A&K M249 initial impressions

[RSM]

Sorry for the DP but:

 

Can anyone confirm how the motor connects to the wiring? Is it by the typical AEG spade connectors or are the wires soldered on?

 

Also, how durable does the carry handle seem and is there any way to 'disable' the quick barrel release? I remember seeing somewhere in the CA M249 thread that its possible by tightening a screw somewhere

Edited September 14, 2007 by RSM

[Stealthbomber]

Has anybody here shot one of the ASW imports through a chrono yet?

 

I know ASW said it was going to get a factory 1J downgrade but the chinese don't seem to have really grasped what 1J actually is, IMO.

 

Unfortunately, I posted my chrono to some ill-equipped individual 2 days ago so I have no way of testing mine tonight.

I don't really want to turn up on site on Saturday morning and have to try and sort out the spring.

[Tarnish]

I'm hunting for my chrono now but it's only a little Combro and it's found itself a "safe place", i.e. I can't find the chuffing thing!

[Glumly]

Thats a good point SB, on the phone frenchie said that they would be no more than 350fps for definate which is fine for me but may not suit others!

[Shard]

I'm probably just being a muppet here - but how the hell do you remove the foregrip on the para? I want to fit this lower ris but can't see beyond four screws how it actually comes off.

 

Fine with gearboxes but beaten by a foregrip

Nice gun so far but definitely watch the screws & circlips on the pins. A few have fallen off or been extremely loose already.

 

EDIT - Aha, nevermind - that was a sneaky little catch !

Edited September 14, 2007 by Shard

[kerberos_]

If anyone finds misfeeding and jamming and a fix (from the box mag) let me know.

[Stealthbomber]

Nice gun so far but definitely watch the screws & circlips on the pins. A few have fallen off or been extremely loose already.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Bit of a heads-up on that score...

 

If this gun uses the same "circlips" as other chinese guns I've seen, DO NOT try to tighten them by giving them a little squeeze with pliers.

 

Believe it or not, they don't seen to be made of proper spring-steel and, as a result, are quite fragile and will snap if twisted or bent awkwardly.

 

TBH, I'm no expert on circlips but I assume you can get kits of them in a variety of sizes.

If the M249 has a bunch of circlips on it, it might me worth replacing them with decent ones.

[Shard]

Yeah, I didn't think they seemed too flex much - I expect I might well do as you suggest mate. To anyone interested the CA lower ris fits, quite tightly. I'm not 100% sure given that I've never seen one on a CA in person, but the two tabs that hold it in place are very close to being too short to fit as I'd figure they do. Still, it seems solid enough at the moment.

[Tarnish]

Bah! I'm still drinking tea and watching Discovery as mine's not arrived yet.

 

Think I'll just content myself with a Minimi session in Armed Assault.

[fallout]

mine arrived this morning para sweet as hell the only thing i don't like is that you have to remove the barrel to get the battery in but hay its one mean gun heave i have no little creeks or wobbles from the gun the box mag feeds fine and airsoft scotland ordered them with the down grade from the factory (hope some one got a chewing i got 2 sent to me by mistake) being the kind person i am i rang em to let them no.) and the box mag will need tape on because if you knock the side off you can say bye bye to a whole mag of bbs. all in all well worth it

[Stealthbomber]

Mine has arrived.

 

The missus phoned me up to tell me.

 

She didn't sound happy.

 

[Habakure]

Mine was supposed to be delivered yesterday but wasn't, so am sitting in work glaring at my phone thinking, is it there yet? Which is ridiculous as they are a great company and I should just be a little patient. But I cant damn it.

[fallout]

i no they have had a mad few days with the m249 and the l85 thingy

[cafemondo]

Friday morning and A.Scotland only have half a dozen left and one of thems mine, coming on Monday.

Sure Ive seen a thread about replacing the sound activated mic in the ammo box with a pressure switch somewhere.

[Tarnish]

Still nothing yet, sod's law isn't it? I was at work yesterday and Business Post try to deliver it at 10:10 in the morning. I have the day off work today and I'm still sat here with it rapidly heading for 2pm and no sign of it yet.

[butchjam]

does anyone know if the air nozzle actually is a different size to a normal one???

