Becoming an Airsoft Enthusiast

[Emre1337]

Originally Posted by Styrak

If you think a WE with a heavy slide has a fast cycle rate (it doesn't), try a stock TM Hicapa.

As I originally said I'm skeptical about TM's, only because they have plastic slides. I'm not that knowledgeable about the subtle differences between companies, just the main differences in the guns them selves (say the differences between 1911's and 2011's). I do enjoy watching KhanSeb's videos on youtube, mainly because he fires the guns a lot, so you see what it looks like when its being fired, how much recoil (blowback) it has etc. He has quite a few TM's and hes said a lot of good things about them, however, the one thing that always bugs me is the plastic slide. I'm sure it must be a really strong and resilient type of plastic (not that cheap dollar store toy plastic) but plastic is plastic, and for someone like me who's still new, metal seems more reliable than plastic. As for the cycle rate, my only other pistol is a KWC SW40f so compared to that, yes I do think that my WE with its heavy slide (it's a split competition slide) does have a fast cycle rate. Maybe I'll buy a used TM and tinker around with it, if I enjoy it, I'll probably switch to it. I'm not a die-hard WE fan or anything, I just like that they primarily make GBB's so that means technically they should have a lot more experience with GBB's compared to other companies that also make AEG's, but I could be wrong, it was just a thought at the time of purchase.

[FirestormX]

On the topic of TM's plastic: I've had a great deal of pot metal crap rails and receivers snap on me. I've never had any of my TM parts snap on me. Be they my GBB pistols or my AEG receivers.

I know how you feel about a proper metal gun, though. I've got full metal pistols and TM pistols. One is for the feel, one is for the function.

And just an aside about the logical fallacy that because WE makes GBBs, they should be the best: they're not. :P
WE makes GBB pistols that are crap, compared to TM. They make GBBRs that are pretty good, though. They do also make AEGs, but they're less common.
Not only that, but most WE guns are poorly produced clones of TM guns. WE doesn't innovate, but they do have a lot of variety.

I get that you prefer the full metal feel, though. Especially as a newbie. The feel adds a lot of fun to the game.

[Emre1337]

Originally Posted by FirestormX

On the topic of TM's plastic: I've had a great deal of pot metal crap rails and receivers snap on me. I've never had any of my TM parts snap on me. Be they my GBB pistols or my AEG receivers.

I know how you feel about a proper metal gun, though. I've got full metal pistols and TM pistols. One is for the feel, one is for the function.

And just an aside about the logical fallacy that because WE makes GBBs, they should be the best: they're not. :P
WE makes GBB pistols that are crap, compared to TM. They make GBBRs that are pretty good, though. They do also make AEGs, but they're less common.
Not only that, but most WE guns are poorly produced clones of TM guns. WE doesn't innovate, but they do have a lot of variety.

I get that you prefer the full metal feel, though. Especially as a newbie. The feel adds a lot of fun to the game.

Well that does explain the price difference between TM's and WE's but why plastic? Are they much more reliable than WE pistols? I haven't used my High-Capa a whole lot, but I love the solid feel, and while it may not cycle as fast as a TM, it is a pretty fast cycle rate and more than enough for me.

I also never meant to imply that WE was the leader in the GBB market, just that they have quite a bit of experience and even though I sort of feel the same way about WE kind of just copying TM with a lot of the pistols, they do make some pretty good products. Having to upgrade to reinforced RA-Tech internals is a bummer as well, but I do feel that WE's GBBR's have a lot of potential once upgraded.

Yes, as a newbie I did want the full metal guns mainly for the feel and to add more fun during a game, but there must be a reason why TM's are made of plastic, yet some can cost nearly twice as much as the WE counterparts.

[fuhrmanz]

I installed a metal outer barrel on my TM (stock body) and my buddy using pistols (real) was quite impress by the weight/balance of close to a real one. He had the same though of you, need to be metal but now he's thinking twice.

[FirestormX]

In Japan (where Tokyo Marui is based, and who they sell their products to - they have no interest in markets outside of Japan), there is a law that says the guns must shoot under 300 FPS.

My understanding from hear-say is that the guns should not be built to exceed that limit...Or something along those lines. In other words, don't reinforce the guns to shoot over 300 FPS, because they should not be able to shoot over 300.

Maybe there's some law that they have to be plastic too. I don't know. I should not be spreading rumours and speculation on the internet.

But outside of the laws, the plastic slide is sort of necessary. With such a weak blowback from only 300 FPS, a metal slide would be sluggish.

