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Meatball's Featured Reviews |
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Airsoft Core |
By Stargate6x
Published: August 12, 2007
Updated: October 10, 2008
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First Impressions
Stats:
Length: 999mm
Weight: About 4,000g
Barrel Length: 509mm
Type: AEG
Price Range: $300-350
Metal Parts: Any metal on the real M16 is real on the CA M16 A3
Reinforced Parts: includes outer barrel, gearbox, piston, bushings, and gears.
Appearance:
The Classic Army M16 A3 features a sharp sturdy look. Unlike the earlier Classic Army Receivers, this one has a nice polished black finish to it. All the parts on externally (with exception to the fore-grips and the butt stock) are metal. Unlike the TM M16 A2 (which is composed mostly of ABS plastic externally), the CA M16 A3 presents the user with a nice cold metal feel when held.
The CA M16 A3 is one the nicest looking AEGs on the field. The box in which the CA M16 A3 arrives in has a picture of a M4A1; so don’t be shocked thinking it’s a mistake. The box however is much bigger than that of the M4A1 (obviously).
Operational Details:
Loading Procedure - Standard Loading Procedure
Battery Type and Application - Large 8.4v or 9.6v battery. Battery fits in rear stock
Magazine Capacity - Standard M16 Magazine: 68 rounds. Hi-Cap (Vietnam Style): 190 rounds. Hi-Cap (Standard): 300 rounds
Fire Control - Safety, Semi-Auto, Full-Auto
Disassembly Procedures:
Remove the frame lock pin and pull the upper receiver off.
Pivot the upper receiver up then push the pin out that is near the delta ring.
Under the handgrip, unscrew the two screws.
Disconnect the red and black wire connections, and pull them out.
Flip the gun up and the motor should fall out.
Unscrew the two screws inside the handgrip, which should remove it from the receiver.
Unscrew the magazine release button.
Take the spring out, and the magazine catch will fall off from the other side of the receiver.
Located the central pin seen in the picture, push the pin out.
Unscrew the feed nozzle from the gearbox and lower receiver.
Take the gearbox out of the receiver.
Upgrade Potential
The Classic Army M16 A3 sports a reinforced gearbox, along with other reinforced internals. You can easily insert a PDI 170% or Systema m120 spring, without having to upgrade the bushings, gears, and other internals.
The Classic Army M16 A3 internals are interchangeable with any Systema or Guarder internals. As far as internal upgrade potentials go, the CA M16 A3 gives you a lot of room to work with.
External Upgrades Include:
- An m203 can be fitted with modification (due to the reinforced outer barrel).
- The metal flash hider can be taken off, allowing a silencer to fit on the barrel.
- The metal carrying handle can be taken off, allowing a scope to be added without the purchase of a scope mount or railing system.
Classic Army parts are interchangeable with TM parts.
Other M16 accessories include a drum magazine, bipod, sniper cheek rest, and rubber end cap for the stock, 2500rnd electric C-magazine. There are many other external upgrades which exist but are not mentioned.
History/Details of the Gun
Basic Facts
M16A2 - In the late 1970's, the Army re-examined its rifle situation. Existing M16s were well worn, and the current programs that were looking into a replacement for the M16 were not far enough along.
In 1978, the M16 underwent a Product Improvement Program. The results were an increased barrel diameter, and one whose rifling was changed from 1:12 to 1:7 to accommodate the new round, developed by Belgium's Fabrique Nationale, the SS109.
This round extended the range of the rifle, and propelled a 62gr bullet with a steel core at over 3000 fps. The rear sight was modified to allow more accurate adjustments of windage by hand, as well as for elevation calibrated out to 800 meters.
The M-16 incorporated a case deflector to prevent brass from hitting left-handed firers, and new round handguards to replace the older triangular design. Also, full-auto capability was replaced with a three-shot burst. This allowed for more controlled firing, as well as greater accuracy, as all three rounds are downrange before the effects of recoil can impact their path.
This new rifle was adopted as the M16A2. (Gunlover)
M16 Manufacturer:
Colt Manufacturing and Fabrique Nationale Manufacturing Inc.
CA M16 A3 as a Replica:
Anything metal on the real steel M16 is metal on the Classic Army M16 A3. The CA M16 A3 is building one-to-one scale with the real steel M16. The trademarks on the CA M16 A3 are “fake”, but better then having no trademarks.
