Guges Mk3 Posted July 7, 2010 Report Share Posted July 7, 2010 (edited) Initial Review Okay, the pricing on the new VFC GBBR's was a little to good to pass up. So, I got one. When I started to reassemble it...I had to ask...is this really a VFC? This thing is cheap...and it looked used! This is not a good sign, parts that are thrown into a build and assembled should not show inconsistent wear marks. This GBBR showed both internal and external scratches. There was also wear marks on the componentry. Here is a picture of it with a G&P WOC SR16 on the bottom. Its light...the alloys that make up this GBBR feels plasticky. I had thought it was plastic until I looked in the upper receiver where I saw the anodizing was worn (Its new...why is there worn anodizing?) and the silver alloy underneath showed. Magazine compatibility is loose. The VFC will fire the Bomber magazine, but the magazine does not seat in the VFC very well. The GBBR is completely aluminum alloy. This accounts for this GBBR's lightness. The G&P uses steel alloys on many parts of the gun. It has some cheap design features that will be a point of failure. The recoil buffer is held in by a little detente, point of failure in the making. And look at that buffer, the head is all dinged and scratched...this is a new buffer? The hammer...its all dinged up too. Inspection of the barrel showed honing irregularities and a mediocre finish. However, this GBBR shot very tight groups for GBBR at 45' with BB king .23 bb's. I used Mutt gas and it came out to a ~315fps with the .23's in a 75 degree shooting environment. Informal tests at 20 yards showed I could hit a man sized target, but I wasn't going to make any head shots easily. Another curious observation, the outer barrel is shorter. Its more like a 15.25" outer barrel instead of a true 16" That's all for now...anything anyone wants me to inspect or check out on this GBBR? Edited July 7, 2010 by Guges Mk3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
D-JHapyMeal Posted July 7, 2010 Report Share Posted July 7, 2010 What is its maximum effective range?(furthest range to hit a man sized target) And what is its maximum range? (furthest range the bb's can travel) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
3vi1-D4n Posted July 8, 2010 Report Share Posted July 8, 2010 VFC has never been very high on my books. For their AEGs, their externals are good, but the internals are no better than an average JG rifle. V2 mechboxes are not reinforced, poor design shown by difficult disassembly, poor wiring quality and low quality motors used in their AKs and M4s. It seems where they can cheap, they will, at least in their AEGs. So I have no hype with their GBBRs. I have seen a VFC Bolt carrier break, I do hope they improved the poor bolt design of the WA rifles having seen Inokatsu aluminium bolts break as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SteevoLS Posted July 8, 2010 Report Share Posted July 8, 2010 I don't know what planet you're living on in regards to VFC AEGs. Unless mine is an exception to the rule, the internal quality is exceptional. I disassembled my personal E-series M4 the day I bought it to see how the internals were. The factory shim job was perfect, the 2nd tooth of the pistol was removed already, the compression was flawless, and the gears, piston and other moving parts were very well made. Today, 6 months and thousands of rounds later at 27RPS the internals still look absolutely brand new. I'll concede that the wiring left a lot to be desired, but the motor is crisp, quiet, and responsive. My buddy's "equal quality" 2010 JG M4 basically spat its insides out the air nozzle during its first game. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
3vi1-D4n Posted July 8, 2010 Report Share Posted July 8, 2010 (edited) I live on a planet where a 20 X 350fps JG G36C/AUG OOTB at 350fps can outlast and outperform VFC AK/M4 upgraded to the same FPS. Sure JG M4s are probably not the shining examples of JG workmanship... Yeah I do agree, VFC pistons and gears are good, but as soon as you push it up to > M110 spring the amount of effort to to make it perform reliably as a cheap JG, increases to the point where you have to add more parts in, where a JG M4 and JG G36C only requires minor tuning to get them to work indefinately. With the JG the wiring will take the current (the plastics on th V3 trigger sets though won't), while the VFC both the plastic and the wiring is s**t, along with its motor. If you have ever tried to upgrade a VFC SCAR its a disaster and a half. It doesn't shoot straight, uses a proprietory Hop unit and doesn't fit non-vfc hop rubber, and I had to redo the whole stock wiring assembly because it could not carry enough current to run a systema magnum properly. A total PITA. My point is, VFC reputation does not make me go "wow". Real sword does. Back onto the VFC GBBR, I should have one coming soon, so will give feedback here. Edited July 8, 2010 by 3vi1-D4n Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SteevoLS Posted July 8, 2010 Report Share Posted July 8, 2010 I have seen and heard horrible things about the older SCARs. The new M4s (and I've heard that the 2010 SCARs use the new E-series gearbox aswell) come stock with M120s. VFC has a past, but the new Armalite AEGs are AMAZING guns, especially considering the price. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SilentTank Posted July 8, 2010 Report Share Posted July 8, 2010 ...well aside from this irrelevant debate about VFC quality (which has always been a shining star whenever in my AEG collection ) This gbb looks like it was used as a test model or something! Its fairly terrible to get a worn hammer and those imperfections. Does it feel tight though? Like wobble in the body stock hand guard? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SteevoLS Posted July 8, 2010 Report Share Posted July 8, 2010 Sorry for the hijack... I hope the VFC GBBRs turn out to be better guns overall. I had been very interested in them up to this point. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Danke Posted July 8, 2010 Report Share Posted July 8, 2010 Who'd you buy it from and how much did it cost? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
