There are many like it but this one is mine.
Serial number 1723 reporting in! This is a common introduction over on the owners group as owners display their serial numbers and adjustments made to the gun.With my Tippmann M4 I chose a "back to basics" style which required changing out the front sights and hand-guard. This was completed relatively easy as the hand-guards and buffer tube are mil-spec and should accommodate many aftermarket real steel parts. The outer barrel is proprietary but word is that there are additional lengths coming out very soon. The pistol grip unfortunately cannot be changed without modding due to the gas line being ran through it. In this owners opinion though, the stock pistol grip is both comfortable and ergonomic. Internally an AEG barrel and bucking will work although the hop-up system is a new design. From assault to DMR, CQB and beyond this firearm can and will be able to change it's form and function to best suit your needs.
The AK of the Paintball and Airsoft world.
If you have used any of Tippmann’s other products in the paintball world you will feel right at home with this product. The guts are built similar to a Tippmann A5 or 98 which are widely used as the go-to workhorse paintball markers at many fields. A quick search and you will find tales of abuse and neglect to their products with guns being fired under water, buried in snow, ran over with cars, and still functioning. This appeal and familiarity is what made my decision to pick one up. It is a simple system, when using an air tank (no regulator needed as this uses 800psi) you can use CO2 or HPA, and AEG magazines it is a comparably low cost entry into the air fed line of guns. This product requires no batteries whatsoever and features semi-automatic and fully adjustable full auto and velocity settings, making the transition from field to CQB much easier than the standard AEG.
Pew Pew or Bang Bang?
How hard does it kick? The sound compared to other HPA guns is a nice change with a louder bang that is especially satisfying when in an enclosed environment. The recoil would be somewhat comparable to a .22 but could benefit from an aftermarket hammer with more weight. There is the distinct twang of the buffer tube spring with each shot which can be greased to tone it down. Full auto is where the joy comes from with a moderate need to adjust for recoil. It should be worth noting however, that unlike an AEG this gun has a lot of vibration and kick which can make wobbly attachments less effective or not effective at all. Personally, I was not all that thrilled about having an HPA tank on my back again, but the feel and realistic feel of the Tippmann M4 Carbine makes it's completely worth it.
Calling in Support.
If you are like me and break something from your kit every time you step out the door to play than this is your ideal product. After watching videos and learning my way around a gearbox I quickly decided it was not my preferred system. Changing springs for indoor games and fighting with the gearbox because something happened to slip out or move at the last minute became frustrating. With the Tippmann M4 the entire process is fairly pain free. The receivers split as you would expect, removing the selector switch allows the entire trigger group to be removed as one piece for maintenance. The upper receiver components come out with one screw to lube O rings and check debris. The broader community of Tippmann M4 users have a ton of great tech tips and like to bounce information off each-other to assist in repairing issues that may arise with the platform. The majority seem to be small fixes that are in the manual or overlooked by users. In the end if you have a problem or break something Tippmann has amazing customer service which you can call or email to get prompt service. I ran into an issue with a stripped screw which might have been either an operator error or faulty screw. A quick call to tech support and they are sending out an entire upper receiver to replace mine. No returning the faulty component, no shipping fees, nothing. All covered under their 1 year warranty, where else will you find that in Airsoft?
Yay or Nay?
If you prefer the M4 platform and looking to make the switch to an HPA gun then this is a solid choice. Out of box the performance you will get is slightly less than other products...However, those other products go for double the price. If you prefer other style of guns then it might be worth waiting and keeping an eye on their product line. Rumours are that an MP5 could come out and hopes of an AK or SCAR are floating around. There are several great reviews on YouTube and I highly recommend watching the "Honest Guys" and their review on the Tippmann M4 which covers the good and the bad. All in all, the lack of a gearbox type system, batteries and ease of use and ability to modify on the fly is what makes the Tippmann M4 Carbine the one for me. I would highly recommend it to those who want to break into the HPA/GBB market without throwing double the cost into other platforms.
Sincgar
Fireteam Javelin
Covert Ops Airsoft Team
