TSD M4 R.I.S.

Well, I was disappointed to hear that we wouldnt be getting the M249 as soon as initially planned, but a ray of light may come from a different direction.

The guys at TSD contacted me and said they wanted ASR to test out one of their new M4s.

So well be putting the RIS version through its paces AND will use it as the upgrade project as well.

TSD is sending us one of their upgrade kits, a metal hop up unit as well as a 6.03mm tight bore, teflon coated barrel.

So we will be able to do a nice comparison between the stock and upgraded performance.

From what I have heard the TSD aka SRC M4 of late (I believe its the V2) has actually been a solid performer.

According to TSD, the mech box is outfitted with steel bushings and is "well shimmed".

Ill definitely be interested to get a look at the innards, and from the reviews I have found online, the mech box is a decent piece of work.

Mike at TSD informed me that this was a pure Taiwanese product and that he was impressed.

I was told that the body is fiberglass/plastic of some kind similar to that used in the real steel G36.

Apperantly this model has a solid stock so it may be possible to throw a larger battery in it and that will always help in the ROF dept. So all in all I am looking forward to it.

Ill keep everyone updated as the project progresses.

Regards!

Im actually not 100% sure what the model that we will be getting looks like.

The TSD website has several models listed that COULD be the one in question, but well just have to wait to see.

I should be able to get some pics up when it comes in.

If it's the one you're describing, it's this:
http://www.airsoftsd.com/proddetail.php?prod=SDGE0504F0

I'm currently reviewing the same one, but with a crane stock. It's a great gun, you'll have fun with it!

A crane full or adjustable stock.

^Last time I checked, there only was a Crane collapsible stock.

You can see my work in progress review here: http://www.airsoftretreat.com/forums/index.php?topic=59623.0

I believe the link provided is infact the one that I'll be testing , Ill wait till I unbox everything.

Usually,(from a look perspective) I am not a HUGE fan of the full stock, but I do appreciate the practicality of the extra storage capacity.

Plus the upgrades should be interesting so we'll just have to see.

Thats what I thought, but I wasnt sure since he said crane, then he said full but my bad, it will probably be crane only if it is adjustable

Ok, so a little update,

The M4 RIS arrived yesterday and I have been checking out quite extensively ever since.

FYI it is the solid stock version shown in the above link.

Over all a pretty good presentation, though I do have some complaints.

The foregrip design of the M4 in general is really on of the worst imho in airsoft.

There are so many better ways to design a foregrip for the purposes of housing a battery...or not, then what I have seen in the m16/m4 variants.

The two pieces cannot seem to NOT move or shift in some way. Even with the locking collar in place.

This is not of course the fault per se of TSD/SRC but it does irk me bc this model suffers from the foregrip wobble that I really detest.

The issue is particularly noticeable bc I have put a RIS handle up front. Thus every time I use said handle, the forefrip torques about an 1/8 inch around. (That is it rotates by about a 1/8").

Additionally, the sights were off and I had to push the rear peep sight completely to the left to get the shots to line up with the sight.

Having played around with things a little, I suspect that the external barrel housing is bent ever so slightly, bc both the stock and tight bore barrel I have used exhibit the same issue.

Simply forcing the barrel to warp to the left does the trick ...so I may be doing a bit of bending before the project is done.

The E1 tester exhibits the same flaw, but in the opposite direction. My guess is this is due to the nature of the connection between the external barrel and the rest of the frame. (Right under the locking collar) that there is some slop in the connection that results in the inaccuracy. Really, we are only talking about a few degrees of deviation from center, but it translates into about 10 deg. of deviation at the tip of the barrel. (I.e. the bbs are flying out to the right at about 10-15 degrees from the front sight).


In any case, the FPS is right where it should be and surprisingly consistent at 335 +/-. (Variation of no more than 1-3 fps).

Accuracy with the stock barrel was average, the tight bore of course put things spot on.

The hop up unit is run of the mill, though the magazine feed port is metal.

The plasitc used in the frame is very much like the G36 style polymer and it seems to have a nicer feel than the E1. It is certainly darker in color.

One aspect of the gun that I did appreciate was the metal re-enforcing tabs that are in place in the top half of the receiver (The part that hinges up when disassembling). The tabs are located at the rear disassembly pin (The one right over the grip and battery in the middle of the receiver).

Though it has never been an issue for me, it provides a little extra insurance against snapping one of the tabs that secure the top half of the receiver to the bottom half. This is something that I have not seen on the E1. So kudos to SRC on that.

ROF is decent and seems to be a bit higher than the E1.

The solid stock does give a nice sized storage compartment for the battery, but the unfortunate side effect is that the noise level is more noticeable bc the solid stock acts like a megaphone for the gear box noise.

I will be fiddling with some sound deadening material before the project is done.

I have had the gun completely dissasembled, but have not taken apart the gear box yet.

TSD sent an internal upgrade kit (Metal piston, polished cylinder, m120 spring and metal spring guide and metal nozzle.)

So we will see how that improves the performance after we do the first video.

All in all its a good AEG. The RIS wobble and off center sight issue will bother me till I figure out a remedy, but I do like the offering.

The RIS looks great and gives me plenty of places to mount to handle, laser and eventually light.

The included covers are a nice touch as well.

Stay tuned for more updates.

I had the same problem with the lower RIS wobbling. I'm working on ways to fix it, but aside from drilling and tapping screw holes, therefore attaching it to the upper piece, I'm not sure what to do on it.

Happy to hear TSD came through for ya! You'll enjoy the relationship, I know I do!

Yeah, TSD is actually a great company imho, Mike and I have been in contact for some time, and he sent us the UMP and the M9 a while back.

I have been impressed with their product lineup too and my thought is that they generally produce higher performing MPEGS.

So natch I couldnt say anything but "yes" to this.

As for the RIS wobbling issue, I am thinking of, like Booligan mentioned drilling into the outer barrel and or using a "U-Bolt" to secure the top to the bottom half.

THough I have not fully decided on which method.

Again, Ill post the updates as they come.

Regards