http://forums.opsecairsoft.com/

Proud father & listener Whorify posted the below photo over in the Off-Topic section of the SoCal Airsoft Forum asking if he installed the official OPSEC Airsoft Baby Cape correctly. Looks good to us, sir. Kudos.

I (Radar) am moving to western New York for work, which means that the show will be moving as well. For the time being, the show hardware is in a storage unit (with the rest of my house!) and my company has put me in corporate housing up in the San Francisco bay area until probably early August. On top of that, my beautiful wife is pregnant (yes, it's mine) which means a whole world of change is on my door step.

So, this means bad news and good news:

The Bad:
No new shows until at least late August, early September 2010.

The Good:
The show will get a cast change and a whole slew of new content that comes with the venue change.

Do you guys remember Episode 80, the show we did on Nov 8th '07 when Mr. Andy and Haggarty from Western New York Airsoft League sat in on the show about Competition Airsoft Events? Well, it turns out that Haggarty runs Frontier Airsoft and has offered up his shop space for us to do live OPSEC shows! Amazing, right? So starting in the fall of 2010, expect a lot to come out of our collective drunken pie holes!

You can find a link to the forum in the header or by clicking on this link:
http://forums.socalairsoft.com/viewforum.php?f=93

Episode 123 Line Up:
New Items of Interest
FU Line Calls
Plugs
Update on the SAWA saga
An interview or two

More details to come as the date grows ever closer!

There are still things to be done, updated, and so on, but for the most part... welcome to our new home.

Download This Episode

Length: 1h:47m:14s    Size: 49.1MB

• Madbull: Ultimate HopUp
• Op: Southland
• Ares: WA 2000
• Mad Bull Airsoft: tight bore barrel for APS2/ L96
• Echo1 USA: Stag Arms M8A3 now redesigned
• AATV Video Review: King Arms SR16E3
• Airsoft Black Friday Sales
• Tokyo Marui: High Cycle series
• Main Topic: The Player vs. Gamer Mindset
• Weather from on High
• F.U. Line Calls
• Donation Rec'd!
• Shameless Plugs

Madbull: Ultimate HopUp

There is a story behind this product.

One of Airsoft players feed me his idea, the Chamber Lock idea.

We think that is very interesting and we put into our Hopup design. His name is Brian Holt. We will definitely give him a share (if this design is profitable~)
So, if you think you are smart enough, you can feed us your idea. We can't guarantee that we will use your idea but once we adopt it, we will share our profit with you. (again, if this item is profitable.)

Features:

Including a Tracer LED Unit (Optional, Sold separately), Chamber Lock, and Easy Adjustment Device.

(1) The LED Tracer Unit: You can buy it separately and attached to the Hopup unit. Use your AEG battery and connect to your Tracer Unit. The LED can brighten the tracer BB when BBs are in the chamber.

(2) Chamber Lock: Designed by Brian Holt. With this new hop up design you will not have to worry about losing and dropping several bb's with a magazine change. This new design provides you with a way to keep bb's in your AEG and ready to use and not on the floor and even better it stabilizes the top of the magazine to ensure a secure and flawless feed of bb's into the AEG.

CAUTION: This hop up unit is designed for the experienced and responsible Airsoft player. With the magazine removed the AEG is still able to fire several bb's. Always wear safety goggles and treat all Airsoft weapons as if they were loaded.

(3) Easy Adjustment Wheel device: Use TM G36 style adjustment device and apply on the M4/AR unit.

Detail photos, please check our website

This is a Southern California Airsoft League fundraising event. Any and all profit will be going directly to the SoCal slush fund, which makes hosting, bandwidth and games like this possible. SoCal has always had a strong foothold in MilSim gaming and this Op's intent is to give the community a taste of what is yet to come.

Scenario:
Date: Current Day
Overview: Mexico Annexes Southern California

With the global economy on the down side, hundreds of thousands Mexican ex-patriots have returned home bringing with them an ever growing distaste for the American government. Tales of outward hostility and cruelty towards undocumented aliens from the expats have traveled all the way up the chain to the Mexican government, infuriating the capitol. Informants inside the CA state capitol confirmed rumors of the state's financial hardship and lack of resources to fend a possible annexation. The plan to invade was executed in the early dawn hours of November 26th 2009 over the American holiday of Thanksgiving in hopes that the majority of the American military forces would be hon holiday leave and general population be in their homes celebrating. The American military stopped the Mexican military at the Grapevine (a mountainous region separating Central and Southern California) and continues to hold the line. Small pockets of resistance comprised mostly of military personnel that were on leave when the invasion took place have been harassing the Mexican military, with most activity in the Los Angeles basin. There gave been unconfirmed reports of the Mexican Military High Command is in the area to get a first-hand look at the situation. If the American Combined Arms QRF can cut off the head of the snake, the hope of returning Southern California back to it's former glory is a real possibility.

