GTA

GTA directory => Dealer Area => Topic started by: a1rgunz on June 03, 2022, 05:42:24 PM

Title: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: a1rgunz on June 03, 2022, 05:42:24 PM
A couple weeks ago, we pulled a random sample of 50 guns to do some QA testing on. Each of these rifles passed our testing and we are now offering them at a discount exclusively to GTA members here: https://barraairguns.com/products/the-400e-tester (https://barraairguns.com/products/the-400e-tester).

Please note that these airguns do not ship with a battery or charger, but the ones we've tested and recommend are available on the website as well. In my testing, these guns ranged from 380 to 412 fps. Some models shoot a bit faster than others, so this is the range you can expect. We recommend zinc plated BBs, I've personally tested both Barra and Daisy BBs and found those to run well in these. Hornady Black Diamond BBs run well too. I can't recommend copper BBs!

Each gun includes one magazine and a speed loader. Additional magazines and speed loaders should be available in a week or two.

You can learn more about the 400e here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EvpG5ikngo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EvpG5ikngo)

If you have any questions or need any service with Barra products, please feel free to reach me by PM!
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: mwgm2020 on June 03, 2022, 07:01:04 PM
Thank you for doing that.  Interesting gun.
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: Turbinator on June 03, 2022, 08:32:29 PM
Nice - thanks guys - looking at this now!

Turby
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: Turbinator on June 06, 2022, 11:24:46 AM
Ok!  I did it.. I took the weekend to cool down, but as of this morning, I placed my order for the GTA Special.  Thanks guys!

Turby
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: miksatx on June 06, 2022, 12:43:08 PM
I couldn’t resist 50 bucks off! Grabbed 2 battery’s and charger off eBay and still came in under the $400
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: Xraycer on June 06, 2022, 04:58:09 PM
I'm really on the fence with this gun. I'm really surprised it has taken the airgun industry this long to utilize airsoft technology (AEG) that's been around for a long, long time.
What's holding me back?
1. A premium all metal, high end electronics, high end component airsoft rifle is in the neighborhood of around $400. The price of the 400e is just very steep for an unproven, first generation product.

2. In airsoft, the magazine capacity starts at 120 rounds. These magazines are probably the same design used by the 400e. So, why isn't it at a higher capacity? Why 50 round on full auto is fun, 120-150 rounds on full auto is significantly more fun!

3. ?Parts availability?

I love my M4/AR platform, but I think I'm going to wait, and listen to feedbacks on long-term reviews before pulling the trigger.
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: Turbinator on June 07, 2022, 12:45:47 PM
I'm really on the fence with this gun. I'm really surprised it has taken the airgun industry this long to utilize airsoft technology (AEG) that's been around for a long, long time.
What's holding me back?
1. A premium all metal, high end electronics, high end component airsoft rifle is in the neighborhood of around $400. The price of the 400e is just very steep for an unproven, first generation product.

I hear ya.  However, what made me decide to act is pretty much what you outlined above - the tech and design has been around for a long time.  If they're leveraging what already exists, then in truth, the design is already proven through years of Tokyo Marui (and others) engineering.  I don't know that the 400e leverages existing designs however, so I am only speculating.

As for the price being steep, I paid over $500 for my first AEG somewhere around 1998 / 1999.  That was a TM MP5A2 imported from Asia with full trades.  I guess I didn't consider $350 to be too steep.

Quote
2. In airsoft, the magazine capacity starts at 120 rounds. These magazines are probably the same design used by the 400e. So, why isn't it at a higher capacity? Why 50 round on full auto is fun, 120-150 rounds on full auto is significantly more fun!

The spring & follower fed airsoft magazines I have aren't at 120 rounds.  The reservoir + spring tensioned design mags I have do hold more than 120 bb's, sure.  However, coming from a place where I am currently shooting 1 shot at a time through 1377's or repeater style through my 2100, having 50 rounds semi or full auto is a huge improvement.

Quote
3. ?Parts availability?

Granted, unknown at this point.

Quote
I love my M4/AR platform, but I think I'm going to wait, and listen to feedbacks on long-term reviews before pulling the trigger.

Fair enough.  I will be one to help give feedback :)

Turby
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: Xraycer on June 07, 2022, 02:14:05 PM

I hear ya.  However, what made me decide to act is pretty much what you outlined above - the tech and design has been around for a long time.  If they're leveraging what already exists, then in truth, the design is already proven through years of Tokyo Marui (and others) engineering.  I don't know that the 400e leverages existing designs however, so I am only speculating.
I'm not confident of anything that's first generation regardless of how long the technology has been around.


