My editor assigned a quite simple task for me: write a review about a custom AEG. After hours of searching I realized this task isn’t that simple at all. I’ve found only one AEG worth writing about, but the retailer never even bothered to answer my email. All the others out there are based on Tokyo Marui or G&P products and seriously overpriced… or I was just looking at the wrong sites.

Customizing is just like art and I am not saying I am an artist now. Customizing is very subjective and I rather accessorize my gun myself than let someone else do it for me. So I decided to build one myself with the help of my friends. There are tons of aftermarket parts available and there are many brands to choose from. Almost anyone can change a grip or barrel these days. Simply write down my list of custom parts is not really interesting either and this is where creativity comes in picture: Can’t buy it? Make it!

I am an ar15.com reader. This Website is stuffed with information about beautiful custom made firearms and this is where I fell in love with the combination of modern rifles and traditional wood furniture. Unfortunately I never had a chance to grab one like that and this is why I decided to bring a wood project to life. In an earlier DIY article of mine, I already mentioned a great guy — Krisz, who made his own wood parts for an AK with the help of his father. Luckily Krisz was interested in this project and he agreed to help me. I only had twenty days for the whole project including planning, placing my orders, manufacturing and writing this piece.

The ideal base for a project like this is definitely an AR10 or an SR25 but I had to stick with an M4 because of the short deadline and the fact I needed a good starting point because looks isn’t everything for me (plus I don’t need one more paperweight). There was a retailer who had an SR25 on sale at that time but with that I could’ve ended up spending a fortune to set the internal parts right plus I already had a great starting point. I’ve picked a JG FB6604 because with this there is very minimum work required with the internals: FET already included, good gears, strong motor.

In the planning phase I did look at some pictures of similar firearms, plus went through the selection of my favorite retailers. The idea was to create a hunting rifle with 500mm barrel length minimum and 250mm to 300mm wooden handguard, with wooden stock, of course. The FB6604 has carbine length barrel so both inner and outer barrels had to be changed for this project. As far as FPS is concerned, my goal is anywhere from 430 fps to 600 fps, and I never thought I would tune up an already tuned JG gearbox. Here is my shopping list:

• M16A2 G&G outer barrel = $40
• Systema 510mm 6.04 inner barrel = $30
• Guarder Full Cylinder and SP170 spring = $25
• China-made sniper handguard = $25

I am not going to count the other things like muzzle break, gas block, scope and mount ring because these are the subjective parts and you get what your budget allows you to have. But FYI, I will include my selection:

• Mojji Viper 3-12x40 Illuminated scope
• King Arms LaRue style mount
• King Arms low profile gas block
• King Arms PRI muzzle break
• G&P SPR grip

All my orders arrived in time, so Krisz had little less than two weeks to play with the wood. I gave him an old CA fixed stock to take the measurements from and use the butt plate plus the other hardware.

He picked beech wood as material because of its texture and hardness. I only told him one thing: I might end up putting a 12V battery pack in the stock one day so proceed accordingly. He did a fine job with the stock but he said time will tell how it works out because the stock isn’t that thick on the sides in order to meet my requirements regarding cell size. Basically he copied an M16 stock and did an awesome job. The handguard is a slightly modified 12in-long wooden pipe that we pulled over the sniper handguard. This was the easiest and quickest way to do a wooden front end since I wanted free-float style plus the metal front end gives me solid base and I don’t have to worry about breaking it during a woodland visit. We’re still working on a method to make a front-end that is universal (will fit any AR receiver without purchasing additional parts) and then Krisz could start the production.

The internal modifications:

• The stock spring was changed to a custom cut Guarder SP170 to squeeze the most out of the gearbox.
• The stock cylinder was changed to a full cylinder to meet the needs of a 510mm inner barrel
• The stock battery was replaced by a 10.8V 3300mAh battery pack to help the motor to do its job.
• The wiring had to be modified from front-wired to stock-wired.

The results:

• Near 500 fps using 0.20g BB.
• 60-70 meters of range using 0.25 BB.
• Average trajectory and grouping.
• Unique looks, different feel.

The wooden parts will age and look lot better after some use. Only the first scratch is ugly on wooden furniture and this will get scratched eventually because I am going to use it: I’ll be the hunter from your nightmares.