Worth the Switch?

[Wilson]

I have assembled quite the arsenal of AEG's over my years of playing airsoft. I have bought, I have sold. Generally good times all around, but I have always hoped for greater reliability, greater realism.

Now that GBBR's are making a come-back and appear to be working the way they were initially envisioned, it leaves me with one question:

Is now the time to make the switch?

[MoreToasties]

Yes.

[R.I.T.Z]

depends, some will say yes, some will say no.
personally until I prefer a AEG

[Donster]

honestly, it all depends on you.

As you know, there is a higher cost with everything. Less rounds in the gun etc etc.

To me, there are several primary concerns with GBBR that lead me to the conclusion that it would be unwise to invest in (given my current situation):

1. The fact that the mags hold less BBs
- to me this is an issue. Not a huge issue, but an issue none-the-less. Im not saying that im a Midcap or Hi-cap whore, quite the contrary, i use low caps and nth but. However, the whole realcap thing is, IMHO, very detrimental to airsoft as airsoft doesn't even come close to the ballistics of real guns, or even high-end pellet guns. So we need the extra ammo to make up for that.

- this is more of an opinion than advice to you

2. the general lack of use
- This is where GBBR loose their allure to me. As you may know, i have a Tanaka Kar98k. I am now selling said gun. Why? Because i can only use it during summer months. With GBBR, you will be forced to use it only on rare occaisons. That is why i PRAY that they make an full wood/metal AEG G43. it can be used ALL times of the year, regardless.

-As i can see, you are in ontario, so you know how our weather is. Indoors, its great. If you want to use a GBBR for CQB, awesome, but all means, but for general gamability, i dont think it is a viable option, especially for outdoors

(for indoors, this point and my first point are negated because of the tight quarters)

3. the general inconsistency of GBBR, to me anyway, is a real disappointment. For me, its all about the accuracy. And airsoft has a hard enough time (comparatively) keeping this. a GBBR reduces this accuracy inherrently because of its power source

- now i know you may be thinking that you can negate points 2 and 3 with a CO2 mag. In truth, yes you can, to some degree, but no matter what, AEG's will be more accurate. and to me, that is the big thing. to be able to hit that you see.

- again, in CQB, this isn't an issue. the only issue that CQB presents to GBBR, is the FPS limit, which can be lowered via an adjustable nozzle.

4. The price. I know, i know, we live in canada. But even by canadian standards, GBBR are a pricy endeavor. Factor that in to their limited game time (due to weather) and the price you pay for mags that hold few bbs AND soak up gas... it isn't a pretty picture

again, these are just my thoughts. im sure you have already considered all of them on your own

[m102404]

GBBR's do not work in Canada cold. Maybe on CO2 (pain in the butt)...maybe not. The last outdoor night game...definitely not on propane.

Guys that shoot a working GBBR love 'em. If you want realistic function (all except failure to fire clearing)...they're your ticket.

The ticket is costly though. If you want something confidently solid, you're going to pay for it. DO NOT CHEAP OUT on GBBRs. They're not mainstream enough to be 2nd gen cloned to a cheap but working version.

G&P/WA type stuff...IMHO...are "builders" guns. If you want to trick out and pick every part/spring/pin...they're the way to go.

In my experience...WE's are solid and work. Metal M4's (and prob the 416/PDW) are solid. Plastic is plastic and unlike an AEG SCAR...there's lots of heavy metal banging around in a GBBR SCAR.

Mags are bitch. They might leak, they might not. They may work well in your gun, they might not. So far...there's no magic bullet for mags. Plus they're heavy, expensive and you really don't feel like tossing them around like sub 10$ plastic mags.

Unlike some guys who have them and have just put a couple of mags through it, I've skirmished my WE M4 on numerous occasions. It works. It's much more "realistic" in controls, trigger feel (it's an actual hammer/sear), noise feedback (and dead man's click) and handling. Mags are limited to 30rnds...but I think that's a good thing.

So...they're expensive. The mags are so-so. They're temperature sensitive.

But once you shoot one...it's all worth it, really...it is.



P.S. Put it this way...if you come by to visit and shoot it for a couple of mags...then pick up an AEG and shoot it...there will be no-doubt at all in your mind as to which one you'd prefer to use. When/where/how and what'll take to use one...those are the questions. Personally, I'll just keep it's use for indoors until it warms up outside and then I'll put it through it's paces in field games (I got it late in the season last year and didn't hit a field game before the chill set in).

[Amos]

Do you like to play regularly with a reliable tool? If yes, don't get a GBBR

If you like to drill and use airsoft as a training tool.. a GBBR might be for you.

AEG's are vastly superior in gaming.

[pusangani]

If you have the cash, then do it up, there's nothing stopping you from having a reliable (in proper weather conditions) GBBR except money. If indoor is all you play, then that's an added incentive.

[RacingManiac]

GBBR for those summer games(and CAPS matches) and keep an AEG for back up. The GBBR are not that reliable in general, mainly because the force is higher and wear and tears directly affects the performance immediately. You need to look after them and look after them well. They are loads of fun to shoot(and work on), but they are PTW level money to be used properly. So they are not for faint of wallet....

