Airsoft Canada - View Single Post - Realistic Opinion on Plastic vs. Metal Receiver

m102404 · April 27th, 2011, 22:14

Simply put...yes. It's entirely worth it.

I've had more than a few guns...built (yikes) probably many...handled and worked on (yikes) several many many.

Plastic guns can feel solid...they can be entirely satisfactory (this is entirely up to your own set of expectations...if you expect to do Russian Spetznas pushups on your AK...don't be surprised if your plastic Kraken snaps right in half) They will crack/break if overstressed. They can be painted (anything can be painted)...etc... They do get a bit flexy with lots of use.

I guarantee you that they will break if you fall hard on them (that's how I broke my first TM

).

Some plastics are harder...but more brittle. Some are more "flexible"...and give a bit when under stress.

Metal guns...feel solid. They can take wacks/bumps/falls. They can take repeated disassembly/reassembly (oh...and you will take it apart and reassemble

). They can take a fair bit of overtightening (you don't need too....some guys just go ape on tightening things).

They will NOT make your gun shoot farther...more accurately...or faster.

They will feel better though when you handle the rifle.

In general...AEGs are basically a rifle-looking "wrapper"...with a bunch of little parts/springs/gears stuffed inside it, wizzing around under stress. The internals...are easily found, easily replaced, etc... The wrapper (the externals) are much more expensive to replace afterwards.

For example...if you buy the plastic one and then later really, really want a metal one...you're going to be looking at $150-250 for a metal receiver. And then you're going to have to dismantle your rifle and rebuild it on the new receiver.

Universally true though...cheap guns are at best so-so. Their internals tend to be so-so to outright shitty. Their externals tend to be so-so to craptastic.

As much as possible...try to get your hands/eyes on some before you buy. To do so...get out to your local games, meet the host, meet the guys. Get age verified (usually there's a verifier at games). Most guys will let you handle their guns if you're not a drooling idiot. Most decent guys will let you shoot some guns to figure out what's what....'cause we've all been right where you're at. (go to the games)

April 27th, 2011, 22:14	#6
m102404 Tys Trader rating Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Toronto	Simply put...yes. It's entirely worth it. I've had more than a few guns...built (yikes) probably many...handled and worked on (yikes) several many many. Plastic guns can feel solid...they can be entirely satisfactory (this is entirely up to your own set of expectations...if you expect to do Russian Spetznas pushups on your AK...don't be surprised if your plastic Kraken snaps right in half) They will crack/break if overstressed. They can be painted (anything can be painted)...etc... They do get a bit flexy with lots of use. I guarantee you that they will break if you fall hard on them (that's how I broke my first TM ). Some plastics are harder...but more brittle. Some are more "flexible"...and give a bit when under stress. Metal guns...feel solid. They can take wacks/bumps/falls. They can take repeated disassembly/reassembly (oh...and you will take it apart and reassemble ). They can take a fair bit of overtightening (you don't need too....some guys just go ape on tightening things). They will NOT make your gun shoot farther...more accurately...or faster. They will feel better though when you handle the rifle. In general...AEGs are basically a rifle-looking "wrapper"...with a bunch of little parts/springs/gears stuffed inside it, wizzing around under stress. The internals...are easily found, easily replaced, etc... The wrapper (the externals) are much more expensive to replace afterwards. For example...if you buy the plastic one and then later really, really want a metal one...you're going to be looking at $150-250 for a metal receiver. And then you're going to have to dismantle your rifle and rebuild it on the new receiver. Universally true though...cheap guns are at best so-so. Their internals tend to be so-so to outright shitty. Their externals tend to be so-so to craptastic. As much as possible...try to get your hands/eyes on some before you buy. To do so...get out to your local games, meet the host, meet the guys. Get age verified (usually there's a verifier at games). Most guys will let you handle their guns if you're not a drooling idiot. Most decent guys will let you shoot some guns to figure out what's what....'cause we've all been right where you're at. (go to the games)