NAPOCOR Airsoft Group

High-end Manufacturers
•Hudson - produces reenactment grade, shell-ejecting, gas-operated airsoft guns, mainly of WWII replicas.
•Sheriff, who assemble full metal custom pistols using Western Arms based components, as well as building Maruzen based bolt action rifles. Sheriff also made gas airsoft rifles for a time, including the now discontinued Highlander Magnum
•Sunproject, Known for their M203s and c02 driven Gas Blow Back M-16s.
•Airsoft Elite, A separate company that imports and domestically pre-upgrades ICS guns. They also make high quality bbs.
•G&G (Guay Guay Gunshop), specializes in internal and external upgrades and accessories. G&G has recently released higher end guns such as the RK103, UMG, and M-14. Arguably one of the best airsoft manufacturers due to quality guns and high customer service skills. They tend to cost a little more than CA or Marui but use better stock gearbox material. G&G Website
•G&P, specializes in aftermarket upgrades and external accessories, also make a variety of high quality AR-15 series AEG's along with an M249. G&P Website
•ICS (I Chih Shivan), ICS is considered as one of the "big 3" most popular gun manufacturers (including Classic Army and Tokyo Marui). Their guns usually come with metal bodies and trademarks. They manufacture Olympic Arms, M4s, MP5s, and an AK-74M replica. Their MP5 series feature quick takedown bodies. They also came out with the split gearbox design in which the upper gearbox (which includes the cylinder and spring assembly), disconnects from the lower gearbox (which has the gears) for easier repair and upgrade. They have recently updated their entire line to make them more reliable. They will be releasing the SIG rifle, L85, and another series of AK soon. ICS Website
•Inokatsu, famous for their Full metal M60 Machine Guns and AK47/74.
•KSC/KWA, largely a pistol manufacturing company, though endeavors to rifles have been made. KSC manufactures an HK33 AEG line that features manual cocking in the event of a dead battery.
•MadBull, makers of many types of Airsoft grenades, grenade launchers, tight-bore barrels, triggers, mines, and various other parts.
•Marushin, known for some of their guns to use an 8mm bb instead of a 6mm, http://www.marushin-kk.co.jp/
•Maruzen, one of the first airsoft companies that came out, known for its P99 nonblowback
•Modify, specializes in internal upgrades.
•Olympic Arms, These guns are basically ICS Armalites with licensed trademarks by TSD.
•STAR, specializing in more expensive, highly realistic, easy-to-disassemble airsoft guns. There are doubts over the reliability of their AEGs, such as gearbox problems in their SA80 series.
•Systema Engineering, which specializes in high-end training weapons but also internal and external upgrades. They are priced on the edge of affordability for the average airsoft enthusiast, but are renound for some of the most flawless guns on the planet.
•Tanaka, which specializes in high-powered gas gun revolvers and rifles.
•Tokyo Marui, possibly the very pinnacle of airsoft technology and durability (while kept stock), created the first automatic electric gun (AEG), the FAMAS F1, and the invention of the 'HopUp'. They have manufactured almost every model of AEG and several AEPs. They also have invented the speed loader and many other great advancements in airsoft. However, due to Japanese law, they are required to have only plastic receiver, which has put them in tight competition with CA and ICS. As an investment they last for many more years than other competitors, and with their reliability make for one of the best platforms for an upgrade gun. Tokyo Marui is the biggest airsoft manufacturer woldwide, and the Airsoft "standard" for which nearly all after market products are tailored.
•Classic Army - A Chinese company that is often seen to rival MARUI. CA products were an instant hit because of its metal body during 2003. However, sometimes their products have been criticised for lacking the quality control of Marui AEGs. CA has some minor issues with their wiring.
•RealSword - a Hong Kong-based company manufacturing replicas of Chinese assault rifles - Type 56, QBZ-95 and QBZ-97. RealSword boasts about high quality of those replicas.
•TOP, specializes with manufacturing light and heavy machine gun airsoft replicas.
•Western Arms, largely specializing on the 1911 .45 and its derivatives as well as Beretta, S&W and SV.
•VFC/GB TECH (Vega Force Company), Recently began production of Rare and Unique AEGs
•Echo1 USA, a new airsoft brand. Released in January 2007, they have quickly become a low price alternative to a TM or CA. They are pre-upgraded AEGs for a fraction of the price of a TM or CA gun. Echo 1 guns are made in China by the Jin Gong factories, and although Echo 1 claims there are differences from the JG originals, it is unclear whether these claims are actually true. Many airsofters report opening JG and Echo 1 guns and being unable to tell the difference, others have said that there are differences in the gears and the spring. The common consensus is that Echo 1 is an American rebrander of Jin Gong. Though some say Echo 1 puts better wiring and more metal internals before they rebrand JG guns.
Middle-range companies
Produce lower budget alternatives to higher priced guns. Usually fire at a lower power, use cheaper materials and have less detail.
Taiwan Factories
•KWC (Kien Well Corporation) - Taiwanese manufacturer known for its CO2 powered Mini UZI, classic M16 gas rifles and spring-power guns retaining fully licenced trademarks.
•KJW (Kuan Ju Works) - Taiwanese manufacturer of high powered metal-constructed replicas. (Takes 'top' green gas right out of box) Most KJW guns do not carry replicated trademarks, so the accuracy of the replicas is limited. Some of KJW products are sold under the brand "Y&P" in the United States.
•HFC (Ho Feng Corporation) - Taiwanese manufacturer of spring- and gas-powered guns, mainly KSC and Tokyo Marui copies. The company was made famous for their HFC M190 gas blowback model. The gas pistol was a replica of a Beretta 92FS but included a tactical mounting rail. The pistol was released in an ABS or full metal version (excluding grips). The pistol could also be purchased in full automatic, semi automatic, or both.
•WE Taiwan (Wei-E Tech) - brand belonging to HFC, known for their range of metal Colt M1911 and Hi-Capa pistols (based on tactical STI 1911 .45 series)
•AIM - AEG series manufactured by ICS but lacking the full metal bodies.
•Modify - Taiwanese manufacturer, specializes in designing and manufacturing internal airsoft upgrade parts.
•TECHPRO - A Japanese owned company in Taiwan, specializes in manufacturing innovative parts to give your AEGs more power. very limited parts produced so far. Most popular products is the double O-ring piston head.
•SRC (Star Rainbow Company) /STTI - Taiwanese company manufacturing M4/M16 and AK47 replicas, copied from Tokyo Marui designs. They now release full metal versions in addition ABS plastic versions that fires around 300-330 fps out of the box. Their first gun, an M4A1, had reliability issues and broke after a few thousand shots. Their newer guns are said to be far better, and they currently produce the only RPK on the market, as well as the only Marui-compatible XM8, which also is the only fully assembled XM8 with a working scope.
Chinese Factories
•CYMA - Earlier models include the CM027 MP5J and CM028S AK47. Their release for 2006 includes the CM031 which is externally a CA SLR-105 clone but internally similar to its version of the AK47 with a different hop up chamber and inner barrel. They also recently released a TM clone G18c AEP, however their products lack the quality and precision of higher end brands. They also manufacture LPEG's, which prove to be quite popular among beginners.
•JIEKE/WELL - The Chinese company to revolutionize the MPEG market with its release of the R5 MP5 and R6 M4A1 in mid 2005. Its gearbox and motor proved to be surprisingly durable although these 2 guns suffer from air compression problems. They later released the R7 or M4A1 with full stock and R8 G3SAS which surprised many people with its robustness and accuracy. Their later release for 2006 includes the R5E which is merely the R5 with tactical foregrip and fixed butt and the R6E. The R6E was an R6 with full metal barrel (inner and outer), flip up metal front sight, metal stock tube, included metal magazine, metal RIS rail, and metal carrying handle.
