Rebel Troop Review Comparisons between the XM177E2 and the M4A1. By Lt. Dan As anybody who has any military interest should know, the experimental XM177E2 was a carbine version of the venerable M16. First tried out in the steamy jungles of Vietnam, it was a gun favoured by the officers of the time for its more compact _frame_ and greater maneuverability through the dense vegetation. The M4 is the current newest variation of the M16. Having the basic same design and dimensions of the XM177E2, it is further improved from that original model. Offering such things as left-handed case deflector and an improved heat shield in the hand-guard around the barrel, it also made the sighting system adjustable without the use of tools. Two marked dials for elevation and windage on the rear of the carrying handle are a marked improvement for correcting aim in the field. A four-point tactical stock is now included for a more comfortable stock length when wearing body armour, and on advanced models of the M4, a removable carrying handle is included leaving a flat-top allowing fitting of scopes, tactical sight devices etc. The Airsoft XM177 still remains a popular choice for many wargamers. It is a light piece that is highly manoeuvrable through the woodland of this country. Although it is not the latest technology to come out of Tokyo Marui, it certainly is still on a fighting par with other Airsoft rifles. Newer models of this gun to come out of the Marui factory are now being fitted with EG700 motors as standard, giving a more constant firing cycle that the old EG560 which sometimes tended to have an erratic firing cycle. The Airsoft M4A1 which is _base_d on the advanced model of the M4 comes with the removable top sight as I mentioned above, leaving a picatinny rail underneath for mounting sights (which are now available from Tokyo Marui). This gun is a front heavy piece I warn you, but when you fire it I am sure you will soon forget the weight issue! This rifle comes with an EG1000 motor as standard and boy is it a quick thing! This motor has an extremely high torque and so has a fast firing cycle, emptying magazines quickly if you have a heavy trigger finger. The XM and the M4 both reach the same range when firing, but there is a noticeable difference when you fire the M4. This gun gives a constant straight line of BB's flying out of the gun, compared to the XM which will give more of staggered effect upon reaching distance. However the M4's accuracy comes at a disadvantage. I have found the hop-up to 'wind down' after a couple of hundred shots - In my opinion this is not a problem as the gun is a fairly close quarters gun anyway so ranged shots are not usually the problem. Remember each gun has pro's and con's. The XM is an all-plastic gun and was one of the first electric guns to be produced by Tokyo Marui. This is not a disadvantage however as not only does it make it wonderfully light, it means no _meta_l parts to rust. Don't get me wrong - I like _meta_l parts and I look after my guns, but I know there are people out there who don't and this is why I sometimes recommend all plastic guns to certain p_layer_s. The M4 has a fair amount of _meta_l on it, the barrel notably. This is what makes the gun front heavy, as well as the fact it has a reinforced barrel. This is because it is possible to field-strip the gun just like the real thing and as the body is not one piece like it used to be, the barrel must now be supported more. I don't advocate stripping it though - I have known the barrel on guns to go wobbly after doing so. The M4 is a fantastic bit of kit for customising. You can get everything from scopes to complete _meta_l bodies for it - The gun is as customisable as the H&K MP5 series. You can even fit an M203 grenade launcher to the M4 if you feel so inclined. The latest add-on is the Rail Interface System. This replaces the front hand-guard with four picatinny rails for mounting tactical lights, handles, bi-pods, laser sights - in fact anything that you require! (I even own a RIS myself!) Tokyo Marui have just brought out an M4A1 with RIS as a complete set which is a good purchase if you are thinking about getting one. So there you have it, an XM177E2 that is lighter and will stand a bit more punishment than most, or the M4A1 which is a little heavy to use on the field but has amazing accuracy. Both guns use 190 or 300-round magazines, utilizing the smaller 7.2 or 8.4v batteries fitting in the front hand grip (I recommend the 8.4v batteries). Both guns are essentially the same, both in size, shape and function. However the M4 is just a bit more 'groovy' than the XM with all the add-ons you can put on the newer rifle. XM177E2 - I give 7/10 as an superb start gun, couldn't do much better than this. A light-weight, low maintenance rifle with a good accurate rate of fire (Particularly with the EG700 motor fitted). Plus a lack of bits sticking out everywhere like on the M4A1. M4A1 - I give 8/10 as it is an excellent gun, but slightly marred by the heavy front and the ever-changing hop-up. I would like to mark it higher but those annoying things bring it down a mark. Out of choice I would take the M4 any day! Lt. Dan J BIG RESPEC' Lt!!!!! M4 HD/CR ALL THE WAAAY!!!