Links
http://www.bushmaster.com
http://www.colt.com
Performance Field Test Under Skirmish Conditions:
Fifteen shots were fired at each distance.
Target: 3-foot object
First Test: (Distance-Hit/Total Targets-Hit Grouping)
50ft: 15/15-2"
100ft: 14/15-4"
150ft: 12/15-6"
200ft: 8/15-9"
Second Test: (Distance-Hit/Total Targets-Hit Grouping)
50ft: 15/15-2"
100ft: 13/15-4"
150ft: 12/15-6.5"
200ft: 7/15-10.5" (Note: Pleas take the following into consideration:
- This test did not use the aid of a vice.
- This test used Iron Sights.
- This test was conducted using 0.25g Excel bbs.
- Systema Hop-Up bucking unit was installed during the test.
Initial observations of the CA M16 A3 stock Hop-Up Bucking unit found it too rough, resulting in inconstant firing paths.
Minimum Effective Distance: 50 feet
Maximum Effective Distance: 200 feet
Final Observations
With the release of the M16 series, Classic Army has finally been able to significantly compete against TM. Having learned from its pervious mistakes, Classic Army has constructed a well-built rifle.
The only drawback being its poor manufacturing, the chances of receiving a defective “lemon” gun are relatively higher compared to TM. However, those that have received their product the way it was meant to be will probably never go back to TM.
I do recommend getting a Classic Army M16 A3 over TM M16 series. Having played with both models, the Classic Army M16 A3 is much better.
If you are one of the unfortunate once to receive a defective model, usually, all that is required is replacement of one or two inexpensive parts. Classic Army is improving the quality of their products, and is well worth to be considered in your AEG scavenger hunt.
Personally, I think the CA M16 A3 is the best AEG. Please take into consideration that a little work is required.
Value:
Get a stock TM M16 A2 – to – CA M16 A3 level
Metal Body: $155
Reinforced Gearbox: $55
Reinforced Outer One-Piece barrel - $148
M4A1 Removable Metal handle - $58
Classic Army Metal Front Set - $100
Basic M100 upgrade - $80 with labor
Hi-Cap Magazine - $22
Total: $618 (excluding the gun itself)
You get all that and the gun for $295
5-Star Value for CA M16 A3
The performance on the field was relatively good. Here is a list of rumors I wish to address:
Quote: Semi-Auto has no power, or spits out more then one bb at a time.
I have fired over 5000 bbs (70% on semi-auto mode). Semi-Auto works excellently.
Quote: The Hop-Up unit is defective.
The hop-up unit works quite well, although I would recommend getting Hop-Up Bucking to make your shots more consistent.
Quote: Piston/Piston head is defective...
That too is not true. If you are to receive a non-lemon M16, you will have no problems with its internals.
Quote: Semi-Auto only works when you go from Safety-to-Auto-to-Semi.
That issue was common with the earlier CA M4 series. With the current M16/4 Series, I have found no such issues.
Quote: Jams happen much too often...
I have fired well over 5000 shots and never had a bb jam. I recommend using high-quality name brand bbs only, and keep your barrel clean.
Quote: Selector switch is weak.
The selector switch is well held, and rotates smoothly with a small click when in place.
Overall I’m pleased with its performance. It has excellent range, competitive with upgraded AEGs.
Downside:
Horrible firing sound. Very high-pitched.
Long and Heavy
Inconsistent Accuracy (Hop-Up bucking should fix that)
Installation of m203 requires modifications due to the reinforced one-piece barrel
Gearbox is a hassle to open
Up-side
Full Metal Construction
Sturdy and very solid
Reinforced Gearbox
Reinforced internals
Reinforced outer-barrel
One-piece outer-barrel (no barrel wobble)
High-Cap magazine included
Ratings:
Appearance: 5/5 (Excellent overall appearance)
Performance: 4/5 (Good overall performance)
Durability: 5/5 (No potential durability issues observed)
Reliability: 4/5 (No jams, no mis-feeds, no problems)
Potential: 5/5 (Excellent potential)
Value: 5/5 (Best value on the market)
The CA M16 A3 in an excellent choice as a counter-sniper rifle or an assault rifle. Though you are limited in the CQB field, the M16 A3 is still playable indoors. This rifle has seen five open-field games, including the Wollen Mills Tenn. 3-story Factory CQB game held on Dec. 14th 2002. It has proven to be first-rate on the field, and deadly indoors.
Stargate6x
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