A chart for the best decoratice gun (of any kind: e.g. MG,AS,EBB,GBB,Denix)

Guten Tag!

I am new to the forum and from germany - so please forgive me my not perfect english.

Since I was a little kid (a long time ago, but not in a galaxy far, far away   ) I was a fan of action movies and PC ego shooters.
Therefore I wanted to hold the same weapons as these heroes in my own hands.

Of course, the real ones are out of the question for various reasons, but nowadays there are some alternatives.
To find "the right one" however, is still very demanding.

So here is my idea: a chartlike FAQ for guys who want a specific "gun model" - but not necessarily a model gun... like:

I want a Glock 17 (Like Gordon Freeman in Half-Life )

Well, the cheapest solution should be an airsoft gun:
"This" (maker, model, link) is the best looking, spring operated one (EXAMPLE: pros: cheap; cons: light weight)
"This" (maker, model, link) is the best AEG (automatic electric gun) with/without EBB (electric blow back) (EXAMPLE pros: still affordable; cons: not worth the price if you don´t play airsoft games)
"This" (maker, model, link) is the best GBB (gas blow back) gun (pros: weight, looks; cons: expensive, needs gas and maintenance, may be too expensive to just put it on a wall)

An alternative could be a "dummy model" from denix, but these are rather crude, and at this time, there is no Glock 17 from denix in existence. (EXAMPLE pros: quite affordable, heavy; cons: piece of...)

The best solution should be a model gun:
"This" (maker, model, link) is the best one, however hard fo tind (EXAMPLE pros: weight, markings, firecaps/ejecting brass; cons: price, availability)
"This" (maker, model, link) is an easier to get alternative

And there is also the "real thing":
A deactivated real gun. Or in other words: an expensive piece of scrap metal, former a perfectly functioning firearm... Now its (sometimes) not even possible to "charge" and "dry fire" and no means of field strip - and that for most of the time a very high price.

Well, I know there is a bit of "Airsoft-topic" in here, however I haven´t found a better place to put my idea in.
And also, there isn´t a model gun available for every real gun, so you are forced to look for alternatives...
To ask this in an airsoft forum with tests of airsoft guns would be pointless, because there its mostly about the shooting power and accuracy - not much about the looks and feel.

Maybe we will have sometimes a complete list of all our dream-guns, be it "decorative airsofts", "dummys" or model guns.

My "wish" list as a start:

Pistols and Recolvers:
M1911A1 WWII style
Glock 17
Beretta M9/92FS
Beretta 93R
357 Colt Python 6"
44 S&W 29
Desert Eagle
Uzi Pistol
Luger P08

Submachineguns
Mini-/Uzi
vz.61 Scorpion
Mac 10/11
MP5A3/A5 / MP5k / MP5A2A4
MP40

Shotguns
SPAS 12 with folding stock
Fullstock Pumpaction Shotgun (with shell extraction!)

Assault Rifles
M16A1 Vietnam (20 round box mag)
AK47/AKM
G36 (normal infantry version, no "C","K","X" or whatever)
Steyr AUG A1
FAMAS F1
G11
L85A1 / SA80
StGw 44
M41A Pulse Rifle

Battle Rifles
G3A3 green
M14 wood
M1 Garand
G43
FG42/2

Rifle
K98k

Machineguns
MG34
MG42
M60
M56 Smartgun

Grenade- / Rocketlaunchers
M79 Blooper
LAW72
Panzerschreck
Bazooka
Panzerfaust 60/100
RPG-7

Let´s go!

Schafschütze

Here's a nice all metal and wood M79. No plastic here!!

Nice pics.

But is it a softair, a dummy or a modelgun? Maker? Where to buy? Price?
Is it yours? How about a review?

It is mine and is a soft air by Craft Apple Works but it has the metal barrel which is hard to come by. It will cost you £250 plus post if you're interested.

Of course this kind of chart or catalouge will be a big feat - but I thought it would be best put in a forum, where many people
can contribute to it. Even people who are also in an airsoft forum and know the best of both worlds.

I still think it would be great to include all kinds of "1:1" scale models, be it simple softairs or sophisticated model guns, even AEG.

As an example: What about a MP5 model gun? (as far as I know, there isn´t one available)

Well, but I really want a decent looking MP5 on my wall - what can I do, until there is a model gun available? (if ever)
So there is the alternative of Airsofts, but a spring Airsoft might look cheap, and a GBB might be too expensive (and the gas related problems) so there is the AEG left - but which is the most realistic looking one, not the best shooting one?

Or think of Airsofts as a placeholder: until you have saved a fortune for your dream model gun, you can put a cheaper airsoft/dummy on the wall.

Quote :

Depending on who you ask, each person might give you a different idea which is their particular favourite version.

Well, there are some objective points, some you can even measure: looks (including markings), correct size and shape, weight and feel (balance, surface feel) and "movable parts" (magazine, trigger, charging handle etc).
And in a chart/catalouge you can link to reviews WITH PICTURES and even videos.

So please take a look and make it possible.

Maybe a "kind of" wiki could be a solution? Or a website? Maybe we can involve some shops to give "us" test examples? Maybe a partner airsoft website? Just thinking. (I really mean it! )

Hello and welcome :-)

Schafschütze wrote:

Since I was a little kid (a long time ago, but not in a galaxy far, far away   ) I was a fan of action movies and PC ego shooters.
Therefore I wanted to hold the same weapons as these heroes in my own hands.

