KSC Taiwan & Japan

[Illogical]

I am looking to buy my first blowback gas pistol and thinking of either a M9 or a G19 from KSC. I noticed from WGC and Den that there is a two versions. A Japanese and Taiwan version. Other than price, is there a difference that should be considered. Also, why would I buy out of the USA? Doesn't seem to be all that big a difference in pricing when all the costs are added up.

[SilentSEAL]

There is no difference, that i know of, in the Taiwanese and Japanese versions. The only difference is that whent he guns are produced they usually ship them to Japan to be checked out and tested, in the Taiwanese version they do not send it to Japan, so it costs less. However, you then run the chance of getting a lemon(totally non-working ) or just a craped up gun when u recieve it. I have no idea how many disfunctional guns are actually produced, so i ahve no idea what the chances of getting a lemon is. Seems to me that the chances would be pretty slim , but it's all up to you

[Knief]

This is the best discussion i've seen on the topic;

www.airsoftzone.com/forums/message.cfm?topic_id=32602&forum_id=11#377847

When ever you have a glcok 19 question, head over to airsoft zone and search for posts by melbs and prizzawh in the gas gun section from last year. They cover almost every aspect of it.

It doesn't matter whether or not you order your gun from over seas, just don't order your gas from overseas. They can't ship the pressurized gas by air, so they send it by ship. it can take up to three weeks.

[Ed]

A team mate of mine (Duncan) ownes a G19 Taiwan version. Over the summer we went to M40 Paintball to play with the WTS guys. There, a guy had the Japanese version. From the outside there seemed to be no differences. FYI: The G19 shoots like a dream.

Obviously the Taiwanese people can make the gun cheaper than the Japanese. But as I said, Duncan's gun operates just fine.

[Knief]

While we're updating the info here, i forgot to add that mine is a taiwanese version, and it' preforms beautifully. A team mate of mine one shotted me in the head with it (i know, shot by my own gun, true poetic irony). he was out of my range, appearently i wasn't out of his.

[Illogical]

Hey thanks for the input. I decided to buy a KSC G19. It is supposed to show up in 2 days. I found a deal on web from a company in Washington that upgrades the gun with a Metal Slide, Metal barrel, Sight and spring set already installed in gun all for $130. If interested you can check it out at:

secure.mycart.net/catalogs/catalog.asp?category=59018&prodid=1375622

[Minky]

For that price, you're probably getting a KWA G19, much like what AirsoftAtlanta sells (for $119...). The slide probably wont have any markings or trademarks on it, and the trigger safety will be gone. Since these are the things that makes a Glock a Glock, they are removed on the KWA import-friendly versions.

Also, though it may sound like you're getting a lot of stuff in that package, everything they list is what comes with the HK metal slide package you can buy from most high-end retailers, and it comes with full trademarks. Sorry to say it, but you probably should have done a little more research before buying. You could have at least saved some money...

[Illogical]

Minky,

:-[Caveat Preemptor - the pictures on the website clearly show that it with a KSC brand and the part number is a KSC brand.

I will be upset if its not KSC. I do understand you comments on the metal slide and markings. In reading, I am beginning to understand that another benefit of airsoft beside the fun of shooting is getting a gun as authentically close to the real thing. I probably didn't appreciate this up front.

Since I don't think this is my first gun, if I were to do it over again, how/where would I go to buy this stuff again.

Thanks for you help and also one of the main reasons I bought the G19 was the comments you prevously made about how much you like your G19.

Thanks again

[Minky]

Sorry I had to be the bearer of (possibly) bad news.

The main reason I'm doubting that it's a true KSC gun is the price. The cheapest KSC G19 (the taiwan version) will cost you over $100 from a US retailer, and then add a metal slide/barrel kit and you're close to, if not over $200 invested. The pre-upgraded G19s that have appeared at some of the US retailers lately have all been under $150 from what I've seen, such as the site you posted, as well as AirsoftAtlanta and AirsoftExtreme. In fact, I just noticed AirsoftExtreme has the lowest KWA G19 price I've seen....

For your next airsoft purchase, the best advice I can give you is to buy from a dedicated airsoft retailer, not a place like you purchased your G19 from that sells a variety of things like paintball, airguns etc. If you go with an airsoft-only retailer, they will usually know a lot more about what they're selling, and have lower prices along with better service. Sites such as www.AirsoftOhio.com , www.Airsoftplayers.com , and to a lesser extent (in terms of quality sites) www.Airsoftzone.com all have listings of airsoft retailers. Places that I've purchased from and had a good experience with in the US include www.Mdairsoft.com , www.Airsofttoys.com , and www.generationairsoft.com . Overseas, I've dealt with DEN, WGC, and UNcompany.

[Illogical]

Well the gun showed up and it was a KWA. Minky you called this one correct. I am sending it back and called the company. They added KWA to the website but overall, I believe they were quite misleading.

I will see how well they process the credit. No more goofing around, I off to buy a real KSC G19 at this point.

[WTS-Mike]

I am suprised that was still listed as KSC, b/c about 3 months ago, I had a guy come in and was all geeked on how he got such a great deal on KSC guns upgraded that he bought 6 of em for his team, etc.. from the guy in WA, and then when they arrived........KWA........(I chuckled a little on the inside) but I figured that would have to be changed by now if enough people complained.

[Illogical]

When I phoned the guy at Target Zone Sports he attempted to convince me that KWA and KSC were the same thing. He didn't seem real responsive until I told him that I was going dispute the bill with VISA. He asked me to not do that and send the gun back and he would credit my card. He also said that if he had a dispute that this would be a black mark with his status with VISA and if he had too many they would cancel his ability to take credit cards.

I called VISA and they said I could always dispute at a later point if he didn't credit the bill. All I had to do is send it with proof of delivery reciept.

Hopefully this will all work its way out.

On a more positive side, I ordered the KSC G19 today. Can't waite to get it.

[Minky]

Bummer about the first G19 you purchased Illogical! It was just too good to be true though. At least the guy is being responsive and you'll hopefully be getting your money back.

So, where did you order from this time?

[Illogical]

I purchased from Olympus Airsoft. I have become a little more skilled and after finding this site went to the airsoft zone forums and did a search on this website and recieved overall good feedback. Most of the complaints revolved around that at first they were low cost and then raised prices after suppliers threatened to cut them off.

Another interesting thing is they have an option to restore the gun's trademarks and remove orange for $20 extra. I bought with this option. Maybe I wasted $20 bucks if this is easy to do, but since its my first I was willing to pay the extra bucks. Overall, with shipping and restoration the KSC Taiwan version cost me $137. I will probably consider a metal slide from HK at a later point.

If I made a mistake again please let me be ..... I can't stand to

[Minky]

Hehe, OK then I won't mention that the KSC G19 has no trademarks that would be covered, and the orange would probably have came right off with some rubbing alcohol and Qtips. ;D

Anyway, sounds like you made a better choice for ordering this time. I've bought some BBs on ebay from the guy who runs Olympus, and have read good things about him for actual gun orders. He gets his stuff right from WGC I believe, so anything you see on their HK site he should be able to get.