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Description:
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Airsoft GI G4-A3 review by XavierMace
Discuss this review here.
Basic Information
The Airsoft GI G4-A3 is part of Airsoft GI's new line of affordable custom M4's. The gun uses a Combat Machines M4 as a base and then Airsoft GI customizes each model to suit a different purpose and offer them at an affordable price. This allows you to get a gun that includes parts you would normally pay for at a reasonable price saving you both time and money. You can purchase this particular model from Airsoft GI here for $180.
Airsoft GI G4-A3 Out of box
Product Description/First Impressions:
The gun comes in a plain cardboard box with a plastic tray. It serves it's purpose of protecting the gun during transport. Inside you find the gun, a grey metal high capacity magazine, and a cleaning rod. The gun comes with a metal orange birdcage flash hider. The flash hider removed with minimal effort allowing you to use a flash hider of your choosing.
Marine Trademarks
Externals
While the receiver is plastic, it's a quite durable industrial plastic. The receiver is black in color and has no flexing or bending that I could observe. The outer barrel is convertible and appears to be aluminum featuring NATO markings. The inner barrel does extend the full length of the outer barrel, so when using the shorter configuration the inner barrel will extend past the flash hider.
Madbull Dragonfire Free Float RAS.
The RAS is a Madbull Dragonfire Free float RAS. This is one of the several newer RAS systems that are based on Olympic Arms' FIRSH hand guards. In my opinion, it's one of the better thought out systems, especially for airsoft because it's much more forgiving for manufacturing differences. RAS units such as the Madbull Noveske or JP units have a barrel nut and then screws that run through the RAS into the barrel nut. This is great, assuming your receiver threads are identical to their design. Otherwise, you are left with an ugly gap between the RAS and the receiver or a crooked RAS. With this style of hand guard, you tighten the barrel nut, then thread the RAS onto the nut and simply tighten the RAS onto the nut with two screws. This allows you to adjust the RAS as needed to mesh with the receiver without sacrificing stability. The end result is a completely stable RAS that meshes with your receiver. The RAS is available in many lengths in addition to the standard carbine length included with this gun.
Front sight post
Sights wise, the gun includes a ARMS #40 style flip up rear sight and a PRI style flip up front sight/gas block. Both sights lock securely into place (up and down) and are adjustable. The front sight is adjustable for elevation and the rear sight for windage. The front sight is a bit odd in the manner it attaches. Rather than using roll pins, it uses a pair of long metric screws as well as a smaller set screw on the bottom. This made removing the sight a breeze (which was a relief), which you will have to do if you decide to replace the barrel or RAS at any point.
SOPMOD (Crane) Battery Stock
The stock is a LMT style SOPMOD (or more commonly known as a crane stock) which will hold standard crane stock batteries. This is a standard dimension stock, not an enlarged one such as Classic Army uses, which means it will not hold Sub-C cells. The stock locks securely into place, but doesn't collapse very well once you have a battery in it. I think the wiring is simply too long between the gun and the battery but it's not a huge deal. Plus if you ever decide to replace the crane stock with a full stock for some reason, you will need the extra wiring.
As mentioned previously, the barrel can be switched between M4 length (14.5") and CQB/Commando length (10.5"). I personally think this is a nice touch as this allows you to replace the extension with a mock silencer which is always a nice touch.
Stock inner barrel with carbine extension removed
Internals
While the gun does not shoot as hot as most new guns (which I don't think is a bad thing), internally it's a very well assembled gun. It fires nice and smooth and is reasonably quiet. The gearbox seems to be well made and assembled well. It's got a good amount of grease, maybe a bit on the heavy side but better than too little grease.
The gears are well made and seem plenty strong. They seem to be standard ratio gears, but I can't say the exact ratio. The gears are well greased and shimmed quite well.
The cylinder and head are fairly run of the mill. You have the blue/green anodized cylinder and a polycarbonate head. The nozzle is your standard black plastic nozzle.
The piston is made of a black plastic like material, but I cannot say for certain exactly what time of material. Could be polycarbonate piston dyed black. It seems similar to Madbull's black pistons.
The gun comes with a metal spring guide and a M100 spring. The wiring on the back features QD plugs which is great for removing the gearbox without having to completely removing all the wiring from the stock and then feed it back through when you are done.
Power/Magazines
The gun uses standard M4 magazines and I have tested it with Star and MAG mags in addition to the included high cap. This particular model is wired to the rear and uses standard Crane Stock batteries. The stock is the proper size, not enlarge as with some Crane Stocks. Therefore, the gun will not take Crane Stock batteries that use Sub-C cells. Airsoft GI included an Intellect 9.6v 1200mah battery for testing. The battery fits in with ease and has no trouble pulling over the gun.
Performance Characteristics:
The gun chrono'd out of the box at 305fps-310fps using .25g BB's. The ROF was on average 13.5rps on an 8.4v 3000mah battery. The gun is quite quiet for an M4 and cycles smoothly. Accuracy was rather good for a gun in this price range. From 30' the gun was achieving roughly 2" groupings. From 75' the groupings increased to about 3". There was a decent breeze, so that did effect the groupings somewhat. All things considered, I'm quite pleased with the performance, especially for the price. This may become my dedicated CQB gun.
75' Standing - AE .25g BB's
In all honesty, with any sort of proper bracing position or even less wind, I would say you could shave 1" off those groupings. Quite sufficient for a stock entry level gun.
Accessories/Modifications
Due to the gun being a standard M4 at heart, there is no shortage of upgrade parts if can take both internally and externally. It's a standard V2 gearbox design and TM compatible receiver so any M4 upgrades out there will work. The rear wiring is plenty long to switch to a full stock and the standard receiver means there is no shortage of upgrade receivers out there.
How would you like your tacticool done?
Skirmish Results
The gun is a fantastic all around performer. I've used it in a few CQB games and it has performed admirably. The gun feeds fine, has a nice ROF and will run perfectly on just about any battery. The plastic body is plenty sturdy to handle being banged around a bit and the lighter weight is actually kind of nice for those long battles.
Conclusion:
Overall, I'm very impressed with the gun. For $180 you get a nice solid M4 that should last you a long time. The gun performs quite well in stock condition and didn't need any work/tuning done out of the box. The FPS is perfect for CQB but the accuracy is still sufficient for outdoor games. The receiver is quite nice for a plastic gun and the crane stock is a welcome addition.
End Notes:
Many thanks to Airsoft GI for providing the gun and battery for this review. Additional pictures are available on my website at photos.xaviermace.com.
Written by XavierMace, 6/14/2009
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I do like pie
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Posts: 6,415
Registered: January 2007
Location: Mesa, AZ
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;)
