Star M249 review

[seppuku]

i'm guessing many people might scoff at the idea of Star's mostly plastic M249, but here is a nice write-up on the para with lots of pretty pictures and some initial tests: Star Para review (http://www.arniesairsoft.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=37077). sure it's probably not the best machine gun on the market, but with a less than $600 entrance fee it's definitely the cheapest. ;) the real test though is if it will stand up to the punishment such a weapon will receive....

[Tank]

Here's all I really have to say about the Star M249.

PLASTIC GEARBOX!!!

moving parts = friction
friction = heat
heat + plastic = melting
melting g.b. shell = catastrophic failure

Besides that, Star's track record for AEG's is well, let's just say...Less than stellar.

[RTO]

according to star though, its suppose to absorb and dispurse (sp?) the heat from the gearbox.. i remember reading something of it earlier. i would to try out one of these guns if i could get the money, and do plan on getthng my hands on one if they continue production for a bit of time..

[Beasthunter33]

Yeah, you guys also forget that there are two common types of plastics. Chemical plastic (used in places where highly corrosive chemicals are used) and thermo-plastics (made to resist temperature up into the thousands in some cases). Could it be that they just so happened to use a thermal plastic to make the gearbox?

[Vigilante]

Hmm, when it first came out, i was skeptical, but now, from reading reviews, it sounds like a good deal. I think I may pick up a couple for my team to use.

[Beasthunter33]

A COUPLE!!! Damn! Vigilante, think I could join your team? :D

[BoBgOdS66]

I heard they are easily dual wielded. Personally I don't see the point of an aeg support weapon, its just the same performance in a different look. Perhaps if you were very much into milsim, with standard mags and such, then it would pay. In the end I think the star gun is good compared to the other support aegs, but the idea of a support aeg is pointless other than for looks. Of coarse, an asahi m60 sdx with all the goodies costs more than my Jeep, so in the end star is allowing a normal airsofter to play with a weapon that looks like some of the most expensive airsoft guns ever. (I hear gas SAWs are even more than m60's).

[Vigilante]

A COUPLE!!! Damn! Vigilante, think I could join your team? :D


um, would you be willing to drive up here?hehe

[Beasthunter33]

To get to carry around an M249 all day heck yeah!!! Especially one I don't have to buy!

[Maple]

I heard they are easily dual wielded. Personally I don't see the point of an aeg support weapon, its just the same performance in a different look. Perhaps if you were very much into milsim, with standard mags and such, then it would pay. In the end I think the star gun is good compared to the other support aegs, but the idea of a support aeg is pointless other than for looks. Of coarse, an asahi m60 sdx with all the goodies costs more than my Jeep, so in the end star is allowing a normal airsofter to play with a weapon that looks like some of the most expensive airsoft guns ever. (I hear gas SAWs are even more than m60's).

I agree and disagree. While a bone stock SAW or M60 is little to no better than any other AEG for a support weapon, you can easily (note: not cheaply) build a M60 or SAW to lay down a wall of BBs.
With that said, I think the real question is whether or not you'd want to. Personally, I plan on adding a 249para to my collection next year, and putting a fair amount of money into it, so if i feel like it, I can lay down 1000's of bb's while the rest of TFD eats lunch. But at the same time, I will keep the 249 for special occasion. (Christmas, graduations, bar mitzfahs, etc.)
For you youngsters, I strongly reccomend against getting a 249 or a 60 for your primary. That's be just plain dumb.

[Beasthunter33]

I think what he is trying to say Maple is that you get a gun that shoots comparable to a stock AEG for 2-3x the cost. the only real difference is the looks or outer shell. Personally I would love to have one but it is just more cost efficient and in the case of the full-metal TOP guns lighter to just stick a C-mag on my M733 and call it a LMG.

[Vigilante]

Nah, get the saw. Actually, if I would buy one, I would use it, if I get the 2nd, Dan would use it...

