A&K M249 Para Video Review
Anonymous (not verified)
15 Feb 2008
One of the better produced airsoft video reviews on Youtube.com, the A&K M249 Para is presented like you almost think you're watching a Discovery Channel program. PinoyAirsoft.org now has its PinoyAirsoft Evolution video series, which they started with the KSC Glock 23F. Overall, they already have three video reviews available at
Youtube.com, and in the near future they will release a video for the Galaxy MP5K.
You can also check out their newly revamped website, sporting a clean, white look at www.pinoyairsoft.org.
It came in a brown box. Out came a monster. This airsoft weapon evoked a primal fear in those who faced it. You think you’ve got what it takes wield one? Well guess again. Deep pockets aren’t the only requirement to have this piece of art. You also need muscles of steel and the stamina to match.
Internals
It uses a specially designed gearbox with the standard XYT steel gears you see in A&K. And as usual it needs lubrication. Fortunately you don’t even have to break the gearbox fully open to do this. There are three screws on either side of the body which hold the gearbox in place. Once removed you can pull it up and out. This exposes the gears near the bottom. Cotton buds and silicone grease could be swabbed in small gobs. Then you can spread the lubricant around by running the gearbox.
The gearbox is self contained with the battery connectors sticking out. And the trigger mechanism is a relay switch on the bottom. Attaching a battery and pushing in the switch is sufficient to fire. Compared to Marui Type 2 gearboxes this is a neat package. Classic Army chose a good design for their M249, and with this being a clone it carries over well enough.
Of course there would be differences in build quality. This clone is half the cost of the CA version. The next competitor, Star, uses a plastic gearbox whereas A&K’s is metal. It should be able to take the abuse of an upgrade but we’re not too keen on modifying this unit immediately. As a squad support weapon, reliability and sustained fire is more important than power and accuracy.
Not that the gun is grossly inaccurate. Just the opposite, we were surprised that a full auto burst out of the box landed our 0.20 gram BBs within the black area (47mm radius) of our target. It isn’t sniper quality but it is impressive for a trench broom. On a bench, most of our M4s couldn’t match that spread going all out. This has a lot to do with the long brass barrel and the guides holding it steady. The metal body on the M249 is heavy and solid. There is no wobble added by holding the foregrip or using the front grip.
Our chronometer testing yielded an average of 399fps with 0.20 gram BBs. This is quite good for a stock gun. We typically test with 0.25 grams but decided against it given the significant price difference even in bulk.
The one part we have a complaint with is the hop-up bucking. The rubber is too soft. A Marui or Systema replacement would work well and is easy enough to install. The barrel has a quick release mechanism that lets the assembly pull out. The metal hop-up is held by a plastic clamp that fastens to the rubber bucking. Unfasten, slip out, replace, refasten, then reinstall.
Reliability
After three months of testing, we have had only one significant failure. This is great considering this is a support weapon and has been abused by an overrated battery. In a typical game day we would use all 2500 rounds plus an extra bag of about 2000. The longest sustained burst we’ve had was 30 seconds on an 11v Firefox lithium polymer. After that first long burst we’ve found that you had to rest the gearbox for half a second between successive bursts. On our third weeked out with the M249, it failed in the middle of a fight. Disassembly showed the barrel was jammed. We found a BB enveloped by the hop-up rubber. After replacing this, we had to change the fuse on the gearbox. It gave out thus successfully protecting the gearbox from damage. The gun had no other internal problems so far.
Externals
The M249 Para is mostly metal. The finish is good with no obvious dings, bumps, or scratches. The foregrip is ABS plastic which is held by a clip. To install and remove the stock 9.6V NiMH battery, you would pull on this plastic piece and could wear out over time. You have the option of removing the quick release barrel instead and installing from above. This is held together by a spring loaded metal clamp.
The collapsing stock is also metal. This piece is pulled out horisontally, twisted, and then locked into full extension. Do the reverse to collapse it.
One notable difference, aside from the barrel and stock type, between the Para and other versions is the inclusion of rails on the top cover. This makes it easier to install scopes and other extras as you desire.
Speaking of extras, you’ll want a sling and a grip as soon as possible. The gun is heavy at over 20lbs loaded. A sling helps you move around during long hikes to the end of the playing field. A ranger grip also helps with ease of bring the gun to bear. You could make do by using the bipod as a grip but this could be awkward to hold for extended periods.
In overall build, the gun is solid. You will want to make sure all the screws are fastened tight. In some cases, you might want to glue some of them with loctite. Our front sight was lost in a game and it has been a pain to find a replacement.
Owning and Playing
Owning the M249 is different from other AEGs. Aside from the mechnical considerations, you should do some introspection before committing to this. The weight of the weapon forces a change of playing style due to shifts in center of gravity. If you’d like to try it out, take a 20 pound barbel and try to run, stop then pretend to aim it. It is hard. Raising it quickly even while static takes effort. We’ve found that rising to fire and ducking is a losing proposition against opponents with plastic guns. Contortions to fire around corners are uncomfortable.
If you don’t focus on kills and think toward team tactics you’ll be happier. The M249 is intimidating with its sustained rate of fire and large capacity. The sound activated magazine means you’ll be able to keep it up for as long as the gun is loaded. And when that runs out, you could easily swap in a STANAG type from your buddies.
Once you’ve considered the change in playing style, there is the cost. Wielding a squad automatic means expending bags of BBs on a typical weekend. This is added to the original price of the gun. It is half the price of the CA M249 it is cloned from, but you could still buy about three M4s with the same money. You should really want it before committing. Your choices for spare parts might have to come from high-end manufacturers. And in some cases, might need to be special ordered off the internet.
All in all?
