Post by mattcfii on Oct 20, 2006 10:27:15 GMT -5
First off I must admit this is my first experience with an AEG (even if it from China) I don't have much to compare it on besides for my springers, LPEGs and EBB pistols. Also this will be a work in progress review as I do a few minor upgrades and get more trigger time.
I apologize for the poor pictures as well, I plan on updating them with better ones.
My frame of reference for this review has been the Airsoftretreat.com review of the TM version of this gunwww.airsoftretreat.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=48&cat=30. It seems JG did a lot to copy TM where ever possible. The packaging was the first hint. The JG box looks almost exactly like the TM box.
The manuals are very similar as well.
Even the styrofoam on the box has an Beta symbol in it. I'm not sure if the TM box does (I would bet so) but it is a nice touch to see in a Chinese built gun.
It comes with a 8.4v 1500mAh battery, 250mAh wall charger, the short 250 round AK metal mag, mag winder, front sight adjustment tool, cleaning rod, and a cheapy sling.
Of course the first thing that impressed me with the gun was its weight. It's over 6 pounds with the battery in and the shipping weight of the package was listed at 12 pounds. The amount of metal is great. The upper receiver, outer barrel, butt plate, flash hider, rear sling attachment, and trigger guard is metal. Again, on par with the TM Beta.
The flash hider is 14mm negative thread and has the same spring loaded stud pin system as TM. The JG's does have some wobble to it as well. When the flash hider is screwed all the way down it is less than a 1/4 turn way from engaging the pin. With more force you may be able to torque it the rest of the way but I didn't want to risk damaging the threads.
EDIT: After stripping and repainting the flash hider, it will screw all the way down but still has a slight wobble.
One difference I can find from the TM is the lack of markings on the gun. I'm not sure if this was cost cutting or for easier importation to the U.S. The only marking on the gun is a arsenal mark on the left receiver. While it is kinda disappointing not to have these markings, I'll just tell myself its is really just trying to go for the Special Forces sterile effect.
The length is nice. I went with the Beta because it could be used in both CQB and woodland. I'll have to report back on the longer range accuracy, but hopefully the shorter barrel won't hurt me too much.
EDIT: So far after it's first skirmish I'm pretty happy with the range and rate of fire.
Like the TM, the grip and fore end do have a bit of a rubber coating feel instead of hard plastic.The bottom fore end also has a short rail for mounting grips, lasers, and flashlights. Just don't expect to put longer items on it due to it's length.
Supposedly almost everything with this gun is TM compatible including the hop-up and barrel. With as much copying of the TM Beta, this isn't surprising.
For a power test I did the good old pop can test. A .20g BB went through both sides of an Mountain Dew can and put a dent and small crack in the bottom but no penetration. I don't drink Coke that often (or much pop in general) so this was the can on hand. I'll try to update with the standard Coke can. The pop can chorno is a much debated thing but that means that the JG might be shooting around 340-385 if you follow ASR's guide.
EDIT: While it did shoot through a coke can as well, I got to chrono it today. Average of 10 shots was 307, highest was 311, lowest was 301.
So far I haven't had any issues with the magazine or other feed issues but I'll update on this as I put more plastic down range.
EDIT: Still not having any problems with the magazine when I fully wind it up. Other have reported issues though.
The rumors are that while the JG's are fast shooters the mech boxes aren't shimmed that well. I plan on re-shimming and adding new bushings. I actually ordered a set of bearing bushings with the gun as well but now I am concerned that I need to go with regular bushing due to the power. I'd be glad to take feedback on which I should go with.
EDIT: The bushings were a big pain to put in but once I got them in there I was happy. The reshim job also went well. Hopefully the longevity of the gun will be good with this work. Time will tell! When I disassembled my mech box I messed up the selctor plate so now semi has issues. I'll replace the next time I order from some place that has the plate.
Overall though so far I am very impressed with the JG. It seems they have copied the TM version of this gun almost to the letter. Hopefully with the re-shim and new bearing bushings, I'll have a gun that will last a long time. For $100 for the gun and $20 for the upgrades, that's a steal. If these Chinese guns continue to stay at the same quality for the price, I think there will be a lot of new airsofters with decent guns. I know I've been looking to get into the sport besides for just plinking for a couple years now. If this gun wasn't so inexpensive I would still be waiting to save up enough money to start skirmishing. Time will tell if my money was well spent or if I should have kept saving. I'll keep you guys posted !
Planned upgrades and mods:
Add a rail to the top handguard for a red dot.
Re-shim and replace the bushings with bearing bushings in case the price difference is in the mech box.
