Going from a Marui AK to a Real Sword AK : is it really worth it?

[Silverthorn]

I currently own a full-size Tokyo Marui AK-47 (upgraded to 390 fps, tightbore installed) and am considering going for a Real Sword Type 56-1 (the folding stock model at 400 fps). This is going to be my main outdoor gun.

Not taking into consideration the cash issue/price difference (assume they were the same price), is it REALLY worth it to switch?

I know Real Sword rocks quality-wise but since Marui is also in the top brands is it really a good investement in the long run? If yes/no, why?

Thanks!

[Crunchmeister]

"Worth it" is relative. It's more like what it's worth to you. If you have a good TM Ak now that works fine, there's no NEED to switch. However, if you want the ultimate in realism and durability, then Real Sword have no peers in airsoft. You can't get any more real and rugged in the firearms world than an AK. And Real Sword AKs are the only ones on the market that can boast real steel externals.

And when you consider that a stock, plastic TM goes for about $600 new compared to the $850-ish I've seen RS selling for here in the last while, it's not much of a different. It would cost you more than $250 to install quality metal and wood kits on a TM.

So in terms of performance, it'll be pretty much the same. In terms of external quality, then RS wins hands down. In the end, it's about what matters to you most.

[pusangani]

TM is really like a toy compared to the real sword

[Amos]

There are downsides to a real sword, Magazine compatibility as well as availability of Real Sword magazines...

When you can find Real Sword mags they can be up to $45CAD for 150 rounders.... and don't try to talk to Real Sword about a group-buy... trust me. They are extremely difficult to deal with. (They offered me a 20 cent discount per mag when I offered to order 100 mags)

Internals, although being absolutely rock solid are not TM compatible, if a gear strips, you've got to buy a Real Sword gear..

Don't get me wrong, they are absolutely fantastic guns but you have to be willing to continually pony up the cash when it comes to real-sword.

[Nacchi]

Everything Amos said. Mags are in low supply all the time and only RS mags gave me trouble free feeding. My only other complaint is that you cannot use a large battery on the full stock. Be prepared to get several stick batts as some would not fit into the battery compartment. Or run a LiPo instead.

[wildcard]

just spend your money on a nicer wood kit from LCT or Inokatsu, if you break the internals at least you will find parts easier than you would a realsword.

If you have two or more of the same kind of AEG type ie. AK, why dont you categorize it as most of the oldtimers here - Gameable, wall hanger and Special projects
Gameable- the ones you can play with and bashed it, scratch it with no remorse
Wall hanger- hard to come by and limited edition AEG/GBB or no longer available
Special project- gameable/showpiece but you are looking for the unique look different from others ie. Alien pulse rifle, M134, M82 barrett.

[Crunchmeister]

Originally Posted by Amos

There are downsides to a real sword, Magazine compatibility as well as availability of Real Sword magazines...

When you can find Real Sword mags they can be up to $45CAD for 150 rounders.... and don't try to talk to Real Sword about a group-buy... trust me. They are extremely difficult to deal with. (They offered me a 20 cent discount per mag when I offered to order 100 mags)

Internals, although being absolutely rock solid are not TM compatible, if a gear strips, you've got to buy a Real Sword gear..

Don't get me wrong, they are absolutely fantastic guns but you have to be willing to continually pony up the cash when it comes to real-sword.

This was all discussed in Silverthorn's last RS thread. The only internals that aren't TM compatible are shell, the piston and sector gear. Anything else is replaceable with aftermarket TM compatible stuff. And since it's hardened and reinforced to hell out of the box, you don't NEED to do anything with it. And it will last a hell of a long time before you need to replace any part. So that's kind of a moot point.

Mags take about 10 seconds to mod with a Dremel. Again, not a big deal.

But I will agree that if you want RS mags (which look so much better since they're real-steel grade exteriors), it's expensive. You're best off ordering them as part of a bigger order from overseas. And still, prepare to pay a nice chunk for them.

Originally Posted by Nacchi

Everything Amos said. Mags are in low supply all the time and only RS mags gave me trouble free feeding. My only other complaint is that you cannot use a large battery on the full stock. Be prepared to get several stick batts as some would not fit into the battery compartment. Or run a LiPo instead.

