A&k m60/e4, m249 saw
 

A friend of mine was asking about some info on these guns as he is thinking about getting one. I am just wondering if anyone can offer up some knowledge about them.

1. Are they worth the money?
2. Reliability?
3. Known issues?
etc...

Thanks.

Stock reliability is there, the main flaw is that the hop up is not very effective sometimes.
If I recall it's compatible with CA system.

Negative, it is not CA compatible... If it is, it requires modifications. I attempted to swap one into an A&K M60VN and no go, the A&K has a longer hopup with slide holes for the set screws to hold it in place and allow it to move.

I simply used the new CA hopup rubber, nubbin, and reassembled with the stock hopup. With a 650mm tightbore, this M60 is incredible, a full auto laser. Very accurate and can shoot very long.

I seem to recall reading somewhere that the M249 has problems with it's trigger switch. Apparently it's prone to breaking?

The bodies and builds are ok...not the greatest, nor the sturdiest. (They're also no where near the cost of a steel version though)

Mechboxes are so-so. The 249 mechboxes are garbage...I'd equate them to a CYMA mechbox if that gives you a point of reference. One notch up from a Kraken. That said, you can spend $200 on parts to upgrade pretty much the whole mechbox (except for the shell and switch).

The hopup ineffectiveness can be fixed...swap hopups, mod a new nub, get a new hopup rubber (and barrel too, the last stock one I saw was really poor).

The last Mk43 I saw at a game lasted about 10 min before it packed it in. Looks great though sitting on the ground.

So.....basically you're going to end up replacing everything but the body of the 249....if you want a decent build.

Re. the M60...I think my buddy just had his over...the hopup/barrel was pretty decent. It shot quite well until it barfed feeding from the box mag...and jammed...and failed....and went off to fire on it's own spontaneously (pinched wire at the stock). **M60 and 249 builds are different...one is not simply a longer/shorter version of the other inside**

In general...if you're prepared to rework it...and cannot afford better...then the A&K SAW/LMGs are a decent way to get the look of a Mk43/249/M60. But don't be surprised if you go to game it and it throws up and dies on you.

**A&K 249 is a direct copy of CA's 249...fully compatible...might find small fitting issues but parts "should" interchange**

Thanks for the info. Am I to assume that overall the M60 is probably the better way to go?

Also, how would the build compare to say a CA or Echo1 model?

I may be wrong on this...but I understood the Echo1's to simply be cherry picked A&K's.

I did think the M60 was nicer than the 249

Yes, I heard that somewhere too. I think I actually heard it on Youtube. One of Jarek's videos maybe. I actually think they claimed that A&K were exact copies of CA in one other video I watched as well. Everything I have read seems to indicate that some of the parts might be compatible, but not all. I will see if I can find the videos my buddy was watching and maybe post a link to them up here.

I would take what Jarek "the spring melder" said with a grain of salt his knowledge of airsoft are limited to what brochure he reads off from. A&K is a clone of CA but not a perfect clone if you held a CA side by side with a A&K you will instanly noticed that the CA are made with a heavier metal, internally the A&K have issues with their hop up which are fixable and their shimming are horrendous, although some are ok. A&K are good SAW/LMG with a little mods here and there if you want one with out issues out of the box go for the CA, G&P or the new Echo1 M240B

Yes, I have heard some interesting things about Jarek lol... I showed my bud this post and he is gonna disregard anything from that particular individual lol... What is the Echo1 M249 like? Is it better than the A&K?