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| Online exclusive content published by The NAM: National Airsoft Magazine Q1 2010. The NAM: National Airsoft Magazine Copyright © 2010 All Rights Reserved. |
Specs:
Product Brand: Echo-1
Built Material: metal/ABS
Shooting Modes: semi/full-auto
Magazine Capacity: 300rnd HiCap
110rnd MidCap
Length: 785mm stock collapsed
870mm stock extended
Weight: 7.2lbs
Power Source: stick/Crane/LiPo
Hop-up: yes
Blow-back: N/A
Power: 397fps w/.20bbs
Product Brand: Echo-1
Built Material: metal/ABS
Shooting Modes: semi/full-auto
Magazine Capacity: 300rnd HiCap
110rnd MidCap
Length: 785mm stock collapsed
870mm stock extended
Weight: 7.2lbs
Power Source: stick/Crane/LiPo
Hop-up: yes
Blow-back: N/A
Power: 397fps w/.20bbs
Package & MSRP:
Slapping down $305 will get you your
metal bodied M4, upgraded mechbox,
crane stock, chopped “H” bar rear
sight, 1 300rnd HiCap, 1 110rnd
MidCap, front sling attachment (for
3 or 2 point sling) and a heavy duty
ABS carrying case. Yeah, a bit
emaciated for an Echo-1 release, but
it more than compensates for the
battery and charger, internally…
Slapping down $305 will get you your
metal bodied M4, upgraded mechbox,
crane stock, chopped “H” bar rear
sight, 1 300rnd HiCap, 1 110rnd
MidCap, front sling attachment (for
3 or 2 point sling) and a heavy duty
ABS carrying case. Yeah, a bit
emaciated for an Echo-1 release, but
it more than compensates for the
battery and charger, internally…
Pros:
I usually don’t touch on internals until after the exterior, if at all, but we’re gonna do it a little different
this time. We’ll start with the reinforced aluminum mechbox. And what’s inside is even better. We start with
a chromed cylinder, 8mm steel bushings and a completely redesigned selector plate that won’t contact your wiring
harness. Also inside is a solid metal spring guide with bearings, a modified M110 spring, and a polycarb tappet
plate for added durability. Echo-1 also redesigned the focus nozzle, adding a reinforced front (hear that
Systema PTW owners?) and built in o-ring for more efficient air distribution. The cylinder head has a thicker
impact pad, and the modified polycarb piston prevents tooth wear of gears when utilizing LiPo batteries. The
ported aluminum piston head also allows for efficient air usage as well as adding durability. All steel gears
with an auto-shim spring on the spur gear combined with low resistant wiring and a heat resistant housing means
you’re LiPo ready. While KWA over-engineered their mechboxes with high hopes of landing military and law
enforcement contracts, Echo-1 has perfectly designed this mechbox solely for us, the airsofters. But hey, while
this is all fine and dandy, this's just the inside...
I usually don’t touch on internals until after the exterior, if at all, but we’re gonna do it a little different
this time. We’ll start with the reinforced aluminum mechbox. And what’s inside is even better. We start with
a chromed cylinder, 8mm steel bushings and a completely redesigned selector plate that won’t contact your wiring
harness. Also inside is a solid metal spring guide with bearings, a modified M110 spring, and a polycarb tappet
plate for added durability. Echo-1 also redesigned the focus nozzle, adding a reinforced front (hear that
Systema PTW owners?) and built in o-ring for more efficient air distribution. The cylinder head has a thicker
impact pad, and the modified polycarb piston prevents tooth wear of gears when utilizing LiPo batteries. The
ported aluminum piston head also allows for efficient air usage as well as adding durability. All steel gears
with an auto-shim spring on the spur gear combined with low resistant wiring and a heat resistant housing means
you’re LiPo ready. While KWA over-engineered their mechboxes with high hopes of landing military and law
enforcement contracts, Echo-1 has perfectly designed this mechbox solely for us, the airsofters. But hey, while
this is all fine and dandy, this's just the inside...
Cons:
Not a goddam thing. I suppose if I wanted to be cheap, I could gouge them for not including a crane battery.
Or if I wanted to be anal, I could gripe about the battery placement, but the sheer variety which can be
utilized in their Crane stock pretty much negates that. Or there's Echo-1’s choice to go with a chopped “H”
bar vs. the full carry handle. But again, these are extremely minor points. People looking for rails can wait
for the inevitable RIS version, though I’d love to see Echo-1 further put everyone to shame with their second
Platinum release by utilizing a free-floating RAS.
Not a goddam thing. I suppose if I wanted to be cheap, I could gouge them for not including a crane battery.
Or if I wanted to be anal, I could gripe about the battery placement, but the sheer variety which can be
utilized in their Crane stock pretty much negates that. Or there's Echo-1’s choice to go with a chopped “H”
bar vs. the full carry handle. But again, these are extremely minor points. People looking for rails can wait
for the inevitable RIS version, though I’d love to see Echo-1 further put everyone to shame with their second
Platinum release by utilizing a free-floating RAS.
