Airsoft Replica EC-203 Advanced Edition (upgraded gearbox, programmable ETU) - Black [E&C]

Foreword:

I'm going to start off this review with an important note: be careful about running an 11.1V battery and/or pre-cocking with this gun, unless you know what you are doing. You can find reviews on this gun and its variants complaining about internal failures, and I believe these failures are mostly caused by running an 11.1V battery with the weak stock spring and pre-cocking enabled. I will explain more in the last part of the review.

Review:

I am primarily reviewing this guns as a DMR platform, since that's what it seems like it was designed for.

This is probably one of the best DMR platforms out there. It is already quite good internally, with no glaring issues that need to be corrected out of the box, which is rare for DMR platforms. Even if all you do is change the hop up rubber, the gun performs well and shoots very accurately.

You can make the gun even better with internal upgrades. Since the gun is very similar to a AR10/SR25 internally, it has a vast aftermarket and every internal part can be replaced if you need to. Begadi offers their own hop up chamber, or you can buy a cheap shim from them if you want to put in a basic M4 chamber.

The externals are good, too. The gun feels very solid throughout, and it is just BIG in a good way. No one is going to mistake this gun for a basic assault rifle. There is no wobble that I could find, except in the cosmetic charging handle. It's a bit heavier than a typical SR25, but lighter than what its size would suggest.

The mags are solid. They have no issues feeding .45g BBs with this gun. However, the mags are very large and have trouble fitting into typical 7.62 pouches, though I also kinda like them for that. They are a real eye-catcher on the field, especially with the faux ammo inside.

I can't really think of what else to write here, since the gun is so solid throughout. If you want a very good DMR platform that also looks more unique than your basic SR25, then get this.

Dangers of running an 11.1V and pre-cocking:

I suspect that 11.1V and pre-cocking can induce premature engagement in its stock configuration. Essentially, a 11.1V battery allows the gun to cycle too fast for the 19 tooth sector gear to handle, and that causes the gears and piston to collide mid-cycle. This will wreck your piston if repeated too many times.

If you hear a secondary metal "clink" and a vibration as you fire with pre-cocking enabled, then stop firing immediately and turn pre-cocking off.

An 11.1V battery may give you tappet premature engagement too, which preceeds piston PME but is not dangerous. However, it reduces your muzzle velocity due to the nozzle moving mid-cycle.

So in short, run a 7.4V if you want to run it stock, or keep pre-cocking disabled. Otherwise, pack in a heavier spring if you do want to run an 11.1V battery, and be on the lookout for premature engagement. You can use a chronograph to test for low muzzle energy caused by tappet PME, and only enable pre-cocking once you are sure there isn't any (if you are getting tappet PME, you are in danger of real PME too)

I think it is a 5 star gun otherwise, except for this one issue.

An excellent rifle. VERY accurate and the build quality is so good straight out of the box, I actually got ~400 fps even though I bought the 380 version.
It also has a nice weight to it, makes it feel more like an actual gun.

Excellent replica from the box. The price is quite affordable for what you get. With a little upgrade you get a beast of a replica so I recommend it to all DMR fans, you won't regret it. Also, don't miss the opportunity to buy another magazines with it.

Looks very good and is very accurate.
The weight is realistic it is real heavy and feels very sturdy.
With an 11.1v lipo is it not as snappy as i aspect but for a dmr is it ok.
So far no minors for me.
I can’t wait till i can use it in a skirm.