From my experience this is what brings quite a few of us here ;-)

The best list out there was "nkoinuma" webpage, which listed all available modelguns based on type/country/manufacturer. It listed all options, with a short overview (most in Japanese). Those pages are however gone :-/

A few years ago I was making similar list with availability of various real guns as modelguns. I did not go to airsoft, except when a specific gun was not available as a modelgun, for example MP5K. If you start to consider airsoft, list grows very quickly especially that there is many, many new airsofts coming out with various features. I would not venture into that area, as there are many airsoft sites that do it better. Modelguns is enough for me ;-)

Even within modelguns it is hard to say what is the best model. Some people prefer best action, some best look, but even then they have different opinions. Stating differences and letting people choose by themselves seems better approach. This is mainly why we have review section - for the same type (say Colt 1911) you can find description of multiple versions.


Good luck completing your wishlist :-) I had just one modelgun (pistol) at the start, then got a revolver, then another model... it's mission impossible to close the list, as it grows faster than it completes ;-D

Well, but I really want a decent looking MP5 on my wall - what can I do, until there is a model gun available? (if ever)
Here's what I did. One deactivated GSG MP5 with a SEF lower added.

Cerwyn wrote:

[The Forum has evolved to include GBB Airsoft guns, in both Shell-ejecting and non-eject types as they are accurately closer to the real guns. Blank Firers have been included too.
AEG Airsoft guns are not included because they may look very realistic externally, but internal mechanisms bear no resemblance to the real guns.

Yes, I certainly see the logic there in terms of this Forum. That said and as you say - there are some truly beautiful AEG's around, only really let down by the fact they are; well, AEG's I suppose in terms of function. My SRC MP40 is a good example of that I guess - though it's one AEG I'll be keeping! One subject I do struggle with a little is the 'Static replica' vs the 'AEG replica'. Is flicking the bolt back and forth at home say (on a Denix for instance), better than having some 'fun factor' and shooting ability with an AEG?? Especially where that AEG is probably better aesthetically. For my money, it's an AEG anyday in that debate.

With regard to GBB (Airsoft), I do feel now many Airsoft manufacturers are waking up to the fact the 'Purists' amongst Airsofters (we are many), are not entirely happy with the AEG platform. This is why we are seeing more and more GBB models (where previously there were only AEG's) being released, as you can still have the 'full auto' function with it being 'Airsoft'. 'Airgun' 4.5mm 'Steel BB' cannot have this function of course legally and they have their own intrinsic attraction on the range. My Missus and I go to our local airgun range a lot with our KWC C02 pistols - they are great fun and just another integral part of such a rich and exciting whole imo!! Oh, and the KWC Luger is coming soon thankfully!!

Also, the upcoming (we hope!) GBB King Arms Thompson 1928 and the much further away KRC (?) MP40 are defo on my waiting list as a WW2 collector and occassional Airsofter. Both are good examples of what a 'Purist and Airsofter would want. GBB (and certainly C02 GBB) is the way I want to take this. Also, the price of some PFC guns is just too much. I thought long and hard about buying an MGC Sterling recently, but almost £800 is too much..

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I always wanted an XM177e2 like the one carried by Sgt Zeke Anderson in Tour of Duty. No chance of owning a real one so i had one customized." />

Oh, the hero of my youth: Sgt Zekiel 'Zeke' Anderson!

Nice piece you got there!

However, the barrel seems too long. The flashhider should be right after the forward sight post.

But in the show it wasn´t the real thing, too: "The variant used in the show was a mockup made from a Colt Sporter Carbine with the barrel cut down to 10.25" and an aftermarket "CAR-15 style" flash hider installed."

from: http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Tour_of_Duty_-_Season_2

And worth mentioning: some M16s were acutally MGC model guns...

Schafschütze wrote:

Oh, the hero of my youth: Sgt Zekiel 'Zeke' Anderson!

Nice piece you got there!

However, the barrel seems too long. The flashhider should be right after the forward sight post.

But in the show it wasn´t the real thing, too: "The variant used in the show was a mockup made from a Colt Sporter Carbine with the barrel cut down to 10.25" and an aftermarket "CAR-15 style" flash hider installed."

from: http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Tour_of_Duty_-_Season_2

And worth mentioning: some M16s were acutally MGC model guns...

Mine was modded after the second and third season rifle.  The barrel was longer because it was a civilian type sporter. It wasn't period correct,  but I still loved it.

The first season he inherits the XM From Rusty and although it's an after market flash hider,  it's still closer then the sporter.

While browsing google I found this old thread I must have totally missed back then. Really strange.

As a teenage boy I also was a big fan of the Tour of Duty series. I remember seeing Captain Rusty Wallace in episode "Pushing too hard" having a carbine with a curved 30 round magazine. It was a quite good copy of the XM177E1 with the 10 inch barrel that could be seen with officers or dog handlers in some line units. Sadly the captain was under a lot of pressure from command not only to do a good show for the female reporter visiting the platoon, but also to gather important intel or even snatch a prisoner. He also carried a "Dear John letter" from his wife back in the states and got killed in a fire fight while emptying his carbine in fully automatic. SSG Anderson inherited the distinctive carbine and carried it throughout the rest of season 1.

Captain Wallace in "Pushing too hard":


SSG Anderson with the same carbine, but 20 rd magazine towards the end of season 1:


(Note that Tony Becker as Private Danny Percell is holding a MGC metal M16 modelgun that was used on a large scale in the series - The producers got Percell's rank all mixed up as he started as a Corporal in the pilot, but then was a private before being a SP4 towards the end of the series.)

Anderson then carried a similar carbine (propably made from a semi automatic Colt Sporter) where the moderator was attached to much too long barrel with 20 rd magazines in season 2 and 3.

This is the model member gary gordon has built to a really good extent.

Longer barrel and later plastic stock that was not introduced before the early 1980s: