A Few Questions...

[creativity]

Hey everybody,

I'm looking to get a 2nd gas pistol. Because I'm planning on selling my old one for a better, more gas efficient, CQB-legal one. At the moment, I have a WE 1911, which I bought cheap from a friend. I just personally don't like the cheap feel of the metal and how it hogs gas, the lack of accuracy, and the single stack mag. I don't really like 1911's to begin with. So proffered that gun to a friend that I brought into airsoft, told him how to work it, and I actually broke even . But now I'm without a sidearm, and thusly, it's time to buy a new one.

From the research I've done, I've grown I like the KJW M9, it just looks like a solid gun.

But what is the difference between the normal, $100 KJW M9, the $130 KJW M9 Tactical PTP, the $110 KJW M9 Vertec. Are they worth the extra money? I feel like every website I visit has like 4 new different KJW M9's I haven't heard of.

Another gun I've been eyeing is the KWA USP Tactical. I personally think it looks much cooler, and I really like the way it looks. I also like it much better because I actually understand the models (USP, USP Tactical, USP Compact, thank God for simplicity)... I've read so much on this merited NS2 gas system. But is it better than the KJW M9/M9 PTP, and is it worth the $150?

Lastly, are there any GBB's you would recommend? Under $120 would be preferred. Under $150 would be ok, but I'm kinda itching for a new gun.

Thanks in advance,
Andrew

[Da Vinci - Да Винчи]

The standard M9 is just that, standard, the "tactical" has a rail on the bottom, and the "vertec" has a straight grip and rail.
Also, PM'ed.

[creativity]

Thanks for the advice on the M9's, that helps a lot. I think I'll get the standard, because I have no real need for a rail at the moment. Although I may just buy one with a rail just incase I find that in the future I do need one, then I'll kick myself for not buying it now.

[ishkaboom]

I would attend an event and ask other players if you could take a few shots with their pistol. Everybody has an ergonomics preference, and while a certain brand can and should be recommended, make and model is almost completely the preference of the shooter. For example: my hand has trouble finding comfort on an m9 because the grip is very wide. Instead, I prefer the GBB 1911s that I have shot.

Also, if you do decide to eventually get some sort of flashlight or laser for your GBB, spend a little extra for something substantial. While the recoil on a replica of a firearm is not nearly as much as on a RS, cheap flashlights and lasers will break quickly.

[TheEnd]

I have owned and used every brand and model of pistol you are asking about except the M9 Vertec (held it, didn't like it). The KJW M9 is a fairly solid GBB. Initial quality can be hit and miss but for the most part they work well. I owned three of them at one point and to sum it up, meh. It shoots OK, accuracy was pretty good, blow back was decent and gas efficiency was acceptable. The fit and finish wasn't that great (better than WE by a little) and the metal parts felt a bit cheap. The mags ALWAYS leaked. At the time I didn't know about the silicone glue to patch them up but the base seal ALWAYS leaked. The fill valve would leak but some silicone would seal it up. My least favorite part of owning the KJW's was having to lube and seal the mags the night before a game, and half way through the game just to get them to hold. Nothing like pulling your pistol to hit someone and just hearing "click" followed by "puff" and nothing happening. That happened to me three or four times before I got rid of them. I won't buy one again but I would take a KJW M9 over a WE 1911.

The KWA KP45/USP series is a good platform. I have two of them and both have been solid performers. The blow back is pretty weak and the factory slide feels a bit cheap but they function fine. The KWA KP45/USP series is known for a weak trigger. Replacing the trigger isn't exactly easy (read the guide in my sig). Outside of that I don't think this series has any other known common problems. In the several years I've used my USP's I have never broken a trigger. Using it in single action helps.

The KWA M9 is absolutely better than the KJW. I don't own a KWA M9, I chose an M93R, but the important bits are the same. The quality of the materials, fit and finish, overall performance, and reliability are better. The KWA M9 does have some issues. The biggest issue, which is now fixed, was the base plates of the mags breaking off. They are now screwed to the base of the mag. The decocking lever is known to break, and the feed ramp is known to sometimes wear down and cause a jam. The decocking lever needs a replacement part from the pro shop. The feed ramp issue does not always happen. It can be fixed with a little filing to smooth out the curve.

I love the NS2 system. KWA mags are honestly the best I have ever used. They are heavy billet and out of the 30+ KWA mags I have none have ever leaked. There are other better/more supported systems out there (WA and TM mostly) but when I'm looking for a gas-n-go pistol I choose KWA. My experience with KWA has been lube the seals every game, clean and lube the slide/bbu/tracks every couple of games and it just works. That to me is worth more than anything.

Final note, KWA buckings soak up lube. This is the biggest downfall of the system. The bucking will become swollen and can cause jams and feeding problems. I've had this happen a few times and it is annoying. The buckings are proprietary and can be purchased from the pro shop. I just buy a few at a time and drop them in when needed, usually every 5-6 months depending on how much I use it.

[creativity]

What about the KWA ATP? I like the look, and it's cheaper than the USPs they offer. What do you guys think about that?

[Da Vinci - Да Винчи]

My personal thought is that it's one ugly little gun, but I strangely find it attractive. The threading on the end isn't 14mm, if I remember correctly. Also, they're coming out with an "ATP Auto" soon enough.

[creativity]

Yeah, but how are the internals? Is the NS2 Gas system in the ATP the same as the one in the other KWA pistols?

[Crapshoot]

I don't see why they would bother making a different gas system for every different model. On another note, the ATP is extremely comfortable to hold.

[Da Vinci - Да Винчи]

They're KWA, simply put. They don't have many upgrades, but shoot great out of the box. And like all KWA gas blowbacks, they are very dry when you first get them.

[Tank]

The new KWA HK45 is their only pistol with their new pistol hopup system. The hopup that it uses is the same as their rifles. I just got mine on Thursday, and the gun is awesome. I've shot about 500 rounds through it so far and it shoots pretty accurate, at range. I've had no feeding issues, and it actually came oiled pretty well. So far I've only used green gas in it. The only issue you would have with it is finding a holster. G-code does make one for it though.

[snafu]

May 27, 2012 15:57:23 GMT -5 Tank said:

The new KWA HK45 is their only pistol with their new pistol hopup system. The hopup that it uses is the same add their rifles. I just got mine on Thursday, and the gun is awesome. I've shot about 500 rounds through it so far and it shoots pretty accurate, at range. I've had no feeding issues, and it actually came oiled pretty well. So far I've only used green gas in it. The only issue you would have with it is finding a holster. G-code does make one for it though.

R-hop pistol would be fantastic. Could you imagine having a long range pistol? It would be just unfair as a backup..

[Da Vinci - Да Винчи]

I am going to attempt that.

[Tank]

May 27, 2012 17:43:42 GMT -5 Da Vinci - Да Винчи said:

I am going to attempt that.

On what? I thought you hated HK45's.

[Da Vinci - Да Винчи]

Haha, not on a 45, I just meant to R-hop a pistol in general.