Western Arms: M4 Magna GBB

[attack-beaver]

Originally Posted by airsoft news

This is rather interesting development: Western Arms announced M4 Magna GBB replica. Promo movie is here, it appears that it is Mk18 style replica. Details are bit scarce at the moment- details will naturally follow. With thanks to Jesse for heads-up.

[Drake]

Well that's interesting. With KSC having ventured into the realm of rifles, it's interesting to see WA go down this path as well. WA certainly are craftsmen with fine attention to detail, and hopefully this M4 won't be an exception.

What's maybe more worrisome is the pricetag. Not only are WA products usually more expensive than the competition (not even taking into account the Chinese clones), they'll probably be intended for the Japanese market and not have metal bodies. On the odd chance anyone starts making a good quality aftermarket body them (Guarder?) the final product will be disproportionally expensive compared to a CA, G&P or G&G M4. So like the VFCs, you'll really want to have blowback to get it.

Also have to wonder it it'll run on gas (looks like it). That'd make it finicky during full auto, and unreliable/unusable on colder days.

There is one major bit of appeal though; being able to run a CQC-sized rifle without the crappy looking AN/PEQ battery holder.

[Ace of Spades©]

WA has a history of horrible full auto blow back systems though. I would be carefull about buying one of these right away.

[Rob]

it's so surprising to see wa make a gbb rifle. although considering their mini uzi, I do wounder if this is just a reworked kwc m4/m16 gun.

with magna tech it should be more consistent when low on gas and on cold days right?

[The Saint]

Originally Posted by Drake

...they'll probably be intended for the Japanese market and not have metal bodies.

Why would you say that? The whole "it's illegal for Japanese airsoft guns to be metal" thing has pretty much been disproven by the latest three TM AEGs: M14, Type 89 and AK74, all fully metal. If anything keeps WA from having a metal M4, it'll be a combination of cost, technical inexperience and lack of motivation (never bothered before, why start now?).

[Ace of Spades©]

Originally Posted by The Saint

(never bothered before, why start now?).

Because GBB rifles are making a comeback in Japan and airsoft in general. Tanio Koba with his new C8 and AK's, Escort pumping out more guns, Inokatsu using Escort system in their M60's and now with the M60D and hopefully M240 having proprietary systems. In general, not only is gaz blow back coming more popular, blow back in general with TM's new AK-74 and their reworked Type 89 in the works.

WA sees a market that can potentially be huge. The technology for gas guns is far far far beyond what it was when AEG's were first introduced. And WA lead the competition for most of the years since it began production.

[The Saint]

I was speaking of WA making metal guns.

[Lakonian]

god damn WA, and their fucked up timing. I just fucking paid for a PTW

We'll see how far this goes. If they do a good enough job, I may have to grab it.

[Gryphon]

Calling the auto-back bolt carrier on an AEG "blowback" is akin to calling George Bush "smart".

The trend towards recoiling bolts is very promising. However I've yet to be impressed by anything that can match the raw durability, simplicity, and heavy recoil of the Escort system. Fact of the matter is you are going to get NO recoil from the firing of a .20g projectile at 350 fps so all of your recoil has to come from the bolt, which means it has to be heavy. A heavy bolt means a lot of gas, and lots of gas precludes internal systems. Especially for any practical support weapon.

I'm curious to see this WA incarnation. Hopefully it'll be more useful than the KWC Mini Uzi.

[attack-beaver]

more info

Originally Posted by airsoft news

Some details about upcoming Western Arms GBB M4 are finally available. They are still sparse, but better that than nothing. Hopefully not much is lost in translation:

- realistic body by appearance and function with realistic disassembly
- plastic receiver, strengthened by Fibreglass resin
- Metal bolt gives a strong feeling of recoil
- new HopUp version

Originally Posted by airsoft news

Yes, next news about this product will be titled Even More Details. And it is coming, as this is a hot product. Airsoft Collector kindly sent in this -rather interesting- information about WA's M4 GBB:

hello,

I have info that they have used the MGC model gun mold for the upper and lower receiver. And maybe some other small parts.
Release is said to be beofre christmas, but dont wait it until january or feburary

AC

[hattrick]

wow....thats soon.

[attack-beaver]

well some Japaneses retailers are taking pre-orders on the WAM4

http://www.tokyo-model.com.hk/ecshop/goods.php?id=1969

plus got some updates as well guys

Western Arms offers couple of interesting accessories for their GBB replica of M4A1. Two most interesting are:

- their own idea on how magpuls should look. Interesting looking thingamabobs, price for pack of three is 3,129 Yen (19.89 EUR), price for pack of five is 4,179 Yen (26.57 EUR)

- Hogue pistol grip. This is big deal as it proves that WA M4 is compatible with real deal accessories.

[RacingManiac]

btw the gun is not metal.....I think its either fiberglass receiver or ABS...

[Non Credo]

Anybody seen the pics of the internals on redwolf? A buddy of mine thinks he might be able to fit a real receiver set on due to how realistic WA made it. Feel free to flame, it isnt my idea.