First AEG Questions

[Ares]

A couple of my friends are trying to get into the airsoft field with me, and right now we're trying to figure out what the best "starter" AEG would be for our situations.

Two of them already have TM MP5-A4s, one other was thinking about a TM M4A1, and I'm looking at the TM FAMAS series. I've checked around on the MIA boards here, and done some research through Airsoft Arms and Lightfighter Tactical for all the equipment we'd need. Only thing is, I want to get my AEG setup set in stone before I order any tac gear. So, I'd really appreciate if any of you could answer these:

1.) Is the "wobbly barrel" problem on TM AR-15 series of rifles a reoccuring thing? I've checked some other boards and goggled it, and I can't really find a decisive answer about present it really is.

2.) Are there any differences between the TM FAMAS SV and FAMAS F1 I haven't found? The SV costs $15 more and has a nicer finish, and the F1 has a bipod?

3.) Does the smaller battery size on the TM M4A1 result in a lower ROF/FPS than a large-battery FAMAS or AK, or does it just have less charge before it dies out?

[Jacko]

Good questions, I'm glad you did your research!

1.) As far as I've seen, the barrel wobble only affects the full length M16 series of guns (So, the VN, A1, A2). My SR-16 foregrip is rock solid, with no wobble. I think that just making sure all the screws are tightened should suffice.

2.) Dunno anything about the FAMAS series except they were some of the original replica put out by Marui.

3.) You'll simply have a less charge, the ROF won't change unless you have a different voltage. Most 'mini' batteries are of the 8.4v variety and I know that the M4A1 sometimes has to be modified to fit bigger 9.6v batteries in there. Thankfully, mini batteries are cheap enough that you can probably afford a spare.



The only thing I would recommend for guys starting out is to get a hi-cap with their gun. I personally don't like them but everybody needs at least one.

[Knief]

about the barrel wobble...

It affects all Armalites (although the new M733 might be exempt, i can't remember if they've fixed it or not), but to what degree can't be determined. One batch of M16's could have the wobbliest barrels yet, and the next batch will be rock solid. Even within the batches there will be some deviation.

Luckily, there are tons of fixes logged on the larger nation wide forums. Check out www.airsoftplayers.com and vettaserv.pct.net/aszone and you'll find more fixes than you need.

As for the FAMAS's, the difference is the trigger guard, bipod and grenage launcher sight. Internally, they are identical.

Jacko covered batteries well. For more in depth information, check out the Newbie FAQ posted at the top of the Newbie section.

and yes, do get atleast one hicap with the gun (unless you're already planning to get a ton of standards to start out with)

[Jacko]

Oh, one thing I missed:

FPS is only ever affected by what's in your gearbox. The most basic premise is; the stronger the spring in your weapon, the higher your FPS will be. Your battery only comes into play when you're shooting over 350 FPS since you'll need more voltage to turn the motor.

[Munin]

On the topic of wobbly barrels:

Last night I was getting ready to mount a side-mount sling swivel on my SR-16. While handling the replica, I noticed a (very slight) case of barrel wobble in the gun. This was the first I had observed it (it was rock solid when I bought it). So, like the tinkerer that I am, I tore the thing apart to figure out what causes "barrel wobble" and how to fix it.

Basically it boils down to two screws. One is the screw that holds the barrel into the receiver mounting bracket, and the other is the screw-down locking housing under the D-ring that holds the receiver mounting bracket into the receiver (the screw is in the bottom of part number MA-16 and the ring is part number MA-15).

Both of these fasteners had worked loose ever so slightly (screws do that), and the result was a tiny bit of wobble. I tightened everything down, put it all back together, and voila! No more wobble.

One thing to keep in mind about the horror stories you hear about barrel wobble is that most people are unwilling to take their AEG apart, fearing that they'll somehow "mess it up." I never really understood this until a friend of mine put it in perspective. At a $300 price tag if you screw up, I guess I can see their concern. But the end result is that they will never take the steps necessary to properly maintain the replica. Worse, they'll bitch about the problem, making it seem like it's the gun that's crap.

If you are careful, pay attention to the schematics, and make sure you keep track of all the pieces, performing regular maintenance on your replica should keep everything in very solid, very good working order. You don't want to tear things apart so frequently that you start to strip screws or anything, but a periodic tightening of a few key fastenings will keep you going strong regardless.

[Viking]

Thread Lock is a beautiful thing. Fixed my Sr16's wobble the first time I had to fix it, rock solid ever since.

[Ares]

Well, seems like the wobbly barrel problem was finally aggred upon. Onto other problems: I'm gravitating back towards M4-style TM rifles. The mini battery is really not that much of a handicap is it? I'm good as long as I bring a spare? I've heard differing statements that the M4 RIS can hold a large battery in the handgrip (with some unwanted jury-rigging) but it's a little out of my price range anyways. I'm thinking the smaller battery performing decently is the deciding factor that will buy the m4 for me.

[Jacko]

With a spare you could be fine. If you wanna spend the money, a Guarder AN/PEQ-2 will allow you to put a truly monstrous battery on the M4A1.

And if it's really that much of an issue, get the SR-16. Large battery in an M4 sized package.

[Ares]

Whoa...I just did something really weird. I was editing that 2nd post, and then forgot I was editing it while I was doing some research about SR-16's, since I have no idea what they are. Then, I FUBAR'ed the post I was editing, and just reposted the thing without the SR-16 comments. So, back to the original train of thought:

I've heard the SR-16 is a M4 with a chopped off top handgrip. Can someone give me a link to it? Airsoft Arms, Airsoft 1, and ArniesAirsoft have nothing about it...

[luke213]

It's actually a m4 with a solid stock, well mostly since it has the flat top like the m4 though it doesn't come with the carry handle like the m4, none the less look at any airsoft retailer of search with google.com type "sr-16 airsoft review" you'll get plenty.

Luke

[Jacko]

SR-16 Black recievers, vertical grip and rear flip up sight.

[luke213]

copyright infringment:) Don't you read the pop-up when you right click:) I have nothing else to say yeah I don't either I was just to lazy to post a pic:)

Luke

EDIT: Also that is a RIS rail on the front for accesories

[Viking]

If you trying to decide what armalite to go with (M16 variants) go with the SR16, out of the box it’s the most functional and best looking (black instead of light grey receivers). I love mine, best gun I’ve had yet (we ties with the Ak47 but I am tired of meh AK that’s why its for sale on ebay) I even just finished painting mine with a forest scheme to make me even more the sneaky bastard then I was before. Pheer the unseen.

[Snip]

If your worried about battery size on a M4 series, check out www.boomarms.com. They have a tactic match crane stock that can hold either a 9.6v 3300 mah, or a 9,6v 1700 mah battery.