First gun: looking for "all-purpouse" AEG
 

Well I'm officially interested in AS now. Time to get serious and get a gun. :-D

The topic title, while vague, faithfully sums up what I'm looking for. I need something that's moderately light and compact but powerful/accurate enough to be usable for outdoor use at stock config (don't want to go into upgrading until I'm more experienced).

Budget (not including gear, which I've already secured from a very generous friend), is about $600-$650 max. For this I'm hoping for a gun, charger, a few lowcaps, the usual. Obviously I'm not looking for field domination because I know I won't get it. Full rifles are too big for my tastes, and pistols, as I understand, are fairly useless as primaries (and I'd rather not deal with the costs of gas for GBB's). So basically that narrows down my choices to an SMG or light rifle.

Basically I have 4 TM's in mind right now: MP5J, P90, MP7, and G36C.

Personally, I'm not a fan of the P90's magazines or look, but according to some reviews, it's right up my alley. MP5 seems just kind of "meh" to me - just too much of a pistol, not enough of a rifle, but as I hear it's tried and true. MP7, while gorgeous, is lacking in power, and G36C is a bit on the big side.

As it stands right now, I'm leaning towards the G36 simply because of the power and better battery/life when compared to the MP7, but with an extra charger to get, it's also a bit more expensive. And once again, more limited mobility due to size/weight.

Any other recommendations that you guys think I should consider, or any points to bring up that would sway me towards the most appropriate gun?

Regards,
Ultimus

You cant go wrong with the TM (or CA) g36c. Good cqb and outdoor rifle! The only con i found is the size of the mags... not very practical but you can get used to it. I myself have a CA36k stock and like it alot!

All you need to do is to get age-verified. The Marui G36, if you like the style, is a well built gun.
The only thing I dont like about it is the smaller battery option unless you go for aftermarket parts.
If you dont mind the looks of the AK47, it's about as bulletproof as you can get.
There is a thread in the Airsoft Guns section about what is the best AEG. You may want to read it.

As for the costs, you are at the very low end of what you need; $600 barely gets the gun. You'll need a really good charger (dont scrimp on that, folks who do always come back with battery problems), an extra magazine or two, ammo and protective equipment.

I'd also look at the ICS and CA products.

Read the Information section while you're researching.

The G36 is a fantastic platform in real life, and it's just as cool in airsoft. So many possiblities! You have no idea how lucky you are.

I feel the need to play devil's advocate, though. STAR makes a competitive alternative to Tokyo Marui, when it comes to G36's. IF the opportunity presents itself, and maybe you want something other than the 'C' design, you might want to do a little informed-consumer-research on that.

Now, as a fan of the G36c, I need to defend it against your views on its physical dimensions - it's less than 80cm long with the stock in the regular position. An MP5 is about 70cm long, or about 50cm with the stock collapsed. Remember that a G36 can fold its stock, bringing it (in this case, the 'C', with a shorter foregrip) down to 50cm.

That's nearly the exact same size! That's "big" to you? Maybe compared to an MP7 or a P90, then yes, but still ...

Unless you're really into girly microscopic guns that you can wear inside your sweat pants ["Ha! Double entendre!"], get a G36c already!

Heh, seems like I was right with my instincts about the G36C.

So I plan to go down to ASCA brick/mortar when it opens/has the gun in stock, get verified, and pick it up. So here is my shopping list, basically:

TM G36C
1 extra low-cap (for light indoor/CQB use for the time being, will get more lowcaps/hicap for outdoors)
charger
.2g BB's

Anything else I'm missing to get started (not concerned with battery cap for now)?

Add a battery or two to that list(and ballistic goggles or a paintball mask if you don't have either already) and you should be good to start off.

Be aware that a really good charger is a good thing to have, and they cost between $100 and $150.
Do not make the mistake of trying to save money on what makes your gun and batteries work. Those things are worth the expense.
If not, it's like buying a really good car but not having money for gas.

If I'm not mistaken (please correct me if I am), a battery is included - 600mah, which I know sucks overall, but I'm guessing it's enough to get started?

I'm just going to be CQB'ing for just a few rounds for now, and at the 1mah per BB that I've read, that's 12 full mags give or take in good temps, which I can imagine as being enough for me.

And I've already got a paintball mask, facemask, gloves + full BDU.

As they say, it's Quantity, Quality, Safety... in that order.* :razz:

*this is a joke

Yup, I'm well aware of this. Going for a $150 one. Thank you for the concern.

no battery comes with the gun.

Yeah, some places might offer a battery with the gun as a starter set, but it comes from the factory with no battery.

Wow. Great that you told me.

