King Arms Full-Auto M2 Carbine Gas Blowback Rifle w/ Real Wood Furniture (Model: Full Stock)

"So I have the m1 variant BUT I put a m2 green gas bolt and 35rd green gas mag in it. Basically the same thing minus the full auto. With some hop, this will shoot about .8j-1.3j's (varying ton temperature and humidity. I had tested the range and it is ok, but the barrel is quite short. I would say this is good if you want to do a reenactment of Korea or Vietnam or post apocalypse a la fallout, but past that, there is no real place for this gun. The mags are better than the 15 round (modifiable to 23 round) Co2 mag, but the 35 round green gas mag can not compare to a M4 or any AEG. Also, the mags are $75 each (02-22-2022).

So, If you want the best m1/m2 carbine on the market, this is it, but there is much to be desired.

"VERY DISAPPOINTED for the price!
WARNING! Full detailed and long review.

Bought mine on the Epic Deal at 10% less and was very excited to add to my collection. It arrived in non typical KA new style plain minimal graphic brown box unlike the original black and red glossy box in the past. Is this the new style and cost cutting measures? When I first opened I noted orange electrical tape wrapping around the wood handle or grip on the paratrooper version, butt stock and foregrip. Be careful to remove the tape as mine removed the finishes and also took and small sliver of wood. from the grip. Had to refinish it with walnut stain to hide the bear wood. Minimum foam insert only at the stock and front end unlike the M1s that were completely protected and encased in dark foam. The orange plastic flash hider cover is glued and pinned on the underside to ensure it will not come off the rifle.

I have now in my collection 4x Marushin 6mm & 8mm M1 & M2 carbines with Walnut wood finishes in both dark and lighter finishes, and 4x KA M1 and M2 carbine and paratrooper for this comparison.

For the purpose of this review I will make the comparison to the 4x variants of the KA CO2 M1s and green gas M2s. Occasionally I will reference the Marushin's carbine.

Pros:
- fun to occasionally shoot full auto in a burst trigger action;
- many parts are compatible to Marushin and vice versa except the new 30rds magazine and magwell are not interchangeable. See my review for the 30rds magazines.
- uses he more common, less pricey 6mm bbs unlike the original Marushin 8mm bbs;
- unusual platform for a Vietnam or variant load-out, unlike the common M4s or AKs platforms;
- real wood and metal rifle;
- cheaper to by from Evike.com than to order from overseas with high shipping cost as well as US Customs etc.

Cons:
- very expensive comparatively to the KA CO2 M1s variants @$300 to $350 in 2015 when they first came out to the new M2s variants in 2022 for an additional $50 to $80 for full auto feature; BTW Marushin M1s/M2s were going for about $300 to $350 back when they were first sold at Evike.com in 2010 to 2013;
- the 2022 King Arms M2s variants increased in cost/profits and reduced the quality and details found in their first M1s variants;
- quality of wood has no dark grains, not walnut, more orange, not brown/black and softer quality wood; It is no longer close to the wood finish of the real carbines;
- no trademark or markings on the receiver/bolt assembly, the M1s variants had inscribed "U.S. Carbine CAL .30 M1" at the top by the bolt and unique 7 digits serial numbers at the adjustable sight. These details makes the replicas more realistic and for the price paid;
- the metal finish is now a "parkerized" very easily scratched and marked finish, no longer an antique blued metal finish seen in the M1s variants on the front sights, the bayonet lug, sling mounts, the entire receiver with bolt, rear sight and paratrooper stock. This new finish is not in line with the real carbines.
- firing pin tends to release all the gas out of the magazine on a few occurrences even after spraying silicone lubricants. Remember, this carbine bolt needs to be locked back or at least hammer locked back before inserting magazine. If not, the firing pin will nick the out-take valve pin and release some of the gas from the magazine. This didn't occur with the Marushin or KA M1 variants and the magazine could be placed in the magwell without pulling the bolt back.
- extra 30 rds gas magazines are very expensive @$75 each in comparison to the M4s and other GBB rifle gas magazines;
- cannot use the CO2 15 rds magazines @$60 each since the BBU nozzle is for green gas. Changing this to a CO2 BBU nozzle will cost another $39 for this not so easy swap.
- Disassembly is time consuming to access the BBU and nozzle but is straightforward starting from the front end or front sight making your way down to the receiver and stock. Screw driver and allen/hex key is you need.

In conclusion: Is it really worth the money getting the KA M2s variants plus extra magazines? Was the original M1s variants too close to the real carbines that KA decided to downgrade the quality to look more like a airsoft than a close to real, but a replica?

Personally for the money, quality and details, I'd buy the original M1s variants, replace the nozzle to green gas and use the 30 rds "banana" magazines. This is what I did for my M1 paratrooper now using green gas and the M1 carbine to use the CO2 15rds magazines.