[Emre1337]

Originally Posted by fuhrmanz

I installed a metal outer barrel on my TM (stock body) and my buddy using pistols (real) was quite impress by the weight/balance of close to a real one. He had the same though of you, need to be metal but now he's thinking twice.

That's whats happening to me right now lol. Yeah I noticed that TM's usually shoot in the sub 300 fps range, always wondered why. Now I know, but they can be upgraded and reinforced to shoot in the mid 300 range right? Sub 300 fps just feels really weak, they wouldn't have much of an effective range would they?

[SuperHog]

TM have terrific detail and build quality, but unfortunately if you want to boost your velocity, these guns are designed for Japan's 1joule rating and plastic works just fine.

If you want to modify them for North American velocity allowances, then they will fall a part or wear out faster. Unless you have $$$ to upgrade most of the parts to do it.

Why not go with a maker like KJW, KWA or VFC which comes with all metal and higher velocity for our market place.

Does it makes sense to gut out 90% of the pistol, when there are others comes shipped all metal and higher velocities?

[Emre1337]

Originally Posted by SuperHog

TM have terrific detail and build quality, but unfortunately if you want to boost your velocity, these guns are designed for Japan's 1joule rating and plastic works just fine.

If you want to modify them for North American velocity allowances, then they will fall a part or wear out faster. Unless you have $$$ to upgrade most of the parts to do it.

Why not go with a maker like KJW, KWA or VFC which comes with all metal and higher velocity for our market place.

Does it makes sense to gut out 90% of the pistol, when there are others comes shipped all metal and higher velocities?

To be honest I never even looked at those manufacturer's products really. I should check them out, and do some detailed research into the differences between the manufacturers and the products that look identical between them.

[redneck12]

Originally Posted by Emre1337

To be honest I never even looked at those manufacturer's products really. I should check them out, and do some detailed research into the differences between the manufacturers and the products that look identical between them.

I'll start you off, KJW is TM compatible so basically every shiny bling bling upgrade part you find for a TM pistol will work on the same KJW model with little to no moding necessary opens up your world of customizing. Lol its very very rare that a pistol ever stays factory stock. Also KJW has very good service and decent prices when it comes to supplying factory replacement parts. I have owned several KJW 1911's, Sigs and Glocks never had a problem besides a few caused by mis-assembly errors and a leaky mag on my Les Baer 1911

VFC- Haven't owned one yet but never heard a bad thing about them but they are relatively new on the pistol market and have very few models to chose from currently.

KWA- nice pistols but proprietary parts galore

WE- Newer models of pistols are good bang for the buck, I have the XDM and its a great pistol no complaints. WE pistols are some what TM compatible with moding.

Cyber-gun-- rebranded KJW pistols with trade marks so above applies

KWC- not familiar so I'll live that up to someone else

[siggypoo]

@ Redneck:
Would that mean that if I have a Stark Glock (said to be TM compatible), and I find a KJW Glock mag, it'd work? Is there some list that I can refer to that says such and such brand is TM compatible, or is it all trial, error, and experience?

[redneck12]

As far as I know Stark is VFC pistol line, so I am not sure since I have never had one yet.

But a safe bet is TM with KJW and I do know most WE pistols will accept TM mags.

So far I haven't found a TM spec part that wasn't a drop in fit or maybe a little tweak here and there, but mostly open package slap in gun away I go.

[Red62]

Yeah, welcome to ASC: the place where all maniacs com together and rant about some of the most random things and airsoft guns and such.

But yeah, it's good to see how enthusiastic you are, but keep in mind: you don't have to go all in when you join into airsofting. I was intruduced to airsofting when I was 11, didn't start playing on the field till 14 and a decade later I'm still playing! But I didn't get my own gear until 2008, my vest itself is about 4 years of small purchases and customizing.

In my opinion, when figuring out what kind of guns you want to buy for airsofting, you have to figure out how your play style is like: do you like to hang back as far as you can or do you like to go full throttle into the front line? Do you find yourself changing magazines more often? Do you like to switch to your sidearm more often? Big or narrow grips? Have you heard about Bullpup rifles? Do you drop your slung weapon or throw it onto your back? Is there anything you want to do in terms of end-goal for outfit design or weapon?
All of this will be nice to consider after playing for a little bit on the field and getting the hang of how to handle your weapon and tactics, but keep in mind that you can buy all your parts incrementally: $80 vest + several pouches each costing $20-$40, eventually you'll have a $200 vest in almost over a few months.