Topic: Decent starter GBB pistol to buy (Read 3618 times)

ARMYRANGER32 · « **on:** July 19, 2011, 11:16:25 PM »

I am looking for a decent GBB pistol to buy that is somewhat accurate and has a decent kick to it. I like the WE hicapas but have heard mixed reviews on their performance and reliability. It would also be nice to be able to change the slide to one of these http://www.airsoftpost.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_127&products_id=32522 if it doesnt come with one. I am looking at beginning piece to be in the $100-$160 range.

Limey · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2011, 04:52:43 AM »

IMO when it comes to pistols it's TM all the way due to their reliability and better performing hop units. The slide you linked to should fit both the TM hi cappa and 1911

ryanm · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2011, 01:05:24 PM »

Yeah, get a TM. The KJWs are mostly compatible, but the mags suck and the parts wear and need to be replaced. Same with WE. Anything less expensive than WE or KJW will be useless in a month or two of regular use. And TM pistols are only a few $$ more than WE and KJW, and sometimes even less.

Also, don't worry about upgrading the slide right away. Do that later, after you've used it stock for a while, if you still think you need to.

ryanm

def · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2011, 01:33:23 PM »

TM pistols are awesome, I have had a couple of MK23'S and 226's in the past and each performed amazingly.

Limey · « **Reply #4 on:** July 20, 2011, 01:39:12 PM »

Quote from: ryanm on July 20, 2011, 01:05:24 PM

Also, don't worry about upgrading the slide right away. Do that later, after you've used it stock for a while, if you still think you need to

Agreed, bear in mind the TMs come with a plastc slide so replacing it with a metal one will reduce gas efficency due to the extra weight. Not sure what the weather is like in your neck of the woods but over here that can be a problem in the colder months

ARMYRANGER32 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2011, 02:03:40 PM »

Ok, thanks guys for all of the replies. What effects would propane being used in the TM models be? Like what would most likely fail first?

Chaos_1.0 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 20, 2011, 02:04:00 PM »

If you can I afford it I would buy the TM. My next choice would be KJW. I have a KJW 1911 I have beat to death and it still works perfectly. My last choice would be WE. I have not had a good experience with WE pistols at all.

fwc · « **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2011, 03:01:51 PM »

I have a TM Hi-Capa 5.1. Runs fine on HFC gas and has a nice clean kick with 285fps/.20g bb; on green gas, has a harder kick and ups the fps to 320fps/.20g, so it's still usable with indoor CQB rules. But I am aware that some (the Marui plastic) items will eventually wear/break and is in general not recommended to use green gas for long term (ab)use.
I looked/tried the KWA 1911/M226/KP45 and the H&K/Umarex USP Tactical and the WE 1911 MEU. I settled on the Marui Hi-Capa, as well, it's the Marui name. The USP/M226 were close seconds as these fit my hand well, not too heavy, fit a wide range of holsters; but there were limited accessory/upgrades available. Can't beat the Marui for the wide range of accessories and upgrades available.

Those items that can be prone to wear/tear/breakage are the loading nozzle, hammer mechanism, slide and outer barrel. The other potential weak point, is the gas flow valve on the TM mags; with green/propane these too will eventually break/leak. For that reason I bought a couple of the WE Hi-Capa mags ... one can buy high flow gas valves and R&R the Marui mags (use a valve tool). Seen the 51 round gas mag? Like wow for CQB!
Many update the slide and outer barrel with metal replacements; often with a tightbore barrel. I have a complete metal (aluminum) slide system - this has the advantage of slide off the old, slide on the new; the kit includes metal slide, front and rear sights, metal innner and outer barrels, spring guide, recoil spring, hopup unit and loading nozzle. In one kit I've updated the reliability items; can be had from $50 and up, shop around!

