H&K cutting down on non-Umarex aegs?

[theFlyingTrumpet]

Was searching on airsoftgi for pricing on an mp5 and noticed airsoftgi had practically none. Only the H&K licensed Umarex guns are left. Same thing on Evike. All G-36 models seem to be off the market too.... I guess H&K is finally cutting down?

Gonna be hard for me to find g36 parts for my not running gun now I guess.

Maybe my g36 and mp5 will increase in value? 

[Mooncruiser]

Not at all! Plenty of parts and guns.. Hell, tonight I'm rocking my 10+ year old ICS Mp5, works as well as new.
Check with Bob Moose and Exerach if you want guns or parts.

[theFlyingTrumpet]

Haha oh I know I can get most things on the forum, not too worried about that.

Just trying to strike up a conversation on H&K cracking down on rifle copies. 

[Note]

This happened a few months back.

[XavierMace]

I'll sell you some G36's.  LOL.

[Drmalan]

I read h&k is having big time financial problems
Perhaps this has some relation??

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2013/07/18/heckler-koch-germany-dire-financial-straits/

[Bob Z Moose]

Was searching on airsoftgi for pricing on an mp5 and noticed airsoftgi had practically none. Only the H&K licensed Umarex guns are left. Same thing on Evike. All G-36 models seem to be off the market too.... I guess H&K is finally cutting down?

Gonna be hard for me to find g36 parts for my not running gun now I guess.

Maybe my g36 and mp5 will increase in value? 

Silly goose, the kings of not giving a fuck over at Airsoft Megastore have plenty of non-HK approved MP5s

http://www.airsoftmegastore.com/Categories/112-m5-mk5-mp5-airsoft-guns.aspx/1

Same goes for G36s

http://www.airsoftmegastore.com/Categories/114-r36-mk36-g36-airsoft-guns.aspx

Which is good. The Ares G36KV seems to be so full of proprietary fail that it's not even funny. Ditto for the externals on the S&T "Competition" line G36c and UMP (never messed with running either; would rather run a DE G36 than an S&T). The G&G MP5s are suppose to be good, but $200+ for a CQB piece? Ain't nobody got time for that, especially with DEs doing just as well at CQB ranges (seen it with my own eyes tonight).

The used market is saturated with G36s and MP5s. Both are decently popular guns, made by most every airsoft manufacturer at some point or another. If you need G36 parts or a mostly working MP5, I'm your huckleberry. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkm1i2o6Ri8

Aside from that, why did HK go with the worst possible companies to manufacture their "licensed" guns and why did they think consumers would give a darn about trades? My JG works way better than a friend's Ares KV, which has already gone down for the count. Trades have always been a mystery to me. I don't care about markings as long as the gun is solid and it performs well.

[theFlyingTrumpet]

Haha Bob that was hilarious.m

My CYMA mp5 has been running strong for the past 3 years I've been seriously airsofting. Much nicer than my friend's Tokyo Marui and ICS mp5s......

[XavierMace]

Which is good. The Ares G36KV seems to be so full of proprietary fail that it's not even funny. Ditto for the externals on the S&T "Competition" line G36c and UMP (never messed with running either; would rather run a DE G36 than an S&T). The G&G MP5s are suppose to be good, but $200+ for a CQB piece? Ain't nobody got time for that, especially with DEs doing just as well at CQB ranges (seen it with my own eyes tonight).

Aside from that, why did HK go with the worst possible companies to manufacture their "licensed" guns and why did they think consumers would give a darn about trades? My JG works way better than a friend's Ares KV, which has already gone down for the count. Trades have always been a mystery to me. I don't care about markings as long as the gun is solid and it performs well.

I'd agree the "Competition" series are utter shit, but the older Star/Ares G36's were actually quite nice.   I'd take them over a JG or CA in a heartbeat.

In regards to the second paragraph....  HK gave licensing rights to Umarex.  HK did not choose who Umarex gave those rights to.  That said, it's a really simple reason.  JG = China, Ares = Hong Kong.  China doesn't give a single fuck about copyright laws and therefore have no use for Umarex.  Hong Kong and Taiwan prefer to try to operate like the rest of the civilized world.  I don't understand what people don't get about it not just being about putting trademarks on the guns.  Non-licensed airsoft guns are violating trade dress laws and are technically illegal with or without trademarks on the product.

In regards to the brands themselves....  Right now I've got 2 Ares (one old model, one new), 1 ICS, 1 CA, and 1 JG.  Last place is a 3 way time between JG, CA, and the new Ares.  The CA has 10x nicer externals than either of the other brands but has more electrical issues than a Jaguar.   The JG is cheap but has no other redeeming qualities.  The Ares looks/feels like shit but so far it hasn't broken down on me.  The older Star/Ares is next in line.  I do think it's a better overall design than the TM but lack of replacement parts (and tools for the barrel nut) take a point off in my book.  Externals aren't spectacular, but better than JG and the new Ares.  Right now I'd place ICS at the top (don't have a KWA to compare).  It's biggest issue is lack of external compatibility.  The front end and handguard is interchangeable with TM compatible guns but the stock and lower receiver parts are not.  The feel of the parts however come close to the old CA's but with rock solid internals.

[Bob Z Moose]

Mace, didn't have anything to base an opinion on the older Ares, I just know that the current gen and the S&T are a load of crap. The externals on the KWA (at least the older model) feel just as plasticy as the S&T "Competition" line. I've been running a stock JG (except a clone of the ICS Turbo motor) for 6 months or so without issue. The externals are pretty nice. The plastic is decently thick and has a nice feeling to it (at least for me). Again, I don't have much to compare it to, so I would probably change my tune feeling a CA or older Ares.

As for Umarex, I keep forgetting that they handle everything for H&K. I should amend my original comment to say "Why does Umarex continue to use the shittiest manufacturer for their guns?" G&G a step up for their MP5s, but S&T for the G36s that most people will end up buying? Bad move. As far as the trades issues, WE is Taiwan I believe. They're pumping out guns that violate the trade dress (or come extremely close to it) as far as Glock's, Beretta's, XD's, S&W's, ect. ICS is still pumping out Galil's and MP5's, they're just hard to find now. Then there's Tokyo Mauri, making all sorts of guns violating not just trade dress, but using full trades without any fucks given.

I think Chinese companies may be doing a bit of business with Umarex, especially on the LPAEG front. Otherwise, I know that Cybergun and ASG both do a fair bit of business with both CYMA and JG for their products. CYMA made the licensed Galil and still makes a Colt licensed M4 and the Kalashnikov AKs. JG seems to be making the Steyr licensed AUGs. Going through the ASG page on Evike it could any of the big Chinese companies making the new Armalite or Arsenal licensed guns.

[XavierMace]

ICS's MP5's have always been licensed.  In fact, ICS typically has licensing in place before they start shipping them or soon after.

WE mostly just clones TM and in general operates like a mainland manufacturer. 

[Bob Z Moose]

Thought I would update this. Airsoft Megastore has fallen. They even changed their "R36" (clever girl) section to "G36".

Airsplat still has a ton of affordable MP5s, SL9's, and G36's in stock. Get em while you can, guys.