Raffle:
AEX, KWA & Airsplat are sponsoring the event, providing us some pretty sweet airsoft stuff to raffle off. Can't give out any details, but let's just say you they won't disappoint.
Note: Event & SoCal staff are exempt from winning prizes.

Review Video

November 9th, 2009

Just arrived, The completely redesigned Echo1USA Stag Arms M8A3 now features a Crane stock and an 8mm Bearing Gearbox. Key features include a free floating monolithic style RAS, back up iron sights, and a threaded outer barrel.

http://echo1usa.com/English/?p=376

Hey,

sorry for the lack of videos lately. But I guess you havent missed us anyway The latest AATV Video Review is about the King Arms SR16E3 feat. annoying british guy.

As always, you can download the video on www.aatv.at or watch it on YouTube

Airsoft GI
In-Store ONLY
http://www.airsoftgi.com/information.php?info_id=15

Evike
15%, cupon code: evikedotcom, 11/10 - 12/1
http://www.airsoftpost.com/

Wanna get something off your chest? We here at OPSEC Airsoft know how crucial it is to vent, so to serve the global airsoft community better... we have put up, the F.U. Line. The F.U. Line is a 24/7 voicemail box you can call to voice your anger and or frustrations. We might just play your F.U. on the air! You can reach the F.U. Line:

via Phone: +1 562-239-3245
via Skype: fuopsec

Patrick from San Diego

Jake from CA

Patrick, again, from San Diego

"Announcement:

Operation East Wind III dates and location have been set.

When: March 13th-23rd 2010

What: Operation East Wind is a 9 day long 24-hour per day immersive milsim event set in the closing days of the Cold War. From the moment you arrive until the moment you leave, you are surrounded by and are part of an environment that life in the field would have been like during a Cold War alert.

You may choose to be part of either the NATO forces (US Army, British Army, or West German Bundeswehr) or the Warsaw pact (Soviet Army or East German NVA) With each side having it's own specific requirements, advantages, and disadvantages.

You may choose to participate as either a full term soldier operating 24 hours a day living on site or if you prefer as a part time day player only playing during the daylight hours.

As a full time soldier you will know the feeling of walking out on a multi day patrol, the sound of a truck delivering your hot food (if you are lucky) and the sights and sounds of dark forest seemingly teeming with the enemy around your little patrol base in the black of night. You will use night vision, you will use mines, you will ride in military trucks and armored personnel carriers, you will be supported by armor and you will use period correct comms equipment. You will know the boredom of a 03:00 guard shift and the sinking feeling in your stomach when that shift suddenly STOPS being boring. You will know the true value of a hot drink on a cold rainy day, you will learn to lament T-rations, you will know the joy of walking into the mess tent and smelling hot A-rations. You will know how lonely the world can be when your little outpost is under attack and you know that the nearest help is way too far away. You will know how piercingly bright a parachute flare is on a moonless night. You will know the smell of a canvas tent on a sunny day. You will know what it is like to transition from peacetime, to alert, to war.

As a part time day player you can step into and out of one of the worlds best milsim events and get to see all of what goes into an event like this without having to commit yourself 100%. For a minimal cost comparable to most open play games, you get to see and be a part of daytime recon patrols behind enemy lines, anti-armor ambushes, deliberate attacks and fiercely fought defenses. You will fight shoulder to shoulder with the full time troops scraping and fighting for the same ground they are.

Either way, you will be surrounded by one of the most amazing events the world has to offer.

Who: Who may participate? Full time troops must be 18 years of age or older unless pre-approved by event administration. Part time day players must be 16 or older with attendees under the age of 18 requiring parental consent.

How much does it cost?
The fee structure for Operation East Wind is broken into two categories:

Full time Soldiers pay a flat fee of $200 that includes all meals and use of event equipment. This fee remains the same regardless of whether you attend for the full 9 days or just 2 days. We do this in order to keep the overall cost down for guys who attend the entire time as we lose some money on the 9 day players but gain some back on the shorter term guys. Rest assured, you are very much getting your money's worth even if you are only playing for 2 days and 2 nights.

