Building a new M4

[mahabra695]

The CA X Series shoot around 400fps.
They are very similar to VFC's E Series. Same concept basically, bolt catch, around 20rps on a lipo, 400fps, metal, etc.

[The Honey Badger]

CA M15, x series pro and sport, 390 fps

http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?cPath=139_24_91&products_id=7950390fps, $360
http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?cPath=139_24_91&products_id=4902390fps, $320
http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?cPath=139_24_91&products_id=5291390fps, $270
http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?cPath=139_24_91&products_id=8273390 fps, $270
http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?cPath=139_24_91&products_id=7695390 fps, $199

[mahabra695]

and sport, 390 fps

Hm. When I had my CA sportline a few years ago it came in at 330ish fps, guess they updated them.

[quadro]

All CA x series come stock shooting 400fps+. I changed the spring because I found with my set up it is most accurate right at TAC limits (376 w/ .25). I believe kiley's x series cam shooting over 420fps w/ .20.

[The Honey Badger]

I read that most of the top end clones got upgraded gear boxes in mid 2010 to match what KWA was doing.

Watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ngs9K10rFCg&feature=player_embedded#!

[mahabra695]

Honestly, all guns will break eventually. There is no denying that. What matters is longevity. My KWA lasted about 9 months before I actually had to buy replacement parts for it. G&Gs seem to also last a long time, as well as SRC. It also seems like the new CAs are pretty reliable, I shouldve bought one over my VFC. Out of all of those, I would say the best platforms for upgrading are CAs and G&Gs.

[The Honey Badger]

^ best interchangability

[Exarach]

Honestly, all guns will break eventually. There is no denying that. What matters is longevity. My KWA lasted about 9 months before I actually had to buy replacement parts for it. G&Gs seem to also last a long time, as well as SRC. It also seems like the new CAs are pretty reliable, I shouldve bought one over my VFC. Out of all of those, I would say the best platforms for upgrading are CAs and G&Gs.

My E1 original M4 and M16 are going on 5-6 years. Greybody series had UNDENIABLY good parts, but these were really early E1's. All original parts, 350 FPS, 18BPS.

My 1st G&P is going on a year owned by me, but the model has been used since 2005. Still all original parts.
26bps, 380fps on a 9.6.

I WISH new rifles had the expectancy of the older carbines, I have had much better luck buying older, all original rifles, if a gun survives its first year of combat, no issues, its usually a good sign for longevity.

Pick up an old CA proline for cheap, leave it be, and your set. Pick up a used G&P, one of the older solid ones, and your set.

I just got the new MAGPUl MOE Carbine by G&P, and I can definitely say it is different in terms of internals, then the old/Classic G&P series. Will keep everyone update on how the MOE holds up though.

[KingRat]

Wow, thanks for the excellent replies!

So far, I'm really sold on the CA X series.
I might go that route, pick up a long tight bore and a barrel extension.
I'm going to have to re-read this post and a few others. I'm open to all suggestions.

I probably should have previous noted that the quality is a big deciding factor. (it seems that was the included response in most of the posts).
I know theses guns will all require upkeep of one sort or another.

Thanks again crew!
KingRat

[KingRat]

This was my original choice.

http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.php?cPath=139_24_202&products_id=5633