M4 metal body guide
 

I've wanted to find more info about the various types of M4 metal bodies, and I was surprised to find that they differ so much in terms of features, fitment, what they include, etc.

I actually don't know that much about all the different types, but I thought at least I could start compiling info on the various brands, I can edit this post with any updated info coming in from other ASC users if everyone supports the idea.

Please give feedback on how this could improve, I just want the get the ball rolling. Maybe help me fill in the info with a template like this? (Just copy and edit the text as required)

I'm not trying to list all the different logo / insignia types, they can just be included in the "insignia" portion of a particular brand of metal body. Hope this is helpful for other people interested in metal bodies.

***This is just an EXAMPLE, I don't have a metal body (trying to be informed before getting one) but I figure something like this could work.

=======================

Brand: "Wang Chung" M4 metal body (just made up name)

*** Insert picture here***

Manufacture type: die cast aluminum
Insignia / logo / selector finish: logos are painted on, no engraved
Finishes available: black, tan, OD green
Insignias available: Delta Force, Navy Seals and Zombie Killer.
Included with body: receiver pins, ejection port cover, forward assist knob
Working furniture?: No, when you pull the cocking handle, nothing happens. You have to open the port cover by hand
Metal hop up included?: NO
Fitment with gearbox: good, rating: 9/10
Fitment with other parts on assembly: good, rating 8/10
Magazine fitment: OK, Marui magazines fit OK, CA Mags are too tight
Notes on assembly / issues with metal body:
There are no gaps or loose fit between upper and lower receiver halves. The cocking handle, trigger guard is not included, so you need to buy all the other assembly parts.
The insignia and selector markings wear off, they are not engraved.
Magazine fitment was mediocre, Marui mags fit OK, but other like CA, and replicas from Ehobby have a tight fit. Magwell requires sanding / grinding.
Overall rating: 7.5/10

I'll do a review of the Magpul body since I've been trying to gather info on it. *Note: I don't own one, this is based on info I have gathered.

Brand: Magpul MIAD PTS Metal body

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3030/...0dccff51_o.jpg

Manufacture type: die cast aluminum
Insignia / logo / selector finish: logo is engraved, selector marks are engraved and painted. Unique serial numbers.
Finishes available: black, dark earth
Insignias available: Magpul
Included with body: receiver pins, ejection port cover, forward assist knob
Working furniture?: No, when you pull the cocking handle, the port cover will open. The inner dust cover (fake bolt) will not work, it's too tight of a fit and may need modification to work.
Metal hop up included?: NO
Fitment with gearbox: Fits Marui version 2 gearbox tightly, does NOT work with CA gearboxes
Fitment with other parts on assembly: good, some front ends may not fit all the way tight to the front of the body due to the threads being slightly longer
Magazine fitment: good
Notes on assembly / issues with metal body:
The fake metal slide may bind with the hop up. Note that the experimental kit has a removable trigger guard, the Magpul receiver sold on it's one has the trigger guard cast as one piece with the lower body.
Overall rating: 7.5/10

Brand: Dboys M4 metal body

No picture at the moment

Manufacture type: Cast potmetal/monkey-metal
Insignia / logo / selector finish:all markings laser etched
Finishes available: black, tan, OD green
Insignias available: Too many to list
Included with body: Receiver pins, ejection port cover, forward assist knob, charging handle, mag release, selector, bolt release
Working furniture?: Charging handle doesn't always open cover...
Metal hop up included?: No
Fitment with gearbox: Varies from body to body.
Fitment with other parts on assembly: Depends on body
Magazine fitment: Mine takes KA mags well
Notes on assembly/issues with metal body: Be prepared to grind/sand/file the lower. I recommend using a G&P hopup with KA mags. This combo seems to work best with my Dboys bodies...
Overall rating: It really depends on the body. Each one is different...

anyone know how well a g&p zombie killer metal body would work with a jg hk416? ....it comes with a metal hop unit too

The 416 receivers have a higher upper on them. If you try to fit a standard size M4 receiver, you'll have a difference in hieght from your body to your rail system.

is that difference enough to make an eotech 552 clone not fit over both the front end and reciever?
on a metal reciever the top rail isnt removable huh?

Yes.