Make an tab on my safety so I don't have to pull my hand off the grip to select a fire mode (like this Real Steel part: www.blackjackbuffers.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=469)
EDIT: The selector mod is done and works really nicely.
I apologize for the poor pictures as well, I plan on updating them with better ones.
My frame of reference for this review has been the Airsoftretreat.com review of the TM version of this gunwww.airsoftretreat.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=48&cat=30. It seems JG did a lot to copy TM where ever possible. The packaging was the first hint. The JG box looks almost exactly like the TM box.
The manuals are very similar as well.
Even the styrofoam on the box has an Beta symbol in it. I'm not sure if the TM box does (I would bet so) but it is a nice touch to see in a Chinese built gun.
It comes with a 8.4v 1500mAh battery, 250mAh wall charger, the short 250 round AK metal mag, mag winder, front sight adjustment tool, cleaning rod, and a cheapy sling.
Of course the first thing that impressed me with the gun was its weight. It's over 6 pounds with the battery in and the shipping weight of the package was listed at 12 pounds. The amount of metal is great. The upper receiver, outer barrel, butt plate, flash hider, rear sling attachment, and trigger guard is metal. Again, on par with the TM Beta.
The flash hider is 14mm negative thread and has the same spring loaded stud pin system as TM. The JG's does have some wobble to it as well. When the flash hider is screwed all the way down it is less than a 1/4 turn way from engaging the pin. With more force you may be able to torque it the rest of the way but I didn't want to risk damaging the threads.
EDIT: After stripping and repainting the flash hider, it will screw all the way down but still has a slight wobble.
One difference I can find from the TM is the lack of markings on the gun. I'm not sure if this was cost cutting or for easier importation to the U.S. The only marking on the gun is a arsenal mark on the left receiver. While it is kinda disappointing not to have these markings, I'll just tell myself its is really just trying to go for the Special Forces sterile effect.
The length is nice. I went with the Beta because it could be used in both CQB and woodland. I'll have to report back on the longer range accuracy, but hopefully the shorter barrel won't hurt me too much.
EDIT: So far after it's first skirmish I'm pretty happy with the range and rate of fire.
Like the TM, the grip and fore end do have a bit of a rubber coating feel instead of hard plastic.The bottom fore end also has a short rail for mounting grips, lasers, and flashlights. Just don't expect to put longer items on it due to it's length.
Supposedly almost everything with this gun is TM compatible including the hop-up and barrel. With as much copying of the TM Beta, this isn't surprising.
For a power test I did the good old pop can test. A .20g BB went through both sides of an Mountain Dew can and put a dent and small crack in the bottom but no penetration. I don't drink Coke that often (or much pop in general) so this was the can on hand. I'll try to update with the standard Coke can. The pop can chorno is a much debated thing but that means that the JG might be shooting around 340-385 if you follow ASR's guide.
EDIT: While it did shoot through a coke can as well, I got to chrono it today. Average of 10 shots was 307, highest was 311, lowest was 301.
So far I haven't had any issues with the magazine or other feed issues but I'll update on this as I put more plastic down range.
EDIT: Still not having any problems with the magazine when I fully wind it up. Other have reported issues though.
The rumors are that while the JG's are fast shooters the mech boxes aren't shimmed that well. I plan on re-shimming and adding new bushings. I actually ordered a set of bearing bushings with the gun as well but now I am concerned that I need to go with regular bushing due to the power. I'd be glad to take feedback on which I should go with.
EDIT: The bushings were a big pain to put in but once I got them in there I was happy. The reshim job also went well. Hopefully the longevity of the gun will be good with this work. Time will tell! When I disassembled my mech box I messed up the selctor plate so now semi has issues. I'll replace the next time I order from some place that has the plate.
Overall though so far I am very impressed with the JG. It seems they have copied the TM version of this gun almost to the letter. Hopefully with the re-shim and new bearing bushings, I'll have a gun that will last a long time. For $100 for the gun and $20 for the upgrades, that's a steal. If these Chinese guns continue to stay at the same quality for the price, I think there will be a lot of new airsofters with decent guns. I know I've been looking to get into the sport besides for just plinking for a couple years now. If this gun wasn't so inexpensive I would still be waiting to save up enough money to start skirmishing. Time will tell if my money was well spent or if I should have kept saving. I'll keep you guys posted !
Planned upgrades and mods:
Add a rail to the top handguard for a red dot.
Re-shim and replace the bushings with bearing bushings in case the price difference is in the mech box.
Make an tab on my safety so I don't have to pull my hand off the grip to select a fire mode (like this Real Steel part: www.blackjackbuffers.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=469)
EDIT: The selector mod is done and works really nicely.