Part time day players pay a fee of $20 per day as a field fee however do not get meals included nor do they get to check gear out of the supply tent.

Sign up for full term troops will open November 1st, 2009. At signup, a deposit of $50 is required with the balance due on March 1st 2010.

Where is East Wind III being held.
East Wind III is being held on a leased private field 30 miles north of Columbia, Missouri. We hold East Wind events on a new field every year, each time choosing ground that has not otherwise been used for gaming. Nobody has home field advantage, there are no silly paintball bunkers, and nobody knows the place like the back of their hands. We do not announce the precise location till about a week before the event in order to prevent curious attendees from being tempted to trespass on the landowner's property.

Why?
Why 9 days?

We run East Wind events for 9 days because in order to put together a quality event there is a certain minimum amount of time it takes to get everything all set up and settled in. If this was a weekend event, we would spend all day and night Saturday setting up and getting everyone settled in and then all day Sunday endexing. By running for 9 days we maximize our field time and get the most value out of our week's vacation time (or spring break for you guys in school). If you cannot do the entire time, that's fine. You can attend for as much or as little as you can fit into your schedule.

Why this degree of insanity/attention to detail?

Sure, we could camp in civvy tents instead of GP Mediums or real Soviet tents. We could use a Ford Tempo with a plywood turret instead of a real Diamler Ferret. We could move guys around in a shortbed Chevy pickup instead of a M35A2, and we could certainly cook flapjacks on a 2 burner Coleman stove instead of using period correct field kitchens. Where would the fun be in all of that? At East Wind we seek to get everything right down to the smallest detail because this is how we immerse you into the event. You do not attend East Wind, you are part of it, you are inside the world that we create for you, you can 'feel' this event.

Why the expense?

When you look at the cost remember that you are getting food included as well as the use of a lot of really top notch gear. When we say food, we are not talking about just MREs or hotdogs cooked on a Weber grill. We have cook staff who are professionals in their fields that are cooking nutritionally balanced meals that are also era and nationality correct. Doing this right is not cheap and we refuse to skimp on quality. You could not eat at restaurants for a week on a $200 budget and get the quality of meals you will get at East Wind and that's before we even talk about the other stuff. It is not an average game that a real BTR-40 comes down the path at you or that you get to face off against a real Ferret with your RPG. It is not an average game that you show up to the supply tent before your night mission and get Gen 2 and 3 night vision equipment issued to you. It is not an average airsoft game that finds you scanning ridges with a thermal imager looking for hull down vehicles. Yes, East Wind is expensive, but value wise, it is impossible to beat.

Why should you choose to go to East Wind III?

This one is easy. Since the inception of this event our motto has been 'Not because it is easy, but because it is hard' You should be going to East Wind because you are looking for a challenge. You should be going to East Wind because you are looking for an experience. You should be going to East Wind because you are ready to live an event 24/7. You should be going to East Wind because you have asked yourself, 'Is East Wind right for me?' and said yes.

Why should you NOT go to East Wind?

If you think that it is a hassle to get the correct gear, if you are the sort who folds before every challenge life puts before you, if you are scared of the rain, if you are too proud to know when you need to learn something or if you are just looking for 9 days of solid '3, 2, 1, go' speedball action you had better just stay home and play X-box. East Wind will not be your thing.

What do I need to know to be successful at East Wind events?

East Wind offers challenges unrelated to most airsoft events. It naturally goes without saying that knowing a little bit about airsoft helps but far beyond that remember that you are living in the field and actually doing a lot more fieldcraft type work at East Wind than you are likely to encounter at an 'average' game. You will likely find yourself adapting a lot better if you spend some time out in the woods in inclement weather since East Wind stays tactical regardless of weather conditions. knowledge of your equipment goes a very long way as well since you will be living and working in it 24 hour a day for 9 days. Obviously, there are a variety of technical skills that are helpful to know as well which is why we run training events monthly covering a variety of skills that will make your East Wind experience more enjoyable. Apart from that, the most important thing you need to know to be successful and have a good time at East Wind is how mentally tough you are. If you are willing to give something 105% and not quit, this is the event for you. It will blow your socks off and you will love every minute of it.

