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First Factory – First Impact Catalog and 2nd DVD of 1st

First Factory – First Impact Catalog and Second DVD of First

I'm very fortuante to have some good friends in the airsoft community. One of my pals just got back form a Japan trip, where they vistied the legendary First Factory and brought me back copies of the First Factory, "First Impact Catalog" and the First Factory, "Second DVD on First", DVD.

First Factory, First Impact Catalog

This is First Factory's printed product catalog, and done in typical high end, Japanese style design and printing. It's 146 pages of full color goodness. Not only does it list the products, upgrades and services First Factory provides, but contains articles such as:

  • Info for begginer airsofters. Suggested loadouts, how to play, etc.
  • Info for experts . Suggested new high end gear.
  • Info on real tactical gear (i.e. Tactical Lights, Optics, Vests, BDU's, etc)
  • Diagrams on how airsoft guns work.
  • History of First Factory.
  • Explanation of First Factory internal upgrades.
  • "Combat School" Pistol Techniques.
  • Gallery of Anime gun mods.
  • Various First Factory marketing articles.

It's as if this was an ARMs magazine with more ads and less articles. But first class layout and design.

Second DVD on First


Second DVD on First – Front and Back cover

Just like the high quality First Impact catalog, the Second DVD on First DVD is a high production quality DVD. The content is basically a 45 minute airsoft infomercial, but it also includes reviews, howto's and real gun shooting.  It's a good view into the Japanese airsoft market.

They show one of their highly upgraded M16's (188m/s, 617f/s) shooting through the metal of a car door.

DVD contents include:

  • First's Complete Custom Gun Series
  • Comparison of upgrade work between First Factory and a Competitor
  • Handgun faceoff
  • Tactical gear review
  • Real gun shooting in Guam (RC car assassination)
  • And some bizarre other things lol.

Hope to have video samples of the DVD posted soon.

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Intel – AEX L.A. – 11.24.06

It may seem like I haven't been to the shop in a while… I've been there a few times since the last report, have been jsut too busy to write anything up, so I'm grouping?it all together.?

Tokyo Marui – GM 1911A1

Since the release of teh Hi-Capa series, Tokyo Marui has really given the 1911 airsoft genre a high quality, high performance and affordable 1911 style handgun. The GM 1911A1 is on par with the more expensive Westarn Arms GM 1911's and already has more add-on/upgrades available then competing GM 1911 models..

Colt has been all over U.S. Customs as of late. So anything with Colt markings have been having a difficult time getting through. When they do get to the shop, the trademarks have been defaced very badly. Fortunatley the 2nd batch AEX receieved, the trademarks were altered, but in much less dramatic way. Unfortunately AEX is out of stock again.

The TM GM1911 took green gas no problem, performed well, and shot around 300fps. While IRL this is a single stack magazine, TM managed to stagger the bb's resulting in a 26 round capacity.

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VFC – HK416

The VFC 416 is a nice replica of the HK 416. It comes with both 10" and 14.5" outer barrels as well as the railed versions famous HK style iron sights. It's all metal construction gives it a very solid feel.

The replica gas piston assembly is well done and the cosmetic bolt plate locks back when charging handle is pulled and releases using the bolt release.

Unfortunately for us in teh U.S. the markings say "VF 416" with VFC crest logo. I'm also not thrilled on the highcap magazine they ship in that you need an allen wrench to wind. But luckily it will work with any TM compatible M16 magazine.

Performance is good averaging 330 fps out of the box.

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Classic Army – M15A4 CQB Compact SEAL

The Classic Army – M15A4 Compact SEAL and M15A4 Compact are very nice M4 style CQB variants. If you ever wanted a Patriot style Armalite pistol, then these are good alternatives. It's a solid weapon with the following features:

  • Rail System
  • Flip-Up Rear Sight
  • Real ARMALITE Logo
  • Modified Wiring Switch
  • Individual Serial Number
  • Hi Cap Magazine (300 Rd)
  • Steel Detachable Front Sight
  • Easy Disassembly Metal Body
  • 7mm Bearing Metal & New Design Gear Box
  • Bearing Spring Guide and Piston Head
  • Reinforced Parts (Gear Set and Sealed Cylinder)

Performance is good averaging 320 fps out of the box.

