NEW DBOYS M4 CQB GEARBOX Airsoft AEG - Latest Version!

First Impressions
Please note that all of these comments mostly reflect the nature of external parts as I have not yet had the chance to open the weapon up. I don't see the need either at the moment.

Overview w/o Stock


Overview


Complete Look

This was always going to prove whether the weapon was worth the money and it sure as hell is. The receiver is completely metal, not a scrap of plastic on there and is considerably weighty (my TM M4 feels extremely light in comparison).
 
Receiver:


In my humble opinion (not knowing much about metal) the build quality is exceedingly high and appears very durable. Contrary to some other peoples' experiences, there is no wobble in the receiver and the upper and lower sections sit flush with no noticeable gap between them.

I am very pleased with the fire selector. It gives a satisfying, metallic *click* into place due to it being very tight; albeit I haven't seen whether the plate holding it to the receiver is metal yet. The paint identifying the trigger grouping is a nice finish and I don't miss the trades on the receiver one bit.
Speaking of finishes, the paint on the receiver seems quite a high quality. Again, I know nothing about paint but it hasn't yet started to scratch away or come off (like it has on some of the other metal parts; metal which is comparable to TM metal).

Fire Selector:


Aesthetically, and to the touch, the receiver really does represent value for money and adds a reassuring weight and smooth finish to the weapon. Importantly, unlike the inaccurate and somewhat 'tacky' coloring on the TM plastic body, the finish on the dboys is anything but; as it is just as smooth and a solid black which is consistent with the other parts of the weapon.

The body pins are again, very high quality and I was happy to see that dboys decided to clone the classic army style body pins (or is it G&P?) where a screw binds both ends of the pin together. This means they absolutely will not fall out and are tight and efficient. These are produced from a glossy metal which appears to differ from that of the receiver but they look right at home all the same.

Unlike the TM equivalent (which is, as we speak, about to snap off at one end) the 20mm rail on the upper receiver is a similarly superb quality metal and finish to that of the receiver and is robustly secure. The rails are however, where the paint will start to chip away first.

Upper Rail:


There is no fake bolt which isn't an issue at all with respect, but the feel of the charging handle more than compensates the void left by its absence. It is solid metal produced from a similar if not identical material to the receiver with a perfect finish. This feels so much more comfortable to the touch than the TM charging handle.
I was also very satisfied with how smooth the handle slides outwards and shoots back - everything being metal and still sitting flush really helps; also, the spring is obviously the perfect size.

Non Functional Parts:


The forward assist however, is produced from metal as well and comes up a little short. The guide for the forward assist is part of the receiver so I don't need to mention anything else there, but I believe the actual 'button' is produced from a different metal than the body.

It is difficult to push forward (which I suppose is a positive?) but does not remain flush in side the guide as I believe diameter wise it isn't wide enough by a few mms and moves around some. There is a little metallic grind as you apply the forward assist which means it lacks the satisfying sound and feel of its TM equivalent, which I believe is due to the spring.

Onto the port hatch which is once again a cut above Tokyo Marui. Just like the charging handle, this component lacks the 'dirty' look and feel of the TM parts and is produced from a good quality metal with a smooth, consistent and quality feel.

Port Hatch - Choppy quality

There have been mixed reports about the one piece metal hop up chamber on dboys equipment, but I am so far satisfied with its quality, although the real test will come when I have some ammunition. The body is a tough silvery metal, whilst the gears are plastic.

Hop unit:


They appear VERY loose, but in reality, dboys have put together a quality piece of equipment with the gears being as tight as they need to be but move without any effort. I have heard reports that the hop up setting does not change while the weapon is in use, which is what I'm a little weary of.

I am unsure which receiver the Navy SEALs use themselves (heard somewhere that VBSS teams prefer XM16E1/M16A1 lowers whilst others use regular M16A2/M4A1 lowers) but this Mk18 features an M4A1 style lower receiver, which includes a curvature around the magwell and around the front body pin.