See ya there."

"Let it be known! Arkansas Assault Airsoft has recently taken form in north central Arkansas in the lovely Ozarks. We have a good start for the group and are always looking for airsofters who want to experience the sport for what it really is.

We have access to two fields of play, each of around 50 acres with a mix of different terrain. The AAA plays regularly every other weekend, but have training sessions or meetings for off-scheduled play weekends. We take part in pretty much every aspect of the sport from normal woodland play and close quarters to historical (WWII and Vietnam) and extreme airsoft (zombies) events.

Everything from small skirmishes, to traveling to big ops...or even a round or two of zombies...we enjoy every aspect of the sport and hope to grow like our bretheren in central Arkansas, the ARRA (Arkansas Rebel Recon Airsoft) and the others in the west, Arkansas Airsoft.

Please check out our forums at:
http://arkassaultairsoft.proboards.com/"

"Operation: Black Friday will commence early November 27 and carry on throughout the day. You will be confronted with irresistible deals and giveaways. Your instructions are simple: save first, ask questions later.

Get HUGE deals from 10 am to 8 pm this Black Friday on accessories, tac gear, and more! Use the coupon code 'AEXBLK09' at check out receive 15% on top of already reduced prices for up to 40% off on select items!!

In addition, our in store customers can participate in our Black Friday raffle! We will be giving away guns, AEX t-shirts & caps, gift certificates, and more! To get in on the raffle simple make a purchase, for every $25 spent you will receive one entry into the drawing. You can purchase additional entries for only $5.

So get down to one of our 4 locations this November 27th and save! If you're not fortunate enough to live near one, come back here and get your deals online.

Remember to order your items NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 18th to recieve them by Christmas. We cannot guarantee delivery before Christmas on orders made after the 18th."

"The Airsoft Monkey Shopper application searches multiple forums for used airsoft and related items."

Download This Episode

Length: 1h:32m:58s    Size: 42.6MB

• Echo1 USA: Always insist on authentic Echo1 products!
• Ares: Tavor in FDE
• KWA: Counterfit product alert
• USA: Airsofting in the vicinity of POTUS
• Vanaras: PAQ pillow
• Berget 2010: Page is up
• Mad Bull Airsoft: PS-02 hand grenade released today!
• ICS: Galil & L86A2 debut!
• Effective Counter-Sniping Tactics
• F.U. Line Cals
• OPSEC Station News
• Shameless Plugs

Echo1 USA: Always insist on authentic Echo1 products!
Source: airsoft-news.eu

To ensure the quality and service that Echo1USA is known for, always insist on real Echo1USA products. Beware of manufacturers and retailers that claim their products are "the same as Echo1." Any authentic Echo1USA product will always bear the Echo1USA trademarks and logos.

Every Echo1USA gun comes with a 30 day warranty card. Just fill out the information and send in the card to ensure buyer protection (see card for details).

An Echo1USA gun will always have markings verifying its authenticity. These markings include the Echo1USA website url and logos.

When purchasing an Echo1USA gun check for the bar-code and JP-# on the box (some older Echo1USA boxes do not have bar-codes but they will have a clearly printed JP-#).

All Echo1USA models are assigned a unique JP-# for identification. Any box without a JP-# is not a real Echo1USA product.

Details:
*Compact size
*Uses m4/16 magazines
*High-strength polymer body
*TAR-21 Top / side rail set installed
*Flip-up front / rear sight
*One-push bolt/ spring-release system
*Adjustable ambidextrous charging handle
* Fast & easy battery replacement

City of Industry, CA September 21, 2009 Lately we have discovered counterfeit products bearing the KWA registered mark and also that of our OEM partner. These counterfeits are being sold to customers as genuine articles at full retail prices. Products counterfeited range from current productions to models no longer deemed legal to import by KWA USA.
The counterfeit airsoft products being sold do not compare in build quality or performance capability to any authentic KWA model. Please note that KWA USA is not responsible, will not be liable for any damage or loss resulting from the use of counterfeit products and will not provide warranty service or any technical support of counterfeit products.
Genuine KWA products should be purchased from KWA USA authorized dealers and distributors. For a complete list of authorized resellers, please visit our web site at www.kwausa.com and click on the Where to Buy section.
We would also like to ask for your help in identifying any retailers or distributors selling counterfeit products. If you have any information regarding counterfeit products, or suspect you may have one, please call us at 1(626)581-1777 or email us at support@kwausa.com.

