Echo 1 Stag Arms M8A3

Echo 1/Stag Arms M8A3 review by Booligan

Discuss this review HERE
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Real Steel History
Ordering
Basic Gun Information
First impressions/Packaging
Included
Gun Specifications
Externals
Trademarks
Magazines
Performance
Internals
Modifications
Pros/Cons
Overall
Introduction
After much marketing secrecy and controlled photo releases, three new Echo 1 models have been released, the ER25K, M4 CQB XK, and this model, the Stag Arms M8A3. Two of these models are AR variants and the other is an SR25 based gun. These models are some of the finest models to come out of Echo 1 to date, and I am pleased to be reviewing the M8A3 here today!
Real Steel History:
The M8A3 isn’t an actual AR variant, but has features from several different guns all rolled into one. It is, however, licensed through Stag Arms, whose history I will showcase here. Stag Arms is a real steel firearms manufacturer whose products are regarded as one of the better options out there for ARs. They manufacture guns for both right and left handed users in a variety of calibers. Echo 1 has been licensing AEGs with the Stag Arms name for about a year.
Ordering:
I was sent this AEG directly by Echo 1 USA in order to review it here on Airsoft Retreat. It is currently available at most major airsoft retailers priced at $210. It includes Echo 1’s 30 day warranty against manufacturer defects.
Basic Gun Information
This gun is a nice little collection of parts thrown into one very attractive package. It has elements of the H&K 416, as well as a standard M4, and some Troy Industries manufactured models. It has a plastic receiver which is both lightweight and rock solid. There is a lot of metal on this gun, however, and it shouldn’t be shot down because of the plastic receiver.
First impressions/Packaging:
The M8A3 arrived in a nicely decorated box showing that it is a Stag Arms model, as well as showing basic information on the gun. I was very pleased that it came with E1’s new soft foam packing system, which takes the abuse of shipping much better than the plain white styrofoam, and makes for a very nice presentation.
From here on, click all pictures to enlarge

Box

New foam lower
Included:
Included in this package is the gun, 8.4v 1500 mAh battery and charger, battery box, one metal hi-cap magazine, winding tool, front sight adjustment tool (that can’t be used on this model), cleaning/unjamming rod, manual, and the warranty card.

Everything included

Battery and charger (note, large battery with small connector)




Manual
Gun Specifications:
Weight: 6 lbs (according to manual, feels about right)
Length: 25.75”-34.5” (stock retracted, extended, convertible barrel, etc)
Width: 2.25” (battery box not installed)
Height: 8”-9” (sight to grip, folded/unfolded)
Sight Radius: 15.25”
LOP: 10.25”-13.5”
Externals:
As mentioned previously, this gun has a plastic receiver, but has a lot of metal parts. The metal parts include the stock tube, free float RIS, convertible outer barrel, top rail, front and rear sights, and all the various switchgear (trigger, selector switch, etc).

Overview
The stock is a standard 6 position LE stock. Nothing too special here, except for the fact that it is a very snug fit, and there’s very little stock wobble on the buffer tube. There is a slightly visible seam line on the top, but it’s not easily felt. There is also a metal sling mount located at the bottom; like all LE stocks.

Stock retracted

Stock extended
The receiver is plastic, but it’s not a standard M4 receiver. The lower receiver is an HK416 style receiver, with the flatter magwell angle and HK style pictogram selector markings, which are molded in and painted. The upper receiver is a standard M4 style, which lines up flush with the RIS. A 416 upper receiver wouldn’t line up with the Troy industries FF RIS. As mentioned earlier, all the switchgear is metal, and functions quite well.

Receiver, left side

Receiver, right side
Pulling back the metal charging handle opens the dust cover, pulls back the mock bolt carrier, and exposes the hop-up adjustment dial. The dust cover can be clicked firmly back into the closed position when not in use.

Hop-up adjuster
The grip is a normal M4 style grip. It has all the standard checkering for a solid grip, and is devoid of any negative seam lines that can be felt. The base has an allen head adjuster which is marked “Made In China”.

Grip

Motor base
The RIS is a replica of the 10” Troy Industries style of free float RIS, although it’s actual length is about 10.8”. It is a free float design, so it doesn’t touch the barrel at all, nor does it require the use of a gas block. This helps accuracy and frankly just looks nice. It’s a monolithic style of RIS, which means that it sits flush with the receiver top rail and offers one long RIS surface with no breaks for delta rings or anything of that sort. It’s attached by a piece at the bottom of the RIS, which is secured by 4 allen head screws. This thing is rock solid on the gun, with absolutely zero wobble or creaks. There are laser engraved mounting numbers on all RIS faces.

RIS

RIS attachment point
The outer barrel is a “one piece” design, meaning there are no separate parts at the base to cause wobble. It is in actuality, a 2 piece design, as it includes a removable piece to make the barrel length either 10” or 15”, not counting the flashhider. With the extension removed, there is a 14mm- threaded muzzle right inside the RIS, perfect for mounting a muzzle device in the shortened state. There is no replica gas block on this gun.

Extended barrel

Short barrel
The orange tip on the thing is not just screwed on, but secured by an allen head screw, a pin (that I can’t think of how to remove), and glue. I have no clue what’s underneath, but my guess is 14mm- threads once you get that damn thing off.

