WE XM-177 - A Quick Overview

[Latvian291]

First of all - pics to come. I usually photograph my guns prolifically but I haven't had time. I want to do the cosmetic part of this review a little different. This is the information I wish I had, as a collector, when I was deciding to buy the rifle.

Secondly - you all have probably seen the review on the XM's infantry equivalent, the M16A1 - very well done and most of it applies to the XM as well.

http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=127511


Lastly - a big shout out to Garrison Airsoft.. same place the M16A1 reviewer got his rifle. This company is AMAZING. Bought both my WEs from Garrison.


Stock Image

Note that the pictured rifle above IS NOT the same as the version they actually released. The released version has a small extension on the barrel to make it a correct barrel lengthed XM-177E2. It is an E2 model because of the full fence on the receiver and the lengthened barrel.

I want to break things down into categories rather than paragraphs to organize my thoughts on this interesting rifle.

HISTORICAL ACCURACY: 8/10
- Furniture is too matte/not the right material
- Buttstock should be vinyl coated aluminum, not plastic
- 4 position buttstock should be 2 position
- Should NOT have a bayonet lug - grenade ring would not fit a grenade launcher with a bayo lug.
- Finish should be more of a gray than a matte black
- Should have a tapered delta ring, not a straight one
- No trademarks (this does give you an opportunity to do your own the RIGHT way)

- Correct teardrop-shaped forward assist
- Correct fencing around the mag release
- Correct lengthed barrel for an E2
- Correct windage-only rear sight
- Correct CAR-15 profile handguards

Some of the flaws above are fixable easily, some more expensive/time consuming.

GOOD POINTS
- All metal where it should be
- Very realistic field-stripping/detail stripping
- Open bolt design (open chamber, open-bolt in firearms means something entirely different than it does in airsoft)
- Self-contained drop-out trigger group allows easy swapping/upgrading
- Steel flash-hider/compensator
- Friction/cross-pin construction is much more realistic than hex screws for details like the front sight
- Compatible with the M4 crowd - non-proprietary parts means easier upgrades
- Well executed gas tube
- Working bolt catch and magazine with optional hold-open feature operated by a switch for dry firing if needed.

BAD POINTS
- It's great that they make it easy to upgrade, but it sucks that you HAVE to
- The finish is unrealistic and too tacticool for a vintage Vietnam era rifle
- Cheap feeling plastic, needs to be replaced with costly vintage stuff
- Wide tolerances make for wobbly parts
- Bolt carrier is filled in at the back - unrealistic although it increases felt recoil
- Some minor historical inaccuracies perpetrated for cost-control reasons

IDEAS FOR UPGRADE
We know you can install all sorts of internal upgrades, but here are some external upgrades for us historical purists:
- CAR-15 Handguards from Numrich Gun Parts Corp (Nylon Milspec)
- Aluminum Buttstock from Florida GunWorks (not Vinyl coated but latex black gloss spraypaint will make it look the part)
- Lighten receiver and magazine with 0000 steel wool
- Real Steel A1 Pistol Grip
- Grind off bayonet lug
- Find and fit correct Delta Ring
- Add "COMMANDO" trademarks (Google retroblackrifle)
- Epoxy and paint extra positions on collapsible butt

I will probably edit this post as I remember more of my observations. I haven't fired it but I would expect the same performance as a WE M4 since it has the same design and barrel length.

[-=ArchAngel=-]

Cant wait for a performance review, also I guess performance-wise, it'd be similar to any other WE ar15 based rifle.

[SHaKaL]

Good review mate

So... your the one who got my XM 177
Eeyore forgot i had reserved it... LOL!

Anyway he ordered another one for me so i'm happy.
I to own a WE M16A1 that i bought from him and can't wait to play theses 2 AR this summer.

[Latvian291]

Originally Posted by SHaKaL

Good review mate

So... your the one who got my XM 177
Eeyore forgot i had reserved it... LOL!

Anyway he ordered another one for me so i'm happy.
I to own a WE M16A1 that i bought from him and can't wait to play theses 2 AR this summer.

Oops sorry! Yes it was probably me. Love vintage ARs though. Wish I could afford an A1 too.

[Eeyore]

Originally Posted by SHaKaL

Good review mate

So... your the one who got my XM 177
Eeyore forgot i had reserved it... LOL!

Anyway he ordered another one for me so i'm happy.
I to own a WE M16A1 that i bought from him and can't wait to play theses 2 AR this summer.

Sorry ShaKal, I completely forgot!!!

[SHaKaL]

Originally Posted by Eeyore

Sorry ShaKal, I completely forgot!!!

Don't worry Tom; it"s ok

Latvian291 wrote a good review of the XM 177. It might help selling theses little's AR.

[Latvian291]

Originally Posted by -=ArchAngel=-

Cant wait for a performance review, also I guess performance-wise, it'd be similar to any other WE ar15 based rifle.

Same bbl length as an M4 and same internals. It should be identical.

[Strelok]

Beat me to doing a review! I'll write up some other points to considor with the GBBR, as there are points of wear that the gun is very prone to. (Damn being at work).

[GSK88]

Anyone else with both an XM177 AND another WE AR?

I've noticed my trigger on my WE 416 is "mushier" than the XM, yet both were bought within a month of each other and used the exact same amount.

The XM is noticeably crisper in action.

[TPM001]

Originally Posted by GSK88

The XM is noticeably crisper in action.

That might be a function of the mag. The smaller mags appear to be much better quality than the 30 round versions. On both my WE CQBR and 416 rifles, the small mags had much crisper and consistent performance, less cool down factor and less prone to leakage. They're also made of better material and looks and feels of higher quality.

[GSK88]

Originally Posted by TPM001

That might be a function of the mag. The smaller mags appear to be much better quality than the 30 round versions. On both my WE CQBR and 416 rifles, the small mags had much crisper and consistent performance, less cool down factor and less prone to leakage. They're also made of better material and looks and feels of higher quality.

I'm actually using 30 rounders in both guns, forgot to mention that.

I do agree though, the VN style mags are a much better design.

[SHaKaL]

Originally Posted by GSK88

I'm actually using 30 rounders in both guns, forgot to mention that.

I do agree though, the VN style mags are a much better design.

Yes they are. I bought 10 extra VN mag for my m16a1 3 month ago. I filled them with a little propane, put them on my shelf and no one have leaked yet. The 30 rounder i had leaked after 3 weeks of the same treatment...

[Eeyore]

Anyone brave enough to take both a 30 and 20 rounder apart and post pics of the differences?

[Latvian291]

Also, if you want to check out a killer weathering job on one of these XMs, see this thread, half way down.

http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthr...=87579&page=28

Done with very fine steel wool.

[-=ArchAngel=-]

Originally Posted by Latvian291

Also, if you want to check out a killer weathering job on one of these XMs, see this thread, half way down.

http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthr...=87579&page=28

Done with very fine steel wool.

Not mine. Strelok's