AW338 (AWP)

[VTT]

Oh alright that's good to know. Is your stock in almost new condition? If it is then I would have no problem trading stocks if I end up buying one.

[VTT]

Oh yeah and also, why did you sell 2 of them before? Are there any common problems with these guns that I should be aware of?

[XavierMace]

Oh yeah and also, why did you sell 2 of them before? Are there any common problems with these guns that I should be aware of?

I sold the M700 because I found the AICS for a good price and love the looks.  I got the AICS, realized it weighed like 3 times as much as the M700 and decided I was too lazy to lug the thing around.  I regretted selling the first M700 since that day.  But I traded the AICS for a well upgraded CA M249 so it worked out.

Keep them clean, don't over lube them, use propane rather than green gas, and if you are getting a newer model, get an extended nozzle.

[VTT]

Alright thanks a bunch for the info. Just a couple questions still though hahaha sorry.

Why use propane instead of green gas? Is it just more power or what?

And what will a longer nozzle do?

[XavierMace]

Green gas has too much lubricants in it for a bolt action rifle.  Green gas was designed for GBB's which have far more moving parts.  The excess lubrication gets all over your hopup rubber and causes inconsistency in the guns performance.  You do also usually get a little higher FPS out of straight propane but that's just a bonus.  The consistency is the reason for using it.

The extended nozzle removes the restrictor if you are getting a post ban version which increases your FPS and it extends further into the chamber which once again improves the consistency.  It's still something you'll want to get on the older versions, but it's not as important.

Edit:  Also forgot to mention, only use the long mags.  If you are going with the AICS, you don't have a choice as they can't use the short mags but if you go with a standard M700 or M40, get the long mags.  The (much) larger gas chamber in the long mags reduces the cooldown effects to almost nothing which once again improves consistency.

[VTT]

Thanks a lot xavier, you sure know your stuff! How would you say gas rifles compare to spring? I've heard both ends of the argument but I would hold your opinion a bit higher since you seem to really know what you are talking about.

[XavierMace]

Like anything you are always going to get arguements for both sides.  I own some of both, here's my opinion on the matter

Gas
Pro's - Nearly silent, extremely light trigger and bolt pull regardless of FPS, very few mechanical failures, ability to adjust FPS without replacing parts (on PCS bolt models), skirmishable right out of the box, nice stock externals
Con's - Higher starting cost ($450+), higher mag price, somewhat effected by temperature (not really an issue here either way), limited parts selection/availablility, can be finky at times

Spring
Pro's - Very low starting cost ($100+), parts can be found anywhere, more knowlege widely available, very lightweight guns, not really effected by temperatures, low mag cost
Con's - Need large amounts of upgrades to be effective ($300+), horrible bolt pull in high FPS setups, stiff trigger pull in high FPS setups, crap externals, more prone to failure (especially with higher FPS setups)

In my closet right now, I've got 2 Tanaka (gas), 1 Well/Ares (gas), 1 VSR (spring), 2 VSR clones (spring).  I'll take any of the gas ones over any of the springs every time.  I've used the Tanaka's in temps as low as 18° and they still outranged most guns on the field.  If you are the type who is also concerned about the looks and feel of your gun, the gas wins by a mile there.  The only spring sniper rifles I've held the felt NICE are the CA M24's.  But they are expensive for spring rifles, and a royal PITA to get working WELL.  The Tanaka's feel very nice out of the box and the Tanaka M700's will take real steel stocks designed for Remington M700 Short Action models with little or no modifications.

[VTT]

Yeah I think I'll fork over the extra $ to get a gun that I believe I will truly be happy with. The only airsoft gun I have ever been completely happy with was my G&P sentry. And I think I've learned that you get what you pay for.

I just don't know which rifle to get. I like the looks of the AICS so much, but the normal m700 seems to perform the same, is cheaper, and much lighter.

[XavierMace]

They perform the same because, as with the real guns, they ARE the same gun.  It's an M700 mounted on a replica of the Accuracy International Chassis System (AICS).  Remove two bolts on the bottom and you can pull the entire barrel/receiver/trigger assembly off and mount it on a standard M700 stock.  The only reason the AICS comes with a long mag instead of the normal short mags is the short mag doesn't clear the bottom of the AICS stock (once again, same with the real one).  My recommendation would be to get the standard M700.  It's cheaper as well as lighter.   If you want something different looking, get an aftermarket M700 stock to give yourself something different.  Here's someone who mounted theirs in a Choate stock:  http://www.airsoftretreat.com/forums/in ... ic=96021.0

[VTT]

I decided that I am going to get the regular tanaka m700 because it is lighter.

If it's not too much to ask, would you mind making a list of upgrades I should get and what brand?

[XavierMace]

Depends what your budget is for upgrades.

[VTT]

Well the gun is about $500. So how about $300 for upgrades. I will probably be ordering it from redwolf airsoft but I can get the upgrade parts elsewhere.

[XavierMace]

The first thing you will want to do is get at least a couple long mags ($80/ea), King Arms Nozzle ($15), G&G Power Pack ($55).  Ehobby often has those items in stock for good prices but you may have to do a little looking.

[VTT]

Alright thank you. What about a new tbb? Or is the stock one already good enough?

[XavierMace]

The stock one is very good, but the reason I didn't recommend replacing it right off the bat is before you go that route you need to know how much you like the gun.  If you want more out of it at that point, you'll want to get the VSR chamber conversion which means you will need a VSR inner barrel.  So, no point in buying a replacement for the stock barrel and then buying another one if you get the VSR chamber.