A GBB adds some realism and with the right upgrades, functionality too. And as a secondary for when your primary is down or you want to run n gun

chris

Trijicon432 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 20, 2011, 06:55:40 PM »

I can't stand WE Dragons, they're just oversize dead weight at times. Then again I have small hands so I like compact weapons like the USPc or the compact Glocks. Serpa's are amazing, they look great with a terrific draw. I know we're just talking about pistols but on a long run.. "unconventional " sidearms such as the Sig x5 or Dragons means drawbacks from cool holsters

XavierMace · « **Reply #9 on:** July 20, 2011, 10:27:20 PM »

If you want "unconventional" and still have "cool" holsters, get a TM Five-seveN.

xbeeongx · « **Reply #10 on:** July 21, 2011, 11:52:46 AM »

If I may add to the discussion: KWA (mentioned earlier) makes very nice gbb pistols as well. I'm not sure how often TM updates their designs, but KWA is at least a better overall manufacturer in both AEG and gbb, IMHO, no need to start a flame war.

I have had my full sized KWA USP for almost 3 years, with moderate / regular use, but here's a little bit of a caveat: My USP rides in a serpa lvl 2 holster across my chest, up high (NOT a crossdraw), pointing left. This config is not only the most comfortable and easiest draw method, but it also keeps the pistol out of the dirt even if I'm prone with my elbows supporting my upper torso. So it doesn't bang into things when I sprint, as it might if it rode in a hip / drop hip rig.

So what I mean by the above paragraph is that I haven't really put my airsoft pistol through a real torture test of dropping, scraping, impacting, etc because it rides so close to my center of mass I can guard it
well.

I haven't had to replace / "MacGyver-ize" (read: improvise) a single part, but in being honest, I *have* had some issues. All of them have been minor and resolved. I have used propane in it since DAY ONE.

However, if you still decide to go TM I won't be offended. To each his own.

ARMYRANGER32 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 21, 2011, 02:09:00 PM »

I think I will try out this http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?cPath=139_25_130&products_id=6456 just because it has tons of compatible parts and I wouldnt have to worry about the slide cracking if using propane. The link in my first post on evike says it is compatible with all hi capas and the 1911s but arent the slide lengths different?

Thanks in advance

Limey · « **Reply #12 on:** July 21, 2011, 03:30:39 PM »

I'd avoid anything by Socom Gear as I've lodt count of the number of their pistols which have died at my regular site. Don't worry about using propane with a plastic slide, yes it will wear out faster but it will last longer than some would like people to believe. The only plastic slide I've ever broke was an old KSC Glock 18C which I ran on green gas for two to three years before it finally went in 30'C heat.

Trijicon432 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 21, 2011, 06:25:02 PM »

Socom Gear is nothing but WE rebranded.. might as well say stay away from WE.

eye.of.the.walrus · « **Reply #14 on:** July 24, 2011, 11:27:55 AM »

I have a KWA M9 PTP NS2. It's a great gun. I've been running propane and .25s and it gets 100 feet easily. I been able to get upwards of 40 shots out of a single propane fill. I have a friend that owns a WE and one that owns a TM hi-capa. The WE 1911 is a gas guzzler barely getting 15 shots with a fill. The TM is a good gun, but was inconsistent at times. The only problem I've had with the M9 is a broken trigger spring, but I'm fairy certain that's an issue with most M9s. KWA's repair center got it back to me in 6 days which is great (free under 45 day warranty). I got it for $150. You may want to check out the KWA ATP. It's Glock-ish (though they claim it isn't) and is on preorder for $130.

I say KWA or TM.

Reezo · « **Reply #15 on:** August 06, 2011, 05:49:31 PM »

Thanks for the great info I was about to start a similar topic but..didn't

Hippo_Gangster · « **Reply #16 on:** August 18, 2011, 11:21:37 PM »

If you wnt to go really cheap, I suggest an HFC G17.

bensand1 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 20, 2011, 08:14:29 PM »

> THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD BUY <

HFC M9 !!!!! Its only around $70 and is a gas blow back. A great deal. Full Metal.

http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?products_id=6636

Trijicon432 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 23, 2011, 11:52:49 AM »

HFC G17 is hard to find and if you do run into one, they rape the price on it for like 150 bucks apparently cuz its a Glock....

