My First WW2 Gun. What should I get?

I bought a Cyma M14 for use as a spare for the Loop. It's going to the local doctor to have a wood kit fitted and a once over as it was sub 200fps out of the box.

WRT versatility authenticity in play, the M14 obviously can also be used in the "Vietnam Airsoft" role as well. As can some of the "real" WW2 weapons such as the Thompson, M1911A1, etc.

And a flight of fancy. Would the addition of the Unconventional Airsoft mosfet work - programmed to fire eight shots then a 'reloading' delay?

Well those little converted shotgun mags do give you ten rounds or so, followed by a reloading delay as you fiddle with the little bugger to get out... Though you do need lots of them to fully have the 300 ammo limit.

I'm not sure I'd recommend an M14 as a first WWII gun. They're good guns, but without the front end being fixed to look like a Garand they still stand out as being post WWII.

I'd still have to go with the MP40, Sten or Thompson to be honest... And of those the MP40 makes most sense.

Of course I understand completely about getting closer to a bolt action rifle, but a M14 with a hicap in it still affords a user a very high rate of fire even when firing in semi.

Note that the 10 round shotty shells are now getting very hard to get hold of and are less than ideal anyway.

Word of warning about the CYMA woodwork and the wooden stocks which can be bought seperately. Although the wood itself is of good quality, it is not finished well at all. Mine had very raised grain, so much so that you could feel deep ripples all over it, and the colour was orange. It took a lot of sanding with a flat block and various grades of emery and wire wool to get it flat, a coat of walnut stain and two coats of wax to get it looking good. Looks the dogs now though

My first gun was the MP40 backed up by a Gas WE Luger. I have now branched out and bought the Cyma M14 and already started minor conversions to make it look more like the WW2 real deal. Just by cutting the long Flash Hider off and the Bayonet lug it has changed the overall apprearence. No DIY skills needed there

It will certainly hold its own on open days and at WW2 events. I do take the point of the mag being large and maybe an advantage over smaller mags but if I can come up with a shortened mag (I am trying to go down the road of the G43 thing) I will let you know. Just by making the mag smaller would negate the advantage of any hi cap mag.

Good idea about the guns thread most people I know are willing to make the jump and buy kit, it is just the gun they don`t want to shell out for straight away aswell. This way maybe they can be coaxed across from spray and pray

My thoughts

The M14 obviously has significant style cues of an older generation of weapons. This is why it is usable at a push.

It shares some simmilar looks to some other WW2 weapons (The German G-43 And Russian SVT-40)

So if you are going to do a profile, it is worth metioning these weapons as well. Possibly with comparison pictures pointing out the key differences in looks.

I think it is also worth mentioning the alternative modified magazines it can use to get that flush "more like a garrand" look and any other tricks to make it look more right that does not involve access to a fully equiped work shop.

I think you also need to add reliability to the mix. The CYMA M-14 often had (has?) a problem with firing on full auto only.

The only person I've known to have a problem with the MP40 is Barrie. I've used mine with no problems for years.

Yes, this is due to the crappy metal used in the cut-off lever wearing away after some use... Eventually there's nothing left and it sticks on full-auto.

First WWII Gun - mine was a TOP MP40 expensive paperweight. Skirmished it once for about ten mins. Then picked up another aeg and put TOP away.
Then got an ACM MP40 - then an ACM MP44 and then Baggy built me a K98 during which time I acquired another ACM MP40 and finally a Sten.

I'd like to see a bolt action rifle day. Enfields against K98s. See how that stacked up -

I have the woodwork for a G43 which I need a donor for - That would be a semi auto job as I am keen to play late war German rifleman.