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Classic Army – Steyr AUG A2

I wasn't too impressed by CA's AUG A1 Military, so I wanted to check out the A2. Outside or the licensed Steyr trademarks, this is very colse to the original Tokyo Marui build. This CA AUG also has quality problems in the build. Vertical foregrip doesn't move as smoothly as the TM version.

But this could be a good base if you add the Action Aug A3 rail system.

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First Factory – Swordfish Frontend MP5

This is a nice comsetic modification to your MP5. I've been a longtime fan of the MP5 Swordfish variant and happy to see AEX finally stocking them. Add the Nitro MP5 Top Rail, RIS handgrip and Folding Stock and you get this.

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Powder Coating – Laser Etching

Some of you who know me personally, know 1 of the business I own is a powder coating shop (Gemtech).? Since it's a coating business, we've dealt with alot?of surface finishes and finish removals.? Following are a few?airsoft/surface finishing?related?things

Powder Coating

Powder coating is a process where a dry powdered paint is baked?onto a metal surface (Or any surface that can withstand 400? F Temps).? The advantages are it's extreme durability, flexibility, corrosion protection and an environmentally safe process?when compared to a wet coating. But with products with tight tolerances, such as firearms, the coatings are too thick, unless engineered to be powder coated.? Since it is based on a heat process, powder coating is typically NOT used in real firearms (Most firearms will exceed 400? F Temps, and the powder coat will start to soften)?.

Contrary to popular belief, most airsoft metal parts (i.e. slides, bodies, etc)?coming out of China are NOT powder coated.? This is mainly due to cost and there's no need for powder coating's?durability.? Asia does not have to deal with EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), like here in the U.S., so a process like powder coating, would just result in added cost.? If you come across any paint that seems a little thicker and tougher to remove, it's probably an automotive based wet paint.?There are a few other coatings buzz words people may use, Cerakote,?Gunkote, Parkerizing and Anodizing.? These are all wet coats or metallurgical processes and not Powder Coating.

Way's to tell if an item is truly powder coated:

  1. The finish will NOT be smooth, It will have an "Orange Peel" texture.
  2. Where metal to metal parts meet, it should be devoid of any coatings.? Powder coating adds at least 2mil/inch per coat, which in layman?s terms means moving parts will stick.


USP Compact Slides and AK47 Metal Body


USP Compact Slide Hot Pink – For the Ladies… Seriously… 😉


USP Compact Slide Olive Drab

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Laser Etching/Engraving

A few years ago, we pulled in the capability of laser etching/engraving. In the following examples, the laser was used to burn off just the surface powder coat, thus creating an engraved effect. While the end results look great, the process is relatively expensive.


USP Compact with Powder Coated and Laser Etched Slide


USP Full Size with Powder Coated and Laser Etched Slide


USP Full Size with Powder Coated and Laser Etched Slide. Close up

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Retailer – Guns -n- Guys – Hong Kong


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http://www.gunsnguys.com/
Hong Kong

Guns -n- Guys is an interesting Hong Kong based retailer.

Their website is outdated and not the best e-shopping experience. – No search. Not logically categorized.

All they prices are listed in Hong Kong dollars. – Which isn't a bad thing if you're converting US dollars.  But it does mean you have to do a little research.

Their shopping cart / website would have you believe they do NOT accpet Paypal. – You need to tell them in your order comments, or in your follow up email you would like to use paypal and they will give you the details. They ACCEPT Paypal.

So why would you go through all that work to buy from them?  They get alot of Japanese airsoft products before other HK retailers do.  Sometimes by a few weeks.  Even though you do have to manually convert Hong Kong dollars, in most cases those prices when converted, prices are lower then most other HK based retailers.