Yeah, a bit of a Clickbait title… but that’s what directs the Algorithms to our Forum!
Nothing nefarious, just looking to be able to spread the wealth of knowledge we have here for anyone looking to get into this Hobby with the best advice possible.
I will start this topic by asking everyone to list what are their top 3 most favourite Gelbasters in their collections, regardless of age or price without going into in depth details, but allowing conversations to follow up with those interested in their choices.
I’ll get the ball rolling by simply stating that after having 70+ Blasters in my own personal collection, let alone the many hundreds of my customers models that I worked on, these are my top 3 of all time.
#1 JinMing J12 AK.
#2 UMP 45.
#3 JinMing J10 ACR.
Please list your top 3 and let the discussions flow from there as to your reasoning behind such decisions.
This is very important information for anyone looking to get into this Hobby without being ripped off and spending good money on products that simply don’t live up to their marketing “reputations” and price tags.
The less people that get burnt, the larger this Hobby will grow.
My top 3 in no particular order.
1: Golden Eagle M870 (or variant of).
2: custom built SLR AEG.
3: Uzi Pro AEG , not sure of the brand.
The GE shotguns slap for indoor fields, naturally, but still have pretty decent range for something shooting 3-6 held at a time, mag capacity is the only downside giving between 3-5 pumps.
The Uzi Pro pairs great with the shotgun too as a sidearm, it’s accurate and shoots far enough to make the longer hits the shotgun can’t.
And my SLR is the first blaster I built myself and is still chugging along, after about 6 years it’s still my most reliable blaster.
I am 70 something blasters deep in the collection… and having worked on and selling loads that aren’t in the collection as well, I can only say there is no perfect blasters, rather you pick the flaws you can live with be it design, parts, or budget… and potential always ways in heavily for me.
Sorry but those who know me know I don’t do short posts!
My top three picks, based on availability now rather than my personal favourites.
JingJi SLR. ($250-$350)
Everyone wanting a reliable blaster with good potential and compatibility for parts to take to a skirmish should consider an SLR. They are a bit more pricey than other nylon offerings but they are more solid and reliable than many in the metal price point territory. A main or a backup for skirmishes, the SLR is a must have imo.
CYMA metal range (M4/M16/SCAR) ($400+$600)
The most upgrade potential you can get without changing to a CNC gearbox. And to be honest, their gearbox shell will leave the need for a CNC gearbox out of most people’s equation. They are decent out of the box, and wild as and reliable with some upgrading.
E&C M4/M16/416 range. ($329+ nylon… $499+metal)
Yeah I know I give them a hard time for their price for what you get, the value range is a good price for what you get if you don’t want to price into the $600 region. Either way they do have one of the best out of box experiences. Decent performance, decent QC, potential, and takes gen8/SLR mags.
They are pricey… and in the long run they aren’t flawless, but the plus is there are plenty of options for upgrades as they are very compatible with other gearboxes of CNC nature.
The ultra and ultra plus lines I can’t recommend though so your money towards for the upgrades later.
Honorable mention: cyma nylon range. ($250 and under)
If you are looking to dip your toes into skirmishes and modding these are a great start. Cheap enough that if it goes pear shaped your can get another gearbox or even blaster. And compatible enough that they can grow with your journey through upgrades and changes. If your are looking to start your gel journey without spending loads it’s a hard range to beat at the price point.
My go to blaster is the nylon CYMA. Easy to mod (except for unique anti-reverse) and reasonably priced (who remembers the $75 kits from TEH)
Because they used to used in games they are all built similarly with:
- nylon handguard - various lengths
- 7.5mm inner barrel with length chosen to suit handguard and V/E ratio
- metal barrel with adapter
- M100 spring
- and the usual o-ring upgrade
- hop-up
Built one with metal gears but worked out that a replacement gearbox used to be a lot cheaper than building one with metal gears. Still haven’t had to replace a gearbox. Only problem has been the trigger trolley failure that could probably be fixed with a T238
Other blasters worth a mention
- JM J12 AK74U
- STD SLR
- JM MP5K
- JM MP7 (the new one has semi-auto)
I avoid metal blasters because of their weight and because real steel can be cheaper
Well, my collection’s lost a lot of weight recently, and hard to pin down three but of those left standing, my top three favourites would be, in no particulat order…
-
Le Hui Kriss Vector :
Just an OG classic, so tacticool, light and surprisingly ergonomic with the OG folding skeleton stock. Gen 8 parts compatible, three round burst option’s a nice bonus. The one blaster I’ll go to great lengths to keep tip top and running at around 290FPS. -
CYMA M4 :
Ultra reliable workhorse for field use with the full metal box, great performer with minimal V2 upgrades hitting around 300FPS. Solid, cannot kill this blaster. Only downside for me is it’s an M4. -
APC9K SMG
Too cool for school, great for close quarters, very decent FPS around mid to high 200s with minimal upgrades, fire select, stellar build quality. Packs into a small case very well.