Thank you for your continuous support of KWA products.

I guess I should share a little news for once. Yesterday (8/23) the US President Barack Obama was landing at Otis Airforce Base in Mashpee MA to start a 1 week vacation on Marthards Vineyard, however about half a mile away in conservation land, a group of airsofters, myself included, had completely forgotten he was coming in that day. Notably, as any responsible airsoft group does, we had notified the local police, and because of our proximity to the AFB, the military as well, but the Presidents protection had not been notified. During a break a blue and white helicopter began circling us, and for about 15 minutes buzzed around, while we on the ground became increasingly perplexed as to its purpose, it then came closer and closer, until it hovered directly over us. After doing this for about 3 minutes, it began circling again. Notably this was a day in which we were heavily utilizing props, including, 1 SAM site, and 3 hollowed out 300lb bombs, great day for it right? Luckily they must have contacted local authorities and decided (despite a few of us dressed in Arabic garb) we weren't a threat. About an hour later, we had the honor of having the President fly directly over us in Marine 1. So let this be a lesson to all airsoft groups, always make sure to notify the proper authorities about your games, you never know who might fly over. (Granted we'd have had some great pics of the military paracording off blackhawks to pacify us if we hadn't)

Will

A cute and lovely inflatable toy now available at www.rsov.com !
Can be an air cushion at home, water pillow at beach or sleeping pillow for camping. A perfect gift for your kids they will sure love it ;-D

Patented 3 pressure balance timing device to make timing precisely and stable.
MSRP: Less than $40 usd
Check with your local retailers now!

http://www.madbullairsoft.com/English/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10&products_id=238

The best fire support for ICS Galil & L86A2. Free value packs for ICS Galil & L86A2, these value packs go fast, get one when these are still available!

http://www.icsbb.com/Edm/L86&galil/EN/

ICS debut brand new ICS Galil AR, ARM and L86A2, and give you two surprised fire support!!

When you hold a classic Israel Fire Arms like Galil ARM in hand, do you want any other accessories in the war game? We hear your voice! ICS prepare limited value pack for Galil which including：Battery, third magazine and vintage sling which are totally free for you! Don’t hesitate, just play!

How about the glory of Royal Marines rifle L86A2? We prepare another free value pack is the M1913 stander scope rail mount. This free accessory can switch your brunch of scope without any problem! You can focus your target immediately!

ICS dedicate these free value packs to our respectful customer, and they are only available on the first production of Galil & L86A2. Do not think twice, go for ICS dealer and make your pre-order!!

Sniping in airsoft has never been about the number of bodies the sniper can put down. From over watch to recon and even the elimination of high value targets, the sniper is an important role in airsoft... which is why you need to know how to fuck up his day! Counter-sniping is not a popular role for many reasons, but from what we can gather, the main reason is that not enough players know what they are doing. Hopefully tonight, we can get you on the right track.

Points of Interest
- What is counter-sniping?
- What makes up a counter-sniper group?
- Sniping experience a MUST!
- Locating the sniper

Sniper vs Sniper Tactics
- Patience
- Remain in cover
- Scan the terrain constantly
- ID and investigate likely hides
- Call in an artillery strike

Squad/DMR/Rifleman Tactics
- All of the Sniper vs Sniper tactics apply
- The more the merrier.
- Aggressive movements & tactics.
- Suppression fire.
- Run flanks

Wanna get something off your chest? We here at OPSEC Airsoft know how crucial it is to vent, so to serve the global airsoft community better... we have put up, the F.U. Line. The F.U. Line is a 24/7 voicemail box you can call to voice your anger and or frustrations. We might just play your F.U. on the air! You can reach the F.U. Line:

via Phone: +1 562-239-3245
via Skype: fuopsec

"Hi

I am an avid listener here in the UK (love the show) and am well aware of your shared love for all things Zombie, especially Zombie themed Airsoft events.

Having played a few I find that Zombies armed with AEG's just don't give you the same feeling as capping a few shabbily dressed, shambling Zeds with arms outstretched as they groan towards you, always counting the shots so you can save the last for yourself.

Time for the shameless plug:

This is where we come in. A friend of mine (Andy) and I run Shadow Wars (a near future film-sim airsoft campaign) and our next event, our 6th, is our second Zombie themed event.
(The others run with various themes inspired from film, books, comics and anything else that can have a cool setting e.g. Stalker/Mad Max/Syndicate Wars/Blade Runner/Fallout etc. Basically it is a great place to let the geek in you out to play for a weekend).

