M4A1, M4A1 RIS, and SR-16 questions

[nextmayor]

I know that all of the AEG's listed above are all basically the same, but I have a few questions.

To begin with, how solid is the RIS on the M4A1 RIS and the SR 16? Would there be any advantage or disadvantage (other than price) to getting the standard M4A1 and then buying an after market RIS? Where does the battery go if you get the M4A1 and an after market RIS? Did I see that the RIS comes apart for battery installation? How solid could this be? Would any of these three RIS options really be better than another?

Seeing as how all three of these are pretty much the same AEG, can I assume that the infamous barrel wobble is about the same for all of these version? Does a RIS do anything to help or worsen the barrel wobble issue? Do any of these models have more or less barrel wobble that another?

How stable are the retractable stocks on the M4A1 and the M4A1 RIS. Is there much slop in them or are they pretty solid?

Last question is just on the M4A1 RIS. Can the TM fake laser / battery box be removed, so that one of the newer aftermarket laser / battery boxes can be used with a larger battery? If not, how difficult is it to change batteries in the TM laser battery box?

Not looking for any reviews or anything but if you feel like giving me any other input on the M4A1, M4A1 RIS, and SR 16 issue, it would be appreciated.

[MacDaddy]

Nextmayor -

I have an M4A1 and SR-16, so I can tell you what I know about those 2 guns.

The RIS is very solid on the SR. The after-market RIS for a M4A1 is about $200 which I consider a big disadvantage, but that really depends on how financially challenged you are. The 'mosquito molds' RIS holds the battery in the RIS foregrip, similar to the std. M4A1. I've never held or felt this system, only seen pictures. Since the battery in the SR is in the stock, the RIS doesn't come apart to hold a battery.

The vertical handle on the underside of the foregrip is the only part of the RIS I really use. I have a tac flashlight that can mount on the siderail of the SR, but I've never really used it. On my M4A1, I bought a weaver rail and bolted it to the bottom of the foregrip (got the idea off a guy on e-bay who sells a kit for like $28). So, depending on which gun I use I can mount the vertical grip (that came with the SR) on either gun.

Retractable stock on the M4A1 is pretty solid - no slop at all in mine. Very similar construction and feel to the real-steel versions. Only gripe I have about the retractable stock is that the piece that slides will scratch the paint off the piece that doesn't slide. I've seen the same 'silver' spot on several other M4's when the stock is extended.

Hope that helped.

[drgnslr]

I love my M4A1, It is IMO the best all-around gun you can get.
The stock is solid and like Macdaddy said feels remarkably like the real steel version( which I have an extra of and am going to see if I can swap it with the TM)
I like the detachable carry handle and the ability to mount a scope in its place.
I have never seen a need fo the rail interface system(RIS) I am considering a G&P 500? but I need to look into this as the flashlight is sub-standard from what I've read.
I have yet to notice barrel wobble **knocks on wood**
Dont know if I've been any help but theres my $.02 about the subject.:D :D

Edited for spelling

[MacDaddy]

Oh yeah, forgot to menton about barrel wobble -

It has been non-existent in my SR. I read that Marui upgraded the connection for the SR to eliminate or greatly minimize it over the M16A2 and M4A1 versions.

My M4A1 has experienced barrel wobble but it was quickly and easily rectified by snugging down the screws that connect the barrel to the receiver. It is just part of the routine maintenance as opposed to some latent defect.

[D_Man]

To extend on your questions...

Yes, the fake laser unit on the RIS comes off and can be replaced with a larger unit, like the PEQ2 box. Both boxes mount on the rail via a QD weaver clasp similar to many scope rings. To swap batteries in either unit, you screw off the "caps" on the ends of the boxes and it splits into 2 halves, top and bottom.

As for barrel wobble, having never expierienced it in my M4, I feel extreamly lucky. And yes, the SR is supposed to have a newer outer barrel that helps prevent the wobble over the M4s. However, even if you expirience wobble, it can easily be tightened up, both by the 2 hew screws found under the grip and by tightening the collar that locks it to the reciever.

And as for the slither stock, on 2 M4s I've seen, including mine, the stock wobbles around quite a bit. And the paint on the tube does chip off. To remidy both of these issues, I removed the stock and applied 2 strips of thin electrical tape along the tube, covering the paint wear and remidying the wobbly stock. I've have also herd that the real steel M4 stock is a drop in fit on the TM tube and also fits snuggly to dismiss the wobblyness of the stock stock (not a typo ;) )

[nextmayor]

After reading a couple of the replies to my original post I thought of another question.

Can the fake laser / battery box on the M4A1 RIS be moved to one of the side rail or not? Are the wires long enough, are the other issues?

[D_Man]

I have seen it done. I'm sure the wiring is fine and with all the holes between each rail, you have plenty of options. If worse comes to worse, you can add wiring, like I had to do with my M4 and the new PEQ2 box I just bought...

[nextmayor]

Okay, this is an older thread, but I hope people still resond. I have more questions on M4's and M16's

The first question is about the orange markings. What is orange on the M4's / M16's. Is it just the flash hider like on my P90. If it is, do metal flash hiders come with the AEG (again like it did with my P90) or do I need to purchase one separately?

The next question is about slinging M4's and M16's. I see some models come with sling swivels and some do not. Can some one tell me which model have swivels and which do not? Mainly interested in just the M4A1 RIS and the M16A2. The reason I am confused is that there are a bunch of different aftermarket swivels. If swivels come stock on an AEG why some many after market ones?

Thanks.

[stargate6]

It depends on the retailer. Usually the flashhider comes painted orange. You can easily remove the paint with nail polish remover, etc... Some retailers offer a plastic orange flashhider during shipping for an extra charge.

I'm pretty sure all those guns come with sling swivels. Unlike the M4s where the sling swivel is vertically off the side, the M16s have it horizontally below the barrel. The problem with this is that a sling puts too much pressure on the front sight set, which loosens it with use. The result is a loose front sight set, which cause the foregrips to move around along with the sight. You can easily tighten it back up with a hex screw on the bottom. I use a sling strictly for hanging my M16 on my shoulder when not in use, this way there's no pressure on the sides. When using the gun, I do not have it slung. For M4s, this isn't a problem. I tried using my 2-pt sling on my brother's M4A1, and it was horrible. You really need a 3-pt sling for M4s.

You can buy an aftermarket swivel for M16s, which attachs to the side. They make a lot aftermarket parts for AEGs, in case the stock ones break I guess.

[D_Man]

We will keep this confined to the M4/M16A2 area and ones like the VN are different...

Yes, they come with metal flash hiders, and the end of that, about a CM up, will be orange. OR the newest trend is to include a cheapo orange plastic flashider installed on the gun in shippment with the clean, no ornge painted metal one hiden in the packaging. So, just remove the crap orange one and screw on the good one, easy as cake.

As for sling mounts, they all have them. The M4A1 comes with a "tactical" front swivel that mounsts it on the side and not underneath the barrel as the other models do. But they all should come standard with a set of sling attachment points. Also, on the slither stocks, the sling point is on the tube, the two slits towards the rear, it threads through there. Its not a "swivel" per se.