Triggs' - Gearbox Guide
Apr 5, 2011 4:55:53 GMT -5
Post by triggs (SABR) on Apr 5, 2011 4:55:53 GMT -5
This is a VERY quick overview of the various types and brands of the numerous Automatic Electric Gun (AEG) Gearbox design variants available; I will be attempting to keep it up-to-date if possible.
Since Tokyo Marui designed the first AEG Gearboxes, most airsofters and companies have chosen to consider them the only designers of “official” designs. However, there are also a huge number of variations and modified gearboxes in replicas today.
This is by no means a complete list! New variations are being created every time. I also cannot list every gun that possibly uses them. However, this list will give an idea of what you can expect in a rifle you might buy.
Tokyo Marui version 1 gearbox
Rifles used in
FAMAS
Notes
The Tokyo Marui version 1 gearbox is only seen in the FAMAS
Tokyo Marui version 2 gearbox
Rifles used in
M4, G3, MP5, SCAR-L, MASADA, FN2000, SR25, SIG, PDW, XCR
Notes
The Tokyo Marui version 2 gearbox has an inherent design flaw that causes the cylinder head section to crack or break off under stress, this design is not suited to high FPS or high ROF setups unless heavily reinforced. “Reinforced” gearboxes such as Classic Army or SystemA do not provide reinforcement in the correct area.
The version 2 gearbox is also the most widely used and modified design.
Variations
ARES manufactures a variation with a quick change spring system, as a result the back of the gearbox is also weakened.
G&P/CA/A&K/JG produce the “elongated” or long version 2 for their SR25 series. This variation is larger, and does not have the same weakness around the cylinder head like normal version 2 gearboxes.
Haynes and a number of other companies have milled 7075 grade aluminum gearboxes that are virtually guaranteed not to crack under high FPS or high ROF.
ICS manufactures a “split” gearbox with a lower half containing the gears, and the upper containing the piston and cylinder.
KWA produces the “2GX” version 2 that adds large reinforcements to the front area that commonly breaks in order to reduce the chance of cracking.
VFC manufactures a modified version 2 for the XCR that takes the separate upper/lower gearbox similar to the ICS design, but with a unique end cap.
Tokyo Marui version 3 gearbox
Rifles used in
G36, AK, MP5K, AUG
Notes
Unlike the version 2 gearbox, the version 3 is extremely strong and even non-reinforced version 3 gearboxes can easily handle high ROF or high FPS setups.
Variations
Classic Army version 3 gearboxes used version 2 cylinder heads
Tokyo Marui version 4 gearbox
Rifles used in
TM PSG-1
Notes
The Tokyo Marui PSG-1 has an extremely strong gearbox, well suited for its intended sniper rifle role. Parts are slightly more difficult to find than version 2/3
Tokyo Marui version 5 gearbox
Rifles used in
TM UZI
Notes
The Tokyo Marui is the only rifle/SMG to use the version 5 gearbox
Tokyo Marui version 6 gearbox
Rifles used in
P90, Thompson, TAR-21
Notes
Tokyo Marui version 6 gearboxes require special bushings
CA/Echo1/JG/KS version 6 gearboxes use standard version 2/3 bushings/bearings
Tokyo Marui version 7 gearbox
Rifles used in
M14
Notes
TM/AGM/CYMA M14 use full version 7 internals
CA/G&G/KART use a mix of version 2/3 and version 7 internals
Tokyo Marui version 8 gearbox
Rifles used in
TM Type89
Notes
While similar looking to a version 2, the version 8 has a mechanical 3 round burst so is externally different. The Type 89 is the only one to use the version 8 gearbox.
Tokyo Marui version 9 gearbox
Rifles used in
TM “Recoil Engine” M4 and AK
Notes
The Tokyo Marui version 9 is the latest “SOPMOD” gearbox which produces a noticeable recoil when firing the AEG. Internals are substantially different from a normal version 2 or version 3 gearbox.
In addition to the accepted 9 Tokyo Marui gearboxes there are a few notable different shells.
PGC gearbox
Rifles used in
M249, M60, M240B
Notes
PGC was the company that first started production of a shell that was originally a shell designed to replace the fragile TOP M249/M60 system with a reliable system. The name has stuck as a name for the “brick” type gearboxes commonly found in today’s LMG’s. There are variations for virtually every LMG, but they all have the same traits with the motor virtually encased in the shell.
G&P elongated version 2 gearbox
Rifles used in
CA/G&P/A&K/JG SR25
CA SCAR-H
Notes
As noted before, the version 2 gearbox is extremely weak near the cylinder head and commonly cracks. The elongated version 2 gearbox or long v2, stretches the cylinder head past the common failure point, and thus, even under extreme tension springs will not break. Like the version 4 gearbox it is well suited for a sniper rifle and accompanying upgrades.
