I was warned!
When I first started looking around airsoft forums and asking questions about a custom build I was constantly met with a resounding, “Don’t do it!” I was told custom builds were expensive, time consuming, and frustrating.
I did it anyway.
I decided that if I was going to custom build something, it might as well be a gun that I couldn’t buy elsewhere, and that was going to be some what original, and personal to me. When I first started playing MGS4 I instantly fell in love with the looks and style of the custom M4. I soon decided that this would be my custom build. There were a couple of posts around the web with people that had built this already, and a parts list available on a Canadian airsoft forum. I had some parts kicking around from a used purchase that didn’t work out, so I bought the parts that I thought I would need.
Many of the custom M4 builds were based on the M4 shown in pre-game promo pictures and video. Some of the parts shown in the promotional videos and pictures, like the EOTech dot sight, weren’t available in the game, so I decided to build based on what I used in the game.
I made 3 orders online from 3 different stores,
RSOV, WGC, and Redwolf Airsoft.
See here for reviews on each of these shops.
The complete parts list looked like this…
Stock – King Arms 6 Position Stock (Tan / Pipe Without Marking)
Receiver – ‘Dboys’ metal M4 body kit (M-28 plain)
Grip – G&P M16A2 Grip with Heat Sink End Set ( Sand )
Rear Sight – DBoys 40L Rear Sight
Front Sight – Action PRI Flip Up Sight for M4 Series
Hand Guard – VFC M4 Carbine Length Free Floating RAS
Outer Barrel – ‘Dboys’ M4 aluminum outer barrel
Inner barrel – Madbull Black Python 6.03mm (455mm)
Hop-Up – Madbull Ultimate 3-in-1 Hop-Up Unit
Battery: Angs 9.6 battery
Compressor: TM Knights Type
Magazines: TM M16 Standard Size
I had a V2 mechbox and motor kicking around, so used these for the build.
The only real problem I had initially was getting the Plain Receiver. When I initially ordered it from RSOV they sent me a KA Markings type by accident, even the the box was for the plain one. The sent me a replacement, but this was the bottom half only, and ended up being a different colour. They then sent me the top half of the receiver, but this had a charging handle spring that was too long. To top it off a plastic piece at the from on the charging handle was broken. Luckily I still had the old one they sent me, so I was able to swap it around.
I ordered parts on December 4th, and finally had them all sorted by mid-February! So much for a winter holiday project.
So now that it is built, there are a few small issues that I am trying to get sorted.
- I tried a number of different mags with it, and the TM type seem to work best. I am OK with this though as they look the most like the weapon I am trying to copy.
- The outer barrel wobbles a bit, but I have been told that this is common (normal) for a floating system.
- The Hop-up unit seems to misfeed every now and then. I don’t know if this is because I have the madbull hop-up built wrong, or if there is something else happening, but I need to figure this out.
- I decided to place the battery in a fake PEQ laser box at the front. This is similar to how it is set up in MGS4. The battery connectors don’t line up real well though, so I might have to re-wire it.
There are also 2 things that don’t match the MGS4 game set-up. The mounting style for the red dot is a forward type, which is different from the game. The foregrip is a bit shorted that the one in the game, but this is because I really don’t like the length of the game version…what were they thinking 
I have had a chance to shoot about 200 rounds through it, and I am generally happy with it. I really like the weight and balance of the weapon, and with the stock out to it’s 4th or 5th position it fits like a glove. I can get a clean cheek weld, and the weapon is quick and responsive. the 9.6V battery gives a good ROF, and it chronographs at a respectable 96m/s with no hop, and about 93 with the hop-up turned on.
Now that I have done it, I don’t think that I will custom build again. At over 60,000 yen I could have spent my money on a complete gun with some serious upgrades, but with the cost of full metal parts here in Japan, I don’t feel that it was too bad. At the end of the day, I have a custom gun that I have wanted to own for at least a year. All I need now is a good set of octo-cam!
Chrono and accuracy tests coming soon!