Beginner looking to buy gun, In need of pro advice

[Sefear]

Hello,

I'm thinking of getting into airsoft, and would like to get a reliable gun for both MilSim and CQB games.

I've done some research and looked into a lot of guns and I really like the KWA Full Metal LM4 PTR GBBR. (Link to the gun http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_inf...ducts_id=10538)

The main reasons I'm interested in this gun are the realism, weight and recoil wise. As well as the durability that comes with full metal guns. On top of that, since I would be ordering from the US, the price is amazing comparable to what I've seen going for this much at Canadian retailers.

However I have some concerns,
- First: I'm wondering if this gun would be legal in Ontario (Specifically Toronto area), I'm not well versed in airsoft laws in our province.
- Second: Related to the first question, I know that airsoftgi.com ships to Canada. Do you airsoft pros see any problems with this gun getting through customs?
- Third: Since this is a gas powered gun do you think the cooldown effect will be a big issue when playing MilSim (if it even runs) in the fall and winter months. After watching the stress test video at 3:26 on the gun's page, it looks reliable enough to withstand the cold. But you guys would know best.

PS: The reason I chose this gun is because I have experience firing a real M4, I've looked into other recommended guns and even though I'm new I don't want to get a cheap feeling beginner gun.

So what do you guys think? Should I buy it? If not any other recommendations? and do you think any of my concerns listed above be an issue with making this purchase?

Thanks for the help, I'm very excited to be getting started with the sport!

[lurkingknight]

No one can really tell you what to get, it's you that will have to live with it, but I think you need to do more research on gas vs aeg. You may be able to get away with gas only in toronto, but I wouldn't recommend it as a first and only gun, they can have more temperamental issues than an AEG.

1. Are you 18? if yes, then it's legal for you to buy/import. If no, then you are legally not allowed to buy from a store, online or otherwise in country or not. Otherwise the gun is perfectly fine to have as long as it meets output limitations required by the field or game organizer. Indoor 350fps outdoor 400fps with .2s.

2. ordering from the states is still not worth the risk, even with proper factory documentation and or modification that's properly documented, it's still up to the customs officer whether or not he wants to hold up your package. Every now and then you still hear of someone's package being held unreasonably long for inspection, or outright seized.2 Unless you are going to save significantly (don't forget to include taxes, shipping and brokerage into the US price) I still see no reason to buy something that's readily available in country. If you're saving a significant amount, is it really worth the gamble?

3. Cool down effect is not necessarily atmospheric/ambient temperature effect.

When it is actually cold outside the gas pressure is significantly less on propane, in closer to 0 temps the gun will eventually fail to completely cycle, if it fires at all. All green gas/propane guns will have this issue. It's the physics/chemistry of using propane.

Gas guns are still finicky beasts, I wouldn't call them reliable... they're more of a 2.5 season gun when they work. An AEG that's properly setup will be far more reliable as a 3.5/4 season gun in the GTA. Since outdoor games are going to be pretty rare in the winter anywhere in canada, but in UA now, you can technically play indoors all year round. The only problem is, gas or aeg, you're going to have an issue going from outdoor fps to indoor fps. 400 vs 350.

A gas gun with an npas can change fps reasonably easily, whereas an aeg requires disassembly and a spring swap. But gas is very finicky with ambient temperatures, so if you start the day at close to 20C and it goes up to 30C there is a huge fps swing, so your gun that might meet chrono at the beginning of the day will now be shooting too hard in the afternoon.

[Styrak]

Originally Posted by lurkingknight

1. Are you 18? if yes, then it's legal for you to buy/import. If no, then you are legally not allowed to buy from a store, online or otherwise in country or not.

This is wrong information. There is no legal issues with people under 18 buying airsoft guns (except Ontario which has a provincial bylaw). However the community discourages minors from acquiring/owning guns.

[Scrivah]

I too am a recent noob and feel that I got a great first AEG. I bought a King Arms full metal M4 and am loving it so far! Its got great internals and can keep up with some of the more expensive guns on the market.

