There are M249 SAW (FN Minimi) softair guns on ebay in the low $200 price range, they are listed as being made of metal.
What do you guys think of these, I have almost no experience of airsoft, but, this would seem like a good price for a metal replica, a dummy machine gun that doesn't cock (MG42, etc) is in the thousands - thoughts anyone?

Hi JJ,

there's a range of M249 Airsoft MGs available here...

http://www.landwarriorairsoft.com/acatalog/M249_Series.html These are electric motor driven without any Blow Back so don't really come under the GBB heading.

Nevertheless they appear to be a good looking, all metal replica. Youtube has a few videos of these firing and although they seem powerful enough, I don't like that horrible whirring noise the electric motor makes, if only they did make these as a GBB version

I don't own one of these, but what I've heard of them was pretty positive. For such a low price you get a very decent replica.

Regarding the stupid AEG whirring sound: Daytonagun, a very small company from HongKong which has specialized in externally powered GBBs with amazing recoil offers a "drop in kit" for these M249s. IIRC it comes in at about 500 - 600 USD.
Here's his youtube site, he offers some very interesting guns. As mentioned, they have external power source though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEw7TbhKTVI

Thx chaps,

Interesting site, I like the MP44 all metal, and it's a good price, too.

I do have an A&K M249 para version. I think I paid about $300. It is a VERY nice looking gun. In my experience the the piston makes a little popping sound which somewhat covers up the "whirring" noise of the electric motor. The internals are of course nothing like the real thing but the looks are top notch. My only problem has been the detachable box mag which is a bear to get off. I think if I was doing it again I would not get the para version. The collapsible stock is ok but it doesn't shoulder very comfortably. I think I would be happier with a fixed stock and longer barrel.

I haven't actually shot BBs out of it since I mostly got it for looks.

Todd, just a short hint: As you described, how the gun sounds and that you haven't fired BBs yet, I reckon you have dry fired it. This is not a good idea with an AEG, over time, it will scrap your internals.

Thanks for the info Pydracor, I did not know that. Fortunately I haven't dry fired it much so I reckon it's probably ok. I will minimize doing that in the future.