G&P Defender Full Metal Airsoft AEG Review by Eightball.NOTE: At the time of writing it is still illegal to import or own a full automatic airsoft gun of any kind. I'm reviewing an airsoft gun that has been modified to shoot 'semi-automatic only' prior to importing, in compliance with New Zealand law.IMPORTING DISCLAIMER: While I was fortunate to have found a solution that worked with a specific supplier, at a specific time, your mileage may vary. Please bear in mind that our club armourer was able to secure the services of this specific retailer's techs to complete the semi-work in accordance with New Zealand law. It has come to my attention that this specific retailer no longer wishes to continue doing this kind of work (I can only quote one source for this change, I have not asked them myself). Please enter into any negotiations with overseas suppliers at your own risk. I cannot guarantee that my situation will be repeated for you. Once again, your results may vary. I do not have a guide that will guarantee the process I followed.REAL STEEL HISTORYSOPMOD Block I
SOPMOD (Special Operations Peculiar Modification) USSOCOM developed the Special Operations Peculiar Modification (SOPMOD) Block I kit for the carbines used by units under its jurisdiction. The kit features an M4A1, a Rail Interface System (RIS) handguard developed by Knight's Armament Company, a shortened quick-detachable M203 grenade launcher and leaf sight, a KAC sound suppressor, a KAC back-up rear sight, an Insight Technologies AN/PEQ-2A visible laser/infrared designator, along with Trijicon's ACOG and Reflex sights, and a night vision sight. This kit was designed to be configurable (modular) for various missions, and the kit is currently in service with special operations units.
SOPMOD Block II
A second-generation SOPMOD kit (now known as SOPMOD II) is currently under development, with many different manufacturers competing for the contract. Notable bidders include Knight's Armament Company, Atlantic Research Marketing Systems (ARMS), and Lewis Machine & Tools. Daniel Defense has won the contract for the RIS-II, the next generation of rail handguards.
The G&P Defender is a loose adaptation of the SOPMOD Block 2. There is still no final complete specification list, but there are some items that are definitely part of the list. The Key feature is the Daniel Defense Mk18 RISII 9.5" Free Float Rail system.
BASIC INFORMATIONFrom the eHobbyAsia Website:
Product Description: Authentic Weapon Electric Powered Airsoft AEG, Full Metal Body Airsoft Electric Gun (AEG) from G&P Industry, Except Stock Pad & Pistol Grip, this AEG is entirely metal
Package Includes:-Defender Front Set
-Skull Frog Type Metal Body (GP707)
-M16 Magazine (130rds) (GP094)
-Flash QD Flip Up Sight (GP228)
-Flip Up Rear Sight (GP254)
-Knight's Type Trigger Guard (GP838)
-Raider Foregrip (Black) (GP671B)
-TD M16 Grip with Heat Sink End Set (Black) (GP711B)
-MK18 Mod O 30mm Red Dot Sight Straight Mount (GP660)
-Military Type 30mm Red Dot Sight (GP121)
-M4 Metal Body Sling Mount (GP638)
-SPR Type Cocking Handle (GP220)
-M4A1 Extended Battery Buttstock (Black) (GP416)
-RAS Slim Rail Cover (Black) (GP413)
-T-Shape Connector Wire Set For Recharge
-Manual
The gun I am reviewing today is part of the G&P line of Automatic Electric Guns. This review features the Defender variant of their M4M16 series, available from any G&P Stockist for approximately $335-350USD. I purchased the gun through eHobbyAsia for $335USD + Freight + Semi Fee. eHobbyAsia semi'd the gun prior to import. I was a little concerned about this, since another member of Airsoft Hawkes Bay had ordered a DBoys M16A4 which ended up being seized by NZ customs because it was shooting full-auto. Fortunately eHobby replaced the seized gun with one that had been semi'd correctly. In my case, I didn't have to worry, it arrived and passed customs inspection flawlessly.
PRODUCT INFORMATION/FIRST IMPRESSIONSI don't really care about packaging beyond it being functional in protecting what I purchased. The box it came in is standard fare for G&P, plain brown with a large G&P Logo on the front, and some dense black foam inside. The gun was well wrapped in bubble-wrap, and there was no damage visible on any portion of the gun. There were also some larger air-filled bags to reduce things flying around in the box during shipping.
Included with the gun, was a Tango Down style vertical grip, a replica Aimpoint CompM2, a replica WilcoX straight mount, a simple manual, and a battery adaptor for the crane stock. Each of the items was in a separate plastic bag.