It will be held on at the Gunman Midlands airsoft site in the UK on the 21st-22nd of November.

Bear in mind it is very involved and very character based, (you can play anything from a Mercenary Soldier or Secret Service agent to Hacker, Doctor or Scientist. The longer you survive the more training/equipment you can afford, don't expect to respawn often)

Take a look at http://www.shadow-wars.net/ for booking forms and rule book, if you guys are interested and can get to the UK, let us know would love to have you along (Avoid the gas though as November will be cold). Spaces are limited so get bookings in ASAP.

Keep up the good work, you make my commute so much less stressful.

Yours

Stuart Goss
Shadow Wars
False Utopia Events"

"Any Given Sunday, our year round game! no field fee, 23+ arces.
woodland enviroment. games start at 10am."

Download This Episode

Length: 1h:37m:00s    Size: 44.4MB

• KTW: Flintlock pistol replica
• AATV: Yes, it is video review
• RA Tech: Burst trigger sets on preorder
• Echo1 USA: M240B confirmed
• Shoei works Panzerfaust (It Fausts Panzers)
• F.U. Line Calls
• Main Topic: The Art of the Ambush
• OPSEC Airsoft Mailbag
• Echo 1 Full Metal Stag M4 Review
• Shameless Plugs

KTW: Flintlock pistol replica
Source: airsoft-news.eu

AATV: Yes, it is video review
Source: airsoft-news.eu

AATV just released its first gear review. And it's a special one: The S.A.S. 80s Style Gear by CRW-Airsoft. As always, watch it on YouTube or download it on www.aatv.at.

And follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/aatvat

RA Tech: Burst trigger sets on preorder
Source: airsoft-news.eu

Specification:
* All Steel
* Easy to install
* Regular version $160usd/each set
* Ambidextrous selector version $175/each set
* Patent application in progress

Echo1 USA: M240B confirmed
Source: airsoft-news.eu

We just got these pics of the newest Echo1USA model. For those of you who guessed M240 Bravo you are correct! These pics are of the official proto-type, the final production model with have different paint/finish.

In a World of Compromise, We Don't.

Echo1USA

Shoei works Panzerfaust (It Fausts Panzers)
Source: Redwolfairsoft.com

Details
- Material : ABS And Metal
- Will fit All 40mm Grenade Cartridges
- Priced at $225.00
Featured in the as the first item in this weeks redwolf airsoft new product video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKEiRH8HPEk

F.U. Line Calls
Angry, angry voicemail

Wanna get something off your chest? We here at OPSEC Airsoft know how crucial it is to vent, so to serve the global airsoft community better... we have put up, the F.U. Line. The F.U. Line is a 24/7 voicemail box you can call to voice your anger and or frustrations. We might just play your F.U. on the air! You can reach the F.U. Line:

via Phone: +1 562-239-3245
via Skype: fuopsec

Ghetto Philosopher

Meshad

Casey

Mike

Noah

Main Topic: The Art of the Ambush
You too can be a sneaky bastard

Points of interest
- What is an ambush?
- Types of ambushes
- Check your resources
- Cover/Concealment
- Picking your kill zone
- Ideal Hardware
- Planning
- Patience
- Execution
- Bugging out
- Breaking an ambush

OPSEC Airsoft Mailbag
Letters from the listeners

Echo 1 Full Metal Stag M4 Review

Stats
Weight: 6.3 pounds
Length: 2' 6"
Material: 90% Metal, Plastic (Hang guards, stock, grip)
Battery: Mini-type
FPS: 379.9 w/.20g BBs
RPS: 813
Inner Barrel: 6.08mm

Package
Echo 1 Stag M4 Carbine
300rd Magazine
Magazine winding tool
8.4v 1100MaH battery
Wall charger
Owners Manuel
Warranty Card
Unjamming/Cleaning Rod

Overview
My first impression of the gun was rather vanilla. Nothing special really stood out. Externally, it is your average full-metal M4. The only exception was the ability to unscrew the outer barrel up to the very end of the front sight, making your M4 now suitable for CQC play. Very smart idea. The only downside is that the inner barrel also matches this length, leaving roughly 6 inches of un-utilized outer barrel when the extension is screwed on. At 6.08mm for the stock inner barrel needs to be replaced, but not for any mechanical flaw, just for the sake of accuracy. The 6-position stock is a nice feature, letting the user have more choices when it comes to shouldering the gun. The carry handle can be removed and replaced with the accessory of your choice.

