The overall appearance of this gun is good (the same standard as any other TM product). I was slightly disappointed when I got my M4 by the plastic appearance of the receiver; this is my only major gripe with the whole gun. The plastic has not been finished (in my opinion) to the same standard as the MP5 series (which look scarily realistic). The finish on the metal parts on the other hand is very good with a nice even flat black finish. Please note that the plastic appearance is pretty much standard for grey coloured Marui AEG’s.
Features *****
This is where the M4 excels; the gun is packed with literally hundreds of gadgets and gizmo’s that set it apart from earlier offerings. When you cock the charging handle the ejector port opens to reveal the hop up adjustment. On the M16 series the ejector port had to be pried open using a fingernail, which made adjustment during a game very difficult. The top handrail is detachable and reveals a 20mm weaver rail onto which you can mount a whole host of scopes, red dot sights, flashlights, lasers etc… The flash hider is removable; it unscrews to access a 14mm anticlockwise thread onto which you can mount a tracer or silencer. The stock is capable of being set to 4 differing lengths, and all of the sights are fully adjustable (as per the real steel).
Also worthy of note is the ability to field strip the gun. Remove the rear receiver pin and the gun will fold in half, allowing access to the barrel and hop up unit. Remove the front pin as well and the gun will come into two pieces, allowing access to the gearbox.
The M4 performs and functions as well as any other marui AEG, which means the range is about 30 to 40 meters (although the manual quotes 50), rate of fire isn’t noticeably any different to any other AEG I have ever used (the eg1000 seems only to improve torque and not speed). That said, you will eat through a 300 round hicap mag in no time at all!
Reliability *****
We have had two on our team now for nearly 3 years and they are both in fine fettle
Upgrades *****
I am not even going to try and list the accessories available for the M4, but one or other of the many Japanese retailers have catered anything you could possibly want. Rebel Troop offer a fine selection of accessories and upgrades for the M4, give their website a look http://www.rebeltroop.com
Conclusion
I have owned: AK47, FAMAS SV, M16VN, MP5SD6, MP5K, G3SG1, and now this M4 and I would rate it as one of the best (although I am still very fond of my SG1)
CHIFF_MoA