(QOTD) AEG or GBBR. HMMMMMMM

AEG OR GBBR. Which do you prefer and why??

Anybody that has shot a reputable name brand GBBR will tell you that it is jaw dropping . It truly bridges the gap in realism compared to the electric powered AEG. It’s in no way the same thing as its real steel counterpart but its damn close. But at what cost does this next level of realism have in terms of reliability, accuracy and consistency?

The GBBR has all the same functions as its real steel counterpart. Things like, charging handle, bolt stop, bolt release, realistic "simulates" recoil.

But at what cost is this oober cool gun worth?

Remember that GBBR magazines can run you $50+ dollars apiece and they normally only hold 30 rounds.
I usually hold x8 mags with me on an average game day so right there you’re looking at $400 before the cost of the actual rifle. Each magazine will need to be properly maintained between game days so the seals don't dry out. So right there you need to be meticulous with your maintenance. Also remember that GBBR's work best in summer months. So in our cold wet lower mainland were talking 3ish months of ideal GBBR weather.

Another thing in not a huge fan of is the metal on metal parts clanking inside your rifle. Cheap pot metal against cheap pot metal means that something is going to break. Understand that no GBBR is going to be perfect out of the box and it will need to be upgraded eventually.

I personally see no reason to have a GBBR that is not a DMR (450 FPS) if you do have a 400FPS GBBR you can obviously go full auto but remember you only have 30 rounds so make those shots count. Accuracy can be on par with a AEG if your rifle is tuned and upgraded properly. But things you must take into account is the cool down effect. Constant and prolonged shooting can cause the internal parts to get so cold that the cycle rate slows down noticeably and consistency goes out the window. This is why its better IMO to go DMR where your shots are deliberate and accurate instead of random bursts of inconsistent full auto. Temperature changed will also increase or decrease your FPS so make sure your not shooting too hot.

So why go with a GBBR??? Because they are FREAKING AWESOME. I played Indoor CQB with a downgraded m4 GBBR and the heavyweight feel of it, the clank clack clank of your shots with instant, better than a PTW trigger response. And the satisfying feeling of not only controlling the recoil but making sure your trigger finger is not too itchy because you only have 30 rounds. And of course real cap magazines means more stress induced reloads (better make them fast).


If I honestly had extra cash lying around, I have always wanted a GBBR with a NPAS system so I can use it at 330 FPS for CQB and 450DMR for field use.


What you’re thought on GBBR's and please share your experience using them.

[Noir]

To preface I have never shot a gas rifle, but for me its not very appealing. Its louder, more expensive and you cant use it year round. I know when I hear a GBBR its easier to pin point where the firing is coming from seeing how loud it is. It seems that in real steel you want a quieter gun with less recoil, but in GBBR's it is completely the opposite in the world of airsoft. To me id rather have one quieter, year round rifle, that works with mid caps.

MY opinion

Great quote recently heard in airsoft forum;

"One bullet does not equal one BB."

Plenty of players that you presently game with (including myself) have been involved with real guns/real steel. They have all stared down the sights of airsoft weapons and thought...

if this was a "real" gun, well then.

Buts its not.

The reality is that there are so many variables that come in to play when you are airsoft shooting that unfortunately you will never have the advantage of "real steel" shooting.

I have owed a G39 (we g36) a WE 416 open bolt and still own a KWA MP7a1. The fact of the matter is you do not have the advantage of accuracy of real steel over range. Meaning the accuracy decreases tremendously over range compared to real steel and many shooters would take a Gbbr over AEG if that were the case.

That said, having a GBBR with a few hundred rounds instead of an AEG that spits out 300 rounds in 10 seconds with high caps seems to be a ... compromise.

Like many have said, airsoft is what ever you want it to be. As you grow in the sport you start to respect players that take you out with one shot.

I for one, respect players that opt to challenge themselves with gas guns only, also, I enjoy a gas/spring only game as I think it brings out skills that full auto does not develop. Dealing with misfires and bad feeds is something only gas and real steel shooters may have to deal with and it is definitely a game changer.
Sadly, I see a lot of people selling there GBBRs for AEGs, simply because you cannot compete with a M4 with 8 high caps and 3600 rounds.