Does anyone know if G&P bodies have full working furniture?

Some come with, others come without.

G&P Bodies come in different versions, especially in Asian retail markets. You can get the Metal body with all the furniture (and it functions) or just the upper and lower, and any state in between.

the zombie killer body is made by g&p. the one i got from ehobby comes with all the other parts of the reciever and extra ones and even a metal hop unit that im not looking forward to putting together

sounds like im gonna have to file down a few bars on the front ends ris

also note with g and p metal bodys they do come in and and b version lowers a being the full end and b being the srottend end.

If someone has a G&P, can you do a full review on it (like the ones above?) It would be super helpful to have all the info in 1 place.

Thanks!

G&P Marine

Picture:
http://img.redwolfairsoft.com/upload...mg/GP184-L.jpg


Brand: G&P Marine

Manufacture type: 7075 Aluminum
Insignia / logo / selector finish: Stamped and/or laser etched depending on location, Supposedly Unique serial number.
Finishes available: Black
Insignias available: Too many to list
Included with body: Depends on Version purchased, Comes as just the upper/lower, or upper/lower with all furniture and Hopup, or anything in between
Working furniture: Charging handle functional IE Pull handle port pops open. I setup my dustcover to remain open as i find that the feature is inconsistent with the parts provided.
Metal hop up included?: See above
Fitment with gearbox: Perfect fit for TM V2, and Systema Drag 'N drop box
Fitment with other parts on assembly: Depends on make of aftermarket parts, TM mag catch needed some filing to fit.
Magazine fitment: KA and TM mags are a bit loose in the Magwell solve with foam tape or Softside velcro.
Notes on assembly/issues with metal body: Be prepared for a giant amount of work if you need to recut the threads of the upper to fit TM M4S systems (+Hurricane adaptor set) or if you need to recut threads. This may not be an issue if you use a G&P Delta ring but I cannot say for sure. Madbull Delta Ring Modification Tool AKA Rethreading tool required. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE TOOL.

Overall rating: Excellent. 9/10 Body is heavy, and heavily anodized, and took very little damage despite being secured in a vice grip.


EDITed

Thanks Azathoth! Good info.

Just a couple things: when you say you need to recut the threads, is that only if you were trying to install an M4S front on it? I would assume if you use a standard RIS / foregrip, no thread mods are req'd?

When you pull the charging handle, the port cover flies open correct?

BTW: the link you attached to Arnies for recutting threads doesn't seem to work.

just curiouse can you still order metal bodies from ehobby cuz i wanna get the zombie killer one, or does anyone have suggestions on where to look?

Unlikely, your best bet is to buzz one of the importers and see what they can scare up.

The Arnie's link is fine, you just need to be a member on the board to read it.

No, not possible with an M4 body and a 416 front end. They are WAY different heights. You cannot simply "sand it down". You'd be taking off all or almost all of the material on the top of the front end. Which is not good at all.

No, on G&P's you have the ejection port sprung CLOSED. At least that's how my friend and I did it, who both have/had G&P metal bodies. We both never put in the fake bolt plate. He has a pro-win that cannot fit it, and I just thought it was useless when I have the port sprung closed.

yea suppose i can just remove the rear sight and slide the rds back a few bars as its only on 2 or 3 bars of the front end ris
the lower-ness of the metal body may rectify my rds's accuracy as the reticule needs to go lower but does not adjust any lower so then actually sitting a bit lower on the gun than it is now might make it more accurate i would hope

actually, the bolt plate works. The port cover stays open. It cannot be closed. Modification required.

ok so this is exactly how much height difference there is between a metal m4 body and the 416's front end. its quite a bit and also the 416's receiver had a bar coming out of the top rail to keep the front ris on straight, now its wobbly. as you can see its a g&p zombie killer body, everything was a very tight fit. there is barely any room at all for the inside bolt to slide back. im thinking about taking it apart and just removing it. the bolt cover doesnt have a latch and fly open when you pull the charging handle which is kind of disapointing along with my other gripes about the metal body. all my m4 mags are jg's and are very wobbly in the magwell. if you own a 416 i probly wouldnt reccomend getting a metal reciever for it as mine just doesnt really look like a 416 to me anymore unless you can find a lower metal receiver and be satisfied with your upper being plastic
http://a394.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...fa20d483e1.jpg
http://a138.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...0fb9f7b2e9.jpg
things i had to dremel: the hook on the charging handle in order to fit the spring, the U shaped slot on the fixed stock, the nub that holds the bbs in on my mag in order for the mag to lock into place in the magwell
some of the body pins are pretty difficult to install, the selector switch is pretty stiff moving and slightly crooked, and the thing above the mag catch is pretty loose

p.s. it came with a metal hop up which wasnt nearly as difficult to assemble as id imagined