Shot of receiver:

The CQB/R features a BUIS (Back up Iron Sight) which put the icing on the cake so to speak. The iron sights themselves feature what I believe is a function which allows the operator greater ability to aim in daylight or brilliant sun. The functioning parts are robust, secure and unlike the TM parts, effortless to move. Otherwise, the metal is the same as the receiver and the finish is a consistent and solid black.

BUIS:


Front Sight:

Finally, the pistol grip. This is one part of the weapon which I am currently indecisive about. The metal it is produced from is tough and solid, which IS reassuring but the finish does leave something to be desired.
Having said that, the finish is odd because it is both smooth enough, but adds texture that makes the weapon adhere to the operators grip very well. It lacks the smooth finish of the TM grip but as I have just mentioned, this might be a mixed blessing. It may be the added weight, but this weapon does make the skin above my palm a little sore, where the edges of the grip meet my hand.

Underside:


The Crane Stock
I've decided to go from receiver to butt end when describing the stock so the layout differs slightly to the last section

Crane Stock (Collapsed):


Crane Stock (Extended):

This happens to be one of my favorite parts of the whole design and I was impressed at how dboys include this as standard. All I need to say is, there is absolutely no movement and it is made from such high quality metal, you could most likely pulverize it with a hammer and find it would still stay in shape. The loop and accompanying sling support all 5.6kg of weight confidently.

Sling Loop shot:

The stock tube itself represents all the great points about this weapon. It is screwed securely into place without so much as a slight movement which locks the sling loop to the receiver very nicely. I personally love the finish on the stock tube which isn't as glossy as the TM one but still as smooth, robust and hard. For me, this puts the dboys tube above the TM one.
Only time will tell whether the finish on the stock tube is robust enough to cope with the regular wear and tear of pushing and pulling the stock into position. My TM stock tube boasts a lot of shiny scratches.

Stock shot:


The diameter of the stock tube is near enough identical to the TM one (don't want to say for definite without having measured it) with a point of reference being that the Vietnam style retractable stock from the TM M4A1 fits on securely and functions correctly, meaning the moving parts in both stock pieces are very similar if not identical.

If my memory serves me correctly, the stock is adjustable to 6 positions.

Shot from above:


Being perhaps the most discernible component of this weapon system, the crane stock is much larger than it first appears on photographs. This is mostly due to the width of the sloping cheek rests (which are actually a god's send, being more comfortable than I was expecting) which are large but unconstructive; i.e. you can still move fluently in C.Q.B with the weapon without it being uncomfortable - such as making 180 degree turns through one's own stance or flattening the weapon against your chest.

The quality of the plastic used to produce the crane stock is generally consistent, although the finish is not. The sloping cheek rests are made of a thick and solid ABS plastic, which has a TM style finish. The remainder of the stock is robust and durable, with a solid color but all the hallmarks of a 0.12g BB finish with some 'poc-marks' on the plastic.

Within the sloping sides, where the special style mini battery is saddled, two plastic plates seal tight compartments. These caps/plates will sometimes come loose which is somewhat irritating. The chances of this happening are greatly increased by a combination of altering the position of the stock too often and the improper mounting of the battery. You may wish to 'Super-glue' these into position when you become proficient with connecting up the battery.

Underside - showing caps:


Another major problem is that on my stock, the plastic lever which the clamping mechanism feeds into features a hole which is an elongated circle, so the lever slides up and down against the underside of the stock.

As with the real steel crane stock, there are two additional hardpoints for threading slings/other attachments through (one horizontal and one vertical - perpendicular to one another) which I found very helpful for mounting the sling to suit how I need it to be held to my body. Don't be put off by the less than perfect finish on parts of the stock as every part of it seems sufficiently able to deal with any usual stress and strain.

As demonstrated on this repeat photo:


A rubberized cover for the buttstock comes as standard and is used to cover the mechanism which binds the stock to its compartment lid. This is a nice finish, which is perfectly comfortable to shoulder and keeps the rifle in just the position you require. This is unlike the TM M4A1 stock (prior to the 2006 LE stock) which can be a little uncomfortable and is in my opinion, quite bland.