[Glumly]

Mine is currently sitting with my GF 90 miles away, hopefully get it today though

 

Any of the proud parents got any sound advice? Ie Tighten all the screws

[Shard]

Ok I've fiddled and had a good look over it, so far I'd say:

 

Overall build quality - Excellent given the price. Definitely do check the various hex head screws about though, I did find a few worryingly loose. I'll be picking up some locktite and applying that to a fair few as well as some of the grub screws that aren't essential to taking the gun down. The QD barrel is pretty sturdy and takes a fair effort to relocate, so it should stay put quite happily (There is a pretty beefy spring holding the QR catch onto the notch in the outer barrel too). The "carry" handle is a little wobbly, but seems relatively strong still and will bear the guns weight though I'd not suggest using it in that way ! No worries of it falling off when accessing the battery / inner barrel & hop unit. I haven't looked into the depths of the gearbox yet and I won't be until I get the parts to upgrade it, so I'll have to reserve judgement on that til later.

 

Finish - Generally it seems pretty good though there are some rough edges, and pitting to various bits. Nothing that really bother me a huge amount though as I am sure after a few skirmishes it'll be battered about anyway ! The plastic parts are better than I had expected, and even the heatshield which will see a fair bit of removal & refitting looks to be up to the task.

 

I'll also have to pass on the box mag, other than to say it seems to locate and remove without too much hassle. I have noticed it is easier to lock the box mag onto the gun once the feed adaptor is attached, as the latch doesn't seem to spring into place and simply gets in the way. The same goes in reverse for removal. I expect I'll pick up a 1200 CA cloth mag anyway in the end as I prefer the look of it over the supplied 2500 one.

 

All in all I'm pretty impressed considering it is effectively still a cheapsoft chinese made aeg. Obviously though a gun is useless unless it performs, even if it does look and feel nice. I'm pretty confident it'll be a worthy addition to my little armoury though

 

Edit - Just to confirm the little point I mention earlier, I've found a stockist of ammo crates perfect for a case for the para or maybe the others with the barrel removed.

The crates are 850mm x 266 x 152mm, priced at £5 each. The only catch however is that the postage cost is £15 due to weight, and they only accept cheque or cash as payment, so you need to post the money off to them. Anyway, they apparently have a fair amount in stock, so for anyone interested : Feltons Surplus

 

I'll be buying one, so I can report back on the condition etc once it arrives with me.

Edited September 14, 2007 by Shard

[Habakure]

has any one been told it would be delivered thursday but still not received it don't want to ring up just to have the same answer others have received.

[rolling-thunder]

Yay Feltons is just up the road from me.

My Para arrived early this afternoon,unfortunately i've been running round doing various things so i've only had about an hour to fondle & play with my gun.I figured out how to get the battery in ok,i had a battery on slow charge since last night & i pretty quickly figured out to put the feed adaptor in first before attaching the mag.Oh my it's a weight,i'd forgotten how heavy these things are.Fortunately i have a suitable sling to help support the weight.I've attached my 10 x 5.56 rounds,fitted an ACOG & i'm currently looking at it lovingly in between typing.I has a slow rate of fire but then i'm using an 8.4 battery at the moment.

I'm going to give the gun a once over later,clean the barrel & tighten any loose bits.

Over all i'm very happy with the way i've spent my cash,although i last held the CA version over a year ago i didn't notice any glaring differances.It's going to be a shame when i put it back in it's box later.

[Sgt Paul McCockard]

I've received mine and its a beaut but can anyone take a pic of the plate on the right hand side which looks like its supposed to interact with the cocking handle mine was loose in the box when i took it out and not sure which way its supposed to be on and where the small silver wire spring goes.

 

Also with the sound mode on the auto mag seems to cause mis fires every few shots anyone else experience this ?

 

Cheers

 

Cheers

[sturgis]

rolling thunder, are you coming to TA5 with that thing?

[Glumly]

Just a quick thought, how do you "relax the spring" after firing the m249?

 

There is no semi so you cant do it like most aegs and im guessing there is no button like the ics m4's so how do you go about it?

[rolling-thunder]

rolling thunder, are you coming to TA5 with that thing? 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Unfortunately i can't airsoft until next year.My Mrs has just had a baby & we're doing a house move next month.I really wanted to go to TA5 but with the uncertainty about the babies arrival date i didn't get a ticket but now that combined with the house move it would have scuppered any plans i had.

I think i'll need to save for a smaller box mag & a lot of BBs before i use this in a game.I'll try to post some pix tomorrow,i know all the Paras start the same but the addition of sights,slings & a bullet belt make each one slightly differant{and anyhow i'm proud of my beasty}

[Elquemira]

"Just a quick thought, how do you "relax the spring" after firing the m249?

 

There is no semi so you cant do it like most aegs and im guessing there is no button like the ics m4's so how do you go about it?"

 

Id like to know how to release the spring too.