What makes a modern classic?

[Hissing_Sid]

Just for a bit of discussion...

 

What guns do you think might be classics and what, in general, does it take for this status to be bestowed?

 

I'm not talking about Asahi M60s, MGC P7s or YE MP5s here.

Personally, I think it takes more than rose-tinted spectacles and for the factory to have gone bust to create a "classic".

 

I'm thinking more of what is it that makes a gun stand out above those around it.

 

2 examples of what I'm talking about are the KWA G19 and the HFC M190.

 

Both are cheap guns and both are actually knock-offs of another design.

 

KSC already made the G17, G18 and G19 when KWA released their G19 and, for some reason, everybody went nuts about it.

It doesn't really do anything extremely well and yet it seems that KWA just hit a sweet-spot with the G19.

 

HFC, by making a cheapo metal version of a gun which (as usual from Marui) was pretty good, seem to have created another gun which has become a benchmark for other guns to be judged by.

 

With both of these examples it seems that even though the guns aren't stupidly expensive or even particularly well-made the companies have just found an opening in the market AND created products which do the job much better than the specififations say they should.

 

With AEGs I'd be tempted to say that the ICS M4 is a "classic" but I don't really think it is. In all honesty I'd say that honour should go to the CA M15. That was the one gun (IMO) which really made most people realise that there ARE practical alternatives to Marui.

 

So what guns do you guys think are (or will be) modern classics and what is it that makes them so?

[skyler8158]

I feel the TM mk-23 nbb kit has become a classic. It has filled a niche in the market for a near completely silenced pistol, features good mag capacity, and is pretty robust.

[Trigger Happy10]

Well for a modern classic, I'd have to agree with you about the KWA G19. I really like the KWA M11. Might not be the most reliabale gun to come out, but it is just so fun and realistic. Another gun that gets my vote bofore it comes out is the TM Mp7. I think this is going to be like the KWA G19 in terms of hitting the sweet spot.

If more people had them I would say the Systema PTW's are up there, they revosulinised aeg's but they are still too expensive for the common preson. If and when Systema comes down in price they will be a "modern clasic"

 

[Akfrog]

id say the glock series is preaty neat. they were my fist intro into true airsoft, the big boy toys, not cheap little springers

[Hvy gear]

The ics mp5 series, when anybody asks wich is teh bestest mp5 the replies are always, get the ics one.

[sevenzero]

Maruzen M870 shotgun, for the shell ejection feature...that to me is classic.

 

 

edit: almost forgot...Marushin M1 Garand another true classic with its magazine ejection feature...as close to becoming realistic replica.

[Kipper]

Maybe not now, but soon i think the CA M249 will be a classic.. all new support weapons will be marked against it.. but you could argue that its not a classic.. well none of them are.. but infact guns that define an era in airsoft

[DrewLawson]

The TN AK47 will be a classic because it is one of the most reliable sturdy guns Marui has ever produced.

[slip_stream11]

I think of classics more by the actual gun; AK, Thompson, ECT....

Now, what SOMEONE needs to do is make an electric M1 Garand!

I'm sure you all feel the same way...I have a good idea how they could make it work, too, just doubt that they'll listen!

[BakaBox]

The TM FA-MAS seems to become one.

[Verymanynames]

I think the UTG MP5, because it was the first LPEG that didnt suck and made people wonder, "Why do TMs cost $300?"

[joeking27]

The TN AK47 will be a classic because it is one of the most reliable sturdy guns Marui has ever produced.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Ask Marlowe about that.

[elrey]

Last time I tried asking Marlowe about that, he blocked me on MSN and kicked me off IRC, preemptively.

[Lance Jackass]

The minis or colt .25. Who hasnt had one?

 

Pm me if you want one *plug*

[Akfrog]

although the real question is, will it stand the test of time. Is it reliable? is it affordable?, the tippman 98 is the perfect example of aclassic paintball gun. id say that the tm ak47 seems to be another good example.

[Vektor]

Maruzen APS rifle family could also be classified as modern classic. Judging by the behaviour of younger kid players in the field, upgraded APS rifle has pretty much the same "scare off" factor than a tactical nuclear missile.

 

"OMG!!111 It´s an APS!!!!112 I´d better stay put here, behind a large rock where I´m safe!!!111111"

 

EDIT: Couple of typos.

[Onechance]

The G36 doesn't matter about make.

Starting to replace the MP5 in recent movies AvP and Bad boys 2.

[waitung]

TM's VSR-10 GSPEC seems to be another modern classic in terms of intended function as a sniper rifle.

 

Relatively cheap and hugely utilitarian. Works straight out of the box, does what it was intended for and seems to be the no-brainer choice for someone who wants to take up sniping.

[snowman]

Classics are difficult.