Orange tip, note the screw and the pin
Aiming this beast is accomplished with the use of folding metal back-up iron sights. The front is a replica of a Troy HK Style Folding Battle Sight, and the rear is a replica ARMS #40L folding sight. The rear is adjustable for windage using no tools, and the front is adjustable for elevation using a special tool that’s not included. On mine, the front sight would not lock open, causing it to spring closed when firing. I solved this by grinding a little bit of metal off the front of the sight itself, allowing it to go a bit more forwards, locking it securely.

Front sight folded

Up

Rear sight folded

Up, small hole

Up, large hole

Sight picture
Now, where do you put the battery in this thing? Unfortunately, you have to use an external battery box, which is included. It is plastic and will hold a large 8.4v battery with no problem. It is pretty bulky, unfortunately. I’ll be rewiring mine to the rear with either a crane stock or a VLTOR MOD stock.

Battery box

Battery in the box

Box on gun
Overall, I’ve forgotten that this thing has a plastic receiver. Seriously. I don’t see it as a detriment in any way, shape, or form. The RIS is amazing, the sights are great, and overall, it’s an awesome gun externally.
Trademarks:
One of the perks of this gun are the licensed and legal Stag Arms trademarks. This model features a bunch of trades, all tastefully engraved in the gun.


Trades
As mentioned earlier, the selector markings are engraved and painted, and are the HK style pictograms.


Selector markings
Magazines:
The included magazine is a metal hi-cap, holding 300 rounds. It fits and feeds very well, and features a hole in the side for rapid winding using the included butterfly key.

Magazine

Feeding bits

Winding bits
Mag compatibility is pretty basic. Everything that I’ve tried (TM, Dboys, AGM, A&K, E1, JG, MAG, ICS, SRC) have all fit and fed perfectly, with the exception of one. ICS Thermold mags will not fit, due to the flatter magwell. I can see this causing issues with Thermold mags, as well as some box/drum/Cmags.
Performance:
Baseline performance after a 500 round break in period is as follows:
FPS (Recorded using TSD .20g BBs shot through a Madbull V1 chrono:
High: 412.2 FPS
Low: 398.7 FPS
Average over 10 shots: 406.8 FPS
ROF (Tested with Audacity and various batteries):
14 RPS - stock 8.4v
17 RPS - Intellect 9.6v 1600 mAh Nunchuck
21 RPS - 11.1v 1800 mAh 15C
Accuracy and range was good, considering the size of the inner barrel. The Madbull bucking works wonders with the 300mm length barrel, allowing me to hit a man sized target at 155' 90% of the time, using TSD .25g BBs. I recommend heavier weight BBs in the .23-.28g range, due to the somewhat high velocity as well as the ability to apply plenty of hop-up to maintain range.
Here is a video of the gun firing, as well as showing some basic features:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T07Dsng7RTw
Here is a video firing it on an 11.1v 1100 mAh 15C Kong Power LiPo battery:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iULCTh_w_H0
I ran it at a game for several hours with the lipo, and it took it like a champ. No major misfeeding, no broken parts, no problems.
Internals:
Internally, this thing has pretty solid guts, including a chrome type 1 cylinder, metal non-bearing spring guide, and a very high torque motor. It also has metal bushings that appear to be 6mm in diameter. The piston is orange and appears to be the same design as the newer Systema piston. The piston head is ported and is made of an off white polycarbonate, which is the same as the cylinder head. The compression is very good, only allowing a tiny amount of air to leak past the piston o-ring. The gears are marked "GE", and are attracted by a magnet, leading me to believe that they are made of steel. The shim job was the best I've seen yet on an ACM gun, and the gearbox was lubed only slightly too much. The wiring is nice and thick and has a fairly high strand count from what I can see, and a 25A automotive style blade fuse is hidden in the RIS.


Gearbox

Shell

Spring guide

Cylinder

Piston

Cylinder head

Gears

Wire strand count
It has a two piece plastic hop-up, and is equipped with a blue Madbull bucking from the factory, with a standard nub. This combo has impressed me since I first encountered it in the E1 P90. The inner barrel is 300mm in length, meaning it comes right up to the muzzle of the short outer barrel, making it perfect for short carbine buildups.

Barrel and hop-up

Hop-up

Madbull bucking and standard nub
Modifications:
This thing is BEGGING to be modified. Mine has already had a Noveske KX3 Firepig flashhider added, and will be getting rewired to the rear with either a crane or VLTOR MOD stock. You have lots of options, since it’s basically an M4, plus you have a ton of rails for accessories. Go nuts modifying this one. I even tossed on the Zombat strike face on it, and it fit perfectly.

Zombat carbine

M8SD
Pros:
Good value considering all the parts
Stag Arms licensed
Solid body even though it’s plastic
Troy FF RIS is amazing
Convertible barrel
Good performance out of the box
Cons:
Plastic receiver (solid, but still, metal would be nice)
Must use battery box (a crane stock would have been amazing from the factory)
Somewhat plain choice of grip and stock (E1 has lots of options, different parts here would have been nice)
Front sight issue on my gun
Overall:
I wasn’t expecting too much with this gun, but I was wowed by the total package. It’s really worth more than the sum of its parts, both in cost and in style. It’s a very unique gun that’s ripe with mod possibilities.
Many thanks again to Echo 1, Deadrag Airsoft Radio and of course, AirsoftRetreat!