Thanks James. Im seeking gas/co2 as I have a little bit of background in my younger years playing with crosman airguns and opening the valves to various levels of luck. I know nothing about AEG blasters really just the basics of operation (battery driving motor to compress air and then release). Seems Canada may have strange rules similar to us here? Does Gen 9 refer the the generation of blaster?
Thanks.
G’day there. I am also an ex IPSC pistol owner in the practical and tactical realm.
Just hunting doing vermin control these days with rifles, rabbits, foxes and goats to do with my business.
Have a search around this forum use the search thing top right. Lot of good info here 
Yes Jin Meng. Gen 8 then they released the Gen 9
My bad, I got a bit ahead of myself 
. Jinming (and possibly other brands, I’m not too sure) has gearbox and receiver generations. A gen 8 is their first generation, and it is a gearbox that only has full auto. It’s heavily upgradable, can handle heavy springs, and has its motor integrated into the gearbox. As far as I know, only nylon gen 8 gearbox shells are sold - no metal. However, as I previously stated, it has hundreds of upgrades. Gen 8 blaster’s outer “shell”, or “reciever”, are in two halves that are screwed together, like most toys. They are typically a bit cheaper, made of ABS plastic instead of Nylon. A gen 8’s price is also typically 10-50 dollars cheaper than any other gen. The next level is a gen 9, also known as a v2 gearbox. Gen 9 gearboxes have full auto as well as semi. There are even more upgrades for these, as they are the more popular and modern generation. Since the design has existed for decades in airsoft guns, it is very reliable and well known. Additionally, a gen 9’s shell, or receiver, is made of a thicker nylon, which can be disassembled much like a real firearm, with takedown pins. A gen 10 (correct me if i’m wrong, gel blaster alumni 
) has an identical gearbox to gen 9 blasters. The only gen 10 I am familiar with is the ACR, so I’m not sure why it was given its own gen number. As far as I know, gen 11-13 are Ak gearboxes (or v3’s), which are similar to gen 8’s, but have a slightly different size, as well as having semi. As for gas/co2 gel blasters, I have very little experience. As far as I know, they are illegal here, as they have full metal receivers, and will not pass customs inspections (they said that about all realistic gel blasters, so they might make it through , I have still yet to test). However, gas and co2 airsoft pistols and rifles are legal here (somehow ), so I’m a bit more familiar with those. Personally, however, for a primary, I would highly recommend an AEG, since the mags hold much more, they’re not as picky with gels, you have much more selection, and they have many, many upgrades and replacements. However, if you want something more realistic, go for a GBB. As for pistols, gas will definitely perform better than AEP’s.
Welcome to the circus! 
You’ll find plenty of diversity in here, for sure… the majority of us are Queensland based, a few from South Australia and Western Australia but quite a few internationals now, so some gear is a little unknown.
Some of us love to mod, some love to just collect, some like weird and wonderful frankenblasters, others prefer stock with accessories and cosmetic changes. Skills vary from pro tech level through to absolute newbie, so never be afraid to ask for advice, we have a “no such thing as a dumb question” policy. Whatever floats your boat in the way you engage with the hobby, you’ll find it in here.
You’re lucky to be getting into the hobby now… years ago buying a blaster meant it had to be modded and upgraded to get any kind of decent performance out of it. These days it’s usually not necessary… out of the box quality’s improved a lot, so maybe a spring change is about all you’ll have to do on most AEGs.
Gas blowback pistols have come a long way too since to days of the fragile Co2 Wells 1911s… some rippers out there that perform really well and look the duck’s nuts. Pretty affordable too. GBB rifles are still up in the stratosphere pricewise but if your wallet’s okay with it there are some great units to be had.
Best advice would be to find what appeals to you the most, then do a forum search to see what kind of experience people have had with it. If you can’t find it in a search, post up a thread, someone will help you out with it.
Great bunch of people in this forum… you’ll enjoy your time here.
Welcome @OldGreynGrumpy
Hope you can find information and entertainment you are looking for here, and feel free to ask anything there is a good amount of knowledgeable people here with a wide variety of experience.
@Jameskavanagh you got a lot right… but!
I have a stack of corrections for your statement!
Jinming gen 8 is their 8th generation… previous ones were very much disposable toys hence why you never heard of them.
Gen 8 was the first electric mag and upgradable version.
Gen9 is their follow up with split receiver and a V2 style gearbox… it is NOT a V2.
There are many blasters and manufacturers now with V2 gearboxes, much more compatible and swappable with actual V2 stuff. Gen9 is quite old and not bear as upgradable as the newer V2 based stuff.
The J10 was an ACR. Still gen9 gearbox. Nailed that one.
J11-12 were AKs, J13 was a gen8 boxed HK416c. Beyond that we never seen Jin Ming in Australia except the J15 which was a G36.