As for the price being steep, I paid over $500 for my first AEG somewhere around 1998 / 1999.  That was a TM MP5A2 imported from Asia with full trades.  I guess I didn't consider $350 to be too steep.
I suppose this is just like TV technology. I remember when 27" flat panels were a few thousand bucks. Today, you can a 70" screen for under $1K.


The spring & follower fed airsoft magazines I have aren't at 120 rounds.  The reservoir + spring tensioned design mags I have do hold more than 120 bb's, sure.  However, coming from a place where I am currently shooting 1 shot at a time through 1377's or repeater style through my 2100, having 50 rounds semi or full auto is a huge improvement.

I've owned the Crosman DPMS SBR for a few years now, and the 25round mag on full auto hardly even qualifies as a tease.
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: a1rgunz on June 07, 2022, 02:25:00 PM
Your speculation is correct, a high percentage of parts can be taken from airsoft gearboxes and used in our gearbox. The primary difference between the two is the amount of force our gearbox was designed to withstand long term. This gives the possibility of adjusting your power, rate of fire, etc. at the expense of voiding your warranty. Springs, guides, pistons, piston heads, cylinders, cylinder heads can all be swapped between the two. If you really know your gearboxes, other gearsets and motors can be used to help you achieve your desired tuning goals.

I agree about the magazine capacity. Unfortunately, steel BBs don't feed as effortlessly as airsoft BBs do. The 50 rounds combined with the ROF we achieved is nice, much better than my CO2 full auto BB guns, but I still want more. It will come. Compared to my previous favorite BB gun (Daisy model 35), 50 rounds in semi auto is great. In the meantime, I've been testing the limits of the platform so we can offer the best balance between magazine capacity and life of the AEG. The 120 to 150 rounds mentioned does indeed seem feasible.

We are working on stocking spare parts for all of our products. This has been a bit of a challenge between port congestion and the gun control laws in the countries we manufacture in (some parts can't be airmailed), so it will be some time before I'm happy with our levels in that regard. We have no problem taking care of any warranty repairs, but having enough on hand for the incurable tinkerers like myself is an ongoing challenge. Luckily for this one, there are a ton of existing parts from the airsoft world that can scratch that itch for me.

Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: Xraycer on June 07, 2022, 05:03:01 PM
Great info, Geo!
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: Turbinator on June 08, 2022, 09:52:54 AM
I'm not confident of anything that's first generation regardless of how long the technology has been around.

No worries.  I'm not going to convince you otherwise - I understand and appreciate your cautious approach.  Mark me down as an early adopter, and I'll be happy to share feedback here.

Quote
I suppose this is just like TV technology. I remember when 27" flat panels were a few thousand bucks. Today, you can a 70" screen for under $1K.

You betcha.  I'm amazed how much prices have fallen for technology products over the years... oddly, iPhone prices seem to keep going UP.... ;)

Quote
I've owned the Crosman DPMS SBR for a few years now, and the 25round mag on full auto hardly even qualifies as a tease.

Sure sure.  It's all relative.  This is going to be my first high capacity repeating .177 caliber item, so I'm excited about that.

Turby
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: Xraycer on June 08, 2022, 05:30:16 PM
I'm not confident of anything that's first generation regardless of how long the technology has been around.

No worries.  I'm not going to convince you otherwise - I understand and appreciate your cautious approach.  Mark me down as an early adopter, and I'll be happy to share feedback here.

I just remembered, that I did buy the DPMS when it first came out, just because I'm such an AR-15 fan. Sure enough, the magazines turned out to have issues. However, the DPMS was only about $150.
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: Turbinator on June 11, 2022, 01:44:00 AM
FYI all, mine arrived today.  Looks pretty good.  Planning on doing a full write up but first need my battery / charger to arrive.

Turby
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: miksatx on June 26, 2022, 02:35:18 PM
Guess the one I got was worn out lol shot with a left hand curve. Sent it back traded for a 1100z.177.
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: Xraycer on June 26, 2022, 03:22:54 PM
Guess the one I got was worn out lol shot with a left hand curve. Sent it back traded for a 1100z.177.
Did you adjust the hop-up?
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: miksatx on June 26, 2022, 05:11:02 PM
Guess the one I got was worn out lol shot with a left hand curve. Sent it back traded for a 1100z.177.
Did you adjust the hop-up?
Wasn’t aware that the hop-up was adjustable. And also wasn’t accurate at all in semi auto. If it shot as accurate as my Daisy 880 but it didn’t. Believe it or not I sent it back. They had moved from that address so ups couldn’t find them so they sent it back to me and charged me $46.22 for the return.
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: a1rgunz on June 26, 2022, 06:17:42 PM
The "hop up" on these isn't adjustable. Is customer service aware of that UPS charge? I want to make sure that gets made right.
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: miksatx on June 26, 2022, 08:50:14 PM
The "hop up" on these isn't adjustable. Is customer service aware of that UPS charge? I want to make sure that gets made right.
Sent Robert a e mail telling him it was returned. Got the email about the adjustment to my ups account after I sent the news to Robert.
I’m sure it will get all worked out.
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: Turbinator on June 27, 2022, 01:32:39 AM
Guess the one I got was worn out lol shot with a left hand curve. Sent it back traded for a 1100z.177.