 

What IS a classic? In the classic car world, some declare ANYTHING 20 years old a classic, be it world's fastest supercar, rally demi-God or duffer hatchback. This seems to extend to airsoft, as Sid said, in that anything produced by a defunct factory takes on mythical status.

 

I'd second the FA-MAS - It really set a new benchmark and to be honest, is still a pretty decent AEG today.

 

GBB wise, it's difficult - I'm going to say the WA Beretta M92FS. To me a classic needs an element of exclusiveness, high quality and to have stood the test of time.

 

Of course, some will cite the fact it can't always empty a mag full of BBs or that it doesn't like Green gas or that a TM Beretta can out range it, but no-one DESIRES a TM Beretta (like no-one desires a Ford Escort) and Audi Quattros don't run on Diesel and, the early ones, were a dog to drive with awful handling, just huge amounts of power and grip. Anyone doubt the original Audi Quattro is a classic?

 

I've a REALLY old (not sure how old) Beretta M92FS from WA and it's the same design as the latest ones. It shoots pretty well and looks good, the latest ones are the same - Not the best shooters, but good enough and they look great.

 

So, of the current guns, that gets my vote.

 

Other candidates will have to be the TM Desert Eagle and WA's SVI range, for pretty similar reasons. They're powerful, imposing and have a sense of occasion about them that the Ford Focus KWA Glock 19 will never have, no matter how reliable or good value they might be.

 

Cheers.

[Skarclaw]

FAMAS.

 

Its an early AEG, and it works great.

 

Mine came today...

[Hissing_Sid]

TM's VSR-10 GSPEC seems to be another modern classic in terms of intended function as a sniper rifle.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The G-Spot... erm, I mean G Spec... is a great example of what I'm thinking of.

 

It's just a gun that, I dunno how to explain it really, but kinda sets a new benchmark.

 

I'm not sure I'd consider WA's as classic guns. They are decent bits of kit but none of them were truly ground-breaking. As much as anything this is their own fault. Only a WA trainspotter would know which models were actually the "important" ones because each one is buried under a deluge of derivative models.

 

I think it's important to try to seperate desirability from truly "classic" status. Sure, we all want a CA249 or a full-metal SVI (or whatever) but I don't think there's anything about them that makes them become benchmarks.

I might be wrong about the CA249 but, at the moment, I'd say that TOP support guns have more of a "classic" aura about them than a CA gun, even if it IS just cos they're so dodgy.

 

To be honest I reckon most Marui AEGs are competant and desirable but there are very few (if any) that people are really going to miss when they're gone, or hold up as an example to compare all other AEGs to.

[Lance Jackass]

As common as an M4

As reliable as a G19

As fast as a FAMAS

As accurate/ranged/cheap as a G spec

 

That sort of thing?

 

I think that spas 12s could be one?

[PigletM60]

I dont see any of the mass produced guns reaching true classic status. Sure they are cheap, work well and have a slew of users, and therefore parts, but everyone seems to have them.

 

I'd see guns like the Marushin M1 Garand being a classic, not everyone has them, due to their design flaws, their high price tag, and limited target audience. I mean not everyone would choose the M1G over say an MP5, or M16A2, simply as they are more widespreadly regarded as decent real weapons, used by current operatives.

 

Also quirky guns that dont always appeal to everyones taste would be in my opinion classics in time. Maybe the Maruzen shotguns or Digicon Targets, not everyone wants to work with real like shells, even though this game is all about realism.

 

Like the Systema training weapon, not everyone craves the use of all of its features, its much more complicated, and therefore expensive than the TM offerings.

 

Just my opinion guys.

[snowman]

I'm not sure I'd consider WA's as classic guns. They are decent bits of kit but none of them were truly ground-breaking. As much as anything this is their own fault.

 

Only a WA trainspotter would know which models were actually the "important" ones because each one is buried under a deluge of derivative models.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Maybe, but the WA Beretta has had a long history and has remained basically unchanged, just with improvements along in materials, along the way.

 

As for there being lots of variants, I can't see how that's any different to some importer slapping cheap metal slides on a KWA branded Glock 19, personally.

The KWA 19 is just like all the other Glocks, just a little cheaper...

 

The WA SVI is copied by everyone, so HAS to be classic. You think there'd be a TM or WE Hi-Capa without the SVI?

 

You don't need to be a trainspotter to see the impact that gun's had, even if they dilute the source by making lots of variants.

 

Few of the guns mentioned, except the FA-MAS are ground breaking. That WAS the preserve of long dead factories like MGC.

 

On that basis, though, TM's AEPs and EBBs need a mention as the first truly new ideas for years.

 

Cheers.

[BakaBox]

Also quirky guns that dont always appeal to everyones taste would be in my opinion classics in time. Maybe the Maruzen shotguns or Digicon Targets, not everyone wants to work with real like shells, even though this game is all about realism.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

But you don't have to pick up your shells if you survive a real shootout...