WWII airsoft is a really worthwhile form of simulation - Even though autos tend to proliferate there is little to NO overkill and the pace and style of play is very gentlemanly. I'd like to see a move towards Bolt Action days with perhaps a draw onsite for a percentage of players to supplement things with the odd auto....... It would be even nicer I think and the reduced ROF would mean increased skill would be needed to win the day. I know this is probably veering a little off topic but what I'm trying to say is - let's get more bolties and look at going further back to the battles of 39-42 when a rifle section with a LMG for support pitted itself against another rifle section with an LMG..... Make your first WWII gun a bolt action - the basic infantry weapon - and lets make more room for bolties in our scenarios. I love my 40 and 44 but I did enjoy Ariel, schlepping about with the K98 and reloading manually.... gives one time to think instead of point and shoot.......

That was the reasoning behind the thread PD. Everyone grabs a SMG as their first gun. Undoubtedly great fun and desirable kit but it makes it harder to get sufficient numbers for a more realistic scenario as we have to wait for their second gun to be a wood stocked rifle. So, not so much to limit spray 'n pray with AEGs (low ammo limits solves that problem) but more to be more accurate to reality. Now, if a first gun was an M14 and the second gun an SMG (if they want) then events like Ariel where wood-stocked rifles proliferated is that much more achievable. As things are bolt action as a first gun just ain't going to happen - way too expensive - but an M14 is affordable, practical and versatile. Airsoft WW2 is full of compromises. Not least is balancing 'fun' with 'realism'. Add to that kit availability and true authenticity is a distant dream still. Our first event in 2006 saw the most Thompsons ever seen in one place at the same time - we are now blessed with more choice which is great but still SMGs dominate! However, suggesting to new players that an M14 would be a better choice than a Thompson/MP40 might start tipping the balance to long rifles.

The biggest issue is the cost.
For some people that can't afford more than one gun, or justify a dedicated weapon for limited use, an SMG of whatever type can be useful at normal open days as well as WW2.

With a hi cap in the M14 is more than capable of holding its own at an open day.

Exactly Craig - that's why I nominated the M14 - fantastic at all scenarios, many with period authenticity. M14 is handy for everything!

I've never felt outgunned at an open day with my MP40 - lo-caps all the way!

My 1st WWII gun was a thompson, based off using chomleys at open days back when CiA was a twinkle in someones eye! Hehe
I opted for a 6mm carbine when I got back into WWII when the BOTB game was announced, took the plunge and bought all my kit again!

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My first WWII weapon was an AGM MP40, bought back in 2005 for peanuts. I still use it regularly now, have never felt the need to upgrade it, and apart from buying new mags on a regular basis (they are sh*t) it has never cost me a penny in repairs.

It will die on me now I have said that.

My first airsoft gun of any sort was a TM M1A1. It got used for everything esp CQB at Lincs Airsoft. I used to wear a denison and wools though did once go in an M42. Good times.

Hi, I agree with Chommers, I bought a CYMA socom M14 and changed the stock for a plastic wood one with the aim to make a G43, but never got around to it. It looks OK and works well - I have played open days with it just in semi and it was just as good as any other AEG. I understand what steiner is saying as I also have an MP40 and it is fantastic out of the box. It seems more appropriate for Germans to have a few more MP40s to me but I would still like more bolt actions to better mimic the real rifle squads.

I played Aerial with a BAR10 covered in wood effect Fablon padded with pipe lagging - it sounds laughable but it really looked OK from 15 feet! I bought a cheap Lee Enfield front sight protector, that just clips on the barrel, and cut down an old M14 mag and shaped it a bit before attaching. The gun cost less than £80, I only have one mag at the moment but that reload time is very quick.

I had a brilliant day with it at Aerial! It shoots 400fps plus out of the box. It fires straight. It has a bit better range than the SMGs. I have to play differently with it, and that is the fun part!

I totally understand people's worry about spending out as this is not a cheap hobby but I agree the M14 is the best compromise!

However.... it is a compromise and, though I like the fact thet the M14 has no MED and has semi auto, you play very differently with a bolt action and a squad of them would be awsome... Fablon anyone?