renegadecow Posted July 8, 2010 Report Share Posted July 8, 2010 Another curious observation, the outer barrel is shorter. Its more like a 15.25" outer barrel instead of a true 16" Just to make you more comfortable, AR-15 barrels are measured without the muzzle device so what you have should be a 14.5", a standard M4 barrel length. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jotohomomoto Posted July 8, 2010 Report Share Posted July 8, 2010 Who'd you buy it from and how much did it cost? ditto wow, this thread has definately been an interesting re-assessment of my opinion (albiet factually limited) of VFC. That M4 GBBR was definately tempting to me but I always had a high opinion of VFC AEG's, eventhough I've never owned one. Please keep us updated!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guges Mk3 Posted July 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2010 (edited) Okay some additional info. I got it from WGC, with a long time relation with WGC and other companies...I got it for under $280.00 shipped. The Outer barrel is indeed shorter: VFC is exactly 1/8" shorter then the G&P in the outer barrel. Along with G&P's flash hider being 3/8" longer..that accounts for my perceived length discrepancy. There is a slight and I mean slight, really small amount of barrel wobble on the VFC. The key here is that this GBBR is UNDER $300.00...they have to cut costs and to do that...well workmanship and materials will suffer. What is its maximum effective range?(furthest range to hit a man sized target)And what is its maximum range? (furthest range the bb's can travel) These are absolutely unquantifiable questions. The answer is it depends. Shoot a HP gas with a heavy bb and it will go further then a low pressure gas with a .12 bb I would love to try ET-1600 and Maruzen Super Grand Masters .29 in 30C/86F temps with this thing...but alas...no ET-1600 for me and the days are warmer then 30C. Here is a receiver comparison, with logos: Magazines - Bomber - VFC - G&P Magazine is not WA compatible. The VFC has a plate and its not put on securely. It was obstructing the fill valve, fortunately it is loose, I just moved it to the side and filled the mag. But, that's not a good thing. Definitely not VFC quality. I wonder if their Colt Logo'd models are better. Edited July 8, 2010 by Guges Mk3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Danke Posted July 8, 2010 Report Share Posted July 8, 2010 What did WGC say, is that a warehouse tester maybe? From the list price it would seem like VFC wants to line up against KJW and that like instead of the high end. A definite change from their AEG platform positioning. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shadow_Ocelot Posted July 9, 2010 Report Share Posted July 9, 2010 Wow, I'm surprised to say the least. Can you take some pictures of the external scratches and the anodizing being worn? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guges Mk3 Posted July 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2010 And internal parts were already documented. The buffer looks good in the picture, but it looks like it was dropped several times and the aluminum took some dings... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
3vi1-D4n Posted July 9, 2010 Report Share Posted July 9, 2010 Is the cocking handle the WA type or the RS type with the tabs? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Luis21 Posted July 10, 2010 Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 The charging handle is RS type with keyway notches and a hole for the gas tube. -Luis Quote Link to post Share on other sites
raito Posted July 10, 2010 Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 How does the bolt stop work? because the mag's design is different from normal WA design, can you show us a pic of how it works... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guges Mk3 Posted July 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 Same as the others...or are you talking from inside the receiver? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
raito Posted July 10, 2010 Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 (edited) I mean the VFC mag doesn't seem to have the lever that activates the bolt stop, so how does it activate the bolt stop? The other mags, have the lever but the VFC one doesnt... Edited July 10, 2010 by raito Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vilerk Posted July 10, 2010 Report Share Posted July 10, 2010 (edited) The lever is right there in the middle, above the valve... Remember, this is not a direct clone of WA. BTW, how's the gas efficiency? Edited July 10, 2010 by vilerk Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guges Mk3 Posted July 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2010 It only holds 35, so pressure is not an issue. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
