ARMOURY: PERFORMANCE PERFECTED

P E R F E C T E D PERFORMANCE

IT’S PRETTY CLEAR TO ANYONE THAT READS AA ON A REGULAR BASIS OR FOLLOWS OUR WEBSITE NEWS AND SOCIAL MEDIA, THAT WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT RELATIONSHIP WITH G&G ARMAMENT AND IT’S ONE THAT WE ARE VERY PROUD TO HAVE! SOME OF THE AA TEAM HAVE FOLLOWED G&G FROM THEIR VERY HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO THE BEHEMOTH OF THE AIRSOFT INDUSTRY THAT THEY HAVE BECOME, AND BILL GOT TOGETHER WITH THEM AGAIN RECENTLY (AND VIRTUALLY!) TO LOOK AT THEIR MOST RECENT INNOVATIONS!

Sometimes it’s not all about a new AEG or GBB but about what goes on inside it and it’s a pretty common piece of news that Brand X or Y have delivered a new system of operation - but inside an existing model or platform that externally looks just the same as what came before! However, G&G Armament have not only shown us innovation externally but have also wowed us with their internal designs recently and to me this is completely worthy of comment!

You only have to look at their “Piranha” pistol models, the SMC-9 or the TR16 SBR 308s, to see that they are really pushing forward with how our beloved AEGs and GBBs “look and feel”, but also giving a unique slant to overall design to keep things fresh and interesting. This is really nothing new as G&G have always made a huge effort to ensure that their AEGs have a point of difference, with numerous design elements that make even their “ARs” just a little different from the herd!

Add to that some pretty unusual models like the GK5 DS and the TYPE 64 BR (which also includes a programmable Mosfet with remote control where you can externally program the Mosfet for 3 and 5 round burst and optional AUG select-fire mode with a half/full trigger!) and there’s a pattern that begins to emerge that shows that they really do things their own way. Even now they are working with “real steel” partners to extend their Cobalt Kinetics range (the BAMF is a firm favourite with a number of the Red Cell Crew) and venturing into licenced replications of Seekins Precision models to move things forward, and they keep teasing us with their MGCR gas platform too!

All in all we are keen to see what comes next from G&G, and although the 2022 Show Season is not looking great for Taiwanese manufacturers in general to showcase their new products, we are lucky to have our very own “Man in Taiwan” - in the form of AA Legionnaire Stewbacca - who is keeping an eye on things and regular contact with G&G means that we’ll still be able to talk about their new releases as they happen!

PERFORMANCE PERFECTED

But what have G&G been up to recently? We’re pleased to report… A LOT!

The biggest part of G&G Armament’s core values is their “Top Five” mantra… The Top Five stands for Future innovation, Finest quality, Fast Service, Free Items and Fair Price. Future innovation is the first value because it’s the most important one to them. They believe that bringing new and exciting products to the market will not only make customers happy but will also challenge other competitors to bring similar technology to the industry, thus enhancing the overall community for all of us to enjoy.

Their flagship line, Top Tech, is respected by seasoned players who want something more in their automatic electric gun (AEG) in terms of performance from the get-go. Top Tech AEGs have metal receivers and better internals than their well-priced Combat Machine line for elevated performance. It was only a matter of time before players required more out of their AEG though, and what was once sought in an AEG later became obsolete as new technology emerged to make AEGs more finely tuned and more intuitive. As players we demanded more and oh boy, have G&G delivered …and continue to deliver!

G&G constantly study the global airsoft market and try to understand the needs of both experienced and entry-level players alike. They wanted to create something seasoned player would use in a military simulation game but that would also give a new player an easy-to-use high-performance AEG out of the box. After their research and development team took all the feedback from customers and dealers across the world, they went to work re-designing the traditional “Version 2” gearbox.

The G&G G2 Gearbox was first introduced in 2017, when they took the existing Version 2 gearbox and strengthened its structural design by adding extra material at the front of the shell. They also increased the front of the gearbox’s height by 70% and the front width by 74% (thickness) to prevent any frontend cracking due to hard use.

Other improvements were a

50% size reduction to the current metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) found in their Combat Machine SR Series with a net 100% increase to performance. Also, a built-in speaker in the electronic trigger unit (E.T.U.) was added to let you know audibly when the programming was properly synced. The ETU could be programmed to a 3-round or 5-round burst and, additionally, a warning sound

indicated when your battery was low to avoid any damage to your AEG. The warning sound could also indicate the motor being jammed or that the spring could not be compressed due to a low battery.

