Talk:List of Airsoft Manufacturers

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Contents 1 Pretty Unencyclopeidc 2 Old Article 2.1 High-end companies 2.2 Middle-range companies 2.2.1 Taiwanese Companies 2.2.2 Chinese Companies or ACM (All-China Made) 2.3 OTHERS 2.4 Entry level companies 2.5 Importers/rebranders 2.6 Airsoft BB Pellet Manufacturers 2.7 Former Airsoft Manufacturers]

[edit] Pretty Unencyclopeidc

I realize this article needs to be fixed up, but please give it time.WikiMan78 01:23, 23 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Old Article

I am going to remove a bunch of stuff soon, but I will copy what is here now so it can be used as a reference.WikiMan78 01:23, 23 January 2007 (UTC)

There is a great divide between airsoft companies. The majority of quality manufacturers can be found on the internet, but have little to no street presence, except at specialty shops. However, small street airsoft stores can be found in many areas. Airsoft guns are also prevalent at swap meets, which usually carry Chinese-made airsoft guns that have plastic bodies.

[edit] High-end companies

• Hudson - Reinactment grade shell ejecting gas operated airsoft guns, mainly on WWII replicas.
• Sheriff who assemble full metal custom pistols using Western Arms based components, as well as building Maruzen based bolt action rifles. Sheriff also made gas airsoft rifles for a time, including the now discontinued Highlander Magnum
• Sunproject, Known for their M203s and c02 driven Gas Blow Back M-16s
• Airsoft Elite, A separate company that imports and domestically pre-upgrades ICS guns. They also make high quality bbs.
• BroJames' Shop and Distro - A distributor that imports and domestically pre-upgrade high-end aegs (Classic Army and Tokyp Marui).
• Classic Army (CA), an emerging rival to Tokyo Marui with metal bodies, upgraded internals and some Marui components (i.e. the motor). They have released some sub-par AEG's in the past but seem to be redeeming themselves with the later models.
• G&G (Guay Guay Gunshop), specializes in internal and external upgrades and accessories. G&G have also launched their own line of high-quality AEGs as of late.
• G&P, specializes in aftermarket upgrades and external accessories, also make a variety of high quality AR-15 series AEG's along with an M249.
• ICS (I Chih Shivan), ICS is considered by some as one of the "big 3" most popular gun manufacturers(also including Classic Army and Tokyo Marui). Their guns typicaly come with metal bodies and trademarks. They make Armalites, MP5s, and one AK-74M replica. Their MP5 feature quick takedown bodies. They also came out with the split gearbox in which the cylinder module disconnects from the lower gearbox for easier repair and upgrade. They have recently updated their entire line to make them more reliable.
• Inokatsu, famous for there Full metal M60 Machine Guns and AK47/74
• KSC/KWA, largely a pistol manufacturing company, though endeavors to rifles have been made.
• Marushin, known for some of their guns to use an 8mm bb instead of a 6mm
• Maruzen, one of the first airsoft companies that came out, known for its P99 nonblowback
• Olympic Arms, These guns are basically ICS Armalites with licensed trademarks.
• Star, specializing in more expensive, highly realistic, easy-to-disassemble airsoft guns. There are doubts over the reliability of their AEGs, such as gearbox problems in their SA80 series.
• Systema Engineering, which specializes in high-end training weapons but also internal and external upgrades. They are priced on the edge of affordability for the average airsoft enthusiast, but are renound for some of the most flawless guns on the planet.
• Tanaka, which specializes in high-powered gas gun revolvers and rifles.
• Tokyo Marui, the very pinnacle of airsoft technology and durability (while kept stock), created the first automatic electric gun (aeg), the FAMAS F1, and the invention of HopUp. They have manufactured almost every model of AEG and several AEPs. However, their decision to manufacture only ABS plastic guns has put them in tight competition with CA. As an investment they last for many more years than cheaper models and are a solid platform for which to build amazing custom AEGs.
• TOP, specializes in manufacture of light and heavy machine gun airsoft replicas.
• Western Arms, largely specializing on the 1911 .45 and its derivatives as well as Beretta, S&W and SV.
• VFC/GB TECH (Vega Force Company), Recently began production of Rare and Unique AEGs
• WE Taiwan (Wei E Tech) produce a small range of metal hi-cappa's (based on tactical STI 1911 .45 series)

[edit] Middle-range companies

Produce lower budget alternatives to higher priced guns. Usually fire at a lower power, use cheaper materials and have less detail.

• BroJames' Shop and Distro - A distributor that imports and domestically pre-upgrade mid-range aegs (SRC, Kuan Ju Works, STTI, Y&P, and Chinese Brand aegs).

