Review of the AirSplat Echo1 M14 Socom16

Echo1 M14 Socom16 Airsoft AEG Rifle

http://www.airsplat.com/items/ER-E1-M14-JP17.htm

Specifications:
Manufacturer: Echo 1
Overall length: "
Barrel length: 16"
Weight empty:  7.5lbs.
Caliber: 6mm BB
Magazine Capacity: 450-round magazine x 2
Muzzle velocity:  345 FPS (tested with .25 g bb's)
Range: 140 - 150ft. (advertised)
Sights: Aperture rear, Barleycorn Front 

Features:
Metal Outer Barrel
Black Polymer ABS Stock
Battery & Charger Included (Large)
Integrated Scope Rail

Echo1 M14 Review
by Padre'

I had been looking forward to reviewing the Echo1 M14 Socom16 because of the classic look and feel of it. I had had a chance to shoot a vintage Springfield M14 years ago and was excited to see that this was one of the guns that was available in airsoft. 

Table of Contents
The Real Steel M14
First Impressions
Externals Analysis
Performance Analysis
Issues with the Gun
Final Comments

The Real Steel M14:

The M14, when released (first released in 1958 by Springfield Armory) was the modernized version of the highly popular M1 Garand that was used by both the American Army and the Marine Corps as the issued as the infantry rifle in World War 2. The M1 Garand in its time was the worlds first self-loading, semi-automatic service rifle and saw service in WW2, the Korean war and the start of the Vietnam war. The M14 however added refinements that made a good platform great, such as a detachable 20-shot magazine to replace the 8-round clip.  Another great addition to this model was being capable to fire in both semi-auto AND full-auto modes. Having this dual-fire mode capability, the M14 became just the second American designed rifle to have this function, preceded by the World War 1 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR).
The M14 was used extensively in the Vietnam War with over 1 million of them being made up to 1963. Some of the countries that still use the M14 and it variants today include Argentina, Estonia, Israel, Lithuania, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States.

Country of origin: United States
Manufacturer: Springfield Armory
First year of service: 1959
Overall length: 46.50"
Barrel length: 22.01"
Weight empty: 11.46 lbs.

Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
Magazine Capacity: 20-round magazine
Muzzle velocity:  2,800 FPS
Rate of fire: 725 rounds per minute
Range: 1,509 ft.
Sights: Aperture rear, Barleycorn Front


First Impressions:

On opening the box when I received this from AirSplat Seattle, my first observation was on
how well it was packaged by the manufacturer. I have had some replicas that have been packed in boxes with cardboard dividers or with the white styrofoam that leaves a mess of little white pieces everywhere. This was packed in dense cell foam that protected and cradled that new replica on every side. 

Inside the box was the Echo1 M14, sling, two Echo1 high-cap magazines, winding key for the mags, strap, 8.4 volt / 1,100 mAh. battery, charger, small allen wrench, unjamming rod, sample pack of BBs and the warranty card.,  One of the things that really stood out to me was how racking the bolt sounds. It is very crisp and makes a loud “Thwack!” 

Externals Analysis:

The external build quality is amazing. It is perfect in its balance and when you shoulder it, it goes easily into a shooting position. The polymer body has a muted pebble finish that allows you to retain a good grip on this even in wet environments such as here in the Pacific Northwest. It looks and feels great, and seems durable too. Echo1 went to great lengths to retain the looks and feel of the original gun. While it serves no real purpose on this gun, the bolt will lock back in the open position and release just the same as the real gun, again adding to the authentic look and feel.

Performance Analysis:

Echo1 M14 Socom16, is quite an accurate gun. It has good range, decent accuracy, it is however not the most quiet replica for an AEG. It also has a nice rate of fire. The range on the M14 was easily out over 150-180' and required no adjustment of the hopup straight out of the box.

The FPS was measured at 345 FPS with .25 BBs and remained within 3 FPS of that even after about 1,000 shots.


To install the battery into the gun, you lift the hinged buttplate and open the door the the battery compartment. In the hollow stock is the wire, which you connect the battery to. Be aware that the Echo1 M14 Socom16 comes stock with large tamiya connectors so if your batteries don't have those (most don't) you will need to be prepared to change them out. There is a large amount of room in the stock, allowing the user to use a number of different types of batteries (small, large, lipo). The only battery that I was unable to fit inside was my large 9.6 brick battery.

The hop-up adjustment is accessed in the magwell. It can be adjusted with the magazine in or out of the gun, making it great for adjustments on the fly..

Issues with the Echo1 M14 Socom16:

While retaining the true look and feel of the original the rail is VERY far forward and while suited for optics such as an EoTech, makes the mounting of a scope difficult as it is so far forward. The other possible issue is that is has no bottom rail to mount a tripod if one was required.


Final Comments:

Though I have experienced my fair share of issues with this rifle, it is still a nice replica. As some of you might know, I recently considered selling it, but have since changed my mind because I would like to see how it performs once being upgraded and once I get new mags that feed correctly.

A quick overview of the pros and cons:

Pros:
Great finish and details.
Durable and pre-upgraded v7gearbox.
Well balanced.
Great range out of the box.
Large battery space.

Cons:
No bottom rail.
Large tamiya battery connector.

Padre' out...