I would like input on the D-boy MK12 MOD0 SPR.

[ma0490]

I was wondering if the D-Boy MK12 would be a good beginner gun for me.

[Knief]

It'll be as good as any clone, but for $200, you really should think about spending another $50-100 and getting something made by Tokyo Marui or Classic Army. Dboys is a clone company, which means that they take designs from better companies (TM, CA, G&G, G&P, etc) and make them cheaper with worse parts. So while it looks like you're getting the same gun for cheaper, you're really getting something worse. I mean, why spend $200 on a gun that may only last you a couple months before breaking when you can spend $300 on a gun that will last you for five years straight with no problems? Your extra money is going into higher quality parts and better quality control.

Clones are good if you're just trying to get your toes wet and find out if airsoft is for you. Or, similarly, if you know you want to get in, but for some reason you have a very limited budget. But if you've already got $200 to spend and you're willing to plunk it down on one AEG, knowing full well that it'll cost money to get spare mags, goggles, gear, boots, etc, you're not really in either boat. And that means that clones aren't really what you should be looking at. You can spend a little more money and get a much better product.

For example, this gun is a much better product than what you're looking at, and it's only $45 more.

[ma0490]

Wouldn't a gun like that require some modifying? I mean 280 fps that is not very high is it? I don't want to sound like one of those people that think 400 fps is slow because i don't. I was just wondering how i could upgrade it and what parts i should buy.

[Knief]

Here's the thing about a TM, at 280 fps, it'll out range that Dboys shooting at 380. This goes back to the TM having higher quality parts. How far you can reach out with your gun isn't just determined by velocity. The guns accuracy and hop up quality play huge roles. The TM has a far better hop up than any clone ever will. With that, you get more consistent shots, but also, the good TM hop up will sail a bb out there much farther than a bad hop up will. Add that to the higher quality control, which translates directly to better shot consistency, and you've got a gun that can hit a target more effectively at a longer range when compared to a gun shooting at a higher velocity. The Dboys gun just won't have the accuracy or consistency at range to be as effective as the TM. What good is 400 fps if you've got a 3 foot spread past 150 feet, right?

Now, if you did want to upgrade the TM somewhere down the line, as long as you stick to below 400 fps, all you need is the upgraded spring and a set of metal bushings. That's less than $30 in parts. I put a PDI 150% spring and SystemA oilless metal bushings in my old TM mp5 PDW and it ran without problems for over four years. Through various, unrelated modifications, I ended up butchering the wiring, which led me to sell the gun. The gearbox, however, was still as strong as ever the day I sold it. That's the difference that high quality parts get you.

One last point about velocity, though. If you have a gun shooting higher than 350 fps with .20g bbs, you exclude yourself from any CQB action. My team should start hosting games starting in early December in a CQB field in Farmington. Michigan Airsoft rules dictate that no gun shooting faster than 350 fps is allowed to be used in such a field, and that's a rule that we'll play by. So, if you wanted to play out either our games, or any other CQB games in the state, you won't be able to with that Dboys. You'll automatically be limiting yourself from some of the only public games this winter.

[ma0490]

Thanks for the info. Another question where could i find camo. I don't mean to bother you.

[Knief]

If you want to walk into a store, try on camo, and walk out with it, your best bet is a local army surplus store. I don't know where you live, so I can't tell you where that is. Just do a google maps search of your house, then search for "army surplus" in the destinations field.

If you're ok with buying online, check out www.bdu.com. If you have a specific pattern in mind, you can run a search for retailers that carry that pattern. I like www.lapolicegear.com myself. Their camo selection is a little limited, but I like the Tru-Spec TRUs that they carry, and their service is top notch.

[dboyakuser1]

what is the true FPS on this because i was thinking about it too. ive heard mixed resaults and i dont want to buy it and not beable to use it in the field