Low budget first-gun buy ; Ak or M4?

[murdok]

I live in northern Michigan and me and my girlfriend have just decided to get into the Wonderful World of Airsoft together.

Since we're both on a tight budget we've since picked 2 guns that meet criteria and don't bust $150

>http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?products_id=4003

>http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?products_id=7966

Having shot both real steal variants I have no real personal preference, I like the ak's rugged build and balance but I also like the AR's fit and precision.

When it comes to the AEG's themselves I can't find a good reason to prefer one over the other

Can somebody shed some light for me?

[Collin]

A bunch of people on here like the G&G combat machines, and you'll probably get a few positive responses on that particular gun, but on many other sites people like the CYMA AK variants as budget guns. Some may say that G&Gs internals are much better, although I have never had a problem with my first gun (CYMA AK).

I think between these two I would pick my personal preference for how it feels in my hands. You said that you've shot both in real steel. So which felt better to hold, and shoot?

Other than that, you are correct that there isn't much reason to choose one or another when they're around the same price.

[murdok]

I find that I prefer the AR in shooting and handling, when we're talking real steal.

Lurking the site a little more, I see the potential in the AR a little more than the 105 (not to say that the AK doesn't have external capabilities.) It seems to me that when it comes to internal over external the Combat Machine seems to win out in the long run.

I guess the real answer here is to ask the girlfriend what she prefers in hand and, of course, looks.

Just to clarify we're getting TWO of the same gun

[alexbuechel]

I side with Colin on this. G&G Combat Machines are amazing starter low budget guns

[bobbunny]

Another +1 for the Combat Machine from me. Great guns.

[M.S.-ARC]

In terms of customization and personalization, M4's typically have more options than ak's. Also I'd take a G&G any day.

[murdok]

I think you guys have me convinced, thanks a million

[Bison]

www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?products_id=10377

They have not been released yet but I have heard great things about KWA's 2GX gearbox. It looks like it has a metal upper and polymer lower. I might pick one up for a backup for OPNL.

[helmet]

A lot of people rag on KWA because they bought their earlier AEGs with the standard V2 gearboxes. But since they made major improvements and created the 2GX box, they are extremely high quality now and I was very impressed when I took my KWA KM4 RIS apart to regrease and shim it.

If you want a great starter gun get the G&G combat machine M4 or if you can spend a little more, a lower end KWA M4 with a version 2GX gearbox. You won't be disappointed with either gun.

[UAD Airsoft]

I currently have a G&G Combat Machine and have about 40k rounds through it and I don't have a problem, I have reshimmed it, adjusted the AOE and other small things. For $30 I picked up a 6.03mm MadBull TB barrel, for $40 I also picked up a E1 Metal Hop up and to top it off, I got a free float rail system for $60. M4/M16 offer a ton of external customization options. I have a couple videos on YouTube of me and my team mates G² CM guns.

[murdok]

What's the argument on KWA over G&G or vice-versa?

I suppose the important question is what does the 2GX box have over the standard G&G gearbox?
From what I'm looking at price-to-feature is the same gun with a metal upper.

Also, what's the best 9.6v for the price, not the cheapest just the biggest bang for buck.

[Ghast]

I'm sure Ike will be in here to shit all over KWA's shortly. I however happen to love them because they're robust as hell. There's ZERO body wobble at all. The 2GX box itself (just the mechbox shell) is proprietary, meaning one of a kind. But out of the box they work phenomenally, drop in a 15c LiPo and it'll be a sewing machine. The drawback to KWA's though is that they have some REALLY ugly trades on the lowers.

BUT the G&G's are really nice as well. I've seen a few M16's have some motor height issues (very easy to correct), but like the KWA's they'll run equally well right out of the box.

I find the KWA's to be much more accurate than the G&G's though, even doing a side by side shooting test, due to the hopup rubber and precision barrel.

[murdok]

So if I were to drop a new tighbore and hop-up into a CM it would show little to no difference accuracy wise?

I'm not so sure on this, and hate to be quick to take sides but as of the moment the G&G aesthetics have me drawn (except for giant CM marking)

The next important question would be; what's the ratio of getting a lemon when you compare KWA and G&G?

[Alucard]

Accuracy in a Combat Machine?
Tight bores don't always work too well for accuracy- but if you stayed within the 6.03-6.04 range you'll see a slight tightening of your groupings. If you shimmed your hop-up unit, stabilized your barrel, used slightly heavier bb's and had ideal compression - that's when you'll see the drastic improvements to your accuracy.

The pertinent question that hasn't been asked - What are your plans for the role you'll be playing after you purchase your gun?

[murdok]

I stated somewhere above that I wanted to find a happy medium in between field gun and potential cqb gun. Since I live in a rather isolated area with few other people to play with I want to keep my options open as time goes on so my girlfriend, me and our friends can adjust our game and play style.

Keep in mind; I'm new to airsoft but I've been lurking for a long-long time, so if I think I know what I'm doing, I'm probably not.