Dusti69, those rail guards make your front end so big.

i know. it really looked crappy, i just kept thinkin where did my 416 go? but then after i got my g&p 552 rds back on it it really balanced it out

You can modify your G&P furniture to function like the TM. If you reverse the spring on the dust cover it will remain in the open position instead of closed as the instructions want you to do. You can use the charging handle to pull back the dummy bolt. I'm sure with modification or the right set of parts the ejection port can function.

OK, now that I actually have a Dboys body, I can review it. :)

Brand: Dboys "Troy" M4 metal body

*** Insert picture here***

Manufacture type: cast aluminum / pot metal
Insignia / logo / selector finish: logos are engraved / painted
Finishes available: black
Insignias available: lots of different ones
Included with body: receiver pins, ejection port cover, forward assist knob, charge handle, mag catch
Working furniture?: The port cover will open when you pull the charge handle, but it's operation is inconsistent. The charge handle is loose in the body and wiggles a lot.
Metal hop up included?: NO
Fitment with gearbox: front wired TM box, very tight. rating: 6.5 / 10
Fitment with other parts on assembly: good, rating 8/10
Magazine fitment: tested stock TM M4, MAG plastic mid cap, KA VN 85 rnds, and Magpul PMAG. All fit, (*except for PMAG, see details following) but need a little effort to click in. The actual mag opening is slightly bigger than all the mags, but the alignment is off with the Hop up (see below).
The Magpul Pmag is slightly wider (front to back) and there is a small bump near the catch hole. This could be grinded down and the back of the mag sanded to make it fit, but I didn't want to do that.
Notes on assembly / issues with metal body:
There are no gaps or loose fit between upper and lower receiver halves. The push pin holes lined up nicely with the TM mechbox.
The one piece hop up I used (G&P) works great and shoots awesome, but the alignment with the mag BB port is slightly off, causing mag reloads to stick slightly. This may be due to the front wire setup (wires are close / touching mag release and the wires are a tight fit between the mechbox and receiver and the slot under the outer barrel.
Everything works, it's just a little tight in there.
The mag catch release from Dboys is a little different. The square "button" screws onto the post, as opposed to others I have seen where the button sits "in" the post, and is held down by a small screw. The Dboys method results in the button sitting outside of the body, and is rather loose.
The fire selector switch is also very "tight" with the TM gearbox. Skladfin on ASC recommends grinding the inside of the switch down to create some more clearance.
Overall rating: 7/10
It's a decent body since it's probably the cheapest and most widely available, but it's not perfect by any means. Expect to modify it slightly and have other metal parts on hand as the ones that come with it aren't the highest quality.

Updated info on Dboys review re: Magpul Pmag fitment and fire selector switch.

How did that Magpul receiver work out for you?

Good so far, I have to rewire my "interim" gearbox (dboys front wired) and install some bushings / shims before assembling everything.

Long term, I'd like to install a Systema revolution.

I'll do a review and update my Magpul review. :)

I have used this type of metal receivers in the past projects.
Brand:Hurricane M733
http://www.wgcshop.com/WGC_Shop/images/he_mb_m16a2.jpg
Manufacture type: Die cast aluminum
Insignia / logo / selector finish:all markings engraved
Finishes available: Gray
Insignias available: Colt
Included with body: Receiver pins, ejection port cover, forward assist knob and one piece metal hop up
Working furniture?: Same as TM M4 series if the parts are complete
Metal hop up included?: Yes
Fitment with gearbox: Almost all aftermarket gearboxes fits fine. Perfect for Prowin gearbox with minimal modifications.
Fitment with other parts on assembly: None
Magazine fitment: A bit tight if not using a TM M4 Mag. Minor filing required for other mags to fit.
Notes on assembly/issues with metal body: Everything fits like a glove.
Overall rating: 8/10.

