Gas Blowback or Electric?

[hav0k]

What is your take on the subject? I personally have never owned a airsoft gun, but this summer I'll be buying a few of them, I'm just wondering...

Pros and cons of Gas Blowback?

Pros and cons of Electric?

Thanks for your time

[Curo]

Pros of gas blow back
Awesome recoil
real cap mags.

Cons
More expensive to run, work and use
finiky parts and somebrands need work out of the box
super expensive mags.

AEG
-Easy, cheap and if you buy the right one often reliable.
-easy to find mags and parts if you got a TM compatible gun.

Cons
Blowback on AEG's is meh except on the rare TM models (though CA might have a few options)
High caps suck.


Thats really really basic stuff. You should already know all that.

FYI its probably better to get 1 gun you'll love then many 'meh' guns.

[GSK88]

Just go see for yourself. Everyone has different opinions on what works best, just go meet other players and see their stuff in person.

You'll hear all sorts of "This hasn't broken in 5 years" and "I broke mine in 200 shots" for both AEGs and Gas. See in person, settle on one after reading lots and lots then decide.

Especially if you've never owned one. Instead of buying a few, settle on one really good one. You'll avoid most of the headaches new players (and some old) experience.

Edit: Either system can be a few hundred or go up to several thousand. Price is irrelevant if it doesn't work for you.

[hav0k]

Ah well, I'm first gonna start one a pistol then a rifle. I don't plan on getting a shit load of guns obviously. Any more comments? I'm really looking into getting a gas blowback just because of the realism.

[Curo]

Ya if you getta GBB rifle expect around 1000 bucks to start and read all the reviews on it, and all the maintenance stuff

[hav0k]

Originally Posted by Cobalt Caliber

Ya if you getta GBB rifle expect around 1000 bucks to start and read all the reviews on it, and all the maintenance stuff

Yea I figured as much. I went to toronto airsoft and they had a few GBBRs for a good price.

[Curo]

Those are close bolt. Almost everyone is switching to Open Bolt GBBRs. Also try and get full metal not a clearsoft halfbreed.

[Fuzzy]

If you go gbbr you should be mechanically inclined and enjoy tinkering. Gbbr may need lots of tweaking especially if you upgrade the internals or add steel parts.

[Curo]

I cannot say this enough, read the guides on maintenance posted here. READ them, multiple times, heck read while you are maintaining your gun, and do so after every game. A gas blowback is like a real steel in this regard, clean it.

[Styrak]

Not entirely like real steel though. If you're cleaning those after each use you're doing something wrong, or are just a clean freak.

[m102404]

Originally Posted by hav0k

What is your take on the subject? I personally have never owned a airsoft gun, but this summer I'll be buying a few of them, I'm just wondering...

Pros and cons of Gas Blowback?

Pros and cons of Electric?

Thanks for your time

Originally Posted by hav0k

Ah well, I'm first gonna start one a pistol then a rifle. I don't plan on getting a shit load of guns obviously. Any more comments? I'm really looking into getting a gas blowback just because of the realism.

Some good comments already.

For pistols...definitely buy a Gas Blow Back pistol. While they don't have the kick/recoil of real pistols (no airsoft gun does), electric pistols are so tame/lame that it just takes the fun right out of it.
- you'll need the pistol, at least one mag, some very lightweight silicone oil (won't harm rubber), a propane adaptor (get the new gen AI plastic adaptor) and some propane (Can Tire...green coleman bottles)...and quality BBs.

For rifles...there's a lot of different makes/manufacturers. Each have their pro/con. Some are more realistic...others are limited in options. Some guys have had great luck with keeping them running...others haven't. That applies to both AEGs, GBBRs and Electric blowback rifles...both large and small.

ALL Airsoft Guns are essentially toys...expensive toys that are made pretty cheaply (even though you may not be paying a cheap price). Keep that in mind and you won't be surprised by anything.

GBBR's
+ action
+ noise
- relatively expensive mags
- cold temperature performance

Electric Blow Backs
+ "familiar" AEG setup
+ not weather/temp affected
- tame action
- most...but not all...stand a higher chance of busting themselves since there's more fiddly parts and they're smashing about with every shot

AEG
+ add battery, add BB and shoot simplicity
+ higher magzine capacity
+ parts/bits/pieces are in general less expensive
+ consistency shot to shot...over time
- toy like fell...lack of action
- if you need to work on the internals there's often a lot that needs to be disassembled...and it's like taking a kids toy apart, lots of fiddly bits, little screws, gears and bits.

