

If you want a GBBR that functions, get a KJW, as far as a fieldable rifle goes, KJW is the only real option.
WE's, like any GBBR needs a NPAS to be fieldable. In addition, I would count on parts breaking, for the SCAR-L this includes the stock plate.
CO2 is not recommended in any WE, the SCAR-L up till the gen 3 (gen 4 is open bolt) would crack the stock plate on CO2, but it's safe to assume it could happen again. Green gas mags are less stressful, but the quality of WE rubber seals negates any advantage.
If you want a G&P WOC, Western Arms, AGM, JG, WELL based GBBR you're looking at a lot of work. Of the three largest designs WA is the most expensive, as it requires a lot of expensive steel parts, and tends to wear parts out more quickly than the other designs. When they work they are the best of the best. But KJW is more consistent.
As far as WE is concerned I would go open bolt, there isn't any reliability differences, and the open bolt is much more realistic. However, I do not recommend WE at all.

If you're set on the more exotic designs, such as the PDW, G36, SCAR-L, L85, M14 then WE is the only option. However, if you want a M4 KJW is the best choice.

[Exile]

Triggs is about 90% in his statement. The newer WE GBBR's are a LOT more reliable than their M4 and SCAR line. The G36 and M14 have been getting nothing but great results, especially their G36. I cant speak for the L85 since its so new that no major issues have been found "yet". IMHO if you want an M4 than get a KJW or a Viper M4. Those things are amazing! However, from personal experience I have to say the WE G36 and the KJW M4 are probably gunna be your best bets in terms of expense.

[Ike]

Triggs and Mongo pretty much covered it. If you can handle the limited ammo capacity of a GBBR, then the KJW M4, WE M14, and WE G36 are definitely the top 3 contenders.

The KJW is very reliable and has reasonably priced aftermarket parts for the few parts that may eventually need replacing. I've never seen a KJW mag leak, so if you don't mind Thermold magazines then you're set in that regard. Externally it feels great, it gets good gas efficiency, and gets some good distance. The recoil isn't quite as strong as either of WE's offerings, but it makes up for this in reliability and function.

The WE G36 is a ton of fun to shoot, and shoots straight as an arrow with a very responsive hopup. Externally it feels amazing, the plastic used feels great and seems to be very durable. I've heard that it is extremely close to what is used on the real HK G36, but this is secondhand information.

Last but not least, the WE M14. I've only shot this a few times indoors at our field, but from what I can tell it seems to be similar to the WE G36. It has a nice kick to it and is very loud, but that's about all I can say. It feels like the heaviest airsoft gun I've ever picked up though, be thankful that the stock is plastic and not wood. The bolt also seems to cycle a bit sluggish, but that just may have been due to the low temperature.