Brand:Guarder SR15 Gen 1
http://www.wgcshop.com/WGC_Shop/images/gd_mb_nb33m.jpg
Manufacture type: Die cast aluminum
Insignia / logo / selector finish:all markings laser etched
Finishes available: Flat Black
Insignias available: Knights
Included with body: Receiver pins, dust cover, ejection port cover, forward assist knob and plastic one piece hop up.
Working furniture?: Same as TM M4 series if the parts are complete
Metal hop up included?: No. Hop up is made of plastic
Fitment with gearbox: Almost all aftermarket gearboxes fits fine.
Fitment with other parts on assembly: Lower receiver need to be modified so that upper and lower will close properly.
Magazine fitment: A bit tight if not using a TM M4 Mag. Minor filing required for other mags to fit.
Notes on assembly/issues with metal body: Everything fits like a glove if the modified right.
Overall rating: 8/10.

Brand:Guarder SR16 Gen 2
http://www.wgcshop.com/WGC_Shop/images/gd_mb_nb33k.jpg
Manufacture type: Die cast aluminum
Insignia / logo / selector finish:all laser etched
Finishes available: Flat Black
Insignias available:Knoght Stoner Rifle
Included with body: Receiver pins, ejection port cover, forward assist knob and one piece plastic hop up
Working furniture?: Same as TM M4 series if the parts are complete
Metal hop up included?: No
Fitment with gearbox: Almost all aftermarket gearboxes fits fine.
Fitment with other parts on assembly: None
Magazine fitment: A bit tight if not using a TM M4 Mag. Minor filing required for other mags to fit.
Notes on assembly/issues with metal body: Everything fits like a glove.
Overall rating: 9/10.

Brand:King Arms Troy and NOVASKE
http://img.redwolfairsoft.com/upload...4-20-T01-L.jpg
http://img.redwolfairsoft.com/upload...VESKE_DT1L.jpg
Manufacture type: Die cast aluminum
Insignia / logo / selector finish:all markings laser etched
Finishes available: Matte Black
Insignias available: Lots to choose from
Included with body: Receiver pins, dust cover, ejection port cover, forward assist knob, bolt release, gearbox pin, and one piece metal hop up.
Working furniture?: Same as TM M4 series if the parts are complete bolt release is funtional.
Metal hop up included?: Yes
Fitment with gearbox: Almost all aftermarket gearboxes fits fine.
Fitment with other parts on assembly:None
Magazine fitment: Mag wel is a bit tight for the mags. Minor filing required for other mags to fit.
Notes on assembly/issues with metal body: Everything fits like a glove.
Overall rating: 9.5/10.

Oh yea for the magpul receiver, if you want to install a KA stock on it, you need to file down some parts at the rear.

I have always used D-Boys recievers, they are simple but rugged. The ejection port opens correctly when charging handle is pulled, and you can adjust the magazine release to make it less or more sensitive. Remember to go for performance, then looks. good luck

You're referring to the hole below the stock "post" (needs a slot filed into the upper part of the opening so that I touches the base pf the post) to allow the wires to run through the stock tube for rear wiring, correct?

I don't know why Magpul didn't machine the hole properly to begin with.:confused:

zombie killer
 

i got the g&p zombie killer with the hopup and pins and all those goodies, i've found my echo 1 m4 gearbox fits perfect, but see no way to attach the dust cover :banghead: but the ejection port cover locks in nicely, so i guess to adjust the hopup im just gonna have to open it by hand, sorry i dont have time to do the full review but hope this helps

How can't you attach the dust cover?

Probably it didnt come with the long pin used to mount the dust cover.

Some of these kits assume you are doing a FMU and have all of the furniture and fixtures from your stock gun that are almost always metal.

This is a good thread, I'd just like to see a little more info about fitment - ie: what brands the different bodies fit.

I just bought a G&G and am very interested in replacing the body - I'm just having a hard time figuring out what brand body will fit with the least hassle. G&P and D-Boys both seem easy to get, but I'm not sure which would work better.

