KWA LM4 vs WE-Tech GBBR

[Raptor]

So i'm looking to finally add a GBBR to my collection and i'm kinda stuck in a pickle of what to get, i'm down to KWA LM4 or a WE-Tech GBBR. I've heard pros and cons of each but I want to know what you guys who have expirence with either system what you think of them and help me decide which one to get.

[Elvis]

I own a we msk, I have had it for about two months. I like it a lot, it is a lot of fun to shoot and is just amazing in general. It is great for cqb but the accuracy kinda sucks so for a field use it does not perform well. However, I have heard that a orga barrel will greatly improve it's accuracy. I have had issues with propane but I am sure it is because of the cold weather and my bad habit of under filling the mags. It is significantly less money than a lm4 AND it is not map controlled so you can use any coupon code further reducing the price. The mags are also a lot cheaper, about 25-30$, compared to the kwa mags which are around $50.

I can not speak for the lm4 but a we tech gbbr will be a good, less expensive option and make a good add on to a collection.

[Zinger]

Hey there, I'm like elvis here, I own a WE SCAR and the WE M4. I have used a LM4 for a few games as well, but I personally also prefer WE. For one like he said, they are much more affordable than the KWA, but also they have been around much longer. The aftermarket parts available for the WE GBBR's is extensive to say the least. KWA is catching up, but it'll be a long time before they are at the level WE is currently at. Another thing is the finish on the guns, I've heard nothing but complaints about how delicate the finish of the LM4 is. Both my WE's are nearly perfect, although the scar is 2 years old and the M4 is only a few weeks old, so the M4 has yet to be tested. I also heard that the LM4 upper rail on the receiver is held in by a pin, which tends to wobble over time. I don't know why they'd do that, but it defiantly isn't something I would like. I will admit the WE stock accuracy is a bit disappointing, its not actually all that bad, especially in CQB, like elvis said. A new bucking does wonders to these. KWA stock will perform better than WE, in terms of accuracy and consistency. Reliability is kinda up in the air, in general, I'd say the LM4 is a bit more reliable, but an upgraded WE will blow it out of the water. The biggest thing is that you need to baby these guns, cleaning them between games, keeping them lubed up, don't let them sit around drying o-rings and such. In terms of after market compatibility, they are about the same, again WE has more items available specifically for it, but just about any real steel MILSPEC items will work with the WE GBBR's, I cant speak for the LM4 with that, but from the people I've spoken with, it sounds like they are the same way. Internally, the KWA comes with about 90% steel internals, where the WE only comes with about 10% steel. Again the entire WE internals can be replaced with steel parts, the KWA will save you that expense, but if you take care of it properly they will last. Overall, if you want out of the box best gun, I'd go with the LM4, but if your looking for a fun project, and want to learn about GBBR's, WE is the way to go, in the end you'll have a much better gun, for about the same price as a fully kitted out LM4. I need to leave for class soon, so I'm in a bit of a hurry, so this was kinda written as it came to me, so it is a little unorganized, but I hoped it helped you out, if you have any specific questions, send me a pm, and I'll see if I can help you out.

A few more things I forgot. The buffer system on the WE is a much better design. In fact it uses a real AR buffer lock and a real steel buffers will work in the WE. I recommend not using real buffer springs. The kwa uses a much smaller design and to add to it, the lock is not steel. Something that will surely break in the future. One of the most important things I forgot is the recoil. Stock the KWA does have more recoil, but the WE is not far behind. Which is suprising considering the lack of a steel bolt. I can only imaging what it'll be like with a steel bolt. Lastly you can powerstroke the WE. The kwa will require modification to be able to powerstroke it.

[Gimpalong]

I'm not a GBBR user, but when I was considering going that direction I watched a bunch of reviews from this guy.

I found his reviews to be pretty useful.

[Raptor]

So after research and watching a lot of that guys youtube videos (Thanks Gimpalong), i've decided i'm going with a WE-Tech and just going to RA-Tech it out.

[Zinger]

Hey hey, welcome to the club. Haha. Just to add to Gimpalong's video, check out MaximusMJG. He Almost exclusivly uses WE GBBR's, and he puts out a lot of how-to/informative videos about the WE GBBR's and their RA Tech parts. Its a good sized channel, but he responds to almost every question I have asked, he was pretty good about it. It has been about 3-4 months since his last video was uploaded, so I don't know if he is still around, but his archive of videos/reviews is still worth checking out.

[TheEnd]

I have a full RA Tech WE 416. Honestly WE is a solid choice. I don't have any hard evidence, but my reading over the last few years suggests Wetti/WE uses a different manufacturer for their pistols and rifles. Many of the international or European forums were commenting on the Chinese crack downs and the pistols and rifles weren't affected at the same time. Also there was that whole European thing between Wetti and WE about distribution rights.

At any rate I've owned/used several WE pistols and the rifles just don't feel the same. The rifles feel much nicer. As I said, no hard proof, but holding them hand in hand makes it pretty obvious.

The RA Tech parts are generally not drop in fit. You will need to file or clearance certain areas in each assembly group. My steel bolt was fairly close to drop in but required filing in the cylinder area to stop it from shredding the O-ring. My trigger group was almost drop in, only requiring some smoothing on a sear face. The steel firing pin requires a lot of clearancing to fit properly. Most importantly, DO NOT BUY GEN 1 MAGS!! The Gen 1 mags suck ass because they use a large gasket down the entire back length of the mag. The Gen 2 design is based on the G36 mag, and it has a small gasket around the center (there is a top and bottom half). To tell them apart simply remove the floor plate. If there is a Phillips head screw you have a Gen 2, if there is no screw it is a Gen 1. All parts besides the gas tanks are interchangeable so a Gen 1 is still good for valves and bolt lock components. I snatch up leaky Gen 1's to have rebuild components for my Gen 2's. I keep my Gen 2 mags lubed and haven't had to do anything besides minor valve maintenance or replacement.

I have put about 5-10K rounds through the RA Tech internals and have been mostly impressed. The FPS is a bit random (as all gas-in-mag rifles will be) but accuracy with the VSR hop up is excellent. If you want to help save your internals do not use the bolt release. Pull the charging handle to release it. The 416 ran great on stock WE parts and just as well on the RA Tech stuff. It's a solid design with less than stellar materials from the factory.

[Raptor]

So i actually ended up getting a LM4 today, is they're anything i should upgrade in it?

[Ogre]

Same type of upgrade you would do for every gun. R Hop or Flat hop. KM4 shouldn't have too many out of the box issues.

[Raptor]

Nov 30, 2014 10:32:00 GMT -5 Ogre said:

Same type of upgrade you would do for every gun. R Hop or Flat hop. KM4 shouldn't have too many out of the box issues.

I got a LM4 not a KM4.

[Ogre]

I know, it was a typo.