[edit] Taiwanese Companies

• KWC (Kien Well Corporation) - Taiwanese manufacturer known for its CO2 powered Mini UZI, classic M16 gas rifles and spring-power guns retaining fully licenced trademarks.
• KJW (Kuan Ju Works) - Taiwanese manufacturer of high powered metal-constructed replicas. (Takes green gas right out of box) Most KJW guns do not carry replicated trademarks, so the accuracy of the replicas is limited. Some of KJW products are sold under the brand "Y&P" in the United States.
• AIM - AEG series manufactured by ICS but lacking the full metal bodies.
• SRC/STTI - Taiwanese company manufacturing M4/M16 and AK47 replicas, copied from Tokyo Marui designs. They now release full metal versions in addition ABS plastic versions that fires around 300-330 fps out of the box. Their first gun, an M4A1, had reliability issues and broke after a few thousand shots. Their newer guns are said to be far better, and they currently produce the only RPK on the market, as well as the only marui-compatible XM8, which also is the only XM8 with a sight.

[edit] Chinese Companies or ACM (All-China Made)

• CYMA* - Earlier models include the CM027 MP5J and CM028S AK47. Their release for 2006 includes the CM031 which is externally a CA LR -105 clone but internally similar to its version of the AK47 with a different hop up chamber and inner barrel. They also recently released a TM clone G18c AEP, however their products lack the quality and precision of higher end brands. They also manufacture LPEG's, which prove to be quite popular among beginners.
• JIEKE/WELL - The Chinese company to revolutionize the MPEG market with its release of the R5 MP5 and R6 M4A1 in mid 2005. Its gearbox and motor proved to be surprisingly durable although these 2 guns suffer from air compression problems. They later released the R7 or M4A1 with full stock and R8 G3SAS which surprised many people with its robustness and accuracy. Their later release for 2006 includes the R5E whihc is merely the R5 with tactical foregrip and fixed butt and the R6E.
• Double Eagle - The company that revolutionized LPEGs or ACM (All China MAde as it is known in the Philippines) with its still famous M83. Their version of the AK47 and Spetsnaz were met with lukewarm enthusiasm as most other Chinese companies, many unknown, were able to come up with better performing aegs. Their M50 springer rifle was quite popular ad easily "upgradable" to 400fps with simply wrapping the inner barrel and hop up chamber area with teflon tape to seal air leaks.
• Both Elephant (Manufacturer)- Manufactures the AUG, XM8, G36, and the SL8 sniper rifle. However they are light weight and lack the finish and trademarks.
• JG (Jing Gong)- Famous for making the Beta Spetsnaz AK, a MPEG with many metal parts and shoots 310fps stock.

Note: Some people sometimes mention that CYMA, Double Eagle, and/or WELL are the same company but this is inaccurate. They are separate companies and in fact are only brand names and not company names. They are the big 3 in China and it was belived that some of the owners or co-owners have close blood relations. What is sure is that they have close business ties and sometimes coordinate their product development efforts.

• A&K/Kart - brands said to belong to the same company. It's s-system with metal SIR (rail interface) made its model 7799 a big winner in a market saturated with M4A1s. Ruggedly handsome, although head heavy, even high-end players emabraced the s-system even if only for its front assembly and rail system. It also released the first Chinese M14 with stock gears.
• AGM - a latecomer that surprised the market with its surprising accurate and powerful springer rifle, the MP001 aka VSR. While its MP004/s Ak47 version did not gain popularity mainly due to the headstart gained by CYMA and the AGM offering nothing new, its MP008 or M14 surprised the market with its use of the version 3 spring guide and stock gears.
• Golden Bow - This is the company that tried to revolutionize the LPEG market but its long delayed released of a version 2 metal gearbox proved to be its waterloo. Playing catch up with its M5 series of MP5s, its now strange looking version 2 metal gearbox with a motor clamp, failed to win hearts in a market now crazy with the words "TM compatible". Its old plasticky externals also proved to be a poor management decision. Poor performance and durability, compared to competitors, is also its undoing. [There is some confusion as to whether Golden Bow and Jing Gong are the same company, since Jing Gong is transliterated as "Golden Bow"

[edit] OTHERS

• UHC (Unicorn Hobby Company)- Offering very reliable, yet economical alternatives to higher-end companies. Have produced a variety of well known spring guns including the MP5 SD3, the Colt 1911, as well as the Super 9. Also have released gas pistols including the H&K USP.
• HFC (Ho Feng Company) - Taiwanese manufacturer of spring- and gas-powered guns, mainly KSC and Tokyo Marui copies
• KHC - Famous for their Maverick Bullpup shotgun and spring pistols.
• Omega - Famous for their Beretta 93R.
• Academy - South Korean company best known for their DPMS Kittycat, L85, and A-15 rifles.

