G&P XM177E1 Electric Airsoft Gun Review　

Previously, when I tried to customize my wife's main weapon, an ICS M4 Sportline, I discovered a crack in the barrel near the neck, a weak point of M4-type polymer models, rendering it unusable.

So, I went with my wife to Akihabara to look for a new main weapon for her.

When I let him hold several items in a store where he could touch them and choose the one he liked best, he surprisingly took a liking to the CYMA XM177E2. It was a very cool choice, definitely a Vietnam War-era model.

I'm quite fond of Vietnamese-made equipment, so if I was going to buy something, I wanted something a bit nicer. I looked for the G&P XM177E2, but it was quite expensive, so I gave up and went home (CYMA is also good, but its base is M4-shaped).

While browsing Amazon on the train home, my wife found a G&P XM177E1 at a reasonable price, so she bought it.

Since the XM177 E1 and E2 look almost identical, we decided that was fine. In fact, considering the overall length, the E1 is shorter, which is convenient for my wife (she's quite short).

So, with my wife's permission, I decided to write a review (thank you!).

Now let's move on to the exterior review.

I will also explain the difference between E1 and E2.

appearance

Since it just arrived, I'll start by completely unpacking it.

The outer box is just a cardboard box.

It's completely devoid of any embellishments. Moreover, it's so simple—with the magazine already installed and the selector switch set to semi-automatic—that it's almost dangerously unsettling, even for modern overseas products.

The only design element on the outer box was the manufacturer's logo sticker and the model number (there was nothing else).

The contents were quite simple, consisting only of an instruction manual and a spring-loaded magazine (probably 100 rounds). Moreover, the instruction manual was for an M4A1 (are they common?).

Moreover, it didn't come with the initial velocity certificate that you usually see.

We will now remove the products.

As usual, here's a side view of the exterior.

Other side

かなりかっこいいです。

Let's take a closer look at each part.

Let's look at the tags attached to the main body. This is the tag on the front swivel.

This is likely proof of initial velocity. The unit is FEET/SEC (feet per second), so converting it to MKS units gives approximately 84-87 m/s.

Based on the numbers, it's probably a 0.2g BB (confirmed later).

This is the back side.

It says it's 7.2V only, which probably means it only supports LiPo batteries up to 7.4V. The manual says it can handle up to 8.4V with non-LiPo batteries (which makes sense since a fully charged 7.4V LiPo battery is 8.4V).

Next, let's look at the scroll attached to the grip.

This likely represents the product number within G&P (the outer box also says GP287).

Barrel area

Next, let's look at the flash hider, which is a characteristic feature of the XM177 series.

This large flash hider looks cool.

Incidentally, the E1 has a slightly extended barrel, with the barrel located between the flash hider and the front sight.

If my memory serves me correctly, the E1 had a 10-inch barrel and the E2 had an 11.5-inch barrel. Converting that to millimeters, it's 32.1mm, or about a 3cm difference (by the way, the "E" stands for "ENHANCED," meaning enhanced or improved).

Apparently, the 10-inch barrel was too short for the tracer rounds used at the time, preventing them from burning properly and functioning correctly, so the E2 version had its barrel extended by 1.5 inches.

Incidentally, extending the barrel also allowed for the attachment of a 40mm M203 grenade launcher.

Next, let's look at the handguard.

Another major characteristic of the XM177 series is its very thin handguard. Current standard M4A1s and famous Abu Dhabi carbines are based on the M16A2 series, so their handguards are thicker.

This isn't a real-world comparison, but it shows the thickness of the handguard compared to an M4.

front.

It's quite thin, so it's easy to grip.

The cooling holes were of the 6-hole type, and there was no heat shield inside the handguard (I'm not sure if the real thing has one, but M4-type rifles do).

The gas pipe of the Stoner-style DI is also faithfully reproduced.

レシーバー

Next, let's look at the receiver.

Since it has a metal receiver (it looks like aluminum), the rigidity is excellent, and there is absolutely no wobbling around the barrel neck.

Regarding the markings, it has the Colt prancing horse logo, "US Government Property," "M16A1," and "5.56mm caliber." There are other markings here, such as the AR-15 pattern, so it's unclear which is correct.

Since the XM, despite being a prototype, was produced in considerable quantities during the Vietnam War, there were probably many different variations, weren't there?

Based on the markings on this product, it can be interpreted that the lower receiver is from a mass-produced M16A1, combined with the upper receiver from a prototype XM.

However, even though it was a prototype, my research indicates that over 1000 units were produced, so I think they likely had molds, jigs, and other equipment just like in mass production.

Next, let's look at the selector section.

The selector will be set to the standard safety semi-full setting.

The markings indicate that the firearms division of Colt, which was very successful at the time, produced these guns in Hartford. More recent markings show "COLT MFG" because Colt has changed its name to Colt Manufacturing Company. Also, a characteristic of the M16A1 series is the thin rear end of the receiver. From the A2 onwards, the receiver is significantly thicker.

Let's look at the other side of the receiver.

A key feature is the absence of a case deflector at the rear of the ejection port. However, it does have ribs around the magazine catch button to prevent accidental operation.

Apparently, there are quite a few variations of the real thing in this area, and it's likely that the lower receiver is repurposed from the M16A1, so if the M16A1 was modified, the XM series lower receiver would naturally change as well. Therefore, even the real thing probably has different specifications depending on the production period.

Next is the spent casing port cover.

This model is made from pressed iron.

Some recent M4 and HK416 models have plastic covers.

