chillindrdude
07-15-08, 19:59
M4carbine.net has been very informative for me as a resource for all things AR-related. I mainly just read the various threads and pretty much STFU when the experienced trigger-pullers are debating/discussing.
I understand that i may be out of my lane, but I wanted to share with some of you interested in obtaining an airsoft gun that most accurately replicated the feel of your AR for training indoors, force-on-force, or outdoor environments that may not be conducive to a firearm discharge.
The thread https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=16858 also led me to post up this brief review.
*DISCLAIMER* I am a novice AR shooter, and the WA M4/CQBR CAN NOT chamber a 5.56 round in any form (either blank, real, or snapcap)
This is the Western Arms M4A1/CQBR "gas blow-back" airsoft carbine.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/332605902_v3nxE-M.jpg
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/332605903_idrtR-M.jpg
It is available in 2 variants, the M4A1 (14.5" barrel) and the "CQBR" (10.5" barrel). Retail price is $550-650, the package includes: gun, detachable carry handle, one magazine, loading tool, and manual. I have obviously added on rail covers, aimpoint, BUIS, and metal A2 flashhider. The WA CQBR as pictured weighs about 3 lbs with the mag inserted.
The WA does have non-licensed COLT trademarks. The trademarks may be altered either permanently or "semi-permanently" if purchasing from retailers in asia to pass US Customs. The receiver is "fiber-reinforced" plastic, as is the distal 2/3rds barrel, front site post, flashhider, and collapsible stock.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/332605936_bdy26-M.jpg
The railed fore-end, buffer tube, and barrel nut/delta ring are metal. Dimensionally wise, it appears and feels similar to a real AR. The rails are likely NOT to specifications but most of the popular AR rail accessories should fit. Although I have not personally tried, aftermarket AR grips (magpul, tangodown) will fit, and i have been told that a magpul CTR stock also will fit without modifications. Of note, my Magpul PMags does fit into the magwell but does not drop free.
The bolt/BCG and feedramps have also been replicated and are actually integral in the mechanical operation of the WA. The bolt stop works similarly to the AR. The forward assist and charging handle are also functional. Of note the trigger will function check similarly to an AR/M4. The WA fires in semi and fully automatic modes.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/332605952_KzPfr-M.jpg
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/332605982_eV5dv-M.jpg
The takedown process of the WA is again similar to that of an AR. Rear pivot pin comes out (fit is tight, will require a punch), and held in place with detent.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/332605996_o6akb-M.jpg
The upper and lower receivers swing open to reveal...
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/332606017_4TCSH-M.jpg
popping out the front pivot pin completes the field stripping process
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/332606035_sgoqN-M.jpg
This is a close up of the magazine. 6mm plastic BBs are loaded in the area circled in green. You then charge the magazine with either H134a (or computer 'duster' gas) or green gas (which is propane with silicone lube mixed in) in the port circled in yellow. you will need the appropriate nozzle to fill the magazine with gas.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/332605922_mWAZL-M.jpg
Operation:
The operation of the WA is similar to an AR/M4. you insert a loaded magazine, pull the charging handle to the rear and release. the selector switch has a solid click with each firing mode. The gas supplied in the magazine is vented briefly with each hammer strike to fire the chambered BB, as well as cycling the bolt/BCG to load the next round. Of note, you can not "clear" the weapon once you are done. The chambered BB does not "extract" if you pull the charging handle. You will have to hold open the bolt, stick a barrel rod down and pop out the BB. The WA will hold open once the last round as been fired.
The magazine will also drop free with the mag release.
Recoil:
There are power differences if you use H134a versus Green Gas (propane). On green gas, what i'm told, the recoil is similar to a .22LR rifle. There are obviously less recoil and sound when compared to an AR.
Performance:
you can adjust how much backspin (hop-up) via a dial on the underside of the barrel near the barrel nut. with the appropriate setting and using .2gram - .25gram BBs, one can hit COM consistently at 100ft. latest chrono numbers are 270-280 fps with h134a gas and 370-380fps with green gas. obviously, i would wear appropriate protective eye wear while using.
Overall, i'm very pleased with the feel and operation of the WA. There are subtle differences but i think most AR shooters will be able easily translate their muscle memory from the AR to the WA. The big negative is the price, but if you are spending $1k+ on your ARs and shelling out $400+ on training, i think the $550-650 price tag is in line with obtaining a reasonably accurate training replica.