•Double Eagle (DE) - The company that revolutionized LPEGs or with its still famous M83. Double Eagle has been proven to make exact copies of Tokyo Marui's weapons with small upgrades, which means great durability and usefulness. Their version of the AK47 and Spetsnaz were met with lukewarm enthusiasm as most other Chinese companies, many unknown, were able to come up with better performing aegs. Their M50 springer rifle was quite popular and easily "upgradeable" to 400fps with simply wrapping the inner barrel and hop up chamber area with teflon tape to seal air leaks. In early 2007, Double Eagle released their versions of M4 S-System (the M88) and G&G-based UMP (the M89).
•Both Elephant (BE) - Manufactures the AUG, XM8, G36, and the SL8 sniper rifle.Most of its aegs come in two variations, one with a plastic gearbox and one with a metal gearbox. Plastic gearbox versions are prone to breakdown while the metal gearbox versions seem to be quite reliable. However, even the metal gearbox versions are inferior in quality to similar models produced by Jin Gong (JG). They are often light weight and lack the finish and trademarks. In late 2006, Both Elephant debuted with a KWC SIG-Sauer P226 copy, dubbed "No.01" and reportedly having serious valve and magazine issues.
•Jin Gong (JG, also known as Golden Bow) - JG's first normal-power AEG release was the first series of M5 - MP5 replicas (MP5A4, MP5A5, MP5-SD5, MP5SD6) based on plastic bodies of their earlier LPEGs, fitted with a modified V2 gearbox and non-standard hop up system. Those replicas, prone to breaking and having poor performance, were soon pulled off the market. Next wave of JG AEGs, the AK47 series built around a copy of Tokyo Marui V3 gearbox and AK47 hop up system, were far more successful. Aside from standard AK47 and AK47S, the series included a copy of TM Beta Spetsnaz AK, a folding stock variation of the Beta Spetsnaz and a copy of Guarder "AK-to-SVD" kit (able to achieve velocity in 380-400 fps range after replacing poor quality cylinder and barrel).
In late 2006, Jin Gong introduced its M16 line (consisting of M4A1, M16A2, M16A4, M4 S-System), the second, revised series of MP5s, Steyr AUG A2 and a G36C, all capable of BB velocity of 350 fps and more. Jin Gong are often referred to as 'Tokyo Marui of Chinese AEGs' due to high quality of their products.
•A&K - Its M4 S-System with metal RIS (rail interface) has become a big winner in a market saturated with M4A1s. Some retailers claim them to be a middle-grade gun, however the quality of the guns usually say otherwise. The S-System was followed by other rifles from the M16 family: M16A4, M4, M933 and M4 CQB and a M249 clone was announced to be released in July 2007.
•Kart/New Star - this company, commonly linked to A&K, has debuted with releasing a M14 copy soon after the Tokyo Marui model appeared. Other models include M1A SOCOM rifle, M40 and Steyr AUG (although the last one was discontinued due to poor build).
•AGM - a latecomer that surprised the market with its surprising accurate and powerful springer rifle, the MP001 aka VSR (since it is a visual replica of the TM VSR10). While its MP004/s Ak47 version did not gain popularity mainly due to the headstart gained by CYMA and the AGM offering nothing new, its MP007 (MP40) was an instant hit as an alternative to expensive and fault-prone TOP MP40 and MP008 (M14) surprised the market with its use of the version 3 spring guide and stock gears.
•BOYI/DBOYS' - aegs are released under the brand BOYI and their M4A1 and M4 s-system are among the best aegs China has to offer. Parts and accesories are released under the name DBOYS which is probably the first Chinese producer of aftermarket parts and accessories.
•ARMY - a little known Chinese manufacturer. Currently their only known AEG is a full stock version of the AK-47, similar in quality to the CYMA CM-028 AK, but slightly more powerful. They have an L85 AEG in production at the moment as well.
•JLS - producer of the airsoft SCAR, one of the first examples of a Chinese airsoft manufacturer being innovative and creating models that are not clones of guns made by more well known companies such as Tokyo Marui and Classic Army. Also produced two full metal HK33 variants and a FN F2000.