[Beasthunter33]

I'm just saying at the moment I really couldn't get one. Of course Christmas is coming. ;)

[Maple]

Understood.
But actually, the M60 has numerous internal differences over other AEGs. (Or at least that is my understanding)
Like i said, I agree and disagree.
With that said, i am still getting a Para249 and I will have a big grin on my face while hosing down the trenches at Apoc from the castle walls.

[Beasthunter33]

Man, all these people talking about Apoc. I've heard stories and seen pictures but I just can't wait till next summer, me and my friend are definitly going!

[Tank]

according to star though, its suppose to absorb and dispurse (sp?) the heat from the gearbox....

The thing is plastic isn't a very good conductor of heat. So I don't know how well it can actually disperse the heat.



Yeah, you guys also forget that there are two common types of plastics. Chemical plastic (used in places where highly corrosive chemicals are used) and thermo-plastics (made to resist temperature up into the thousands in some cases). Could it be that they just so happened to use a thermal plastic to make the gearbox?

From what I've read, they are made from polycarbonate. Which is strong, but not particularly heat resistant. Not that there's an extreme amount of heat generated inside a gearbox, I'm just very leary of plastic gearboxes.

But who knows maybee Star got it right. But I wouldn't hold my breath.

As far as TOP's M60 & M249. In there stock form they don't have any range or velocity advantages, however they are quite cabable of firing HUGE numbers of bbs on a single trigger pull w/o damaging the gun. That's what they're designed for sustained fire. So you either have to leave them stock or put a BUNCH of money into them.

I know a guy who has a TOP M249 that he's spent about $3,000 on it and it still breaks down all the time.

[Beasthunter33]

Yeah Tank that was what I was talking about. Really though I don't think melting or friction will be your enemy, It will be the repeated slamming of the piston in the cylinder that will probably do it in in the end (polycarbonate while strong isn't to prone to flexing and can be quite brittle compared to the potmetals most standard AEG gearbox's are made of).

[Maple]

I'd stick with the CA and plan on replacing the motor/ gearbox right away. Costly, yes, better than Star, most likely.
-maple

[BoBgOdS66]

Maple, get an ASAHI m249 para if you can, you'll tear up the field and then some!!! It'll probably be post 2g's though...

[Beasthunter33]

Or better yet just get a Toy-Tec M134 Vulcan! :D
You could probably chop down trees with that thing!

[Tank]

For Vulcans the only way to go is P3. (Piper Presision Products)

[BoBgOdS66]

hell yeah, or maybe the old asahi, the tt was electric all the way wasn't it?

[Beasthunter33]

Never heard of them? they got a website I'm always interested in Vulcans (not the Startrek ones you Klingons now back off!) ever since seeing the first (and only one in my opinion ;) ) Predator movie. That thing is the $hit!

[BoBgOdS66]

http://www.pipersprecisionproducts.com/ we are way off topic arnt we, well , sorta

[Beasthunter33]

Thx Bob I'm gonna go check it out.

[Beasthunter33]

Man that gun was sweet!!! Screw you Vigilante I'm gonna go get me one of those. ;)

I'm now taking donations.

[Downslide]

Uncle Che's eBay store has it for $575.


http://cgi.ebay.com/Star-M249-Para-airsoft-aeg-with-2500-box-magazine_W0QQitemZ7193912228QQcategoryZ64635QQcmdZ ViewItem#ebayphotohosting

[spraynpray]

Nah, get the saw. Actually, if I would buy one, I would use it, if I get the 2nd, Dan would use it...




LOL. I'll say you would!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Vigilante]

Man that gun was sweet!!! Screw you Vigilante I'm gonna go get me one of those. ;)

I'm now taking donations.


actually i have an account set aside for that, I have around 3,000 saved up, and I think a brand new one is 6-11,000?

SO yea, if you want to screw me, call me first and buy me dinner at least. phone number in profile.



lawl pwned...

[Beasthunter33]

Can I pick you up about 7:00 p.m., say this friday.

Oh, I hope you like Sushi.