Wow, left hand curve?  I'm still gathering everything I need to do a full review, but in my informal testing, I'm not seeing any curvature for the BB's, luckily.  It's pretty much right on for me.

Turby
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: miksatx on June 28, 2022, 02:32:01 PM
The "hop up" on these isn't adjustable. Is customer service aware of that UPS charge? I want to make sure that gets made right.
Hi Geo Schoonmaker
Robert made every thing right, sent a RMA I ups the 400e back today.
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: a1rgunz on June 28, 2022, 02:40:06 PM
Hi Geo Schoonmaker
Robert made every thing right, sent a RMA I ups the 400e back today.

Thanks for the update! Now, I need to get my hands on that 400e that was spitting curveballs...
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: miksatx on June 28, 2022, 10:53:29 PM
Hi Geo Schoonmaker
Robert made every thing right, sent a RMA I ups the 400e back today.

Thanks for the update! Now, I need to get my hands on that 400e that was spitting curveballs...
Lol put a 4x scope shoot it around 16yrds.
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: singleshotcajun on July 01, 2022, 06:49:48 AM
Got my attention. I have burned up some of the "better" Lancer AEG Airsoft carbines that left a bad  taste but I think they had plastic gears.
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: Turbinator on July 04, 2022, 02:11:51 PM
Ok, I finally wrapped it up, here's my full 400e review:

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=200860.0 (https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=200860.0)

Need a break after that... :)

Turby
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: miksatx on July 05, 2022, 02:04:20 PM
Ok, I finally wrapped it up, here's my full 400e review:

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=200860.0 (https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=200860.0)

Need a break after that... :)

Turby
No kidding great review Turbinator. Did you buy the new or the used that were 50 bucks cheaper?
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: Turbinator on July 05, 2022, 02:11:07 PM
No kidding great review Turbinator. Did you buy the new or the used that were 50 bucks cheaper?

Thanks for the kind words.

I jumped at the chance to buy the lower cost tester model.. cosmetically, I would not have been able to tell you that I got a tester model in my hands -- everything was perfect.  Kind of makes sense - I don't think they beat on these.  They pulled 50 and tested 50, probably only shot them enough to do a full function test, then put them back in the box.

Turby
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: miksatx on July 05, 2022, 02:42:42 PM
No kidding great review Turbinator. Did you buy the new or the used that were 50 bucks cheaper?

Thanks for the kind words.

I jumped at the chance to buy the lower cost tester model.. cosmetically, I would not have been able to tell you that I got a tester model in my hands -- everything was perfect.  Kind of makes sense - I don't think they beat on these.  They pulled 50 and tested 50, probably only shot them enough to do a full function test, then put them back in the box.

Turby
Mine was the cheaper bargain like you got but it was a shotgun in semi auto couldn’t get 2 bbs closer then 3” from each other. Everyone says it fun. I must be dead inside lol I didn’t find the mess I left myself  in my shooting area. I’ll be pulling bbs out of my casting lead for years now.
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: Turbinator on July 05, 2022, 04:18:18 PM
Mine was the cheaper bargain like you got but it was a shotgun in semi auto couldn’t get 2 bbs closer then 3” from each other. Everyone says it fun. I must be dead inside lol I didn’t find the mess I left myself  in my shooting area. I’ll be pulling bbs out of my casting lead for years now.

I did see your posts above chronicling your experience with the 400e.  I have no real explanations for your gun's performance, other than I am guessing that each has variances just like anything mechanical.  For it to be printing 3" groups though, after seeing the performance of mine, is a bit of a head scratcher.  Were you going to try another and give the 400e another shot, so to speak?

Turby
Title: Re: Barra 400e GTA member special
Post by: miksatx on July 05, 2022, 05:18:57 PM

I did see your posts above chronicling your experience with the 400e.  I have no real explanations for your gun's performance, other than I am guessing that each has variances just like anything mechanical.  For it to be printing 3" groups though, after seeing the performance of mine, is a bit of a head scratcher.  Were you going to try another and give the 400e another shot, so to speak?

Turby
Naw bbs no more. I traded the 400e for a 1100z camo in .177 gives me more to tinker with.