© Copyright triggs 2011
Since Tokyo Marui designed the first AEG Gearboxes, most airsofters and companies have chosen to consider them the only designers of “official” designs. However, there are also a huge number of variations and modified gearboxes in replicas today.
This is by no means a complete list! New variations are being created every time. I also cannot list every gun that possibly uses them. However, this list will give an idea of what you can expect in a rifle you might buy.
Tokyo Marui version 1 gearbox
Rifles used in
FAMAS
Notes
The Tokyo Marui version 1 gearbox is only seen in the FAMAS
Tokyo Marui version 2 gearbox
Rifles used in
M4, G3, MP5, SCAR-L, MASADA, FN2000, SR25, SIG, PDW, XCR
Notes
The Tokyo Marui version 2 gearbox has an inherent design flaw that causes the cylinder head section to crack or break off under stress, this design is not suited to high FPS or high ROF setups unless heavily reinforced. “Reinforced” gearboxes such as Classic Army or SystemA do not provide reinforcement in the correct area.
The version 2 gearbox is also the most widely used and modified design.
Variations
ARES manufactures a variation with a quick change spring system, as a result the back of the gearbox is also weakened.
G&P/CA/A&K/JG produce the “elongated” or long version 2 for their SR25 series. This variation is larger, and does not have the same weakness around the cylinder head like normal version 2 gearboxes.
Haynes and a number of other companies have milled 7075 grade aluminum gearboxes that are virtually guaranteed not to crack under high FPS or high ROF.
ICS manufactures a “split” gearbox with a lower half containing the gears, and the upper containing the piston and cylinder.
KWA produces the “2GX” version 2 that adds large reinforcements to the front area that commonly breaks in order to reduce the chance of cracking.
VFC manufactures a modified version 2 for the XCR that takes the separate upper/lower gearbox similar to the ICS design, but with a unique end cap.
Tokyo Marui version 3 gearbox
Rifles used in
G36, AK, MP5K, AUG
Notes
Unlike the version 2 gearbox, the version 3 is extremely strong and even non-reinforced version 3 gearboxes can easily handle high ROF or high FPS setups.
Variations
Classic Army version 3 gearboxes used version 2 cylinder heads
Tokyo Marui version 4 gearbox
Rifles used in
TM PSG-1
Notes
The Tokyo Marui PSG-1 has an extremely strong gearbox, well suited for its intended sniper rifle role. Parts are slightly more difficult to find than version 2/3
Tokyo Marui version 5 gearbox
Rifles used in
TM UZI
Notes
The Tokyo Marui is the only rifle/SMG to use the version 5 gearbox
Tokyo Marui version 6 gearbox
Rifles used in
P90, Thompson, TAR-21
Notes
Tokyo Marui version 6 gearboxes require special bushings
CA/Echo1/JG/KS version 6 gearboxes use standard version 2/3 bushings/bearings
Tokyo Marui version 7 gearbox
Rifles used in
M14
Notes
TM/AGM/CYMA M14 use full version 7 internals
CA/G&G/KART use a mix of version 2/3 and version 7 internals
Tokyo Marui version 8 gearbox
Rifles used in
TM Type89
Notes
While similar looking to a version 2, the version 8 has a mechanical 3 round burst so is externally different. The Type 89 is the only one to use the version 8 gearbox.
Tokyo Marui version 9 gearbox
Rifles used in
TM “Recoil Engine” M4 and AK
Notes
The Tokyo Marui version 9 is the latest “SOPMOD” gearbox which produces a noticeable recoil when firing the AEG. Internals are substantially different from a normal version 2 or version 3 gearbox.
In addition to the accepted 9 Tokyo Marui gearboxes there are a few notable different shells.
PGC gearbox
Rifles used in
M249, M60, M240B
Notes
PGC was the company that first started production of a shell that was originally a shell designed to replace the fragile TOP M249/M60 system with a reliable system. The name has stuck as a name for the “brick” type gearboxes commonly found in today’s LMG’s. There are variations for virtually every LMG, but they all have the same traits with the motor virtually encased in the shell.
G&P elongated version 2 gearbox
Rifles used in
CA/G&P/A&K/JG SR25
CA SCAR-H
Notes
As noted before, the version 2 gearbox is extremely weak near the cylinder head and commonly cracks. The elongated version 2 gearbox or long v2, stretches the cylinder head past the common failure point, and thus, even under extreme tension springs will not break. Like the version 4 gearbox it is well suited for a sniper rifle and accompanying upgrades.
© Copyright triggs 2011
