Abelius Posted July 10, 2009 Report Share Posted July 10, 2009 The flexing problem seems to have been a problem of the STAR LSW too from the beginning. Otherwise, my experience with my rifle length one is pretty similar. I'd like to add that the wires are also awfully thin. The whole disassembly is so awful, that I wouldn't even consider doing it yet and sent the whole thing to be upgraded on behalf of me. I have to disagree on the motor though, no motor can be as awful as CA motors. At least this isn't super whiny even if you shim the gun right. It has quite a lot of torgue. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kipper Posted July 10, 2009 Report Share Posted July 10, 2009 I was worried I had a problem with this 'flex' but it just turned out the screw that holds the outrigger to the bottom of the gas block was loose. Tightening that up completely sorted it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Erik Cartman Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 (edited) Well mine is metal. So I don't know what happened. I got mine form WGC in Feb or March this year. Lucky you. Where and when did you get yours? Edited July 13, 2009 by Erik Cartman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Erik Cartman Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 (edited) Yeah the Star one...oh boy. It was greased up like a Chinese AEG, barrel was coated. Cleaned that off. Went to shoot it, was all over the place. Then shot it on prone and woah it shot out of my sight picture, up off the target. The metal bipod mount is connected to the composite foregrip, it was just flexing like no tomorrow. I took the whole assembly off and shot it as a long barrelled carbine/sniper rifle, and yay it was great. But the power was weak and the motor was a cheapass chinese motor found in my AM M4. wasn't worth the 2 cent. Yeah it starts slow, then winds up, then stabilises. Its like the old CA motors. Total arsewipe. It is Chinese. I found XTY gears in my 2 years old Star L85A2. Manufacturing must have started in China some time ago. The lithium grease was modest and tidy though. Changed to a systema hopup bucking, systema inner barrel, systema ported piston head and a metal nozzle. Grouping still pretty lousy. Prices plummeted. I bought another Star L85A2 and a UGL. That's a wall hangers at the moment. I bought also a ARES L22. It's like a watering can, with a new rose. Edited July 13, 2009 by Erik Cartman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Erik Cartman Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 The flexing problem seems to have been a problem of the STAR LSW too from the beginning. Otherwise, my experience with my rifle length one is pretty similar. I'd like to add that the wires are also awfully thin. The whole disassembly is so awful, that I wouldn't even consider doing it yet and sent the whole thing to be upgraded on behalf of me. I have to disagree on the motor though, no motor can be as awful as CA motors. At least this isn't super whiny even if you shim the gun right. It has quite a lot of torgue. So the LSW was not fit-for-purpose from the beginning? I find the metal of the barrels on my 2x Star L85A2 and 1x ARES L22 quite substantial. By the sound of it, the LSW is a real disappointment. Again, as the price has plummeted so much, I'm thinking about getting one as well, I've 2nd thoughts now. I have no problem with the motor, other than the fact that they are soldered I added spade connectors to facilitate easy opening of the gear box. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Abelius Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 I cannot confirm the LSW, but I remember someone nagging about it when they came out in 2006 here and I doubt they would have worsened them on purpose. Dunno about the accuracy, your gun might be leaking somewhere. Mine is undoubtly the most accurate and furthest shooting AEG I have ever owned, and I have had two M14's, the other at 300fps and the other at 400fps. This thing shoots with 0,5m/s shot variance, every damn time! That's pretty good considering my primary CQB Armalite for instance shoots in the range of 95-102m/s... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Erik Cartman Posted July 14, 2009 Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 I cannot confirm the LSW, but I remember someone nagging about it when they came out in 2006 here and I doubt they would have worsened them on purpose. Dunno about the accuracy, your gun might be leaking somewhere. Mine is undoubtly the most accurate and furthest shooting AEG I have ever owned, and I have had two M14's, the other at 300fps and the other at 400fps. This thing shoots with 0,5m/s shot variance, every damn time! That's pretty good considering my primary CQB Armalite for instance shoots in the range of 95-102m/s... There is clearly a leak. However, I've steel nozzle with o-ring, new bucking, systema inner barrel. The piston and cylinder has a firm compression. With the T-junction integrated with the gear box, I can't see where the leak could happen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
L85FREAK Posted July 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 I got mine form WGC in Feb or March this year. Lucky you. Where and when did you get yours? ASGI, Early June Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jay7 Posted July 15, 2009 Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 I would not suggest skirmishing with a PC gearbox in the winter. I know someone that had a m249 crack on him after the first burst. I've run my Star L85 in all weathers\seasons with no problems. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sebsta99 Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Good review, these guns Look amazing, could you convert an SA80 into this? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
L85FREAK Posted July 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 If you had a carbine, maybe if you had the shroud and lengthened barrel. The LSW is a lot easier to make into a SA80 because more parts are available. But vice versa, it's possible if you have the right equipment. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Abelius Posted July 30, 2009 Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 Good God disassembling and assembling this gun is a downright nightmare. Not complex in itself, but there's just so many things to go wrong. Kinda makes me regret not getting the ICS. By the way, my ARES barrel was crooked from the factory. Put another in and it shoots dead accurate now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Abelius Posted August 8, 2009 Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 (edited) I'll have to rethink my opinion about this gun. There was a moment that I was pretty sad for getting it, but now the mood's turning. After learning which screws to tighten and loctite, this thing is an absolute rock! I accidentally dropped it off a buildings second floor a while ago and was expecting some severe damage from the landing with rocks (stupid, I know). A scratch and off it went again, with nothing broken. After I swapped the barrel, it's an absolutely nice performer too. I like the steady rof the ARES motor gives, much better for suppressing during long periods of time. The internals seem to be very much up to the task too, the piston had zero wear marks after ~3000 shots at 380fps. Edit: Gotta give a nod too, you Brits just know how a gun should shoulder. Edited August 8, 2009 by Abelius Quote Link to post Share on other sites