In this product, the ejection port cover appears to be real-size, but the recess in the dummy bolt is insufficient, so it won't close.

Next is the distinctive forward assist by Bolt.

This button has a rather cool shape, an L-shaped button similar to the M16A1. The presence or absence of this bolt forward assist button varies depending on the time period and model, so it's not entirely clear. This L-shaped button was unpopular because it would snag on clothing, so it has now been replaced with a round one.

Unfortunately, the other side of the selector is just a cap.

Next, let's look at the charging handle.

Unfortunately, since it's an electric airsoft gun, you can only pull the trigger a little.

Pulling the charging handle retracts the dummy bolt, allowing you to adjust the hop-up. The hop-up chamber was a drum type, not a dial type.

Unfortunately, it lacks the bolt lock mechanism that is commonly found on modern guns, so you need to keep pulling and kicking the charging handle when adjusting the hop-up.

Next, let's look at the grip.

The grip is of the M16A1 type, and its shape differs from the A2 grip found on current M4s and other models. The most significant difference is the absence of finger grooves.

The grip feels like the one in the next photo; it's not particularly thin. (My build is that of an average Japanese person: 175cm tall, 70kg.)

Next, let's look at the carrying handle.

Obviously, it's not detachable. The sights are pinhole type, and you can choose from two different hole sizes depending on the distance. You can also adjust the left and right using the tip of a bullet on the dial.

This is the carrying handle viewed from above.

This is a site picture.

It seems quite easy to aim at.

stock

Next, let's look at the stock.

While retractable stocks existed before the XM177, this model marked the introduction of the current telescopic retractable stock. Its operation is exactly the same as current models. However, being from the early days of the technology, it only has three positions.

Position 1

Position 2

The real thing apparently had two positions, but since the real thing is constantly being improved, it's hard to say what's correct. Incidentally, the genuine XM177E1 seems to have been made of cast aluminum with a resin coating, but this product uses resin. I suppose that's unavoidable from a cost perspective.

Next is the rear end of the stock.

The surface area is quite large, making it easy to position yourself.

When the stock is removed, it's just a regular stock tube.

Finally, remove the handguard to install the battery.

It has a Tamiya mini connector for front wiring and a tube fuse. The fuse was 30A. Also, only 1000-1400mAh LiPo batteries in stick or bifurcated form will fit.

Because it doesn't have the same thickness as an M4's handguard and there's no recess in the outer barrel, a mini S-shaped battery won't fit.

One area for improvement is that to remove the handguard, you need to pull the circular part at the base of the barrel (delta ring) towards the receiver, but the spring is too stiff, making it quite difficult. As a solution, you can either cut the spring or replace it with a weaker one.

Incidentally, it appears that their XM177E2 uses rear wiring.

Next, we will check the actual firing performance.

Actual firing performance

Now, as usual, let's check the actual firing performance.

This time, I'm using a fully charged 8.4V DCI GUNS 7.4V 1000mAh 25C battery.

The BBs used are S&T 0.2g bio BBs, and the hop-up is set to 0.

It's about the same as a regular standard electric airsoft gun.

Next is the cycle.

The cycle rate is a pretty good 17.1 shots per second.

From what I've researched, I heard the performance isn't very good, but it runs quite smoothly. However, I haven't actually seen the trajectory, so I can't say for sure.

If you're interested, please also check out my review of the chronograph.

Next is a video showing the operation.

セミオート

G&P XM177E1 Semi-Automatic Normal

The squirrel

G&P XM177E1 Full Auto (Normal)

There's a slight gear noise and gunshot sound that's a bit bothersome, but it's at a decent level overall.

I was prepared for some performance issues, but the operation exceeded my expectations in a good way. Incidentally, the magazine is the same as a standard M4 magazine. There might be compatibility issues, but most standard M4 magazines should work.

G&G Bio-Bullets 0.2g
It's inexpensive and accurate, so I use it for a wide range of purposes, from performance testing to airsoft games. It's been my favorite since it first came to Japan (around 2008). It lasts a long time for a biodegradable product.

G&G Bio-Bullets 0.25g
It's 0.25g. I generally use 0.25g BBs when playing airsoft.

Summary

G&P has a good reputation for its appearance, so I had high expectations, and it was indeed good. The functionality, which has been rumored to be not very good, was also just okay.

Has this been improved in recent batches? The hop-up chamber is also a metal drum type. I can't say for sure without seeing the trajectory, but it looks like it could be reasonably usable just by changing the hop-up packing.

In summary, the XM177E1 is quite compact and weighs around 2.3kg, which is light for a metal body, making it seem easy to use. It also has good rigidity and good operation, so it should be quite usable with just a change to the hop-up packing (maybe even the packing itself can be changed).

The only downside is that the included magazine is a long 30-round type. I think a shorter 20-round type would suit this model better (unfortunately, I don't have one).

It seems usable right out of the box, but as usual, I'll customize it, so I'll disassemble it next time.

This is a highly recommended product, but it seems that it hasn't been imported into Japan much, perhaps due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Therefore, I'll introduce some models that are in stock at the time of writing and that I personally like.

Basically, the latest production batch has the same internal components but a fantastic exterior, so it's recommended for anyone who wants a full-metal standard model.

G&P AR 9mm SMG AEG
A US military SMG from the Vietnam War era. The M16 receiver combined with the oddly sized 9mm magazine looks really cool.

G&P M16 Vietnam Version
This was a mainstay rifle from the same period as the XM177 series.

G&P M4A1 AEG Marine Corps Model
定番です。