Someone once told me something that goes along that line: if you want a regular AEG in a M14 body, any clone M14 will do. If you want a semi automatic / full auto sniper gun, get a TM.

get an aftermath m14 :)

Lolwut? Aftermath rebrands ACM, and often the old models (like their Lycaon which is the early CYMA CM.023) and that's crap.

Don't.

A friend just bought an AGM M14, the amount of money he is about to pour into this item to bring it up to his personal specs is actually over the cost of some of the used and upgraded items in the classifieds. However I suppose its all personal preference in what you like. He thought he would save some money getting an upgrade platform and tinkering with it. Till he discovered that he now wants to replace everything about it.

EDIT

After a quick viewing of the classifieds I can see that their are some more expensive setups. I also see things in that I would deem in a reasonable price range as well. If you are really hell bent on saving money I can tell you right now that there is a G&G available in the classifieds for about $450.00. If you dont mind G&G.

G&G really isn't worth the money. Not nearly enough upgradable parts, and some parts are incredibly difficult to source and are only made by either G&G and CA; some after market parts are very hard to source.

As a past (and kind of present) owner of an AGM M14, I'll tell you now not to waste your time. :B It's just not worth it. Save up for a TM. The M14 I purchased from AGM is, for lack of a better word, disgusting. Sure, it works if you want to be king of shit mountain, but the team and I hated it so much we started calling it "The Slut" and used it as a loaner weapon for newbies.

I've been lookng into it and im pretty sure that a g&g is my best bet but i'm not sure about it still because ever review i find is really mixed. What are youre impressions?

G&G is never your best bet when it comes to M14's.

I've owned 3 Marui M14's, 1 AGM... I've worked on SEVERAL more.

The TM M14 is VASTLY superior to everything else.

The G&G and CA M14 use a non-TM system. The aftermarket caters to TM. Therefore TM is the superior gun.

Save your money, don't rush your decision.

Not to sound like a dick but why do you NEED IT NOWNOWNOW? Why can't you keep the money you have and set it aside, then start adding more as you can in order to get a TM? Airsoft isn't going anywhere (I hope not) and as long as you have enough patience and money you can get anything you want.

When you settle for something, especially when warned against it, you will then come back to us and say "My AGM/G&G/whatever gun isn't working anymore! What do I do?" followed shortly by "Ok so I bought the parts I need but they dont fit! What do I do?" then followed by "Ok I'll just save up my money and get a TM". This happens like clockwork around here by people who refuse to take our advice when we give it to them and just do what they want anyway. Why bother asking us for advice if you will do whatever you want despite our headed warnings and advice from experience?

I have owned a G&G M14 that I received in a trade and unless you get the Veteran version (real wood stock and nicely factory upgraded internals) then your wasting your money. And the veteran is only slightly cheaper than a TM, if not on par with one. They use proprietary mags that won't fit TM or King Arms M14 mags, thus making mags more expensive. Im not sure about the parts compatibility but G&G have a tendency of being proprietary with certain parts/upgrades. I have since gone the TM route and will NEVER look back. The TM is lightyears ahead of any other M14 hands down, as with most other AEG/GBBs.

I really thought my comment said it all.

I guess I should have been clearer, simply reference the posts above this and you will understand why going that extra mile for something with quality is better.

Lol well i really can be quite patient... And im fully conscious of the fact that tm is just infinitaly better then the rest... But i'm just not that eager to put 500$+ into airsoft, be it an m14 or anything elsr

well than im sorry to say, then airsoft isn't the hobby for you. decent starter guns cost at least $500, and that doesn't take into account upgrades to allow your gun to compete with everyone else's.

Look into either paintball, or Cansoft guns. If you are heartset on airsoft, Cansoft guns would be your best bet. Most of them (SRCs especially), are better than some of the full black clones that are currently on the market.

I wouldn't go as far to say Airsoft is not for him if he can't/won't blow $500

You just got the budget your stuff, and find deals. Being Age Verified REALLY helps.

If you're into airsoft (Been to a game and like it) you can pick up a decent gaming rifle for ~$200 ish.

Sure you might need it upgraded/fine tuned/worked on after sometime, but that's not overly expensive especially if you do it your self.

Mags can be had cheap ish $100 or so.

See if you can borrow/rent a battery from somebody. That will save you from buying a good charger and batteries off the start but you really should invest in those sooner then later.

Buy a few belt pouches or a cheap vest to hold said mags. Throw on a pair of boots are you're golden.

Goggles are nice as most places who rent them don't have overly great quality but they will do, or ask and see if somebody can lend you one.

You can pretty well get a small basic load out for under $4-500.
After sometime, upgrade here and there.

You don't need to upgrade an already good airsoft gun. Whatever happened to "upgrade the player not the gun". Now yes there is a minimum standard that it should perform at before you can say "upgrade the player" but a stock TM vs a clone that you put $100-200 into will pretty much cost the same in the end and perform at around the same level and after that it's just a matter of upgrading the player.

I am definitaly not missing any gear... as of this moment i have everything i need gear wise, and i owe that to my dads 30 some years of accumulating old military gear. i have boots pouches hats socks a ghillie suit bdu's, the works. and i have my secondary ( USP)

so basically the money i have left is only for my primary gun. and thats just about 400$ give or take.

and that really is the maximum im comfortable paying so TM is right out of the question.