If you’re ready to graduate from Armalites, G3s, and AKs with box magazines, this might be the gun for you. Out of the box it will be playable, as soon as you get a pair of AA batteries, and should provide loads of fun. For the first time, a good metal in and out option for the M249 has arrived, without costing both arms and a leg.
You can also check out their newly revamped website, sporting a clean, white look at www.pinoyairsoft.org.
It came in a brown box. Out came a monster. This airsoft weapon evoked a primal fear in those who faced it. You think you’ve got what it takes wield one? Well guess again. Deep pockets aren’t the only requirement to have this piece of art. You also need muscles of steel and the stamina to match.
Internals
It uses a specially designed gearbox with the standard XYT steel gears you see in A&K. And as usual it needs lubrication. Fortunately you don’t even have to break the gearbox fully open to do this. There are three screws on either side of the body which hold the gearbox in place. Once removed you can pull it up and out. This exposes the gears near the bottom. Cotton buds and silicone grease could be swabbed in small gobs. Then you can spread the lubricant around by running the gearbox.
The gearbox is self contained with the battery connectors sticking out. And the trigger mechanism is a relay switch on the bottom. Attaching a battery and pushing in the switch is sufficient to fire. Compared to Marui Type 2 gearboxes this is a neat package. Classic Army chose a good design for their M249, and with this being a clone it carries over well enough.
Of course there would be differences in build quality. This clone is half the cost of the CA version. The next competitor, Star, uses a plastic gearbox whereas A&K’s is metal. It should be able to take the abuse of an upgrade but we’re not too keen on modifying this unit immediately. As a squad support weapon, reliability and sustained fire is more important than power and accuracy.
Not that the gun is grossly inaccurate. Just the opposite, we were surprised that a full auto burst out of the box landed our 0.20 gram BBs within the black area (47mm radius) of our target. It isn’t sniper quality but it is impressive for a trench broom. On a bench, most of our M4s couldn’t match that spread going all out. This has a lot to do with the long brass barrel and the guides holding it steady. The metal body on the M249 is heavy and solid. There is no wobble added by holding the foregrip or using the front grip.
Our chronometer testing yielded an average of 399fps with 0.20 gram BBs. This is quite good for a stock gun. We typically test with 0.25 grams but decided against it given the significant price difference even in bulk.
The one part we have a complaint with is the hop-up bucking. The rubber is too soft. A Marui or Systema replacement would work well and is easy enough to install. The barrel has a quick release mechanism that lets the assembly pull out. The metal hop-up is held by a plastic clamp that fastens to the rubber bucking. Unfasten, slip out, replace, refasten, then reinstall.
Reliability
After three months of testing, we have had only one significant failure. This is great considering this is a support weapon and has been abused by an overrated battery. In a typical game day we would use all 2500 rounds plus an extra bag of about 2000. The longest sustained burst we’ve had was 30 seconds on an 11v Firefox lithium polymer. After that first long burst we’ve found that you had to rest the gearbox for half a second between successive bursts. On our third weeked out with the M249, it failed in the middle of a fight. Disassembly showed the barrel was jammed. We found a BB enveloped by the hop-up rubber. After replacing this, we had to change the fuse on the gearbox. It gave out thus successfully protecting the gearbox from damage. The gun had no other internal problems so far.
Externals
The M249 Para is mostly metal. The finish is good with no obvious dings, bumps, or scratches. The foregrip is ABS plastic which is held by a clip. To install and remove the stock 9.6V NiMH battery, you would pull on this plastic piece and could wear out over time. You have the option of removing the quick release barrel instead and installing from above. This is held together by a spring loaded metal clamp.
The collapsing stock is also metal. This piece is pulled out horisontally, twisted, and then locked into full extension. Do the reverse to collapse it.
One notable difference, aside from the barrel and stock type, between the Para and other versions is the inclusion of rails on the top cover. This makes it easier to install scopes and other extras as you desire.
Speaking of extras, you’ll want a sling and a grip as soon as possible. The gun is heavy at over 20lbs loaded. A sling helps you move around during long hikes to the end of the playing field. A ranger grip also helps with ease of bring the gun to bear. You could make do by using the bipod as a grip but this could be awkward to hold for extended periods.
In overall build, the gun is solid. You will want to make sure all the screws are fastened tight. In some cases, you might want to glue some of them with loctite. Our front sight was lost in a game and it has been a pain to find a replacement.
Owning and Playing
Owning the M249 is different from other AEGs. Aside from the mechnical considerations, you should do some introspection before committing to this. The weight of the weapon forces a change of playing style due to shifts in center of gravity. If you’d like to try it out, take a 20 pound barbel and try to run, stop then pretend to aim it. It is hard. Raising it quickly even while static takes effort. We’ve found that rising to fire and ducking is a losing proposition against opponents with plastic guns. Contortions to fire around corners are uncomfortable.
If you don’t focus on kills and think toward team tactics you’ll be happier. The M249 is intimidating with its sustained rate of fire and large capacity. The sound activated magazine means you’ll be able to keep it up for as long as the gun is loaded. And when that runs out, you could easily swap in a STANAG type from your buddies.
Once you’ve considered the change in playing style, there is the cost. Wielding a squad automatic means expending bags of BBs on a typical weekend. This is added to the original price of the gun. It is half the price of the CA M249 it is cloned from, but you could still buy about three M4s with the same money. You should really want it before committing. Your choices for spare parts might have to come from high-end manufacturers. And in some cases, might need to be special ordered off the internet.
All in all?
If you’re ready to graduate from Armalites, G3s, and AKs with box magazines, this might be the gun for you. Out of the box it will be playable, as soon as you get a pair of AA batteries, and should provide loads of fun. For the first time, a good metal in and out option for the M249 has arrived, without costing both arms and a leg.