Honourable mention :
Le Hui MP9. Not a hard hitter at around 220FPS but a great little sidearm in TP9 trim, in longer MP9 config a great little CQB unit. Cheap too at sub AU$200 and will fit easily into a small lockable briefcase.
"Phased Plasma Pulse rifle, in der 40 kilowatt range.
Da Oozi nine Millimeeda.
Da 12 Guage OrdoLoader.
Da 45 Longslide, wid Da lazer sighting…"
Nuff said…!!
Hey you can’t do that…
Mine are old but…
APS AK74. Hands down most reliable after correcting factory faults as mine was a pre production model.
Lehui Steyr Aug (takes a fair bit of work to get it humming but that’s part of the fun).
A $90 Wells CQB (another that takes work to be reliable) dare I say the Wells word but at the time pre Cyma they were very popular. They had budget gearboxes that blew their head off as too much springage from try hards over springing it chasing 40 Megawatts in the phase plasma range. 
I’ve never had one go on me, and it is hands down my most used blaster.
My models are old and not available currently much. Might find them second hand if the platforms interest you and you like the looks and feel of it. You can make any blaster work if you like a bit of maintenance and some creative thinking.
All I can say is ask yourself, do you want to spend hours on the bench getting things sorted(which I enjoy as it’s a hobby) or do you want something that works out the box for game day with minutes of maintenance on the bench.
Then go from there. Narrows your choice down to a Cyma for near the most minimal for maintenance. The rest is what tickles your fancy and what you are capable of.
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WRONG…!!
Give that man a cigar! 
Well said, and pretty much sums up this hobby…
Depending on the level of your tech skills, buy the blaster you’re less likely to be annoyed about having to service and repair.
Ease of take down’s pretty important for the same reasons. The Le Hui Steyr AUG you mentioned is a particularly easy blaster to disassemble… M4s with the grip forming part of your gearbox retention are a bit of a pain in the arse to tear down.
Yeah and above all, get something you like!
Feeling cool is half the fun
Mmm for sure why I delved into the Lehui Steyr Aug, because irl things.
I even went mad and put a knock off $500 Elcan on it as I didn’t have the spare $4k for a real one haha
Find something you like, and go for it. Beemers buying me a 5 oh I see. Such a nice fella Such a nice fella. See what I did there @BME our best mate Dump style LOL.
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Sure, i’ll get you one…
Whats your t-shirt size…? S/M/L …??
Soooo…
No Kriss Vector in the collection I take it?
I’m always large. What a legend I can always rely on. Not.
Actually Doc… yep, there is. One of my alltime faves.
I could never figure out why they got the rep for being difficult to work on. I guess compared to the clamshells that were around at the time they were a little more complicated. But do it once or twice and they’re a piece of piss.
I really enjoy tearing my Vector down. 
Why I have a saying. There’s the best then there is the rest
I don’t mind working on vectors, once you know the quirks and ways to overcome the weaknesses they are pretty stout bits of kit.
But Soo many screws!
My advice to a newbie would be to find something you’re comfortable working on. A blaster with plenty of online tutorials and common parts. There’s a reason these things only have 30 day warranty.
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Yeah, I’ve got your Vector upgrade vids downloaded for future reference, Rok. One day I’ll give it the “Rok Treatment”. Boxes are still available and cheap enough at $40 from X-Force, easy to build one up out of the blaster and transplant.
That said, you can occasionally pick up a complete Vector used for around $50 on Marketplace.
They’re always up there, old model though it is.