3vi1-D4n Posted July 23, 2010 Report Share Posted July 23, 2010 (edited) I had a look at one. Its not the greatest but not half bad at all. Its very lightweight, due to the lack of steel parts in there. Bolt head is metal, but bolt is plastic and Bolt carrier is very light weight aluminium alloy/zinc? Bolt catch is zinc/alu, but is designed to engage a steel lever which catches the bolt. It has an oversized firing striker that then hits the gas release pin. The gas release pin is a separate system of levers as is different from the WA. This allows the VFC to have its mags inserted when the hammer is uncocked. The paint doesn't scratch as easily as indicated. Finish on the receiver is similar to a low grade AR15 receiver, fine matte not glossy. Certainly better than WE matte finish but not as nice as the tan anodised finish. There are tow versions one with trades (which are good BTW) and ones without. Mags are well made. AEG dimensioned which is a few mms thicker than a real steel mag. Mags are also light, similar to the WE. It lacks the gas release levers on the WA system. Its definately more simple. No leaks. Barrel is alu, handguard is secured by a standard delta ring but the front end (barrel and foregrip) wobbles OOTB. It takes RS buffers and cocking handles. It has LESS impulse recoil than the AGM, INOKATSU or the WE, due to the light weight bolt. Cycling speed is about the same as WE. At 17*C it chronos at 380fps. Bolt flute valve is a marui design. The bolt is also thickened at the end where most bolts break so that will be interesting to see how long that lasts. The Bolt carrier is my concern for breakages. The redesign is certainly good (mags, striker, bolt, bolt catch), but lack of steel parts (barrel, etc), light weight, lack of recoil and its flimsy looking bolt carrier front is the down side. It is basically it has all the features of an inokatsu but lot less build quality. The ability to take RS cocking handles like the Inokatsu, with realistic finished + trades, makes it more worth while for its price. But of course for an open chamber system there are cheaper and better designs and makes out there. Edited July 23, 2010 by 3vi1-D4n Quote Link to post Share on other sites
UrPeaceKeeper Posted July 25, 2010 Report Share Posted July 25, 2010 It has some cheap design features that will be a point of failure. The recoil buffer is held in by a little detente, point of failure in the making. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4770697143_346fc52050_b.jpg I dont mean to point out the ignorance in this post, but this is how real AR buffers are held in, just an FYI. I'm not sure if you realized that or not. The Buffer detent only takes the pressure of the buffer when the receiver is opened, otherwise the bolt carrier should push the buffer back such that it never makes contact witht he detent. That is by design, and if it's worked for the 40 years the M16 has been in service, I'd say it's safe... unless of course you where talking about the materials used... I'm not surprised that the VFC is a bit meh. VFC was DUMB to stray away from the WA platform without vastly improving on it. They sank their own adventure into GBB's just by doing that... I hope it performs well though, for your sake! And I'm still not a fan of VFC's AEG internals either... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guges Mk3 Posted July 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2010 (edited) I know the Detente is like the RS one, being that this is airsoft. It does not mean that its going to be high quality or made correctly and it is that poorly made. The Detente requires the buffer and stock to be screwed in precisely to hold it in. The hole for the detente is about ~.5mm to big and thus it wiggles a bit. It already popped out on me once while I was adjusting the stock and I bent the spring once already. In my real AR..the detente is nothing like this. VFC could make it better if they made the hole smaller and the spring shorter, but stronger. The long soft spring they use for the detente is not a good combination in the over gapped hole. ++++++++++++++ Well, I ran it through basic field exercises, yesterday I filled up the magazine with Airsplat "Duster Gas", which they claim is HFC-22. Outside ambient temps was ~89F, I left the mag in the sun for about 5 minutes it was loaded with BB King .23's. Then I took it down to the chrono range and dialed in the hop-up for the .23 rounds in SA mode. After it was dialed in (about 5 shots) I flipped it into FA and fired a short burst. It left a nice gas cloud in front of the gun after a 5-7 round burst. GBBR seemed really hot still velocity wise. I stepped in front to the chrono and flipped it to SA. One shot -BAM- 483FPS! Yikes, with .23! Fired all the bb's and put one back in the mag and took one more reading -BAM- 479FPS! What a monster! Since the mag is near "real" capacity, you never have to worry about running out gas with this monster. Refilled the mag again, loaded with .25. Dialed in the hop-up within two shots. Took another chrono reading -BAM- 476FPS with .25! Fired all the bb's and put one back in the mag and took one more reading -BAM- 469FPS! The chrono range had a 35 yards of open space...then it was bushes. There was one ~6" diameter tree. It easily hit that with direct fire... .28g-.30 test next week. Edited July 25, 2010 by Guges Mk3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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