Barra 400e GTA member special

[a1rgunz]

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.

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:



If you have any questions or need any service with Barra products, please feel free to reach me by PM!

[mwgm2020]

Thank you for doing that.  Interesting gun.

[Turbinator]

Nice - thanks guys - looking at this now!

Turby

[Turbinator]

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

[miksatx]

I couldn’t resist 50 bucks off! Grabbed 2 battery’s and charger off eBay and still came in under the $400

[Xraycer]

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.

[Turbinator]

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.

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.

3. ?Parts availability?

Granted, unknown at this point.

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

[Xraycer]

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.

[a1rgunz]

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.

[Xraycer]

Great info, Geo!

[Turbinator]

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 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....

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

[Xraycer]

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.

[Turbinator]

FYI all, mine arrived today.  Looks pretty good.  Planning on doing a full write up but first need my battery / charger to arrive.

Turby

[miksatx]

Guess the one I got was worn out lol shot with a left hand curve. Sent it back traded for a 1100z.177.

[Xraycer]

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?

[miksatx]

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.

[a1rgunz]

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.

[miksatx]

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.

[Turbinator]

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

[miksatx]

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.