Get a custom 9.6V 2200 mAh made from 4/5A cells from cheapbatterypacks.com. 1 battery is all you need.

[shiftsup]

Real Sword AK Mags
are sometimes scarce.

4 RS mags will cost you around
$136 USD shipping included from Redwolf.*
*What I paid

That's about $37.50 CAD each.

One concern about Real Sword AK's
is that some shoot very hot at
well over 450 fps out of the box.**
**read this on ASC

I have seen BNIB RS-56-1's go for
around $750.***
***What I Paid

I suspect you'll see a few LNIB RS-56's
in the classifieds soon enough from the
"it's just not for me crowd" for <$750

[Silverthorn]

Originally Posted by wildcard

If you have two or more of the same kind of AEG type ie. AK, why dont you categorize it as most of the oldtimers here - Gameable, wall hanger and Special projects
Gameable- the ones you can play with and bashed it, scratch it with no remorse
Wall hanger- hard to come by and limited edition AEG/GBB or no longer available
Special project- gameable/showpiece but you are looking for the unique look different from others ie. Alien pulse rifle, M134, M82 barrett.

To me only one type exists : gameable

Having 2 of the same is just dead money for me.

[Amos]

Originally Posted by Crunchmeister

This was all discussed in Silverthorn's last RS thread. The only internals that aren't TM compatible are shell, the piston and sector gear. Anything else is replaceable with aftermarket TM compatible stuff. And since it's hardened and reinforced to hell out of the box, you don't NEED to do anything with it. And it will last a hell of a long time before you need to replace any part. So that's kind of a moot point.

Mags take about 10 seconds to mod with a Dremel. Again, not a big deal.

You're almost right on the internals part, the hop-up unit is slightly unique, normal TM hop-up CAN work, but require a little bit of modification.

The cylinder head airways a very slightly different sized than Marui spec, same with the nozzles. So far I've worked on every single gearbox that Realsword has produced to date. And I'll very soon be responsible for a fleet of over 10 type 56 and 56-1 that'll be undergoing heavy modification.

I haven't heard anything about the magazine modification... I haven't been able to find any brands of mags that'll feed properly in every gun... it seems like each gun has its own likes and dislikes when it comes to mags. (I've tried MAG waffles in one 56 and it didn't work, but they'll feed in semi on another, but not in auto)

[shiftsup]

Originally Posted by Amos

I haven't heard anything about the magazine modification... I haven't been able to find any brands of mags that'll feed properly in every gun... it seems like each gun has its own likes and dislikes when it comes to mags. (I've tried MAG waffles in one 56 and it didn't work, but they'll feed in semi on another, but not in auto)

Quoted for truth.

I have both an RS 56 and a RS 56-1 and the non-RS mags that work on one do not work on the other.

RS 56 hop up units go for $15.00 USD and are available.

[Amos]

Yup, Realsword has done a really good job of making their internal parts available from all major HK retailers..

But they're clearly not producing enough magazines lol

[moaner]

with a guarder m130 spring I stripped my spur gear. m120 was just fine.
great gun overal.

[ancorp]

Originally Posted by Crunchmeister

"Worth it" is relative. It's more like what it's worth to you. If you have a good TM Ak now that works fine, there's no NEED to switch. However, if you want the ultimate in realism and durability, then Real Sword have no peers in airsoft. You can't get any more real and rugged in the firearms world than an AK. And Real Sword AKs are the only ones on the market that can boast real steel externals.

And when you consider that a stock, plastic TM goes for about $600 new compared to the $850-ish I've seen RS selling for here in the last while, it's not much of a different. It would cost you more than $250 to install quality metal and wood kits on a TM.

So in terms of performance, it'll be pretty much the same. In terms of external quality, then RS wins hands down. In the end, it's about what matters to you most.

Since when are real sword externals real steel? They ARE made from steel for the most part, that's for sure.

[KND]

Originally Posted by ancorp

Since when are real sword externals real steel? They ARE made from steel for the most part, that's for sure.

well that's what they state from their website unless you are willing to do testing to get internal of real steel type 56 and do a drop in test. I doubt they would be many semi auto real steel type 56 in Canada unless again you got one from your Grandfather.