Very new. Help finding first gun.

[SlipperySmooth]

i am very new to airsoft. i am looking for my first aeg.
i have slight knowledge about companies and what i need to look for in a gun. i've heard from many places that JG and Echo 1 are good companies to start with. i prefer more unconventional gun styles but i am looking for an assault rifle.
if anyone can help me get started in searching for a gun i would appreciate it. any info helps, from what is desired to possible suggestions.
thank you all,
chris

[Rookie]

Well, best of luck to ya. A problem with more unique guns is replacement parts. If something dies, now what? It's going to be harder for you to find the piece you need. + I think it might be a bit more difficult to work on, don't hold me to it. That's something you should ask Bearclaw or another gun smith.
**EDIT**
Another thing I just thought of would be the FN Scar. Echo 1 sells them. They aren't very common, or so it seems to me, but one thing that's great about them is the fact that they use standard M4 magazines. Which quite a few people carry. So that's another thing to consider.

[SlipperySmooth]

ok, i can see that. replacement parts are probably pretty easy to come by in an ak or m16.
on that note, i assume with all the little moving parts things break. how often am i going to have to work on a gun/replace parts? and is it common for a gun to be broken by say me falling.

[MARKIYMARK]

your choice of gun depends on how serious you are going to get into the sport.

[SlipperySmooth]

well i assume that haha.
the basic plan is to be pretty darn engaged with this website in joining events. i can't say that i am going to be an elite player. however i will be as active in the community that i can be. i just need some feedback as to what sort of things i need to look for and watch out for when i go look for a gun.

[Rookie]

Well, it can be. But I think it's worth it to take the fall to protect the gun, ONLY sometimes though. Like take the fall, be a little sore, maybe a bruise. But some guns can, however, if you just make sure you don't hit them on anything, and try not to drop them, they'll usually last a while. But I'm sure one of the many gun techs would be willing to help you if you did break your gun.

[SlipperySmooth]

i've seen a few people say that. 'if you fall, protect the gun.'
it seem that the more common problems would be the internals.

[OscaRMiaR]

No, if you fell, your externals could break. If it were an m4 the upper reciever could break.

[Fracsid]

Hell, when I dive prone I break my fall with the butt of my rifle, and it's still working fine... Granted it's an M14, probably not a good idea with any form of collapsible stock gun.

[SlipperySmooth]

oh no sorry. i mean that the biggest breakage problem in general on a gun would be the internals wearing out or something.

[MARKIYMARK]

i'm looking a classic army PRO LINE they seem vary nice

[Fracsid]

Yes, generally if you get a gun with a good body, most of your problems will be internal. Exception would really be stock Marui guns with plastic externals, where the internals of the gun will outlive you (exaggerated a little) and the externals, while very nice, are plastic.

[SlipperySmooth]

so i should go with a metal external.
what 'starter' companies are generally known to have good guns with reliable internals?
i have heard JG and Echo 1.
The other companies i have heard are Tokyo Marui, KWA, G&G, and Classic Army.

[AK_Rampage]

A stock airsoft gun will normally be very reliable. I have a stock Tokyo Marui XM177 from '03 which has had more BBs shot through it than I can count, and it will be seeing more use at the skirmish this weekend because it still works just fine. But, TM guns are known for their quality ( I also paid $270 for it when I bought it).

A lot of guns now are slightly upgraded out of the box, so the internals will wear out faster, but they will most likely last you a long time without too much abuse. My JG G36k was shooting 380fps stock, while my TM XM177 shot 280fps stock. That said, it's been very reliable, and I would choose it over the XM177 any day because of its performance.

Anyways, you said in your intro thread that you like the bullpup style guns, and also that you liked your friend's G36 variant. Magazines for G36s and AUGs are readily available, FAMAS and l85 mags are a little harder (and more expensive to find). Just go with something you like and get it from a decent brand.

[Rookie]

I thought L85 mags were just M4 mags? Am I wrong?