FNG Guide: VN battle rifle

[ssgtlou]

One of the things that all of us deal with in this hobby, no matter where you start, is budget. Some of you may be able to get all the gear, and two guns, in a single purchase. However, most will have to make-do with some modern gear as you transition to your new hobby. I hope to provide you in this short FNG Guide a choice of options for USGI issued battle rifles.

I am limiting this post to my personal experience and opinions. Take them as such.

There area always pistols, special use weapons, as well as captured and “my daddy’s gun that my mom sent me from home in fruit cake over the course of my tour” guns. I will not be covering those weapons. However, I will take the opportunity to discuss the two infantry rifles that US troops did have ready access: the M14 and the M16A1 Service Rifle.

But first tings first. We’ll discuss this topic by the #1 concern of newbies everywhere…Budget.

CYMA CM032: sometimes referred to as a “TM M14 clone.” $104.00 USD



History: The M14 rifle. A Marine standard, and sometime Army sniper platform, may be one of the cheapest ways to get into a period-correct weapon for many new namsofters. The CYMA gun has come a long way. Don’t be shy about them. I’ve purchased a dozen of these airsoft guns for commercial rental use. They’ve held their own against higher priced models very well. And, at $100 a pop, if they ever break you can afford to get another one or save one for parts. In the 3 years I ran large-scale airsoft events in Northern California I’ve only had a single CYMA M14 fail due to manufacturers defect.

Reliability: Typical lifetime is 2 years of hard use. Hard Use. That means a new shooter picking it up and horribly manhandling it game after game. Additionally, REMF, a trusted source among us, builds very high end custom M1 Garands using this very same base gearbox. He trusts them as do I.

Fit/Finish:
PRO: The CYMA is an inexpensive solution. It is a fine, if typical, plastic and metal airsoft gun. The stock is a “simulated wood” plastic, but the remainder of the gun is made from metal in all the right places. The gun is easy to maneuver and hold on target. The fit of the metal to the synthetic stock is above average for a gun in this price range. The battery compartment is tight but adequate for the included 8.4volt battery. Mid-cap TM compatible magazines can be had in the 5-pack by King Arms.

CON: The already small battery compartment may fit a larger battery only by removing the butt plate and inserting the battery. Then reassembling the gun. This is not a problem for those who do not run a battery down, however recharging is best accomplished by leaving the battery in the gun. Mfr made magazines seem to be hard to find in the mid/standard capacity for these guns. CYMA does not offer it’s own replacement stock. You’ll have to use a TM one. Which is sometimes pricey. However, it will look and feel great. All this goes without saying that the CYMA is a clone of an airsoft gun—the TM M14—and shares that guns fault of being not-quite as true to form of the M14 rifle. If having a “replica-feeling” M14 is your goal, skip the TM and its Clones, and instead purchase a G&G or CA M14. They are larger, heavier and beefier, just like your real M1A/M14 rifle. However they are nearly four times the cost of the CYMA.

Where to Buy in the USA:
$104 -- Hobby Toy Warehouse. http://www.hobbytoywarehouse.com/shop/gacm032-p-383.html
$115 ($110 at group discount) -- Airsoft Zone Corp http://www.wholesalecentral.com/airsoftzone/store.cfm?event=itemdetail&itemid=846931&returnto=http%3A%2F%2F



Next, the M16. There are several versions of M16’s you can choose from, but as I stated before I am concentrating this post on budget and final costs. If your budget allows more than $120 most of us recommend that you get a G&P M16A1 or Classic Army M15A1. These guns are only $200- $260 depending on where you purchase them.

Do not get the JG M16A1 “Vietnam” model. Yes, the price is right, but it is wrong for Vietnam impressions. Regardless of the advertising or nomenclature of the airsoft gun—it is NOT an A1 model. It is a mix of both the A1 and A2 variants that the company attempted to throw together. You may as well play with your M4 while you save up for a correct “A1.” SAVE YOUR MONEY.

History: The M16A1 service rifle was created to allow the infantryman a lightweight hard-hitting battle rifle capable of delivering multiple shots in a small group. However, early in its development the M16 was plagued by problems stemming form poor military adaptation and deployment. The variation known as the “A1” solved most of these problems and the rifle saw service through the 1980’s relatively unchanged.