Note: Some people sometimes mention that CYMA, Double Eagle, and/or WELL are the same company but this is inaccurate. They are separate companies and in fact are only brand names and not company names. They are the big 3 in China and it is believed that some of the owners or co-owners have close blood relations. What is sure is that they have close business ties and sometimes coordinate their product development efforts. Also important to note is the prolific pirating of Chinese products within China. Many smaller factories duplicate the larger factory's product in exact detail, copying even the factory marks (WELL for example). Consumers and retailers must be aware that purchasing factory-direct (non-branded) product does not mean that the product is legitimately from that factory.
OTHERS
•UHC (Unicorn Hobby Company) - Offering very reliable, yet economical alternatives to higher-end companies. Have produced a variety of well known spring guns including the MP5 SD3, the M1911A1, M92FS, as well as the Super 9. Also have released gas pistols including the H&K USP.
•KHC - Famous for their Maverick Bullpup shotgun and spring pistols.
•Omega - Famous for their Beretta 93R.
•Academy - South Korean company best known for their DPMS Kittycat, L85, and A-15 rifles.

Entry level factories
Mainly produce springers and low powered electric guns with total lack of trademarks and toy like finish:
•BOYS A category of airsoft guns designed specifically for younger children which shoot at a lower FPS and therefore are often cheaper.
•Double Eagle (Double Eagle Airsoft) - manufacturers of the UTG Warhawk AK47 replica and the M324 Master Sniper bolt action rifle.
•WELL (Although they recently released higher-end AEG's, the R-series).
•Double Eagle. Manufactured some of the best springers in the market and is the company credited with pioneering the LPEG boom with its famous M83 M4 LPEG.
•JLS - primarily a manufacture of Low End Electric Blowback Pistols
•CYMA - manufactures various spring and electric low quality guns. CYMA had been producing such models for a long time before finally releasing the high quality models the company now mainly focuses on.
Manufacturers, Importers, Dealers and Gurus
These companies purchase product directly from the factories for distribution to retailers. In the United States, the better companies will repackage the products with English instructions and may include warranty cards. Generally, the larger the company, the more leverage they have with the factory, which leads to better quality control and distribution. These 'importers' are considered manufacturers because the contract with the factories to make products specifically for them.:
•Team SD, one of the oldest Airsoft importor distributor in the US. Offers low to high end airsoft weapons and accessories from WE, ICS, SRC, UHC, HFC, TSD, JB-Unicorn, Hurricane, WELL, Double Eagle, etc. Admits to rebranding but claims to offer feedback to manufacturers to improve product quality, claim is not yet verify nor proven false.
•AIRSOFT ZONE CORPORATION - An American-based DIRECT importer and distributor of a wide barrage of airsoft weapons and accessories; they are THE go-to for local and also nation-wide wholesalers of airsoft, as they are known to have the lowest prices in the industry for wholesale. They can be reached through the contact information on www.wholesalecentral.com/airsoftzone
•BroJames' Shop and Distro - A distributor in the Philippines that imports and domestically pre-upgrade high-end AEGs (Classic Army and Tokyo Marui) and mid-range AEGs (SRC, Kuan Ju Works, STTI, Y&P, and non-branded Chinese AEGs).
•ECHO1, rebrands JG aeg's, They test then repackage. An American company. Known for their M4 line and the G36c. This statement is not 100% correct even though JG's guns are highly similar to Echo1 USA there are differences in the gears and the spring. Echo1 does import their replicas from China where they test and do their upgrades where they later redistribute with a 30 day factory warranty.
•Crosman, offering mainly low-quality Chinese entry-level electric rifles and pistols.
•Cybergun - offers an enormous selection of licensed products, mainly by KWC and AGM.
•FIREPOWER (Palco Sports)- The company that actually offers a warranty on their product.
