Magpul Masada PTS vs. A&K Masada
 

I've been recently scoping out for a new AEG, after doing some research, I've decided I would settle on a Masada.

I should mention that my immediate price limit is a flexible $1000 and this rifle will be intended to be used as a balanced AEG that can be put into a CQB field, but also has some decent range and accuracy so it can be used on bigger fields.

I'm looking at two different manufacturers, Magpul and A&K. I'm weighing the pro's and cons of each model, and my research has left me with the impression that in this case, I get what I pay for, the Magpul Masada is around $800, and the A&K, around 500.


The Magpul version appears to be 350ish FPS, have higher quality ARES internals, a solid exterior with trades but no folding stock.

For $300 less, the A&K Masada, which seems to be 300ish FPS, and suposedly has some air seal problems, needs to me reshimmed (no big deal) and has a somewhat shitty motor, although I've seen some better reviews that put this version close to the quality of the Magpul one.


Would it be a better choice to buy the cheaper A&K Masada and use the extra money in the budget to buy upgrades for it, getting a tightbore, new hopup rubber and refit the gearbox? Or settle for the Magpul Masada and leave it relatively stock?

Thanks in advance, any input would be appreciated.

I'm working on a A&K one right now and you'll want to upgrade the internals asap. The externals ain't too bad with good plastic and a heavy metal upper. Over all, if you get the A&K one, just replace the piston/piston head, cylinder head, tappet plate and you should be good to go. The gun shoots really straight to my surprise.

Edit: Also you'll want to upgrade the motor too.

I as well have the A&K version. I decided that I would play it stock this season. Mine shoots 280fps stock and shoots arrow straight. I was very surprised about the quality of the externals on the A&K, and externally they are almost identical besides the stock. The question you have to ask yourself is would you rather use the $300 you would save and put them into upgrades that you specifically have chosen or pay that money into a pre upgraded platform? For the money you save you could probably get some mags or optics as well if you went the A&K route.

There's also some differences externally.

In sizes, and in placement of certain things.

Also, the amount of aftermarket parts for the PTS may be much greater than the already impossible to find barrel sets for the A&K.

If I were you I would go with the Magpul just because chinese stuff doesnt have the same resell value.

The magpul ones made in hong kong though...

Which is entirely different

Exactly... still you all know what I meant with Chinese stuff. BTW Taiwan is also formally known as "China", so exepting for TM, Top and other minor brands we all use Chinese AEGs :D

True but most companies in HK have factories in China in which the guns are made (G&P, KA, CA all made in china), the QC and quality are better than the China clone sweatshop versions but still made in china.

^^ True
and ever since 97, anything made in HK is technically made in China.

Magpul, when it comes down to it even if you do fix up the A&K its not as nice looking, and is not as easy to upgrade externally in comparison. I believe there is a issue with magpul's masada shooting to the right? Meh I am not really a fan of the masada I prefer a good hk416. I suppose the A&K does give you the opportunity to revamp the internals so might be worth it.

However, they operate under very different Laws
and for some reason Olympics always have China and Hong Kong as two different entities.

Mainland China -> People's Republic of China
Hong Kong -> People's Republic of China
Taiwan -> Republic of China

I have the A&K version that Tom is working on now. The externals are pretty nice with nice solid plastic and metal parts, no rattles or anything. Mine actually shot 350~ out of the box.

I know the Magpul has more trades (if you care about that) and it does have more features than the A&K one (ie. the adjustable cocking lever). Internally the Magpul is better.

Like Tom says the A&K version could use some upgrades internally.

I have the magpul one and there are a lot of small details that the a&k lacks(like the tiny little magpul logos on the grip), also it comes with a quick detach barrel(not sure if the a&k has this feature), quick spring change feature and a sweet microswitch assited trigger pull(so it will feel like you own a systema).

There are many other future upgrades coming out from magpul that may or may not fit the a&k version, such as the ability to change the lower to an ak, short cqb barrel, and the gbb drop in kit.

I went for the brand because I want that one rifle that can do it all(cqb to woodland with a quick barrel swap/spring change).

Cons.
The folding stock is another 60-80 us dollars:( The threading is CW so becareful.