Dboys are cheaper, but are a little hit and miss, if you decide t go for Dboys, make sure you know how to use a dremel

Does anyone have any experience with the new King Arms metal bodies?

Not first hand, but I have heard they are great.

I have had nothing but good experience with just about everything i have ever bought from kings arms (Except speed loaders!)

Yeah I've been thinking of picking one up with the laser engravings and getting em removed so I can get C8 engavings on it... Unfortunately they don't seem to sell blank ones

Dboys is hit and miss. Their are some good bodies and some others are piles of utter crap. The QC

Would i run into fitting issues putting a classic army m4 metal body on a g&g gr16?

they are almost as good as the perfect fit Zeke metal bodies but more sturdy, they do make blank ones but they are rare, however if you are looking to get a C8 body UN company can arrange for a custom engraving.

KA metal body almost require no modification at all, the newest batch are a far cry from the 1st gen version they are made to fit perfectly with Systema mechbox.

hey guys, little off topic, but i have a dpms panther carbine (m4, walmart, i know, but im on a tight budget) and im tryin to figure out how to spice it up a bit.im lookin to put a new outer barrel on it so i can aybe thread a suppresor onto it?any suggestion? any input is appreciated

Depends on what actual version it is. If it's the shitty cheap version that uses AA or AAA batteries there's nothing you can do to it. If it's TM compatible you can put pretty much anything you want on it.
How much did you pay for it? (that's a good indication)

If you're on a budget (and your gun is TM compatible) I've used Madbull or Deepfire 1-peice outers in the past. They are both painted, not anodized, but they are cheap and solidly built. DBoys/Boyi might be another option for you.

For slightly more money, the Dytac barrels look awesome, and come with a gas block and gas tube.

paid about 100 bucks for it, deffinately runs off of a larger battery, held in the stock, took the outer barrel apart and it comes into two pices, the part that hides most of the inner barrel then a piece on the end, the flash hider and triangle sight are all one molded piece of plastic.god i feel cheap.

thanks alot, ill look into that

CA old version
http://hotspotairsoft.com/catalog/im...5_P0bA019M.jpg
Manufacture type: steel(I'm guessing casted)
Insignia / logo / selector finish: laser etched (newest versions stamped according to AATV)
Finishes available: black
Insignias available: ArmaLite
Included with body: locking reciever pins, mag release, bolt catch, fire selector
Working furniture?: magnitized bolt cover
Metal hop up included?: unsure, unlikely
Fitment with gearbox: good, rating: 10/10
Fitment with other parts on assembly: good, rating 9/10
Magazine fitment: havn't run into any issues with DBoys, TM, KA, or STAR
Notes on assembly / issues with metal body:
Does not use upper reciever tabs, uses metal pins that stick into the upper area of the lower reciever, no wobble issues with G&P mechbox, very little wobble with CA mechbox, A LOT of wobble with DBoys. Avalible in flat-top and a1/a2 style tops.
Overall rating: 8.5/10 very nice, but can do better.

ok it maybe a polutread but i have a question how you get a metal body in canada because all the brand and site are in us

1. Get age verified.
2. Look in the age verified classified section.

King Arms Stag arms metal body
http://img.redwolfairsoft.com/upload...4-20-S04_L.jpg
Manufacture type: Die cast aluminum
Insignia / logo / selector finish:all markings laser etched
Finishes available: Matte Black
Insignias available: Lots to choose from. They have many less common insignias
Included with body: Receiver pins, dust cover, ejection port cover, forward assist knob, bolt release, gearbox pin, and one piece metal hop up.
Working furniture?: Same as TM M4 series. Working Bolt catch that holds the fake bolt back so you can easily adjust your hop-up. This feature seems a little random though, It doesn't always catch
Metal hop up included?: Yes
Fitment with gearbox: I have a crappy G&G box in there now, it fits farily well. KA bodies are designed to fit KA, Tm and systema box's perfectly. I am ordering a systema soon
Fitment with other parts on assembly:None
Magazine fitment: Most mags fit fine, my MAG mags were a little tight, but not too tight that i couldn't use them
Notes on assembly/issues with metal body: Everything fits like it should.
Overall rating: 9.5/10. Finish is amazing, Great body!

G&P Magpul 'Limited Edition'
 

http://airsoftglobal.com/popup_image.php?pID=9613

Manufacture type: Die cast aluminum
Insignia / logo / selector finish:
All markings Laser Etched

Finishes available:
Matte Black, Desert Tan

Insignias available:
Body is a Magpul lower + VLTOR style upper


Included with body:
See picture, Dust cover (GBBR Style will not function with charging handle and will cannot close), forward assist, Charging handle, dummy bolt plate, Gearbox Pin, Standard rear receiver pin, one piece metal hopup with furniture,

Front receiver pin is a locking pin set into the body, the rear stock pipe has been pre-cut to allow for easy rear wiring and the use of crane stocks.

Fitment with gearbox:
Same as other G&P products

Fitment with other parts on assembly:
Usual G&P delta ring and front end issues

Dust cover Pin recesses into the forward assist, however the pin that is provided has not been modified for the changed assembly. Annoying but not a big deal.

Magazine fitment:
Magpul PTS, TM, KA, MAG, G&P, Greenline, all good.

Notes on assembly/issues with metal body:
Area above the trigger slot (inside the body) is a bit rough, if you're a keener you could sand it smooth but it doesn't affect anything. As with ALL metal bodies find out the threading on your front ends so you know in advance if you will need to modify the threading to allow yours to fit.

Overall rating: 10/10.

VLTOR upper makes the body seem FAR more beefier than a standard upper, materials and build quality have improved greatly in this product over Gen 1 A type Domestic (HK) versions. Despite size and enhancements body is a reasonable weight.

Hey guys,

I have quick question about ICS guns.

Does anyone know if TM compatible M4 lower receiver will work with ICS split gearbox?

I'm pretty certain that ICS uses a proprietary M4 receiver.

Hi Guys
a little help please?

I have a G&P magpul body that I recieved in a trade. I want to put it together what brand and type of gearbox should I buy to fit this body?

Thanks OM

The M4 series is Version 2 mechbox, and the full system by G&P is pretty good. I'd try something like this:

http://www.redwolfairsoft.com/redwol..._Connector.htm and pair the suggested motor with it.

OK buying

Thanks!!
Shelled Pants, this is helpful
OM

Does any one know if I can put a KA Vltor upper on a G&P limited edition magpul lower? Will features like the charging handle and bolt catch be fully functional if I use a G&P receiver? If not, are such modifications worth the effort?

no review on VFC M4 receivers ?

Hmmmm Never thought I would see this thread again

Update:
http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/o...MG_0002-10.jpg

From page 4 review, same body. After this broke last year I did a side by side comparison to the Marine that I am using again (from page 1). This body is VERY cheap compared to the G&P I bought previously.

Seeing as I was in the G&P factory in HK when I bought both of these I can safely say they are legit from the dealer. In Hindsight and comparison, Would rate this body somewhere between 4 and 6.

Disclaimer:
I outright abused both of these metal bodies that I reviewed. Callously dropping or throwing the gun on the ground at respawns, dragging them by the sling in paved and unpaved parking lots at paintball fields (IE walking your gun), buried gun in 3 feet of snow in -20c, jumping on it while buried in snow, Throwing it two handed like a german stick grenade in -20, Kicking gun across the ground, and then the usual wear and tear.

I do not baby my toys.

So G&P Magpul, is it good? If so, where can I get one? (pm if this is not in AV sec)

I would put the quality of the G&P Magpul body BELOW the regular and "other" G&P bodies that I have used from that time period. I'm still as abusive to the older body I did a review on and it has been able to handle said abuse for a longer period of time.

How did you get to visit and purchase G&P's wares from their office/factory? I thought they didn't do direct individual sales. Please enlighten me on this as I would love to see if an item they have is still purchasable or not.

@Chiba,

I was on vacation in Hong Kong. I "know" someone who let me in for a tour and it's were i picked it up. So no, they do not do individual retail sales like that.

Lucky!!!

On the other hand, how did you manage to get a lower reciever through....:cool:

With Kittens, Magic, kittens, unicorns, more kittens, a cute fuzzy otter, and yet more kittens.

Please get AV'd and have a read on the AV'd area