Once you acclimatize yourself with the way the mechanism works, removing the stock cover and fitting the battery is effortless.

Overall, the stock works and it works well. The parts so far, seem to be all good quality, although the finish is far from perfect. I have a slight niggle with the release lever, which can sometimes detach the stock without being pull away from the stock tube. Another problem is the compartment covers coming free without too much persuasion and the initially awkward fitting of the battery and wiring.

The stock tube is of a similarly excellent quality to the receiver, as is the sling loop which is rather impressive. It features two loops on the left side for right handed players and one larger loop on the right side for left handed players.

I was a little reserved about the feel of the stock, but upon shouldering the weapon, the sloping sides and ergonomically butt-end make maneuvering the weapon a doddle. It does have a powerful feel and despite this being a CQBR, the crane stock would be well suited to a tactical sniper weapon system.

Please don't be expecting Classic Army quality but the stock does what it says on the tin, so to speak.

The RAS Front End

Overview

Sorry, I haven't yet dismantled this part of the weapon, external comments only.

Delta Rings shot:


The delta rings featured on this model are very easy on the eyes. Both the rings and the metal tube which tightens against the receiver are a thick, strong and durable metal. This part of the weapon has a fantastic gloss which doesn't at all look 'tacky'. I am highly confident in the strength of these components and there isn't even a miniscule amount of movement here. They look, feel and behave much better than TM ones. The delta rings are secured tightly to the RAS.

A bright silver tube protrudes through the delta rings up through the RAS front end and attaches somewhere inside. This again looks extremely durable and contributes towards the front end being so solid

Full metal and reassuringly heavy, unlike some batches, my rifle doesn't move even a little around the RAS (Any 'Wiggling' on the weapon is most likely the crane stock. Since the rifle is so solid, its sometimes difficult to pinpoint the location of the movement).

The metal is, as per the standard for this weapon, great quality and there is absolutely no dangers of them breaking away. They are secured using pins and bolts that require an allen key to remove (which feature the same gloss as the delta rings). The front end is an exact copy of the more modern RAS type ends and is not free free float - it is secured firmly into place around the front iron sight.

The grip features 4 x 20mm rails as the real steels do. The finish is just as good as on the receiver, although my money is on the paint chipping most quickly at these locations. There are a series of holes arranged in line between the rails revealing the outer barrel. Upon each of the rails, there are 3 locations which mount screws for the secure attachment of vertical grips and those accessories which attach to the 20mm rails differently to the BUIS or standard Carrying Handles.

Rail exposed:


From above with rail gaurds:

The vertical grips feel fantastic and are more comfortable for me to use as opposed to the vertical grip. They provide an excellent, ergonomical feel and make the rifle very responsive and easy on the hand. They stick to the rails like glue and are very difficult to remove. One of my rails is actually jammed and all my efforts to remove it have failed. The grips are tough and very resiliant and would be a superb buy just on their own.

Detatched rail cover:


The vertical grip attaches to the threads on the Rails using a screw which winds up through the handle. The plastic is surprisingly smooth and good quality. It feels very tight and for those who like vertical grips, they will be very pleased with this accessory.

Just like most airsoft weapons, the inner barrel extends to the rim of the inner flash hider and is visible from looking down on the weapon. The front iron sight is a near exact replica of the TM model but with this version having a smoother feel to the material.

Iron sight and flash hider:


A die cast cap clamps onto the end of the RAS and attaches to the front sight to hold the compenents into place on the barrel. It reminds me of TM metal parts and is not finished at all well.

The flash hider is an odd style and is not the standard AR-15 design. I cannot remember the  name, I'm sure someone will kindly point this out for me, but the finish is glossy and does not match the rest of the outer barrel. I personally do not like this design or the glossy finish but the metal does feel a lot better than the TM flash hider.

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