I understand that i may be out of my lane, but I wanted to share with some of you interested in obtaining an airsoft gun that most accurately replicated the feel of your AR for training indoors, force-on-force, or outdoor environments that may not be conducive to a firearm discharge.
The thread https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=16858 also led me to post up this brief review.
*DISCLAIMER* I am a novice AR shooter, and the WA M4/CQBR CAN NOT chamber a 5.56 round in any form (either blank, real, or snapcap)
This is the Western Arms M4A1/CQBR "gas blow-back" airsoft carbine.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/332605902_v3nxE-M.jpg
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/332605903_idrtR-M.jpg
It is available in 2 variants, the M4A1 (14.5" barrel) and the "CQBR" (10.5" barrel). Retail price is $550-650, the package includes: gun, detachable carry handle, one magazine, loading tool, and manual. I have obviously added on rail covers, aimpoint, BUIS, and metal A2 flashhider. The WA CQBR as pictured weighs about 3 lbs with the mag inserted.
The WA does have non-licensed COLT trademarks. The trademarks may be altered either permanently or "semi-permanently" if purchasing from retailers in asia to pass US Customs. The receiver is "fiber-reinforced" plastic, as is the distal 2/3rds barrel, front site post, flashhider, and collapsible stock.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/332605936_bdy26-M.jpg
The railed fore-end, buffer tube, and barrel nut/delta ring are metal. Dimensionally wise, it appears and feels similar to a real AR. The rails are likely NOT to specifications but most of the popular AR rail accessories should fit. Although I have not personally tried, aftermarket AR grips (magpul, tangodown) will fit, and i have been told that a magpul CTR stock also will fit without modifications. Of note, my Magpul PMags does fit into the magwell but does not drop free.
The bolt/BCG and feedramps have also been replicated and are actually integral in the mechanical operation of the WA. The bolt stop works similarly to the AR. The forward assist and charging handle are also functional. Of note the trigger will function check similarly to an AR/M4. The WA fires in semi and fully automatic modes.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/332605952_KzPfr-M.jpg
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/332605982_eV5dv-M.jpg
The takedown process of the WA is again similar to that of an AR. Rear pivot pin comes out (fit is tight, will require a punch), and held in place with detent.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/332605996_o6akb-M.jpg
The upper and lower receivers swing open to reveal...
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/332606017_4TCSH-M.jpg
popping out the front pivot pin completes the field stripping process
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/332606035_sgoqN-M.jpg
This is a close up of the magazine. 6mm plastic BBs are loaded in the area circled in green. You then charge the magazine with either H134a (or computer 'duster' gas) or green gas (which is propane with silicone lube mixed in) in the port circled in yellow. you will need the appropriate nozzle to fill the magazine with gas.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/332605922_mWAZL-M.jpg
Operation:
The operation of the WA is similar to an AR/M4. you insert a loaded magazine, pull the charging handle to the rear and release. the selector switch has a solid click with each firing mode. The gas supplied in the magazine is vented briefly with each hammer strike to fire the chambered BB, as well as cycling the bolt/BCG to load the next round. Of note, you can not "clear" the weapon once you are done. The chambered BB does not "extract" if you pull the charging handle. You will have to hold open the bolt, stick a barrel rod down and pop out the BB. The WA will hold open once the last round as been fired.
The magazine will also drop free with the mag release.
Recoil:
There are power differences if you use H134a versus Green Gas (propane). On green gas, what i'm told, the recoil is similar to a .22LR rifle. There are obviously less recoil and sound when compared to an AR.
Performance:
you can adjust how much backspin (hop-up) via a dial on the underside of the barrel near the barrel nut. with the appropriate setting and using .2gram - .25gram BBs, one can hit COM consistently at 100ft. latest chrono numbers are 270-280 fps with h134a gas and 370-380fps with green gas. obviously, i would wear appropriate protective eye wear while using.
Overall, i'm very pleased with the feel and operation of the WA. There are subtle differences but i think most AR shooters will be able easily translate their muscle memory from the AR to the WA. The big negative is the price, but if you are spending $1k+ on your ARs and shelling out $400+ on training, i think the $550-650 price tag is in line with obtaining a reasonably accurate training replica.