HFC m9 is alright but if you think the gun is black.. then you're sadly mistaken. It's this goofy OD color like their P226 (which again another good gun).

Rampenfest · « **Reply #19 on:** August 23, 2011, 09:34:11 PM »

KWA. They have great externals good internals and good fps. If you are looking to upgrade the pistol then get a TM, but for an "as is" pistol, in my opinion KWA is the top.

ryanm · « **Reply #20 on:** August 26, 2011, 04:54:45 PM »

KWA GBBs are solid and reliable. However, they are as good as they will ever get right out of the box. And the hopup sucks. I don't know why KWA/KSC is still jacking with that stupid ball-bearing hopup, but it's just awful at range.

If you want an under 20 foot "oh crap" pistol, KWAs are great, they won't fail, and if they do, parts are available from the pro shop for cheap.

If you want to hit anything at a distance (like if you're a sniper with a 100ft MED), TM is the only option out of the box that's even worth looking at.

ryanm

jimmiroquai · « **Reply #21 on:** September 01, 2011, 07:14:38 PM »

I suggest you decide which model handgun you really want in the first place. Then decide on brand. For example, my favorite GBB of all time is the WE Luger P08. Performance wise, it won't hold a candle to any TM/KSC/KWA/WA out there, but WE is the only manufacturer who made a full metal luger. At it does it's job at its price. Here are some tips though: If you want a 1911 based gun, go with TM or WA, no other. And use the plastic slide til it breaks before replacing it. You will be surprised at how heavily plastic can kick. And plastic is more resilient than a lot of the pot metal slides out there. If you want a glock, KSC/KWA are better than TM in my experience. Berreta? some of the ACM Berretas (Like Bell), after some DIY mods, have surprisingly good performance and durability. But again, pic the model you want first then pick a brand. Don't just pick any random GBB model.

ryanm · « **Reply #22 on:** September 02, 2011, 12:28:40 PM »

Quote from: jimmiroquai on September 01, 2011, 07:14:38 PM

I suggest you decide which model handgun you really want in the first place. Then decide on brand.

...

Here are some tips though: If you want a 1911 based gun, go with TM or WA, no other. And use the plastic slide til it breaks before replacing it. You will be surprised at how heavily plastic can kick. And plastic is more resilient than a lot of the pot metal slides out there.

What he said.

Quote

If you want a glock, KSC/KWA are better than TM in my experience.

Have to disagree here. I have 3 KCS glocks on my bench for repair right now. Never had a TM glock come in for repair. And they still have that stupid ball-bearing hopup, which I hate.

Quote

Berreta? some of the ACM Berretas (Like Bell), after some DIY mods, have surprisingly good performance and durability.

But you will eventually have replaced everything inside the gun, so that you've essentially turned it into a TM using aftermarket parts, and you're only using the Bell metal body. In the long run, it's cheaper to buy the TM and just buy an aftermarket body.

ryanm

TheUknownGun12 · « **Reply #23 on:** September 04, 2011, 10:51:58 AM »

KWA usp ns2. Enough said woot woot! No but foe real. Amazing pistol!

TheGreyMan · « **Reply #24 on:** September 08, 2011, 05:42:26 PM »

Quote from: TheUknownGun12 on September 04, 2011, 10:51:58 AM

KWA usp ns2. Enough said woot woot! No but foe real. Amazing pistol!

I've owned both NS2 and a KSC and KWA original one. NS2 took a big poop, original took a smaller poop, and the KSC one still runs fine, but the slide sticks.

Oh, did I mention that the triggers are really easy to break?

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Author Topic: Decent starter GBB pistol to buy (Read 3618 times)