This has been an ongoing project of mine since February '09. The original rifle was acquired from the ASC classifieds with the following components...
M4 Details:- WA based, 80% upgrades
- G&P metal body (NSWC Crane)
- G&P steel outer barrel kit / stock
- Prime WA hop-up
- PDI 6.01 inner barrel -- the secret to its hard shooting (400 fps @ .2)
- G&P 120% hammer spring
- G&P bolt stop
- G&P mag catch
- Upgrade WA nozzle with white valve
- 2 WA magazines with G&P o-ring kits installed, spare kits included
I would have preferred a CF or Colt metal body but in this case, beggars can't be choosers and I knew the sale wouldn't last long before slipping on a large bananna peel so I went for it.
Once received, I set to work figuring out just what I wanted to do with the rifle. In the end after much thinking, plowing through picture threads and looking at my now wafer-thin wallet I came up with a rather simple plan. In keeping with my first desired impression; namely that of generic SWAT/SF assaulters which generally wear all-black as well, I decided to keep it "Painted Black" (good tune, thanks Mick).
Well, several months and more than a few $$ later, this is where it's at so far. It has had almost 1000 rounds through it and a full day skirmishing @ FR with only a minor malfunction since corrected. Playing with it is more akin to shooting BA rifles in that you had better pick your shots carefully instead of just hosing the opposite side with BB's AEG style. Accurate aiming at longer ranges on full-auto is almost impossible due to the recoil and muzzle climb -- kicks very much like a .22LR -- so semi-auto shooting is the order for the day for long shots, and I guess FA for 50 ft or less would probably be ok.
M4 Details: All of the previous list plus the following...
- Genuine EoTech 551.A65 HWS
- Genuine Magpul MIAD grip, ASAP sling plate, MS2 Sling
- Genuine UTG carbine buffer from Wolverines -- original buffer pad shattered, wanted a replacement pad from Buffer Tech. but can you believe it's bloody ITAR restricted!!
- G&P anti-rotation links -- almost mandatory - hammer and trigger pins work themselves out under sustained firing, use blue loctite on screws or you'll lose them
- RA-Tech complete front-adjustable NPAS w/aluminum nozzle -- gun shoots quite hot out of the box, required item to make it skirmish-able for some fields
- PTS Magpul CTR stock, MOE handguard
- King Arms folding rear BUIS
- Aimpoint 3x magnifier w/LaRue FTS QD mount
- G&P AN/PEQ-2 tactical aiming laser & LED light
- UltraFire 200+ lumen tactical flashlight w/strobe
- Tango Down QD VFG
- 3x Bomber magazines
- CQD front sling attachment loop
- Blank firing adapter
- Master trigger lock
Normally, I wouldn't have everything mounted on the gun all at once as shown in the pics as that makes it quite a heavy beast to lug around. For normal use, I would tend to go with just the EO-551 and carry the 200 lumen flashlight in a pouch in case it's needed, or mount the PEQ-2 and leave the flashlight in its pouch. I find that with the rather substantial recoil, it's practically impossible to use the 3x mag and follow your shots at the same time. The mag IS good however for spotting your foe down-range.
At any rate, comments welcome (including critics) as this has been both an expensive but enjoyable learning experience for me and the learning is by no means finished.
Ready...FIRE...Aim!
'Fly