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"Listen up you primitive screwheads, this is my boomstick"
This is my first ever airsoft gun, so needless to say a lot of agonising went into whether to get it or not. I spent time using different guns, checking reviews, getting the general opinion and checking websites. For me buying a gun meant it had to meet several criteria:
All of the above make a lot of sense, I've fired AK-47's, and while they're a classic, there's very little you can do in the way of upgrades. M16 variants and MP5's are great for upgrades and accessories, but everyone and their dog has one. An M60 machine gun or a M-24 sniper rifle would have been nice, but they're too specialised for a first gun. So what could I choose?
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It's a G3 SBS, with a full stock. Built by Den Trinity. Based on an MC51 (which is part of the G3 family), this gun fits the bill. Full stock, big mags, plenty of accessories and upgrades, and I've only seen one other on the net, never in the flesh. The short stock was also included and the wiring left in the front handguard so I can use it in a short configuration if I ever go CQB. This makes it a pretty good general purpose gun.
So what's it like then? Looks wise, I like it. The metal body fits well, and there is very little noticable movement. A small amount of play in the rear stock, but you only spot this if you start swinging on it, other than that it's solid. Not many markings on it, but I suspect that's a feature of the real steel too. Hop-up is hidden in the ejection port and can be accessed by pulling back the cocking lever and locking it in place. Do not be tempted to slap this down ala The Matrix or you'll find yourself looking at a snapped off cocking lever. I know I did.
Taking it out skirmishing for the first time, the first thing you notice is how damn heavy it is, but once you've got to grips with that it's time to slap in a mag and go for it. Semi-auto is smooth and quick enough to fire a round or two a second. It's also fairly quiet on that setting. I'm gradually getting used to using that more when approaching, and switching to rock and roll when there are multiple targets up close, or I need to supress. It is a lot noisier in full auto, but then your opponents are going to notice you anyway by the stream of bb's issuing forth. I also managed to lose the front handguard retaining pins (which is easily done). As you can see in the picture, these have been replaced by some brass ones, fitted with a retaining spring. They were knocked up for me free of charge by Tom Andrews from Elite Action Games, so top marks there. Since then I've not had any problems with them at all, although I should probably get round to painting them black at some stage.
I've not yet tested the accuracy, but that needs to be done soon as it's just had a tight bore barrel fitted, which should help matters. The problem is finding somewhere long enough to do this, as my back garden just doesn't cut it. A trip down to the local range may be in order. I'll post up results when I get them. This leads to a small annoyance, which is that the claw mount for the scope isn't a perfect fit. It's in no danger of falling off, but it does clunk slightly when you move it. I may be able to remedy this by padding it with some insulating tape or similar. I shall have to see...
Update: I had a chance to play about with this at Operation Firefly 2, and it's now set up correctly. The accuracy is improved and power is up a little too. It's still no sniper rifle, but it's certainly better than stock. I still tend to engage targets at about the same range though just to be sure of the kill. Patience is a virtue, or so they tell me. I also taped the claw mount grips so there is no longer any rattle from the scope. It makes a surprising amount of difference in percieved solidity.
| EG700 | |
| Ni-Mh 3000mah in the full stock. Can also be configured with a mini type battery in the handguard (not concurrently). | |
| G3 standard (70 round) or high capacity (500 round). Currently loaded up with 2 hi-caps and a standard for backup. | |
| TN 6.04mm diameter tight-bore barrel, 285mm long. | |
| Functional and filled with sound damping foam. Works too. | |
| Approx. 650 RPM (figures from Airsoft Zone). | |
| A consistent 327fps when checked at OP: FF2. |
Oh yes indeed. Silenced piston head, reinforced cocking lever (fitted after snapping mine doing a Matrix approximately 2 minutes after I'd taken it out of the box), power increase and full metal body. I haven't weighed it yet, but I think it clocks in at something like 5kg. Your arms really feel it after a days skirmishing. A TN tight bore barrel has also been fitted.
What do you want? You can fit pretty much anything you like on this, but I'm fairly broke after splashing out for the gun itself. I don't really see the point in putting on lasers, torches, etc. which will be nothing other than cosmetic, given that I play in mainly woodland environment. I am going to go for a sling in the near future. Either that or I have to start working out.
What I have put on there (as you may have seen) is a G3 scope mount, with a Simmons 1.5-5 x 20 scope. The scope is very nice, crystal clear optics, and a diamond aiming reticule. This picture doesn't really do it justice, but I just shoved the camera up to the scope and clicked. Beggars can't be choosers. Needless to say, the washing has not been hung out since.
Update: I've now fitted flip-up scope caps to the scope, which makes life a lot easier. No more worrying about loosing the dust covers or dealing with the impossibilities of taking them on and off in combat. The caps come from Butler Creek and were ordered via a friend in the states to save shipping, but you can order them to here if you don't mind paying. The front cap is completely black, so no sun glinting off the scope there, as long as you remember to keep it closed until you're ready to use it. The rear cap is mainly transparent (apart from around the edges) and means you can us the scope with it still closed. If you need absolute clarity then it's just as easy to flip open as the front. All in all, well worth the £15 or so I paid for them.