Efficiency:
Getting the magazines in place is a little stiff, but I didn’t have one single issue with any of the magazines
I tested. From the industry standard TM, to CA, KWA, Echo-1, King Arms, STAR, MAG, ICS and even SRC, all the
M16 series magazines fire flawlessly with nary a misfire or double-feed. As should be expected, trigger
response is quick and crisp and with the FPS, range and accuracy were on par with, if not better than other
high-end AEGs.
Getting the magazines in place is a little stiff, but I didn’t have one single issue with any of the magazines
I tested. From the industry standard TM, to CA, KWA, Echo-1, King Arms, STAR, MAG, ICS and even SRC, all the
M16 series magazines fire flawlessly with nary a misfire or double-feed. As should be expected, trigger
response is quick and crisp and with the FPS, range and accuracy were on par with, if not better than other
high-end AEGs.
Durability:
Baseball anyone? This is one of the most rugged
AEGs I’ve ever held. The overall metal and
heavy-duty ABS used in the M4’s construction
make it considerably more durable than some of
the other high-end AEGs and on par with the
industry’s best. Suffice to say, and not that I
would recommend it (matter of fact I strongly
advise against it), but I even tried this AEG
with the dreaded 11.1v LiPo that turned my KM4A1
into a $300 maraca. And what happened? The
Platinum pulled an Animal House by simply
spitting out BB after BB and saying, “Thank you
sir, may I have another?”
Baseball anyone? This is one of the most rugged
AEGs I’ve ever held. The overall metal and
heavy-duty ABS used in the M4’s construction
make it considerably more durable than some of
the other high-end AEGs and on par with the
industry’s best. Suffice to say, and not that I
would recommend it (matter of fact I strongly
advise against it), but I even tried this AEG
with the dreaded 11.1v LiPo that turned my KM4A1
into a $300 maraca. And what happened? The
Platinum pulled an Animal House by simply
spitting out BB after BB and saying, “Thank you
sir, may I have another?”
Upgradability:
Just about the only thing I would change on this
AEG would be to install a TN barrel for a
tighter grouping. Unfortunately, with the field-
ready FPS, I’m afraid that’d push it over the
limit and I’d be sent back to my car to get the
back-up. As far as accessories, I suppose you
could rail it out if needed as it’s perfectly
compatible with industry standard aftermarket
parts. Personally, I’d just toss on a full “H”
bar or swap out the sights with some folding
sights and call it a day.
Just about the only thing I would change on this
AEG would be to install a TN barrel for a
tighter grouping. Unfortunately, with the field-
ready FPS, I’m afraid that’d push it over the
limit and I’d be sent back to my car to get the
back-up. As far as accessories, I suppose you
could rail it out if needed as it’s perfectly
compatible with industry standard aftermarket
parts. Personally, I’d just toss on a full “H”
bar or swap out the sights with some folding
sights and call it a day.
Final Thoughts:
After all is said and done, considering the sheer amount of quality and love put into this AEG, both inside and
out, makes you stand back, take a deep breath and realize that this isn’t a Classic Army, nor is it a G&G or
even a KWA, this is a f**king Echo-1, that company that sells “cheap Chinese crap.” With this release, Echo-1
can stand and give a Stone Cold 3:16 salute to the naysayers and that BS tag can be flushed down the toilet
where it belongs with all the other crap. Echo-1 has shown with this AEG that not only are they willing to do
what other companies hiss like vampires at, providing guns for the financially challenged, but that they can
also produce a gun that makes even the most jaded airsofter appreciate. If the bar was set by KWA, Echo-1 just
did a double back flip ninja style, right over it with this KWA killer. Great job guys, you've done something
that's hard to do. You've really impressed me!
After all is said and done, considering the sheer amount of quality and love put into this AEG, both inside and
out, makes you stand back, take a deep breath and realize that this isn’t a Classic Army, nor is it a G&G or
even a KWA, this is a f**king Echo-1, that company that sells “cheap Chinese crap.” With this release, Echo-1
can stand and give a Stone Cold 3:16 salute to the naysayers and that BS tag can be flushed down the toilet
where it belongs with all the other crap. Echo-1 has shown with this AEG that not only are they willing to do
what other companies hiss like vampires at, providing guns for the financially challenged, but that they can
also produce a gun that makes even the most jaded airsofter appreciate. If the bar was set by KWA, Echo-1 just
did a double back flip ninja style, right over it with this KWA killer. Great job guys, you've done something
that's hard to do. You've really impressed me!