I do believe there was a j14 and 16… one was a sig ace… would have loved to seen it. (Old Jin Ming fan!)
My original gen9 is 8 years old now… still going though doesn’t get much use and has been resigned to a collectors item that displays gloriously on my wall.
Hey @OldGreynGrumpy, welcome to the forum.
Shit, I wish I had thought of that username years ago when I started. I certainly tick those three boxes 
Your welcome to use the name anytime you want, there may be a OGnG, OGnG01, 02, 03 etc. Heck we could start an old grey dogs team if enough of us. Thanks for the welcome HS.
Yes I have heard a lot about the painful rules and the lack of performance compared to airgun (lead) and airsoft guns. Also the differing rules or laws in each state took me back a bit. I will ensure I study the laws before I travel interstate so as not to get a charge against my name for what in many places are considered a toy. I count myself lucky to be in QLD. Plus the weather here is out of this world.
Thanks for the welcome.
Thanks Maiphut.
I loved IPSC, I was a bit younger and faster then but still the test of beating my previous scores in some kind of target running and gunning game beacons. I am considering a steel challenge/speed steel type of comp for gel blasters. It suits me as its limited running, just up my alley.
What division did you compete in? I shot a stock Glock in production. Cheap, robust and the best bang for the buck at the time.
Thanks Rok.
Im learning heaps just reading all you guys post. Thanks to JamesK and you all I now know what gen8, 9 etc are.
Cheers.
No worries mate. I am over 8 years in the hobby and still learning!
Between us all learning and sharing hopefully a few mistakes and errors are avoided 
Sorry been busy for 4 days. It happens when I have a shin dig.
Not full race gun just service pistol. Glock model 22 in .40S&W and a Taurus PT99AFS and not full competition just casual club comp. Was great fun. Had to give it away when my jobs changed couldn’t make my club shoots.
The club training Glock 22 in .40S&W went 460k rounds before the slide cracked in half at the ejection port. Glock asked for it back to check it out, replaced the slide sent it back to the club free of charge from Austria. That’s service as it was the training one to gain your licence.
I was impressed so bought one too.
Blap blap double tap on the run.
I’m getting older too, why I disappeared for 4 days. Had to have BBQs and a bonfire 
It went well 
catching up with long time friends.
PS I have grey hair, beard and likely downstairs too 
Yep they are pretty robust guns. I maybe put 10,000 rounds thru mine, maybe slightly less as once I started out helping and took on Range Officer, Safety Officer and then Club Captain roles my shooting and competiting became very limited. Plus being a intro training/instructor for newbies took up most of my time when at the range. That’s great news that Glock sent out another slide free of charge.
I had no problems with mine but with only 10,000 rnds thru mine, it was still relatively new for a Glock lol. Our club CZ Kadets had an extreme amount of ole dirty .22 thru them and they were still going strong when I left, another great make of gun the CZ.
I miss the running and gunning but am better suited to service pistol now as opposed to IPSC. I don’t move as fast no more and my knees creek louder than the gel blaster fires Im certain.
Would love to play speed ball type of game but do they have a goalie role where I can stay at the back just blasting away, if so count me in.
Love CZ’s, they just keep improving, feel nice in the hand, reliable, accurate and they look very nice. Had a play with a few 9mm ones at the club. Even a race gun setup in 38 super with extendo mags.
Years ago now but great platform the CZ. All I do these days is watch videos of the new models and drool
There’s another CZ fan on here @Friendly_Fire
Allways need backup from the rear to lay down cover fire
Yes being an RO/Instructor. I had some good ones teach me. Here use his Glock 23 compact 
I just got to pull the 180gn Hydrashocks out of it as he had his carry licence in case somebody went mad. Had a Dot sight on it.
Wouldn’t want to try rob that fella
The 40cal sure would be nippy, especially running the 180gn.
Im glad there is another CZ fan here in @Friendly_Fire. I was impressed with the CZ75 line and the Phantoms when they first came out. They were very popular in NZ but I preferred the CZ85 Combat with the ambi controls over the new fan dangled Phantoms. Agrhh fun times and good memories, those were the days.
I went and had a look at a new club they are building nearby Saturday.
Wow is that impressive. 20 IPSC bays to hold the state titles. 1.2klm rifle range. Clubrooms. BBQ area. Benches with roofing. Huge 50ft high(roughly) backstops.
Already way better than the club I used to be in.
Sadly I don’t have any real steel experience with CZ, but I’m still a huge fan. My limited pistol range experiences have only been with Glocks and Berettas. 
But I’m definitely of the opinion that those Czechs really know what they’re doing with firearms. A CZ Shadow would probably be my choice if I ever get off my arse and join a pistol club.