I have chosen to focus on the G&P variation of this airsoft gun. It is a simple out of the box solution that gets many things right in the configuration. It will cost a little more due to its international shipping, but the benefits outweigh the negatives.

Reliability: I will refrain from detailing the internals of the G&P guns. I am not an airsmith. Depending where you buy it your gun may be a complete G&P, a mix of TM and G&P parts, or full Systema upgrades. However, I will talk more about the external finish and the accuracy that G&P has been able to achieve in their body kits. Personally, I’ve had my G&P bodied, Systema upgraded, airsoft rifle since 2005. I haven’t replaced anything major in it and completely submerge it in water often. They are tools in reenacting for me. I treat them like real rifles so I am rough with them but I clean them up afterward.



Fit/Finish: The G&P gun is spot on. Most of them come with the birdcage flash hider which is correct for most of the Nam area. The 30-round magainzine can be stowed away for future use and you should collect as many 20-round standard or mid capacity magazines as possible. Classic Army and TM both produce mid capacity metal magazines. Star, king Arms, and MAG produce plastic Mids and standards cheaply. The rest follows as a comparison between the G&P and the CA. Both airsoft guns are highly accurate in detail and solid airsoft toys.

PRO: G&P M16
Body and all parts that should be metal are metal
Full Colt trademarks
Even dark Colt gray coloring
Shiny “correct” black plastic stock and fore stock.
Early version shorter A1 correct stock, without trap door. I view this as a "PRO" however some may see it otherwise. (also see "Con")
Simulated heat shielding inside the fore stock
Birdcage
Solid 1-piece metal outer barrel
Adjustable sights

CON:
Slick side upper- is early adaptation
Air Force designation serial# (but only an AR aficionado would know by the serial number.)
No trap door on A1 stock requires a tool to insert/replace battery (also see "Pro")
Reports of several G&P bodies with extra loose mag wells causing your magazine to wobble and rattle

PRO: Classic Army M15A1
Easy, complete 90% correct package right out of the box
Receiver is A1 style
Upper assembly is correct early A1 teardrop configuration
Body and all parts that should be metal are metal
Light Colt grey "parker-look" coloring
Solid 1-piece metal outer barrel
All internals easily replaceable if/when they break (mine is all original)
Adjustable sights
Shoots consistently at 350-390fps
Easy to install battery
All types of magazines feed well

CON:
3-prong flash hider: Barrel is threaded opposite making the addition of a birdcage difficult without milling/machining
Trademarks are Armalite laser-type
"Grey" finish is not molly, hardened, or anodized and will rub and wear unlike the original military finish
Stocks are incorrect "A2 pebbled" finish
Shoulder stock is A2 length and trap door model
No heat shields in the fore stock

Note: The buyer should be aware that not all MBK's are created equal. There is an early war "Vietnam" version as well as an "A1" version. If you choose to get the "Vietnam" G&P you will likely want the 3-prong flash hider and no forward assist. (I am using one in the river OPs photo shown earlier.) This is called a "slick side" upper. If you want to learn more about the M16 and it's variants, please read: http://www.retroblackrifle.com

Early adaptation that G&P calls "Vietnam." This upper receiver (body) was only issued in Vietnam under special testing. It was not a Line issue weapon.


M16A1- This is the upper that you want to portray 99.99% of the M16's you see in the photos of the period.


Where to Buy:
G&P M16A1 custom built by Boomarms, Redwolf, WGC, UNCompany $230-$600 USD
Hong Kong based retailers

Classic Army M15A1, US based companies sell for $260 USD
_________________
Interim Commanding Officer/Executive Director

[rockettravis]

I fully agree Gunner Muller,
The G&P M16 reqires work but once you fixed a few glitches it will make
one hell of a weapon! I absolutly love mine.
The TM variant is also as correct as the clasic army M15VN however
reqires a very exspensive upgrade and has alot of little glitches to work out, however all in all is fairly good if you know the tricks .
_________________

[ssgtlou]

oorah! Glad to see you here.
_________________
Interim Commanding Officer/Executive Director