Yes you can get AGM or JG or whatever. Eventually though you'll be spending PTW money to fix it. If you have not given up already.

As far as performance goes, they can be as accurate as any AEG(and can often be more powerful, especially with heavier BBs), but to expect AEG level of full auto firing accuracy and consistency is not realistic. The gas dynamic does not work as reliably, and the "fun" in having blowback demends more on shooter(of course not RS level, but more than holding a sewing maching). The game style will likely change.

It is an interesting time to look at GBBR though. With names like KWA and RS into the pool, there will be more options out there, and hopefully results in better products...

[SHÖCK]

I bought a GBBR intended for use indoors. For outdoor games, it just does not have the reliable range and accuracy (FPS changes with gas pressure changes) nor convenience (expensive mags hold too few rounds, need to carry propane with you, GBBR doesn't work in cold temperatures) to stay competitive with AEG players.

[Karma_]

Have both on hand wherever you go. Have a good GBBR and a good AEG. When it's warm outside, use the GBBR. Don't make it one or the other. If money is tight, stick with an AEG until you can have both. A GBBR takes airsoft to the next level of realism, it's an awesome piece to have. And that makes it worth the buy.

[kullwarrior]

Guess I post my 2 cents:
I never handle an AEG I'll give you that, spring and gas stuff mostly.
I'll never understand why people keep complaining about the cons of GBBRs (some are fair critisism I admit)
1) Mag Capacity...Dude why don't you just go play paintball in spray n pray, the whole airsoft thing is real sim, 30 rounds should be plenty. (All 3 current have mags can give 2X 30 rounds on auto in 1 charge, including Magna)

2) Accuracy, alot of the complaint comes from the hopup, go bug tm to make it, Im sure it won't be a problem anymore, as for right now Magna has Prime Hopup which is really really good but $75USD. The other blame is recoil which makes me argue even more for real sim.

3) Firepower, lemme ask you which modern military train soldier to engage in auto all the time? Auto is only for covering fire and storming. Semi auto is the way to go.

From Arguement standpoint Im gonna use two airsoft:
Systema PTW 2008 Max (Lipo mod) against
Prime DIY (you can get Bomber or Inokatsu for fac built) GBBR

Pro Milsim: Magna system wins hands down
Pro Spray-n-pray: Systema PTW

As for temperature problem...heres something, using Gas vapour chart of CO2, NPAS, and Pro-Win mag it is theoratically allow GBBR use in Winter. Here goes:
Pro-Win can handle 500psi easily, with NPAS you can reduce fps (might want to set to like <5% instead of 100% power) at temperature below 15 you can safely (on paper) use liquid co2 into mag. -25-30 is the prime temperature...If thing goes right basically GBBR (magna) cannot function: -10 to 15

[Zaphod]

For me it all depends on how you want to play. If your more into milsim then GBBR are the way to go. They need to be maintained a bit more, but i enjoy that side of it tbh. Firing them makes all the money worth it for me.

In saying that i still have my aeg as a back up if my gbbr runs to hot or anything goes wrong. If you can afford it. have both. that way you can choose on the day.

[SHÖCK]

My concerns with magazine capacity are only in games where there are no ammo restrictions.

I play airsoft because I want to have fun, not because I want to be griefed and cannot return the favor to spray and prayers carrying 8000 rounds in hicaps on their bodies.

A GBBR is great fun in an ammo restricted game. It's also economics with the price of GBBR mags.

If it were up to me, I think everybody should be playing all games with real caps, using GBBRs, and with mandatory orange tracers once the sun goes down.

[m102404]

perhaps it's just the local player base...or maybe just that there's been an explosion of new players this past year..

but the difference between the two groups of players has never been clearer (IMHO).

There's guys who in general prefer "mil-sim" (aka serious, aka realistic, aka stuckup, aka "elitist") events that have structure, objectives, planning, real cap, limited ammo, comms, etc. In truth, some "mil-sims" are very easy going and probably not much more than a formalized skirmish...others are very well done.

There other type are the "fun" games. No ammo limits, short-ish skirmishes, lots of head-on confrontation. They're lots of fun too. They tend to draw out newcomers and lots of them. Drop of the hat and you've got 30-50 guys (at least at the local place here) ready to go. It's an absolute shoot fest and a lot of "bunker standoff sniping" but they're fun for a no-worries type of fun shoot.

At a mil-sim...in decent temperatures a reliable GBBR would hold it's own. I'd take 12-14 mags, shoot semi and leave the suppression to the SAWs. GBBR vs. AEG at a milsim...I expect to be just fine. Indoor or outdoor. (NOTE: GBBRs do not do well if you're shooting down a ladder at the floor/room below you....you'll get a lot of gas venting )

At a fun shoot...you're going to be at an ammo disadvantage, depending on your style of play. If you want to suppress and trade round for round all night you just won't have enough ammo. For most fun shoots guys tend to run mid-caps and you're looking at a 4:1 ammo disadvantage. But...real caps are fine, just depends on you shooting buddies and how you play.

[The Saint]

No, it's not time yet. Wait another 12 months. There are suppose to be stuff in the pipeline superior to anything currently available (I don't mean Canada, I mean in general).