I tend to agree with Metal... in a way.
First, it does depend on the model you want from JG when it comes to SPORTLINE ( that is plastic bodied AEGs) from the "affordable lines".
Like I'd stand by JG's G36 series over-all. Honestly, I've not seen any "better" in the g36 line, despite the fact that JG uses slightly inferior plastics to make the body. I've even seen more actual HnK licensed g36s, and the owners still say mine performs better.. and it's a bit over 2 years old now.
but when it comes to AR variants, G&G is the way to go.
First and foremost, on ARs, the BUCKING is one of the best. Usually has a better quality stock barrel in them. I'm not so positive they actually are TBBs... maybe they are NOW, but a couple of years ago, on sportlines they seem hit and miss.
( Just a note ) G&G made mags, sometimes have issues feeding into a G&G sportline, but they feed well into their higher priced AEGs. On the flip side, TM compatible mags ( such as MAG brand) do not feed well into a higher priced G&G, not with-out a bit of modification .. usually.
On a sportline, you wanna get MAG brand mags, which seem to work better. I've heard good things about KA mags as well, but hadn't owned any myself. The ONLY mags I had issues feeding into the G&G sportline, was KWA brand mags. I dunno why, they just didn't feed into my AEG well at all.
Again this is based on AR variants ( M16, M4, 416 ..ect) , as AK variants are a TOTALLY different ball game there.
Both companies, make AKs very well... I dunno, why that model is such a "favorite" , but it seems that AKs get TLC alot more than any other model of AEG. ( It's such an ugly , awkward gun.. bleh!)
Still, considering after-market parts and availability ... I'd go G&G if I had to get one of those.
As Metal said... New JGs come shooting "too hot" for MOST ( 95% of US based fields, and 100% of anything outside the US. ) .. ranging on a 415 FPS average. This is something "new" that JGs pushed in the last year or two. I think it because , they looked at market sales... and people in general have yet to figure out that FPS is HIGHLY overrated . Unfortunately, FPS sells replicas , especially with the inexperienced or young.
Higher FPS, doesn't mean it's BETTER. At all. I'm not going to go into details on it... as you can find discussions on FPS all day long on the internet. I'm telling you from experience though, you can have too much FPS for what you are shooting, and trying to get to play with "hot guns" on most events and fields, will leave you chairsofting more than you care to.
The EXTERNALS on a JG are comparable to G&G's polymer. Metal wasn't 100% correct that JG uses ABS exclusively... but most the main "plastic" parts are ABS. However... BOTH are extremely durable. It takes alot of abuse to "break " that body.
In fact, I think the polymer bodies, actually can take way more punishment than the metal bodies on the more expensive AEGs can. ( If I could go back in time, I'd slap myself for wanting a metal bodied M4. )
Here's the BIG kicker for JG vs G&G... performance in all models = about the same out of the box.
Despite JG's effort to "upgrade" their springs in the gear-box, you get roughly the same PERFORMANCE out of it, than the G&G does with a lower FPS stock.
Whats the difference though?
First, you don't have to open the G&G right off, and put in a lower resistance spring, or a new bucking. You don't have to re-shim the G&G right off usually. Jgs , normally have plastic shims, that don't really do much, especially after long term use.
Now, on the flip side...
JGs come "ready to play" out of the box. As long as you don't care about the high FPS... and never crack the JG open, the only trouble you will encounter is eventually your selector switch is going to have issues.
It will keep going and going, as is.. until the thing just "shuts down" and is worthless. It will take a long time for that to happen.
JGs come with a battery , and all that you need in the box... so for "ready to play" , it is a bit more cheaper than just 20 bucks. You are going to spend around 20 bucks at least for a good battery anyways, but the 8.4 mini that comes with JGs will last a while.
G&Gs though... only come with the gun itself, and a mag. All other accessories, like batteries... has to be purchased up front before you can use it.
Again, it's another MARKETING selling point for JGs. ( Buy our guns, and you can play right out of the box.)
BUT... here's yet another plus to G&G... almost ALL aftermarket parts are available for what G&G makes.
JGs, do have some proprietary parts in them. SUPPOSEDLY they are TM compatible... but I have found this NOT to be 100% true.
JGs aren't always 100% 1:1 scale either. G&G is. That means, some buffer tubes, and other parts such as MAGPUL hand guards, don't fit on JGs, not with-out some modifications. Like JG usually has a THICKER or SMALLER outer barrel assembly, ... meaning certain flash hiders made by other companies, will not fit on em... again with-out modification. M203 units, same issue. Trying to change the outer assembly, with an "upgrade" will usually give you fits.
So, once again... if you don't try to do anything with the JG, as far as repair or modifications to it... it's fine. If you open it, and use it, and don't care about putting this or that on it later on... JGs are wonderful for the money spent on em.