•STTi (SpringTime Taiwan Inc.) - Parent company of KJW and SRC
•Tippmann (Spring, CUCOK, and electric guns)
•Umarex, operating mainly in Germany and selling various replicas of Walther, Beretta, Desert Eagle, Smith and Wesson, and Heckler and Koch guns - produced by KJW, KWC, HFC and WELL
•UTG / Neonfire - Two subdivisions of Leapers that Basically rebrand higher-end Chinese-made guns from WELL, CYMA, and Double Eagle. Usually packs them with extra accessories like an extra battery, magazine, or sling.
•UKARMS, a new company who imports mostly pistols. They have a strong build quality, however the instructions are said to have grammatical errors, and are often packaged with a wrong type of BB weight, making them quite inaccurate.
Some of these companies' placements may be disputable, but are based on overall quality of all their products.
Airsoft Ammo (BB) Manufacturers
•Airsoft Elite (0.2g, 0.23g, 0.25g BB Pellets) - High quality white and black BB Pellets
•Excel (0.2g, 0.23g, 0.25g Biodegradable BB Pellets) Highest quality Bio-Degradable BB Pellet's Manufactured in Japan
•Goldfire (0.2g, 0.25g BB Pellets) - Taiwanese BB pellets, widely considered to be comparable to Excel and Tokyo Marui pellets.
•Systema (0.2g Pellets) - High quality 0.2g 6mm BBs
•ICS (0.2g BB Pellets) - Taiwan-made BB Pellets by I Chih Shivan Enterprise
•Maruzen (0.2g BB Pellets) - High precision Japanese manufactured BB Pellets, claimed to be within +/- 0.01 mm. Rate 4.5/5 on the universal BB grading system.
•KSC (0.2g, 0.25g, 0.3g BB Pellets) - Good quality Taiwanese manufactured BB Pellets for OEM in
Japan. Rate 4/5 on the universal BB grading system.
•TSD Tactical - Very High quality, highly polished BB's, made with ABS plastic.
•Killer Beez (.20g, .25g .28g BBs) High quality white and "earth friendly" BBs.
•HFC (0.12g, 0.2g BB Pellets) - Regular quality BB Pellets for lower to middle end guns
•ECO BB (0.20g) - A relative newcomer. These BB's are the first BB to meet the ASTM standards for a true biodegradable BB. These BB's dissolve in hours when submersed in water. Rate 3/5 on the universal BB grading system.
•Fidragon (0.12g., 0.2g, 0.25g Biodegradable BB Pellets) High quality white and black BB Pellets
•Flying Colors (0.12g., 0.2g, 0.25g) - Good grade 6mm BBs for all-around use. They have the widest variety of colors available. Rate 2.5/5 on the universal BB grading system.
•6MMZ (.20g BB Pellets) High quality Black BB Pellets
•Cybergun (.12, .2, .23, .25) - Their standard BBs are rated as poor, but their "Special Selection" line of BBs are said to be very high quality.
•1st Target (0.12g,0.18g,0.20g,0.23g,0.25g,0.28g,0.30g,0.33g Non Bio - 0.20g,0.23g,0.25g,0.28g,0.30g Bio) High quality 6 mm BBs. Commonly sold as "Matrix" BB Pellets in Southern California. They are repackaged by Evike.com, and sold to other stores and consumers.
•CYMA (.12, .2) Generally poor quality despite advertising as High grade pellets, to be avoided in most cases.
•Xtreme Precision (0.12g, 0.20g, 0.23g, 0.25g, 0.28g 0.30g) - Extremely high quality BB's, The company does not primarily deal in airsoft BB's but rather professionally makes ball bearings.
Former Airsoft Factories/manufacturers
Along with the named companies, a few companies who were prominent in the earlier history of airsoft, but have since gone out of business, include:
•Asahi Firearms
•Falcon Toy Corp./Hudson
•JAC
•Kokusai
•LS
•Marukoshi
•MGC Bondshop of Japan
•Yonezawa
•YE- Youth Engineering