Internals
Getting a mechbox out of an M4 wasn't too heinous of a task but I did come across one annoying hurdle. The M4 is wired to the front, so the wiring harness slips through a very narrow rectangular slot below the outer barrel where it then connects to the fuse harness. Be it smart thinking or maybe a "tamper" indicator, the connections between the main harness and the fuse harness had a piece of heat shrink keeping the two together. I had to cut the heat shrink off to separate the two and while not a flaw, just extremely annoying.

The mechbox is black metal with the Echo 1 logo painted on, loud and proud. This should help when selling the gun, verifying you have an Echo 1 gun or when you are buying a used gun, smart thinking. The mechbox looks extremely solid with very few burrs and pits that come standard on Chinese mechboxes. From the outside you can see the bearing bushings... a good sign! All the screws holding the mechbox together are 10mm Torx and are only 2 lengths, another welcome surprise.

Once inside the mechbox, there are a few items that stand out.

Bushing spring guide
Made of plastic, this is the type of bushing spring guide you'd expect to find as an upgrade after market part.

Ball bearings on the bevel gear
This is new to me. On the back of the bevel gear, there is an indentation containing a ball bearing bushing ring. I have never seen this in a gear set, but damn it's sexy.

Not a single shim
This is the part that scared me. I put the mechbox back together to test the play on the gears. The play was very minimal. So minimal in fact that I did not add a single shim. I shim every gun out of the box regardless of manufacturer and every gun does need a little adjustment. This is my first factory gun that I have not had to shim. See what I mean, scary stuff.

Cam on the sector gear
Supposedly sector gear cams are to prevent feeding issues by delaying the tappet plate in high-speed mechboxes or stock guns using large batteries. A very slick addition and a rare find in a stock mechbox.

Firing
This is where the gun comes into its own. In this gun you wont find the labored, high-pitch whine but rather a smooth, crisp sound. I would compare it to a stock Classic Army or Marui. Even on the mini stock battery, the rate of fire is impressive at 813 rounds per second. The FPS averaged out to to be 379.9 using .20g Airsoft Elite Bio BBs. Field, accuracy and durability tests will come after a few months of abuse tests.

Pros
- Full metal body
- Convertible CQC outer barrel
- 6-position stock
- Marked mechbox
- Bearing bushings
- Innovative gear set
- Great out of the box FPS

Cons
- Plastic spring guide and cylinder head
- Shrink wrap on the wiring harness connection
- 6.08mm inner barrel.

Final thoughts
On the bench, this AEG could not be more impressive. The flaws found are minor and quite frankly, I expected to find a lot more. This AEG is a major step in the right direction for Echo 1 and has converted me whole heartedly so far. I say so far because we have not had the chance to field test (aka abuse) this gun. Unlike other reviews, we will not be making our final decision on this AEG until we have used it on the field for an extended period of time. A new AEG will always be impressive but the gun that can stand the test of time is worth its weight in gold. Check back soon for the second part of this review.

Shameless Plugs
Have an event or website that needs a little exposure? Fancy the OPSEC staff to read it on the air during our weekly broadcast? Well, then post it. As long as its not retarded and related to airsoft in some way, there is a good chance that it will make it on the air.

"Hosted by Patriot Productions, Operation Cartwright's Revenge is coming soon...The next series at HILL 559 in Fresno, CA is September 26th and 27th, 2009.

This game is expected to be bigger than the last which was HUGE to begin with: over 200+ players, two free nights of camping (Friday and Saturday), a Full day of gaming, plus a second day of gaming and competitions, but most importantly, the National Gaurd was present with (3) Duece 1/2 Trucks and a Brand New Up-armored Humvee to transport players to and from objectives!!!

On the heels of Operation Diablo's River back in May 2009, Cartwrights Revenge will prove to be an even Greater Challenge for the American side as the Mexican Cartel proved excellent OPFOR.

Are you ready to Join the Action? Both Teams are filling up Fast. Go to www.FresnoAirsoft.com Forums for details and registration information NOW! Entry $40 For Prepay/Preregged
~$50 For Walk Ons.
GET SOME!!"