(Please keep any personal opinions out of these lists. Simply update them just like anyone else would if they seem to be getting better; CYMA was supposedly a poor company, but have apparently since then began creating knock-offs of TM and CA products which parallel the quality of them at a cheaper price. If you think a company shouldn't be in a certain category, then move it - don't leave petty little messages like this. Thank you.)

[edit] Entry level companies

Mainly produce springers and low powered electric guns with total lack of trademarks and toy like finish:

• BOYS A category of airsoft guns designed specifically for younger children which shoot at a lower FPS and therefore are often cheaper.
• Double Eagle (Double Eagle Airsoft) - manufacturers of the UTG Warhawk AK47 replica and the M324 Master Sniper bolt action rifle
• WELL (Although they recently released higher-end AEG's, the R-series).
• Double Eagle. Manufactured some of the best springers in the market and is the company credited with pioneering the LPEG boom with its famous M83 M4 LPEG.
• UKARMS, a new company who make mostly pistols and have released a mid quality AEG (EG 706, a clone of the TM g3 SAS, but with full metal frame, the gun is high quality but molded in two halves making upgradeability difficult, but not impossible) and have good potential.
• JLS - Primarily a manufacture of Low End Electric Blowback Pistols

[edit] Importers/rebranders

These companies don't manufacture airsoft guns, but merely sell them under their own name:

• Crosman, offering mainly low-quality Chinese entry-level electric rifles and pistols
• CSI - Distributers of many LPEGs and MPEGs.
• Cybergun - offers products of UHC, KWC and some less well known manufacturers like Toystar or Double Eagle
• FIREPOWER (Palco Sports)- The company that actually offers a warranty on their product.
• STTi (SpringTime Taiwan Inc.) - Parent company of KJW and SRC
• Tippmann (Spring, CUCOK, and electric guns)
• Umarex, operating mainly in Germany and selling various replicas of Walther, Beretta, Desert Eagle, Smith and Wesson, and Heckler and Koch guns - produced by KJW, KWC, HFC and WELL
• UTG / Neonfire - Two subdivisions of Leapers Basically rebrands high-end Chinese-made guns from WELL, CYMA, and Double Eagle. Usually packs them with extra accessories like an extra battery, magazine, or sling.

Some of these companies' placements may be disputable, but are based on overall quality of all their products.

[edit] Airsoft BB Pellet Manufacturers

• Airsoft Elite (0.2g, 0.23g, 0.25g BB Pellets) - High quality white and black BB Pellets
• Excel (0.2g, 0.23g, 0.25g Biodegradable BB Pellets) Highest quality Bio-Degradable BB Pellet's Manufactured in Japan
• Systema (0.2g Pellets) - High quality 0.2g 6mm BBs
• ICS (0.2g BB Pellets) - Taiwan-made BB Pellets by I Chih Shivan Enterprise
• Maruzen (0.2g BB Pellets) - High precision Japanese manufactured BB Pellets, claimed to be within +/- 0.01 mm
• KSC (0.2g, 0.25g BB Pellets) - Good quality Taiwanese manufactured BB Pellets for OEM in Japan
• HFC (0.12g, 0.2g BB Pellets) - Regular quality BB Pellets for lower to middle end guns
• Fidragon (0.12g., 0.2g, 0.25g Biodegradable BB Pellets) High quality white and black BB Pellets
• Cybergun (.12, .2, .23, .25) - Their standard BBs are rated as poor, but their "Special Selection" line of BBs are said to be very high quality.
• 1st Target (0.12g,0.18g,0.20g,0.23g,0.25g,0.28g,0.30g,0.33g Non Bio - 0.20g,0.23g,0.25g,0.28g,0.30g Bio) High quality 6 mm BBs
• CYMA (.12, .2) Generally poor quality despite advertising as High grade pellets, to be avoided in most cases.

[edit] Former Airsoft Manufacturers]

Along with the named companies, a few companies who were prominent in the earlier history of airsoft, but have since gone out of business, include:

• Asahi
• Falcon Toy Corp./Hudson
• JAC
• Kokusai
• LS
• Marukoshi
• MGC Bondshop of Japan
• Yonezawa
• YE- Youth Engineering

Some guns from these manufactures canbe found on eBay or Endoshoki.com