A New Gun Purchase: Any Advice?

I've been looking through Evike and want to add a new rifle to the armory. Since I have never played, I can't give any contribution on my play style, but would be willing to try both sniper and automatic.
I wanted to spend about $180 maximum on the gun. Can any of you give me advice on a gun in this price range using Evike or another online site?

I would really love some help.

My first question, is what exactly do you want to do with your gun?

consider this: unless you're planning on dropping $1000+ for one of those sweet 8mm cheytac interventions, your average "sniper rifle" is pretty much a glorified springer. don't get me wrong, in the right hands, you can do some damage with one, but unfortunately, if your limit is $180, you're probably much better off getting yourself a decent AEG. the range and accuracy is too similar, and you limit yourself to firing one shot at at time. to coin an old rule

"if the enemy is in range, so are you".

now further consider you are in range, and that you have missed that all-important first shot. your enemy happens to be carrying an AEG, and then proceeds to unload 60 rounds into you. not a pretty scenario.


remember, shooting cans in the backyard is one thing, while fun, may not lost last contact with the enemy.
if you'd like my recommendation, i would say go for something like this:
http://www.airsoftpost.com/product_info.php?cPath=39&products_id=35476

however

remember the old axiom, you get what you pay for, and take it from me, in airsoft, you buy cheap, you buy twice.

hope that helped

I have a very lightly used JG I would be willing to part with for $150. It shoots consistent and straight. PM me for more info if you are interested.

Thanks for the response Shifty.

The last part stuck out to me. The M4 you linked me looks nice, but I don't really want to waste money if I will end up buying another one. I could come up to about $300, but would that get me something of a good quality? I don't want to be smoked out at my first game. I also had a feeling that purchasing a full metal rifle would be much better than plastic (more durable?). Any truth to this?
The only reason I suggested a sniper was that the M14 is one of my most prized weapons next to the Thompson or Browning.


For Coyote:
I would assume that the JG is the M4 series?

If you are a beginner, don't set your expectations to high until you get your game play style figured out. Expect to get "smoked out" a quite a bit at first. But that's ok, everyone has been there. You will quickly learn what works and what doesn't. Other players will help you out too. Follow their guidance, and take any suggestions constructively. We are all here to help each other.

Coyote's JG is an M4, and it is a good gun. JG is a good brand on the budget end. Quite a few players use them. Other budget, but reliable brands to look at are Echo1 and G&G.

Remember other costs such as battery, charger, sling, and spare magazines.

You are always welcome to come to one of our games, use a rental to get a feel for the game. But ask the guys what they use, look at their guns, get them in your hands and see what you like.

Don't buy something cheap, simply because it's cheap. In this sport, if you buy cheap, expect a lot of repairs in your future. Get something decent, and ask people who have used that kind of gun for their feedback first.

On a side note to what shifty said about snipers. Their range and accuracy is not much different at all from AEG's. Keep in mind, same plastic BB, same air propulsion, same barrels. 95% of it is the shooter when using them.

My AEG (Magpul ACR SE) has better range and accuracy than any other AEG or Sniper I have seen.... And it shoots 23 rounds per second. It's not dependent on a single precision shot like a sniper would be.

I've shot a lot of snipers. I've been hit by a sniper once ever... And I wasn't in play, I was in the field as a combat photographer.