8416w Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 I am thinking about purchasing one of these rifles, and the comments seem to be fairly positive. Does anyone know who has them in stock? I live in the big NC also, and look forward to some fall gaming. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Erik Cartman Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 (edited) I am thinking about purchasing one of these rifles, and the comments seem to be fairly positive. Does anyone know who has them in stock? I live in the big NC also, and look forward to some fall gaming. Without naming names, most of the usual suspects have stock. (I just looked) The prices are half of what they used to be a year or 18 months ago. Edited August 11, 2009 by Erik Cartman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ARES USA Posted September 3, 2009 Report Share Posted September 3, 2009 All the USA stock has metal gearboxes. The last batch that came in had the PC one. So they where all swapped out to metal before being set to dealers. If you want to make sure that you get the metal gearbox then please ensure that you buy from a USA authorized dealer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
L85FREAK Posted September 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2009 I used the LSW for the first time yesterday and she outperformed! Encore Encore!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
L85FREAK Posted January 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2010 It's been a long time since I first bought my L86 and I decided to do a review for the long term: 1. I had to replace the inner barrel, it started to rust. Tightbore barrel now, performance is better than ever! 2. New bucking not really required but it was helpful. 3. My motor gave out this week, or at least I think it was the motor. I shall wait and see!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The True Joker Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 I was just wondering. I am thinking about getting on e of these, or the ICS version of the gun. But I wanted to know what kind of drum mag would work best with this thing. The single drum version or the Beta-C Drum Mags? I already have a few of the 1000rnd Double Mag things, but I want something with a bit more capacity behind it. I'd appreciate it if you could help me out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
L85FREAK Posted January 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 Drum/box mags are extremely uncomfortable to use in the L86. I suppose if you really wanted to a box mag would be the best as opposed to a drum mag. Maybe??? but I just use hicaps Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Warning Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 (edited) Drum/box mags are extremely uncomfortable to use in the L86. I suppose if you really wanted to a box mag would be the best as opposed to a drum mag. Maybe??? but I just use hicaps don't thing that would work since it would either block the mag release, or the mag release would block it, that said it could work im merely speculating Edited January 25, 2010 by Warning Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The True Joker Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 Yeah, i was thinking that too for the mag release. Plus I wanted to try and keep it at least semi-realistic. And box mags on a magazine fed weapon just don't work. LOL! I'll just have to wait to order ther drums until I get the gun to see which one would work best. If anything, order more auto-winding double mags. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dope on a Rope Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 Star do a C Mag that fits the SA80 - it has a longer 'neck' than the M16 version so doesn't snag the magwell or release. Got one dirt cheap and yes it is cack handed fireing with it fitted but also a grin. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss Posted January 27, 2010 Report Share Posted January 27, 2010 Anyone noticed that the trigger on the Ares L86LSW has something like a 2 stage pull. On semi or spring release its a straight pull to fire, but on full auto, when you pull the trigger its as if it stops against a catch then a little more pull and the trigger moves all the way? I've found the ARES steel version with metal gear box very nice. Good weight. As said here earlier, check the screws haven't got loosened in transit and all is fine. Putting magazines in requires a little more "positive action" than many cheap softs, which is nice as the magazines are nice and secure. The only negative so far is the front grip removal and re-assembly to replace the battery. Its *very* easy to cross thread the forward sling mount as its softish alloy with a steel screw. I get the feeling that mine will get a helicoil thread insert at some point in the non too distant future for strength. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 Well its now been christened on its first outing. Its only 300fps, but has a really nice effective range, certainly up with some of the 320-330 fps guns I was up against. The gun performed well apart from one very big problem at first (which I have yet to properly resolve). After a few shots the AEG, on full auto, started to stink then the RPM became random. The smell was of burning solder. As it got really bad I dropped out the mag and had a look inside. The lead wire to the gearbox is the positive and has no insulation on the solder point. The result is that under use if the mag catches the wire it earths heats the solder up and stinks to high heaven. The battery drain causes a lowering of RPM, hence less vibration, so the RPM climbs again. As a quick fix i put a line of insulating tape up the mag well and it stopped misbehaving immediately (of course its a temporary fix at best) I thought I would check and see if this is a one off or any one else noticed this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.