G&G upgraded the air nozzle with a double O-ring and cylinder head for an improved air seal and better compression, a quick spring change that allowed you to easily transit from outdoor and indoor feet per second (FPS) rules quickly, and a redesigned bevel gear for better

engagement and performance. New technology was also added with a firearm simulation system, which prevented the player from dry firing with an empty magazine inserted or a removed magazine; the only way you could fire was by inserting a fully loaded magazine and I have to admit that this new feature, unexplained when we first saw it, caused some consternation as it worked so well!

The new G2 proprietary magazine design actually engaged the power cut-off when the magazine was empty which, once we’d stopped scratching our heads, proved to be a “fan favourite” with us all. We did notice, however, that problems might be experienced specifically with the G2 308 Mid-Cap, as the extruding disconnector catch was about a millimetre prouder than that of the Real-or-Hi-Cap model, which caused it to move the disconnector itself (a small yet crucial internal component in the magwell) causing the AEG to stop firing (as it should with no/empty mag!). This problem was easily remedied thankfully and feedback given to G&G was duly noted and action taken, with the follower installed in each G2 magazine ensuring seamless feeding and preventing any wasted BBs from following out when the magazine was removed. The system also featured a functional bolt lock for easier access to the rotary hop-up unit.

Following the development of the G2 gearbox, it was only fitting that G&G installed them in their new G2 flagship line of AEGs. You can find them installed in their licensed rifles from Knight’s Armament, namely the SR30 (reviewed by Jase in Issue 125), SR25 E2 APC, and SR15 E3 MOD2, Seekins Precision models and the BAMF Team. There are two variants of the G2 gearbox; one is the standard Version 2 gearbox designed for M4/M16 magazines to be inserted, whilst the other is a modified Version 2 gearbox which is slightly longer and designed for a 308-style magazine to be used. Both are identical in performance but designed differently to take different magazines.

Some models with the G2/G2H gearboxes installed are TR16 SBR 308 MKII, TR16 SBR 308 MK1, TR16 MBR 308 M-LOK, TR16 MBR 556WH, TR16 MBR 308SR. I looked at the TR16 SBR 308 MK II way back in Issue 118, and said at the time:

“…essentially you have a super-cool and modern looking “.308” that’s light, and sized to cover ground with uber-fast. Whilst it’s 100% legal for every site I play at, it also somehow has a “reach”

that is potentially putting it into the “big magazine DMR” territory, but still has a more than respectable ROF. It has some unique features that will not only protect the internals but ensure its longevity as a serviceable AEG, along with enough operating choices to keep any player happy!”

I stick by my initial assessment as I’ve used the TR16 SBR 308 MK II quite a bit since then (you can read my full review in the Back Issues section of the AA website if you’d like to see it in full…) and it’s still an absolute beast of a rifle! I’ve added a bunch of Mid-Caps to the armoury and having adjusted that disconnector catch they now function and feed flawlessly. It has range, pushing 75m easily, and accuracy but is still short enough to use indoors due to the sensible power level of 339fps on a .20g; it’s basically an ass-kicker with a dirty great magazine, and I love it more each time I use it.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR G&G?

G&G Armament has - and continues to set - a hugely high standard for future innovation in the airsoft industry and although there are questions about just how much techno-wizardry you can, and indeed should cram into an AEG, the features and, more importantly, durability and performance that they’re getting from their latest releases show that they are moving forward with the very best of intentions.

G&G rightly and justifiably pride themselves in bringing players and users across the world new and exciting products each year. They continue to expand their research and development team in order to meet the demands of an ever more hungry and more discerning market, and their continued expansion into the GBB arena excites me greatly! They’ve shown with their pistols and the SMC-9 that they can do 100% total justice to efficient, reliable and user-friendly gas platforms and I for one am VERY excited to see what the MGCR AR brings to the table when they do finally release it.

We’ll be speaking to them at source and through Stewbacca keeping a very close eye on new directions and developments. Sadly, next year it appears that a number of manufacturers will be missing Shot Show 2022 in Las Vegas and the IWA Outdoor Classic Show held in Nuremberg, so having an ongoing relationship with such solid foundations means that we’ll be able to bring you the very latest as soon as they let us and, as “friends of G&G”, we’ll be very happy to do so! AA

“THE BIGGEST PART OF G&G ARMAMENT’S CORE VALUES IS THEIR “TOP FIVE” MANTRA… THE TOP FIVE STANDS FOR FUTURE INNOVATION, FINEST QUALITY, FAST SERVICE, FREE ITEMS AND FAIR PRICE. FUTURE INNOVATION IS THE FIRST VALUE BECAUSE IT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE TO THEM.”