Would this be compatible/fittable?

It's a "mini", just like the gun.

You better get a 1100mah and up mini... 600mah dont last long

This is one of the best battery on the market... you cant go wrong with thoses

http://cgi.ebay.com/INTELLECT-Mini-T...QQcmdZViewItem

And ehobbyasia ship fast, like 3-7 days max

Check the battery format too. Some guns require batteries assembled in sticks, blocks, or other strange shapes to fit in the gun.
Good call on the charger, it will stop any headaches.

Always get two batteries, mostly because it really sucks to run out of power (for any reason) during a game in the middle of nowhere. For the rest, I'd say you're pretty much on the right track since you are going for quality and reliability.

You are going to enjoy this game.

(Agreed, the higher the MAH rating you can get, the better).

well i must admit your going with a good gun for your first rifle. but i donno it this was said or not what brand were you going with?

and maybe down the road you should think of getting a G&P V-stock for your G36 it would let you store a large style battery in the folding slether stock. but thats an idea if you would like to got a larger battery.

heres a review on the stock i you like the idea http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=22633

Please don't let the excitments of getting a new airsoft gun that might draw you away from spending some money for a good protective face mast. Safety comes first...I learn that the hard way as a newbie a few years back. I had to rent one for $5 at the field on my first game...really hated.

The P90 TR is a good value having owned one myself. its gear box is strong and it comes
with a nice motor (EG1000). The gun is also very compact, but in my opinion the best part about it is its stable grip. Unfortionatly, like all guns the P90 has its flaws for example
all high caps i purchased for the gun ended up broken. I recomend if you ever buy this gun you either buy a box mag, which will alow you to use a large battery or stick with low caps.

My second choice is deffinetly with the g36c just because of all the mods you can do to it. Its grip is ok and its a sturdy gun.

Both guns are a good buy ;7) Hope you found my information useful

Yeah, my G36C was my second gun and I wouldn't trade it for the world. My brother has a P90 which he (and I from my handling of it) can't complain about at all except for the hi-caps. Both are excellent choices and since they have the same barrel length (inner) they'll have comparable range and accuracy out of the box. If you're primarily playing CQB then I'd go for the P90 actually, it's comfortable and it handles beautifully around corners etc...very ambidexterous gun. If not the I'd personally go with the 36C but it comes down a lot to preference.

Also, definitely pick up two batteries for either gun, you won't regret it.

For all purpose, the G36 rules! Fold the stock to deploy a handy beer bottle opener notch.

IMHO, two locaps might not be enough. Since you're new to the sport, even if you don't like hicaps, I recommend getting some midcaps. In terms of effectiveness, 1 BB really doesn't equal 1 real round for most folks. As for batteries, you want to seriously consider Intellect minis. They offer two of the best minis available on the market at 1200mah and 1400mah.

I think it all depens on your style of play. But yeah , starting with one hi-cap is a definate must

If you would settle for high capacity then the P90 is a must have. if you get the box magazine you can hold 1500 rounds and 3000mah 9.6v battery like the one i have.

I have to add that you should really go out to a game and try these guns out, not just because of the gun itself, but the selection of magazines too.

I mean, I started off with a highcap... I would never ever go back to it again, I think it only lasted one game. Just because of the pure rattle and how unrealistic it is.

600 mah batteries dont last all that long getting full power, but 1 or 2 should last more than a full day of playing, which by the way here is my shameless plug lol. I happen to have 3 fairly new mini 8.4v 600 mAh batteries i am selling for a pretty good price. Send me a pm and we can work a deal if you so wish.

TM AK-47. Done.

or spend a few bucks more and get a full metal ICS AK74

The AK, P90 TR and the G36c are all really good guns, seeing that i have all three of them. But out of all guns out right now, i think the best gun to start off with, well for me anyways, is the TM M4, the new one with the re-enforced barrel. This is becuase, you can pretty much make it into any type of gun you want. You can make it into a sniper, a mid range gun, or like me, a CQB. Its pretty much like buying a honda as a first car because its easy to use, and there are more after markets parts for it then any other car, or airsoft gun in this case right now. Thats my opinion...

I just ordered that same 8.4 volt 1400mah intellect battery (Which someone posted the link). I also ordered a 9.6 volt 2200mah nun-chuck style for the forgrip of my CA M15A4 which might be overkill for stock (so far). As for a good gun - read the reviews and get something you like. Spend alittle more money and you won't be disappointed. Hey, even if you later decide to get out the sport, the resale on used guns remain quite high.

shakal is right the g36 is an excellent gun to go with i have the g36a and it is anwsome piece to use