The first thing I noticed when removing the gun from the packaging was that it looked very clean and solid. While lighter than the GBBR I also own, it still felt weighty enough for my skirmish needs. I do need to say that I was a little disappointed about one thing. When I ordered the G&P Defender from eHobbyAsia, the parts list indicated that the gun would ship with
RAS Slim Rail Covers (Black) (GP413). Every review I'd read, and product spec sheet I'd seen, mentioned 3 x slim ladder style rail covers. Mine shipped with 2x KAC style rail Covers. I already have a complete set of these, so I was a bit disappointed, since I wanted some ladder covers. Other than that small detail, I was impressed.
What's in the box, without all the bubblewrap!
EXTERNALSI'm really impressed with the externals on this gun. This is the first G&P gun I've owned, and the quality of the externals certainly live up to the hype. Comparing this gun to all the other airsoft guns I've handled, you can tell at a glance there's a substantial difference in finish quality. All the parts fit together well, there's no play between parts. All the surfaces have a consistancy in finish.
The stock is a standard crane stock, but with almost no wobble. Since the Defender uses a stock-tube or crane-stock specific battery, the stock needs to be removed for battery changes. Fortunately this is not difficult. The rear sling mount is a QD sling mount, and seems to work very well. It includes a KAC Logo. The Pistol Grip is a Tango Down style grip, which is comfortable to hold. The trigger guard is a shaped guard which means it's less likely to catch the skin on your finger, like the standard A2 straight guard. The charging handle is the SPR style, with the exaggerated catch. It's not a lot of use on a SEG like this, but looks good. The flip up iron sights are KAC style, there are solid clicks and clacks when they're flipped up and down. The Tango Down style Foregrip is thick and solid. It can be a bit of a struggle getting it exactly where you want it on the RAIL, but that should mean its less likely to get yanked off with rough use.
As I mentioned in the basic information, the gun comes with a replica aimpoint and replica WilcoX straight scope mount. The scope mount has WilcoX trades, although a bit of nail polish remover is needed to get the indelible marker off the "WilcoX'. The RIS is a really excellent example of the quality in this gun. The machining and surface finish is excellent. There's no wobble at all. It's a two piece RIS, based on the DD RISII so there's the capability of mounting an M203 while keeping the rail free floating. The fact that the upper rail surface is continuous from the receiver allows for flexible optic placement. The RIS also has some trades which are covered with indelible marker. "Mk18 RISII P/N DD-8020" is visible, but you need to remove the black ink to see the rest "NSN 1005-01-548-1385 LOTNO 0005/02 30NOV07". The RIS includes all the sequential rail numberings.
There are also trades on the receiver, but G&P are taking artistic licence with these, so there's no need for blacking them out. On the right side of the receiver is a punisher skull logo, with "Navy Seal" on the skull, and "God will Judge our Enemies We'll arrange the Meeting" circling it. On the left side of the receiver there's a SKull Frog logo, with "NAVY SEAL TEAM" above it, and "PROPERTY OF U.S. GOVT. CAL. 5.56MM 03128" There's also an Anchor logo, and "Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane" above the trigger. Another little humorous mistake, instead of Safe, Semi, Auto, the selector markings are: "SAVE", Semi, Auto.
The Midcap Metal Magazine fits the magwell perfectly, and the metal shell finish matches the gun well.
The Flash-hider is a notched birdcage style flash hider, which is a bonus for me, as I already have a QD KAC Silencer specifically for this kind of flash-hider.
Externals, including closeups of trades
Notched Flash Hider and KAC M4 QD Silencer attached
PERFORMANCETrigger response was crisp on a G&P 7.4v 1200mAH stock tube battery. The magazine fed well up until the last few BBs in the mag. I chrono'd the gun on 0.2g BBs with the following results:
FPS362
364.5
366.3
366.3
367
366.8
368.6
366.4
338.9
365.2
365
363.6
363.6
364.8
365.2
As you can see the shots were pretty consistant. I do hope the spring settles down a little over the next few thousand shots, or I'll need to change springs to get it shooting under 350FPS for the Operation Overnight event I'm attending later this year.
In terms of accuracy, the hop adjustment was easy, and I was suprised at the stock accuracy. I was managing to hit a head sized target out to 30+ meters. Once my home range is finished, I'll be able to get some more substantial accuracy results.
INTERNALSUnless I need to change the spring on this gun, or fix something that's broken, I'll be leaving it as it is. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". This means that any review of the internals will have to wait until then. If the exterior finish is anything to go by, this may take a while.
CREDITSThanks to Airsoft Hawkes Bay, for being such an awesome bunch of guys, and letting me shoot them on a regular basis to test my guns :p. Special thank you to Al-Tee from
Canterbury Softair Group for facilitating the purchase of this gun. Thank you to
eHobbyAsia for getting the semi job right, and for giving us some awesome pricing in little old New Zealand.
Gratuitous gunporn
