Engineering:KJW M700

The KJW M700 or Model 700 is a bolt-action, gas-powered airsoft sniper rifle developed by Kuan Ju Works modeled after the Remington 700. It uses Green Gas or propane injected into the magazine to fire a 6mm plastic pellet. It was released in 2006 and has steadily gained popularity among airsoft players. The rifle itself is a near clone of Tanaka's M700, the main differences being the outer barrel and hop-up system. The hop-up for the KJW is more similar to that of the Tokyo Marui VSR series of rifles which closer resembles hop-ups found on AEGs (Automatic Electric Guns).

Models & features

Two types of the M700 are on the market; the "Quick Take-Down Version" and the "Police Model" (700P).

Quick Take-Down Version

The take-down version is equipped with a lever mechanism that allows the rifle to be broken down in two pieces just in front of the trigger guard, allowing for more compact storage and easier transportation. This rifle may seem more convenient, but due to the design of the attachment point, this version has the tendency to leak gas from the magazine and has been reported to have greater accuracy issues than that of the Police model. This has often caused buyers to sway towards the regular 700P. While some of the take-down models exhibit this flaw, it is contained to a small amount due to quality control/tolerances.

Police Model (700P)

The Police Model is one piece and comes with removable iron sights.

Both models are only available in black with a matte black, "orange rind" textured stock. The rifles come with one eleven-round magazine and are equipped with scope rails, sling mounts, as well as a mount for a bipod.

Draws

A big attraction to the M700 is its powerful stock performance. It is readily capable of taking green gas (propane) "out of the box", with velocities averaging up to 550 ft/s (170 m/s) on Green Gas and 550–575 ft/s on propane with a 0.20 g BB, something that stock spring-powered sniper rifles simply cannot achieve. Some players have even claimed to get over 600 ft/s (180 m/s) on propane.

Another reason for its popularity is the rifle's affordable price, generally selling at $195 USD for the Police Model and $215 USD for the Quick Take-Down Version, just over half the cost of the Tanaka.

Flaws

Like most gas-operated airsoft guns, the M700 suffers from variable consistency as ambient temperatures can alter the pressure of the gas stored in the magazine, affecting both velocity and accuracy. Colder temperatures produce lower velocities, reducing the effective range of the weapon, while warmer temperatures increase the velocity which in turn might fire the round at speeds higher than the designated velocity limits for a match or game creating a greater risk of injury to other players.

Also, because gas rifles can have erratic velocity ratings, quite a few airsoft players are unwilling to allow gas sniper rifles on the field, due to this increased danger.

The reliability of the rifle's accuracy has also raised some complaints from owners. The stock inner barrel is 6.10 mm in diameter, allowing for inconsistent and poorly wide groupings, a tendency so common in earlier production runs it has garnered the reputation as the "Super 9 of gas rifles" by loyalists to spring-powered sniper rifles. Unicorn Hobby Company's (UHC) Super 9 is an inaccurate but powerful spring rifle with relatively high speeds in its model bracket. However, a replacement tight bore barrel with a diameter of 6.01mm reportedly remedies the spotty accuracy as well as adds an extra 25 ft/s (7.6 m/s) to the rifles muzzle velocity.

Most complaints to this rifle were in regards to the original 2006 versions and since then quality control has become less of an issue.

References

Airsoft GI M700 Product Page Airsoft GI M700 Quick Take Down Version Product Page Airsoft GI