Recommendations for first AEG

[Daltez]

Hi,
Looking at getting my first aeg. I like the look of the m4, hk416 platforms etc.
Any recommendations on what to get?
My budget is between $600-$900. But would hope to at least get battery and charger covered in that cost too.
Ideally something that is reputable /reliable and has upgradable parts too.

Thanks.

[Merlin]

Not sure what the current conversion rate is, but importing from echigoya would get you a TM Next Gen for the top end of your budget. Having gone that way, at the advice of many of the other TAG guys, they're bloody good out the box... So good it makes me not want to use any of my other toys.

Thisone is ~$522 + shipping and import tax (which I somehow avoided). They will hold one for you until you get a permit too. I think you'll struggle to get a better price in the country, or a better weapon. A spring upgrade would be the only real alteration you'd need to do as it's already front wired and a mosfet is a nice to have. But you'd come in within your budget just about for all this plus a couple of mags I reckon.

[Eda]

Absolutely second Merlin's recommendation. As one of the people who hassled him to get a Marui Next Gen after using one for many years myself, they really are the most skirmish-able guns out there.

That specific version is the best base gun as it's both the cheapest and comes front wired, something you'll kick yourself for not having if you buy one of the other versions (like all us noobs did back in the day).

As for upgrades, most of TAG is pretty clued up on this specific platform so recommendations and help are readily available. We've done all the trial and error parts testing for you

[Daltez]

Awesome, thanks for the info.
Guess I'll have to suffer the wait of importing a gun...
But first I'll have to renew my TAG membership!