But, if you want something more LONG term, that you can modify alot easier later on. ( after-all, your AEG is an investment into the future playing of airsoft) , Go G&G.. as long as we are talking AR variant.
I've yet to be able to put my hands on a G&G MP5 ... not even sure G&G makes one.
I do not think G&G makes a G36 line. ( I could be wrong though.)
Now, I'm a LOOOOONG time owner of JG AEGs.
You see... first off... JG was the only "affordable" AEG that was available as a TM clone , that worked worth a crap, that you could easily get. Secondly... they had a G36 line.
When I first got started , I did not want an M4 or m16 AEG. I wanted something different, and after comparing the SCAR and the G36... , I went with the better option, and purchased the JG G36.
My MP5 SD6, I got, because I got a HUGE sale and discount to buy it around Christmas time last year. Honestly, I would not have bought it, if it had been more than the 40.00 bucks I paid for it brand new.
I can tell you, I wasn't "happy" with it at first.
To break it down... is a NIGHTMARE. Most JGs do not field strip , like other name brand AEGs do. they are a PAIN to work on.
I have taught myself the MP5 from JG , that I can work on em, and put it back together. I have tinkered with mine enough, that I have the confidence, that I can upgrade it and keep it in top performance myself.
If someone brought me another one... to work on for them... even if it's simply to re-shim, or change a spring, I'm gonna charge a 200 buck upfront deposit, PLUS cost of labor hours, PLUS parts cost. That's how bad a pain in the butt, they really are.
Now say a G&G m4... to do the same thing... I'd charge a flat rate of say, 30 bucks ( 15 an hour, 2 hour min. standard) , plus what ever parts needed.
I'm not sure what they charge at Sogos to do repairs... , but if they are like me... the more a pain in the butt it is, the higher the price it is.
JGs, with how they are put together , usually means they have solid one piece outer ABS bodies, and getting GBs in and out are a frustrating pain at best. Lets not even talk about re-wiring, or routing new wires in em.. hahahaha!
now, all that said...
It's really up to YOU, on what to get.
It comes down, not only what you can afford, but what you like.
If you buy the JG... I promise, you will be tickled pink with it, once you use it.
If you get the G&G, same thing.
the main thing is... you are looking right now, to provide you with just the means of playing airsoft. You want to get started.
What you want to do though... is look at your long term playability.
if you only plan on going to play a few times a year, then don't spend big bucks on an high end AEG. It's simply not worth the investment.
if you plan on usage that will sustain you playing every week in a year ( like me )... then save some money, and invest in an AEG that will not only perform well up front, but will accept standardized accessories, and upgrades, and most importantly repairs in the long run of things.
Think of what you will be using the AEG for... if it' s always going to be CQB ... you don't have to have "top of the line" performing AEG for that. Ranges are so close... you can cut out alot of BS up front.
If you are going to always use it for field play... then you will want something that grants you accuracy and long distance shot capability, with RELIABLE performance.
All in all...
as far as an M4 or AR variant goes... I'd go G&G over JG on that platform. Or, ... Jon could hook ya up with a CA sportline at Sogos, of such he stands by. I myself, haven't had much experience with CA AEGs... so I can't comment on what they are like actually.
But, I will say.. JGs aren't "bad guns" really. I stand by my JGs still. My g36 is a nice gun, it' solid, and still going strong. It's still stock to. I've done no mods to it inside the AEG at all. It' s had over 20k rounds put through it at least. It still performs like it did on day one.
My MP5 however... stock... it worked well, I just didn't like that it shot in a wide spread after 75', which made it worthless for long range field play. ( at least, how I play.. as I like to have RELIABLE long range consistency, and accuracy.) If I was a spray and pray player... it woulda been fine to leave it stock probably. I however am a more "conservative" shooter, even on FA I only burst fire.
In hindsight though, now... if I had it all to do over again... I'd probably would have bought an G&G m4 up front, and went ICS with the MP5... the G36 woulda came later, if I still wanted one by then. In fact, I might have even just got an ICS m4 instead of G&G. A bit higher priced, but ICS are notoriously accurate, and have more reliable performance, plus the advantage of quick spring swaps as well.
thats me though... and even I can't say what is "best" for you to get and use.
It comes down, to personal preference.
Go with you gut, and your desires. Let nay sayers ,say what they will... especially after they just ate your BBs.. Hahahaha!
I had folks scoff at my "JG G36" ... these were hard core KWA fanatics at the time. They degraded me as a player, for my "cheapo" gun.
After a single day of battle... these same dudes were apologizing to me, for raggin me so hard. I put my "chepo" to the test, against their "supposedly better" AEGs, and I hung neck and neck with em. In fact, many of those KWAs malfunctioned for one reason or another... and me with my g36, with it's crappy little 8.4 mini battery... played the entire day, not one issue.
Plus, it' s not always the gun.... player skill, mindset, and paying attention goes along way.
A good player, with a "bad gun" is still a good player, after-all.
