This has been the biggest assignment so far that Popular Airsoft has given us. Having to review three AEGs from China’s upcoming airsoft manufacturers is equally the most challenging yet. We have been provided with the M4 CQB-Rs from Jing Gong, DBoys, and A&K from RSOV.com. Aside from the possible difficulty we were afraid that the exercise will become quite repetitive and hence a bore. 

How then are we to avoid this definite pit fall? Well, what we have concluded is that we will take down all three AEGs at the same time. Instead of writing one article per AEG about the impressions and step-by-step take down we will write all in one article. We will also make a side-by-side comparison at the same time.

So here we are again and this time it’s a three in one.

The Box

JG – Again just as the HK-416 that we reviewed previously the box is done very tastefully. Although it is again just made of brown cardboard it is rugged and quite sturdy. It comes with the usual line drawing of the AEG it contains printed on it plus the bold text M4-CQB and it also boasts of having a metal gearbox. It has the unmissable shield and eagle logo of Jing Gong.

DBoys - This is the first time I have come across an AEG from this manufacturer. The box cover seems to be of the same build quality as the JG. Made from brown cardboard material and on it is printed in silhouette the two types of CQB rifles that DBoys manufactures.

A&K – This is also the first time we are tasked to take down and review an A&K AEG. The box at first glance appears to be tatty. It has a black background with the words M-series written in large white font. It also has the simple A&K logo printed on the top. A warning is also written as well as specifications for the BB size and battery required which I find strange as it already comes with its own battery. The material itself appears to be of low quality cardboard.

First look

JG – upon removing the lid we saw JG’s version of the M4-CQBR for the first time. It has the same look and appeal as the HK416 that we reviewed on the last issue, in fact were it not for the full length RIS and the markings it will definitely be an HK-416 (In fact they share the exact same clubfoot retractable butt). It has that look that comes from a good pedigree. The accessories are placed in their recesses and these include a 300-round magazine, a cleaning rod, a RIS attachable fore grip, a pair of RIS guards, and a 1500Mah clubfoot battery and a 2-pin round plug charger. A user's manual is also included.

DBoys – opening the box reveals DBoys’ version of the M4-CQBR. It has a nice look to it, the body has a nice gunmetal shine to it when spied at an angle. As with the JG it also comes with a couple of accessories, a 300-round magazine, a cranestock  battery, a RIS foregrip, a pair of RIS guards, single point sling, screw driver, allen key, and trickle charger with 2 pin round plug. They have also included a users manual of some sort.

A&K – The disappointment continues as you open the box to this A&K AEG. All the items are placed in moulded white Styrofoam. The AEG at first glance definitely screams ABS. Together with it you will find the usual 300-round magazine, a cleaning rod, a very delicate/cheap looking cranestock battery, a trickle charger with 2 pin round plug then as if to make up for its shortcomings A&K has included a free screw driver (WOW! That sure makes up for everything). A users manual has also been included.

The Feel

JG – Heavy Metal. The feel of this AEG is certainly impressive. It’s heavy, weighing in at an impressive 3.6kg with the battery. The metal is of quality finish and the RIS rails are not cut with sharp edges on them. We tested this AEG's firepower and have come up with the following figures. 391fps, 386fps, and 406fps after take down using a 0.2g 6mm BB.

DBoys – As with the JG, it is also on the heavy side. The entire AEG is made up of metal and I think the only things made of ABS are the stock, rail covers, and the supplied foregrip. On testing this AEG, it is very hot indeed. It needs to be downgraded to be accepted for skirmish here in the UK. The numbers that came out were 383fps, 404fps, and 418fps using a 0.2g 6mm BB.

A&K – Yet again A&K seems to be bent on disappointing any potential customer. Both the upper and the lower receiver are made of ABS. The only metal parts are the cocking handle, the RIS and the outer barrel and oh the breach/ hop-up cover too. We also tested this AEG and surprisingly this is the only one that came out as within limits based on the following figures: 329fps, 338fps and 355fps post take down using a 0.2g 6mm BB.

The Take Down

JG – Our experience on the JG HK416 helped us a lot in the take down of this AEG. The whole process is exactly the same. When we got to the gearbox it was exactly the same as the one on the 416. Of note again is how well lubed all the parts are in this JG gearbox.

DBoys – Getting to the gearbox in this AEG is not much different to the JG. Opening the gearbox is just like the JG as well. The internals are also well lubed.

A&K – I guess this was the final nail in the coffin. Getting to the gearbox is quite easy. Anybody who has taken down an ABS Tokyo Marui AEG will find this quite familiar. However just as the TM ABS receivers this is quite prone to some breaks in the material itself. After separating the upper from the lower receiver we noticed that the retaining loops on both sides of the upper receiver were cracked. Upon opening the gearbox what really struck us was the total lack of any trace of lubrication on the gears, the piston, and the spring. The red wire from the trigger switch to the motor is also half peeled off.

Overall Verdict

JG – I believe if this manufacturer continues to make AEGs with the quality of the JG HK416 and the M4 CQB-R and continues to improve on these, then we can stop calling its products as low-end. JG is on its way in becoming a better quality ACM airsoft manufacturer. Their M4 QCB-R comes out on top in this comparison.

DBoys – This manufacturer also makes good quality AEGs and really doing a good job on the full metal area.  Although still not at par to JG it comes in as a close second, a very close second.

A&K – For this face off, A&K is certainly knocked out by the competition. However I do not want to bury this manufacturer just yet. Take note that what A&K now is what JG was around 2-3 years ago. That means there is still hope for them. As they say the good thing about being down and out is that there is no other way than up. I look forward to seeing how A&K will improve in a year or two. However for the meantime I would not be recommending people to queue up for this M4 CQB-R. They did actually good job with the M249, and we hope that the SR25 and SPR models they just came out with would be better than this.