Looks

I own a Tokyo Marui M16a2 as well, so I can compare to this. The looks are not even close to as good as the M16a2 AEG. I received the spring version before getting the AEG, so I wasn't disappointed in the springers looks until after I received the AEG. It is made of okay plastic material, which is much better then my previous G3a3 springer, but not nearly as strong as the Tokyo Marui plastic.

The gun has basically 3 metal parts. The outer barrel, rotating ring, (separates the handguards from the body) and the T-charging handle. This thing would look real from a distance, and with a certain angle where the plastic looks a little more real, but at a close distance you can really tell it is just a toy gun. Which isn't the case with the AEG.

Capability

The M16-A2 spring has the capability of firing .20g pellets, but not .12g due to the fact that the hop-up is set to .20g, and .12g literally go straight up when fired. It can shoot about 90 feet, with decent accuracy for a springer. The M16-A2 has the same magazine as the XM-177, and M16a1, which holds 19 shots. Some say the magazine holds 20, but the spring gets jammed up when the magazine is seated in the gun, so it only holds 19. This rifle also has the capability to go up against AEGs, but you won't win, mainly due to the rate of fire. I am very disappointed in the magazines, they are too expensive, and aren't very reliable. They frequently discharge all the bb's if you accidentally knock out the top one.

If you see someone with no cover, at a distance 75 feet or less, you should not have a problem hitting them if you aim. Which is a huge difference between the G3a3 which it was 50% luck when you hit someone.

It is a pretty sturdy rifle, I suspect there is a metal rod going down the entire guns since the Backyard Safari guy said it did. Nothing has broken, or falling apart besides the back sling swivel, which was cheaply put together, and you, can expect it fall off.

Why I chose this Rifle

I chose this rifle because it is more durable then the G3-A3 that I had at the time. It was more durable than the G3-A3 because of its metal barrel. You could also get a plastic barrel, but I would not recommend it. Overall I paid $75.00 for this rifle, and $30 on two additional magazines. I think it is worth the cheap price, but after getting an AEG, I would recommend going straight to AEG's. I know you have probably heard this a million times, but when you get to AEG's, you will know exactly what everyone has been talking about.