So in the end...depends on what you want to do, and what your budget is.

[djKail]

I was in the same boat as you about 6 months ago, new to the hobby and not sure what I wanted to get. AEGs, although they out perform gas guns, just felt to "toyish" to me. I picked up a WE Scar GBBR.

I love how the GBBR functions just like the real steel. The cycling bolt gives it a bit of recoil, the magazines are 30 rounds and there is a bolt catch. Not to mention it strips just like the real steel. Overall I am happy with my GBBR choice, but there are definite drawbacks that should be mentioned.

First of all, I just play locally with a bunch of fellow airsofters, I don't go to huge competitive games. If I did, I would probably get an AEG. The Gas Blow Backs suffer from cooldown because of the propane. With my Scar, I can only burst fire about 3-4 BBs on full-auto before they start losing velocity. Also the 30 round magazine capacity is limiting when going up against players with mid or high caps.

As for reliability, if you get a GBBR you have to be able to fix things yourself. I have had a bunch of problems with my SCAR that required fixing. My bolt carrier even completely broke inside the gun! These things are made with poor tolerances and at an extremely low quality. Fortunately, there are plenty of spare parts for most WE gas guns.

[slink182]

Both GBBs & AEGs require maintenance from time to time. Maintenance takes different forms, though. If you are electrically inclined, then you may prefer an AEG (batteries, fuses, wiring, motors, etc.). If you are mechanically inclined, then you may prefer a GBB (strip and maintenance is similar to real steel, although there are obvious differences). Externally, attachments are similar, but fitment may vary depending on manufacturer.

Cost-wise, they are, imo, on equal footing - the cost just happens to be spent in different upgrades, tools and support equipment. For example, in AEGs, extra costs occur with batteries, gearbox upgrades, motor upgrades, wiring, charging units, and mosfets (for lipos). In GBBs, extra costs occur for internal mechanical upgrades to steel, and extra magazines (which aren't cheap).

AEG, pros - easiest to get into and maintain in running condition; operates under all conditions, including cold climate; mags are plentiful and cheap; mags come in mid and high cap versions; larges selection of rifle styles available.

AEG, cons - maintenance/upgrades can be tricky for new people, especially around the gearbox; extra costs can add up (spare batteries, charger); occasional fitment issues with mag compatibility; all gearboxes are not alike (v.2, v.3, etc.) or made the same (cyma box vs. vfc box); dying batteries in the field; stripped gearboxes in the field.

GBB, pros - real cap mags; recoil; mechanically simple (similar to RS guns)

GBB, cons - mags are heavy; mags may leak/blowout; mags are expensive; stock guns almost always require internal upgrades to steel; need to compensate for mag cooldown; guns rarely work properly in cold weather (unless running CO2 mags); more general maintenance on the internals and mags (cleaning, lube, leak tests, etc.).

FOR A STARTER, start with a good quality AEG - they will give you the least amount of worry (generally speaking). HOWEVER, if you're comfortable around RS guns, then a GBB may be more your style.

Cheers.

[McCrea]

If you really want a GBBR that work with not too much fiddling out the box the KJW M4 would be a great choice.

Got mine for more than a year now, gamed it last summer until october and gamed it last week in cqb in a mall that was not heated and worked real well.

There are 2 upgrades you should get for this gun, the cradle velocity reducer and the cradle piston. These 2 upgrades together cost about 60$.

There is a new version bolt for this gun but it seems to not be as reliable as the version 1 bolt. If you have any question about the KJW working or anything there is a big thread on this forum about it.

http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=96773

[CrAzy AziAn]

I definitely did not come by here before I bought my WE 416. Learned a lot from buying this. All the maintenance required, but in the end I love the feeling of every shot fired through this thing. Also learned that not every gun works out of the box. My buddy picked up a new 416 about a month ago and problems are adding up with his. I bought mine used, closed-bolt and it was still stock, nothing wrong with it.

Eventually I think getting one of each (GBB & AEG) would be a good idea. And yes, pistols need to be GBB!