Market research – airsoft gun up to 260 EUR
The airsoft market is growing and developing very dynamically, and as I mentioned in the previous article in this series, I think that this is a very good situation for us - players. As the number of models and manufacturers available increases, competition between them grows. This, in turn, leads to a gradual improvement in the quality and quantity of available features that represent a potential advantage of some models over others. We also have a choice of an increasing range of unique airsoft guns or replicas prepared on the basis of firearms that were not available before.
This time we will analyse a slightly more comfortable situation than before and we will double the amount we have at our disposal for our search. As we have seen recently, for just 260 EUR we are able to find interesting airsoft gun for the start or those that will serve us as a second, spare piece. This time I would like to focus on airsoft guns that I consider to be solid main units that we can buy and either play with straight out of the box or easily adapt to our needs using spare part of the budget.
At the end of this introduction, I would like to emphasize once again that I will treat the given value rather loosely and I will also mention slightly more expensive airsoft guns. We can always try to find the airsoft gun we are interested in in the promotion or try to use a discount code. I will select the airsoft guns proposed in this article on the basis of a subjective assessment supported by my own experience. However, I do not know the entire market and I did not have the opportunity to check each of the available airsoft guns, so if there is something that you would suggest yourself, as usual, look for me on Instagram and let me know.
Solid build quality in a good price
I perfectly remember the moment when E&L replicas made their debut on the market. Initially, they were received by players rather carefully, but I have the impression that they quickly won favour with what they offer. Materials and craftsmanship that resemble real steel counterparts and more than decent performance straight out of the box are certainly factors that helped build the brand's reputation. All this can also be found in the new E&L Essential series. In this article, I wanted to focus primarily on the ELAK104 Essential model. This airsoft gun, at its base price, is within our budget. However, I would like to point out that for a similar amount, depending on the version, we will also find other models of this series, each of which will work very similarly. The difference will be mainly in the type of cover, the stock or barrel length.
The ELAK104 is a replica that will surely appeal to fans of the AK platform. To my knowledge, it is a rather correct representation. In addition, it offers a very pleasant operation right out of the box. Certainly, the big advantages of this design are its internal parts, among which in my opinion the most important is the gearbox shell equipped with a quick spring change system. In addition, we get solid 9mm bearings, a polycarbonate piston and a stainless-steel cylinder. This should be enough to have fun at the beginning, and if it turns out to be insufficient for us, it will be a solid base for tuning.
Snipers will be pleased too
I have always believed that building an airsoft sniper rifle is a challenging task that requires significant financial investment. But what should you do if you really like this style of play and want to try it? You should definitely start with a sniper rifle that will serve as the base for such a setup. A model to which we can gradually add high-quality parts - they will allow us to gain an advantage in range and focus. These are two essential elements for effective play in the role of an airsoft sniper. If I were to start preparing a replica for this style of play, I would probably - in addition to the previously mentioned BAR-10 - be interested in a sniper rifle from Snow Wolf. In this article, I would like to discuss in more detail the SW-022 Kar98 model.
I believe that the basis for searching for a foundation to build a sniper airsoft is that it should be compatible with parts in the VSR standard. This is very important, as it allows us to significantly improve the performance of the replica with tuning kits available on the market. Additionally, having a replica in this standard, we will be able to equip it with a precision barrel and an efficient hop-up rubber, which will positively affect the range and, above all, the repeatability of shots. The SW-022 Kar98 airsoft gun already comes with a long and precise inner barrel factory-installed, which, combined with a muzzle velocity of about 390 FPS, helps in achieving long and accurate shots, and the replica's hop-up meets the VSR-10 standard. Another advantage is its construction from real wood and metal. This not only increased the durability of this model but also provided much more realistic sensations during its use. It feels as if you're holding a real weapon in your hand! If we add to this very good reproduction of the details of the original, we also get equipment for all enthusiasts and collectors of historical replicas, with which one can successfully participate in historical reenactments.
Therefore, if you are looking for an interesting base for your airsoft sniper rifle – consider purchasing the SW-022 Kar98. The amount that will be allocated from today's article can be spent on additional accessories, such as scopes or heavier ammunition – useful elements when using this type of replica.
Tested and favored Specna model
As someone who personally uses Specna Arms airsoft guns, I could not resist proposing the SA-E17-L EDGE™ in this article. I see both on internet groups and in real-life shooting events that these are quite popular airsoft guns among players. And there's no wonder why. I think that this type of airsoft gun is a very successful design, which will perform well both in forest skirmishes and in buildings. It is not overly long, so it does not limit maneuverability, but on the other hand, it is long enough that the internal barrel used allows for decent focus and range of shots. A long mounting rail allows for the attachment of necessary accessories, and the price of the SA-E17-L EDGE™ fits perfectly within our budget today.
In the budget assumed in this article, we can focus our attention on different Specna Arms EDGE™ series guns, and each should be satisfactory for us. The Orion series gearbox is, in my opinion, an interesting construction (with 8mm bearings and a reinforced polymer piston), and a series of improvements have further increased its competitiveness. The manufacturer informs that replicas of this series should withstand springs even up to M140 power, but frankly, right out of the box, they are sufficient for most casual games, and over time, if needed, they can serve as a basis for tuning. We can be sure that in the EDGE™ series airsoft guns, we will find a very convenient quick spring change system – in this model, it is ESA™, which requires unscrewing only the stock guide. This gives us access to the spring. Since we're talking about the stock, it's also worth mentioning that the SA-E17-L EDGE™ is equipped with the original Specna Arms Light Ops Stock. Its smooth operation is overseen by the MOSFET X-ASR system from the Polish company – GATE. Its purpose is to protect the replica's components and extend the life of the battery and electronics. If we take care of proper maintenance of our equipment, this model with this system will support us during many actions.
Choosing the SA-E17-L EDGE™ airsoft gun, we also receive two high-quality mid-cap S-mag magazines, an M-Lock handguard, an additional M90 spring, and a grip. This model is licensed by not one, but two American firearm accessory companies – Rock River Arms and Strike Industries. This assures us that the individual parts of the replica are consistent with parts used in real firearms, which significantly increases the realism of the airsoft equipment and is a confirmation of its high quality. It's hard to find a player who wouldn't care about these two elements, so a replica of this class and at this price will undoubtedly be an excellent choice!
Conclusions
When preparing this text, I wanted to show airsoft guns, which in my opinion are quite a safe choice if we are looking for the main airsoft gun with which we will go to the airsoft games. It seems to me that the amount of 260 EUR is enough to buy a solid electric rifle, which will serve us straight out of the box for a long time before we feel the need to change. And when it does, it can be a good basis for potential tuning. It is certain that, for a given amount, it will be difficult for us to find a ready-made sniper replica. At this stage, we will be able to invest in an interesting base for further improvements, which in the future will be able to provide us with the range advantage that is important in this style of play. Certainly, while the larger budget than the last time will allow us to easily purchase an airsoft gun made mostly of metal with an electric drive, we are still limited mainly to assault rifles. Therefore, in the later parts of this cycle, I will try to prepare a bit more different types of platforms.
Author: Boreq
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