I wonder who invented the M4 Hicap... and what they were thinking when they did.

I wonder how your game would change if your mags held 30 rounds.

If I lived somewhere warmer, I'd probably buy a GBBR. Considering we live in Canada, a GBBR probably gets more time on the mantle then it does on the field. Like Gunny pointed out, and I have stated on a few other threads, GBBRs only are practicable for about maybe 5 months of the year at best. Plus, the sh%t tonnes of maintenance you have to put into one is a real turn off for me. And also, the price to run one is another turn off. Like Gunny also said, mags can run for about $50 a mag, and I usually carry 11 mids on me with my AEG. I could care less that they only hold 30 really. It's simpy the price for the mags. I agree with Noir. I'd rather have 1 solid AEG that I can run year round that all said and done with mags, optics, and accessories is still cheaper then a GBB with a couple of mags. Now, if I were to win the lottery, that might be a different story. But for now, I'll stick with my VFCs.

the only reality of using a GBBR compared to the real thing is the function, after that you start to compromise over an AEG.

when reliability and consistency start to get more to an acceptable limit, I would start to shell $ out for a GBBR system.

but as it stands, there accuracy and reliability is sub par to an AEG, the closest thing to "real world" I would do is shoot a 400FPS AEG, use semi 90% of the time, low cap 30rd mags and only carry 10 of them!

[Pinoy]

To me, everything we do/wear/own or guns we run in games is all about fun and to look cool. That's airsoft. Whatever will make my day that's what I will carry on the field.

If you want to be competitive in the game, have an accurate AEG, quite/silenced, good range and 400fps that gives you the advantage of having semi auto and full auto fire modes. True, semi-auto is the best way to improve your skills. Besides that know your guns range and accuracy. [Off topic] And most of all, stay calm before you take a shot. And of course, proper rig and being mobile are also the key. Remove unnecessary props/items unless you just want to look cool and it's acceptable in airsoft.

IMHO, GBBR is the coolest type of airsoft guns and the closest to the real steel but I don't think I will get a GBBR due to high maintenance, expensive and it's only playable for a short period of time per year.

[Tjfast]

I recently acquired a GBBR. It was fun to shoot, but gaming it was nothing short of a disadvantage. Mags were leaking as well so I was constantly trying to get them to work the night before a game. Love the concept, dislike the actual in game use. Plus I was always in a disadvantage in fire fights.

When a good GBBR setup doesn't cost $1000 (gun and mags) and I can use it most of the year, not have to worry nearly as much in regards to gas leaks, ill be back with a GBBR

Side note...Had the GBBR for 2 weeks and got rid of it.

I'm surprised no one has brought up Polarstars yet.

I'm surprised no one has brought up Polarstars yet.

and of course there is P* engines. essentially it is a drop in gearbox that is pneumatically powered. it requires the use of a small 7.4v lipo or 9.6v nicd to cycle the solenoid. and when i say small i mean small. apperantly a 7.4v 300mah battery is all you need for a entire gameday worth of fun.


the P star engine uses compressed air which is rigged up to a compressed air tank that must be carries by the user. This engine is fully tuneable from 1-50 BPS and 0- crazy FPS. as long as the user doesnt mind a air coil coming from the bottom of there gun in terms of reliability the P* cant be beat.

i watched a video of a P* torture test, 50 BPS constant full auto for damn near 30 min. after the test the P* was in brand new condition.

I have been looking at the GBBR for a while. I have read about the GBB only games and 30rd mag max limits. Compared to real battle conditions this is what it would be. Of course the option to carry an amo box full of mags isnt a real option given the pice but it would make to pick your shots. I decided to pickup the Magpul PTS Masada and I ordered the Beta Project GBB kit for it. This way I can use it year round and have the best of both. I love my GBB pistols so Im sure the GBBR will be just as enjoyable.

On the maintenance side if any of you are real gun owners or have been in the military, you spend a lot of time maintaining you firearms and even those it is just an airsoft gun it should still be clean and maintained after every use if you want it to last and not malfunction.