Having held more airsoft M4/M16 variants than Clinton has chubby girl boobies, it’d pretty much take Viagra to
get me excited by the monotony of yet another yawn-inspiring M4/M16 variant. Like the previously mentioned
chubby, everybody’s done one, and most, more than one. We’ve reached that same place with this genre of
rifles. It took a company like KWA to hit me with smelling salts by way of their over-engineered M4 (which
grenade eventually), to get me over that stupor. Well, you think after all this time I’d be numb to that,
right? Wrong. If KWA’s KM4A1 was the smelling salt, Echo-1’s Platinum Edition M4 can only be considered the
defibrillator. From the feeling I got opening the box to finally firing off BBs, I kept thinking, “This gun is
from the company everybody called “cheap Chinese garbage.” Quite simply, you wouldn’t know it. I’ve held just
about everything the sport has to offer and am happy to say, Echo-1 designed this AEG specifically FOR
airsofters. And you know what? It shows. “Cheap Chinese crap?” Those words couldn’t be further from the
truth. Hey ma, look who’s all grown up and not only batting with the big boys, but pulling a Bonds (yes,
looking at the mechbox, complete with HGH) and batting it out of the park! But I’m getting a little ahead of
myself…
get me excited by the monotony of yet another yawn-inspiring M4/M16 variant. Like the previously mentioned
chubby, everybody’s done one, and most, more than one. We’ve reached that same place with this genre of
rifles. It took a company like KWA to hit me with smelling salts by way of their over-engineered M4 (which
grenade eventually), to get me over that stupor. Well, you think after all this time I’d be numb to that,
right? Wrong. If KWA’s KM4A1 was the smelling salt, Echo-1’s Platinum Edition M4 can only be considered the
defibrillator. From the feeling I got opening the box to finally firing off BBs, I kept thinking, “This gun is
from the company everybody called “cheap Chinese garbage.” Quite simply, you wouldn’t know it. I’ve held just
about everything the sport has to offer and am happy to say, Echo-1 designed this AEG specifically FOR
airsofters. And you know what? It shows. “Cheap Chinese crap?” Those words couldn’t be further from the
truth. Hey ma, look who’s all grown up and not only batting with the big boys, but pulling a Bonds (yes,
looking at the mechbox, complete with HGH) and batting it out of the park! But I’m getting a little ahead of
myself…
Pros Cont'd:
outer barrel. The foregrips are constructed of a heavy duty ABS plastic (not the cheaper stuff of their low-
end AEGs that turns to swiss cheese if caught directly by a BB weighing more than .20g). This foregrip pistol
body is a sturdy aluminum, both upper and lower, with locked receiver pins which won’t come off and get lost
slim stick/butterfly LiPos. Echo-1 even added a sling attachment at the neck of the stock for ambi should the
need arise to crack open your M4. The same ABS utilized for the foregrip is also used for the pistol grip and
the Crane stock. Taking a page from more modern M4 variants is the aforementioned Crane stock which can house
either a Crane-style battery, a full-sized stick (if you leave the stock fully extended), or slim
stick/butterfly LiPos. Echo-1 even added a sling attachment at the neck of the stock for ambi Well guess
attachments. The “H” bar nub gives you a rear sight while leaving plenty of room for an ACOG or if you want to
rock it SOPMOD-style, an AimPoint or just about any other sight system. The selector switch is nice and stiff,
not loose as found on other high-end brands. Most other companies use the charge handle feature as a gimmick.
Well guess what ladies and gents, Echo-1 pulled a Carlito and spit in the face of those who are not cool! Yup,
it’s functional baby! Pulling back on the charging handle keeps the mock bolt back allowing you to access the
box for less than what the other companies do. The case is a nice, if unnecessary inclusion.hop-up wheel
without having to keep the handle pulled back. Then, simply press the bolt release on the opposite side to let
the mock-bold slide back in place and cover up the hop-up. The included HiCap is your standard Echo-1 affair
but the MidCap was a bit of a surprise. I’m looking forward to seeing if they offer a box for less than what
the other companies do. The case is a nice, if unnecessary inclusion.
outer barrel. The foregrips are constructed of a heavy duty ABS plastic (not the cheaper stuff of their low-
end AEGs that turns to swiss cheese if caught directly by a BB weighing more than .20g). This foregrip pistol
body is a sturdy aluminum, both upper and lower, with locked receiver pins which won’t come off and get lost
slim stick/butterfly LiPos. Echo-1 even added a sling attachment at the neck of the stock for ambi should the
need arise to crack open your M4. The same ABS utilized for the foregrip is also used for the pistol grip and
the Crane stock. Taking a page from more modern M4 variants is the aforementioned Crane stock which can house
either a Crane-style battery, a full-sized stick (if you leave the stock fully extended), or slim
stick/butterfly LiPos. Echo-1 even added a sling attachment at the neck of the stock for ambi Well guess
attachments. The “H” bar nub gives you a rear sight while leaving plenty of room for an ACOG or if you want to
rock it SOPMOD-style, an AimPoint or just about any other sight system. The selector switch is nice and stiff,
not loose as found on other high-end brands. Most other companies use the charge handle feature as a gimmick.
Well guess what ladies and gents, Echo-1 pulled a Carlito and spit in the face of those who are not cool! Yup,
it’s functional baby! Pulling back on the charging handle keeps the mock bolt back allowing you to access the
box for less than what the other companies do. The case is a nice, if unnecessary inclusion.hop-up wheel
without having to keep the handle pulled back. Then, simply press the bolt release on the opposite side to let
the mock-bold slide back in place and cover up the hop-up. The included HiCap is your standard Echo-1 affair
but the MidCap was a bit of a surprise. I’m looking forward to seeing if they offer a box for less than what
the other companies do. The case is a nice, if unnecessary inclusion.
 |