So far I have only upgraded to a bearing spring guide (to relieve tension on the spring) and also did a shim jobbie on the gears and its running great! My next upgrade will probably be the trolley wiring, tight bore and hopup upgrades with cosmetic upgrades too of course!

It doesn't come with a 1 point sling mount so this will be something you will need to add too. I recommend the magpul ambidextrious sling mount.

All in all I would recommend this gun. Great price for what you are getting stock.

[lurkingknight]

Originally Posted by Styrak

This is wrong information. There is no legal issues with people under 18 buying airsoft guns (except Ontario which has a provincial bylaw). However the community discourages minors from acquiring/owning guns.

well he DID say he was from the GTA

[Styrak]

Fair enough, I was just making it clearer

[Danneichh]

I personally have a KWA LM4, and have nothing but good things to say about it. Its rock solid, shoots well, and feels great. The fps is high enough for Canadian law, but I would recommend getting age verified and ordering in country. While the price in the states may be more attractive, remember that you'll pay tax, shipping, brokerage, etc. And there is no guarantee it won't get siezed even if it is legal. Back to the gun though: from what I've seen and researched, as long as you leave the internals stock, it runs like a champ. It is the single best pick up and play GBBR on the market right now. Its become my primary. Ive never had a problem in long milsim games with it, but I would recommend you at least obtain an AEG as a backup.

[Sefear]

Thanks for all the info!

Age isn't an issue, I'm a third year university student so definitely above the 18 mark.

Are there any AEG's you guys would recommend that would be similar to the KWA LM4? I would love to get both but being on a university students budget that might not be possible. So I might have to settle with just 1 all purpose gun for the time being.

@Scrivah I actually looked into the King Arms M4 and it looked pretty solid, mind if I ask where you were able to find one in Canada (I've only really been able to find them on US sites) and what the price tag on it would be?

[lurkingknight]

the main issue for you will be indoor/outdoor switching... it can be a bit of a hassle to swap springs, but if you can get it exactly to 350fps, it's not a terrible disadvantage to the tweakers shooting closer to 400. That's really the only advantage of a gas gun in your situation, the npas doesn't need the whole thing to ripped apart to get to the spring.

the KA m4 is the most popular starter m4 in canada currently. Almost every retailer in canada has it. You are not looking for the right thing if you can't find it. Sadly, it's the policy of this forum that links to gun vendors are not permitted outside age verified areas. So if you get your AV, we can tell you everything you need to know.

On the other hand, if you can see the ads on the forum... well... there you go.

[Scotcho1.0]

As a noob I bought an echo1 m4 ris. Its mostly metal and I have fired thousands of rounds, fell on it, stuck it in the dirt, smacked it off trees and it still works mint. Imo a good bang for your buck aeg.

Sent from my T8788 using Board Express

[Scotcho1.0]

O and if you pop a lipo in that echo it Really rips.

Sent from my T8788 using Board Express

[Cliffradical]

King Arms M4s are solid. The only stand-out failure point I've seen is in the wiring harness, specifically the contacts, and only KA trigger-blocks/ harnesses like to play nicely, but that's after an abnormally high amount of use.

A KA M4 should run just under or above $300 all-said, but please don't order from the 'States or attempt to smuggle one. Search around the forums (the threads are stickied) to find out why. The risk/ reward factors are very heavily favoured towards risk in all cases, and the risks are life-long in almost all cases.

Lipos are awesome, but will kill just about anything real quick (relatively) without modification, and can be dangerous. Stick to 9.6v Nimhs to begin with and do a bit of research on Lipos before you want to commit.

Age verification takes a while, but it gives you more time to save and think, and opens the doors to great retailers in Canada. If you can play at a place where you have the option to rent, do it! Try different systems. You might find that you like the ergonomics of a different platform more than the M4, and you can save a lot of time and money by trying before you buy to find the right system for yourself.

Gas rifles re super-duper sweet, but require more nitpicking maintenance and getting enough mags together can get stupid expensive reeeeeal quick.

Hope that helps!