LMG Choice
 

Hey there,

I'm looking at the 2 available Stoner models : The G&P MK23 and the Ares Stoner LGM. Both have pros and cons but I still can't make up my mind.

Any of you here got one or the other and can give feedback on those?

Thanks

Go G&P and never look back. Ares has a history of limited replacement parts availability if something breaks.

+1 to this. Buddy has a M60 and broke parts in the box mag. Been outta commission for about 6 months because he can't source the parts.

Good guns, but its hell if you break any proprietary parts.

G&P

Any of you guys got either of those? I know a lot of people hate Ares but they seem to have taken care of the problems with the new box mag. As for the G&P they seem to have problem with the axle of the bevel gear.

So anybody here with some after action report of their stoner?

i like the G&P...

semi + full
very light ...makes it handle like a regular m4.
all the parts are pretty much already flooded the market.
V2 gearbox etc. so future upgrades are easy.

sorry i don't have much information on after action but those were some of the points i really liked when i bought a G&P Tac Rail Version. It should arrive next week, its currently with customs.

I have both the Ares require resoldering on the switch and other finicky QC issues, my G&P Stoner require the usual G&P shimming and spur gear replacement. Both have their pros and cons but I like the finish and the overall reliability of the G&P besides if anything wrong I can always swapped a standard V2 box on my G&P.

When compared side by side between the Ares and the G&P they both weigh almost the same but the only thing that the Ares would win over the G&P is the modern design, the G&P even though is a tad bit light compared to their other LMG it is a much more robust metal than the Ares. the tight spaces in the Ares are meant for tiny fingers not for a grown man stubby fingers and since their connectors are poorly soldered YOU WILL spend a lot of your precious playing time cursing

I've never heard "G&P" and "light" in the same sentence before lol
But yeah, the MK23 is a cheater LMG, super light, and about the same size as a 16" carbine. Reloading is incredibly easy, whether it's by box or into the mounted box. And all the pro's of a standard V2 mechbox

Available soon, Classic Army Stoner:

http://www.airsoft2day.com/news/656-...er-96-lmg.html

You seem a tad fixated on the Ares.

^this!

Wildcard has owned, gamed and broken more airsoft guns than most people could even imagine/dream owning. Take his word on this! (and Frank's too ;))

I'm not fixated on the Ares but I can have it cheaper than the G&P ;)

A friend of mine has a G&P and he will let me try it tonight so that will probably help my choice ;)

Money isn't everything and the G&P would be a much better option.

Wait till you try a Inokatsu LMG, it will make the G&P feels like a kids toy

This is a sweeping generalization...and I'm not one to make them often. But on this topic I will.

If you are looking for a quick one-game fix (i.e. a one-off OP or mission with a SAW/LMG) or are on a limited budget....
- an A&K or an non-plastic Ares will do....just be prepared for it to maybe/maybe-not die, for performance to be so-so and to potentially unload it vs. put time/money into it

If you're looking for a solid "keeper" for the arsenal...and are looking to put some TLC into it...
- aim for a good G&P and CA...the bang for buck is good, the fit/finish/externals are good...the internals can be fixed up

If you must have the most solid "never look back wanting" type...
- aim for a good G&P or Inokatsu...give it some TLC and it'll be there through thick and thin

The G&P Stoner is very solidly built...the Ino M60/Mk43's are tanks...the G&P's are excellent in general...the CA 249's are very solid too.

In general, the Ares SAW's/LMG's are "light". They're bendy and soft. The parts/components/fit & finish is so-so at best. On some models parts are factory built crooked (MK43 front sight is an example) or sloppy/wonky. Are they good enough though?...absolutely if you've got your expectations set right.

The A&K 249's/etc are similarly so-so. Soft metal, "m'eh" fit & finish, shitty internals. Good enough?...same as above.

More than anything...do a gut check and decide why and how long you want it for...then set a budget...then set or adjust your budget accordingly.

G&P MK23. Performs well right out of the box. Good range and rate of fire.

It's a rare Vietnam War airsoft gun.

I have a G&P Stoner. Pretty much my favorite gun. My only complaint is how fast I can empty the box mag. Other than that its rock solid, shoots hard, fast and reliably. Quick to reload, light and very maneuverable. Its ammo count is low for a LMG at 1200, but the Ares is worse at 500.

I just had the same decision to make and ended up with the GnP... read alot of reviews and tried out all of the competition...never tried the GnP but i was like wth reviews are good..alot of positive feedback.. even other looking into for me couldn't find negative comments.

so G&P has been added to my arsenal :)

I think it depends on what your going for as far as load out. If you want an LMG for skirmishing or Vietnam games, the Stoner is a great choice, however, neither can really be used in a modern milsim if your aiming for accurate kit. At least not to my knowledge anyways, no clue if any millitary uses the ares stoner:P My little brother owns the G&P though and its a lazer beam, shoots straight, hard and fast, the ROF is insane with a 9.6, and it all comes in a super lightweight (for an LMG) package, and is about the size of an M16. But, like i said, you wont look accurate unless you stick to Vietnam era games. I owned a CA M249 MKII for about a year, and its the only gun I have ever regretted selling. It weights more and is bulky, but it was rock solid, externals were great, and never had a problem with the internals. dumped an entire mag in 5 minutes and ther gun didnt even get warm:P also, 249's can take M4 magazines, so if you run with a squad who use armalites, you can interchange mags with each other. A little food for thought, if you are dead set on either of the stoner's, I would go with the G&P, but if you are willing to branch out, I would advise a CA M249. This is all just based on my experience and personal opinions though.

I've seen half a dozen CA249s, I gotta say that losing the ability to use M4 mags is more than made up by the G&P's superior hopup design, more reliable feed mechanism, use of a TM spec V2 mechbox, and it's much more durable body

this, this again, then this again.

Fair enough, I will never argue CA to have higher quality components than G&P, as I have seen both in action. I do however personally prefer a 249 over the stoner, in terms of its exterior design, the way the gun looks, rail space, etc. I know there is a railed version of the stoner, but again, it doesnt fit very well into modern scenarios. But if your just looking for an LMG for skirmishing, or arent worried about having 100 percent accurate kit, then the stoner is a great choice, especially if youve never owned an LMG before, since its so light.

That I can definitely agree with! It's not a real LMG unless it's big and heavy lol

Finally went with the G&P. I know it's not really accurate as for modern kit, but I have enough "accurate" modern kit that I can wish for. I just really wanted a good LGM that is reliable. Having gamed it yesterday I can say it is a nail driver. Shot around 3000 rounds and went perfectly fine!