Traders Airsoft Forums

I've finally got a chance to look at the Echo1 M14 Socom and take some pictures today. In stead of writing a full review I'm going to give you a first impression. There are few questions that I want some answered before getting deeper. Like the history of this gun, and what's the different between Socom and Soc 16. Maybe you guys can give me a hand.

Anyway, here are the pics...



















As far as I know the Echo1 M14 Socom is base on the Kart version of their M14. Which also shares the same plateform with UTG M14. When I hold this gun, I was so happy that it's got the same rubberized feel on the body like UTG M14. And with the black color it really make it look more tactical (instead of wood). Beside the rubberized stock, the gun have lots of metal content. The butt stock, the barrel and the main body, around the trigger area. The only part that's not metal is the top piece that covers the barrel. I really don't know what's it called. The magazine is also metal. And it comes with a metal ris mount that you can install so you can attach you optics.

The battery is a 8.4v 1500 mAh. and a standard wall charger. When you pull the bolt and release it. You'll hear a satisfying loud "Clank". Very cool. For a Chinese clone.. I have to give the external a 8 for the finish. It really doesn't look cheap, nothing is loose and feels solid.

I'll do a FPS and range test very soon.

Sounds awesome, but any difference from the Kart/UTG?

the "top piece that covers the barrel" IIRC is the head shield.

looks like a good piece, although IMHO the "scout" style scope mount that the TM SOCOM 16 replicated offered much greater eye relief than the standard side scope mount.

There are 2 version of Karts that I know of. The very first Kart is released by TeamSD and that really was a POS. UTG M14 is base on the version 2. I had the UTG version before and that gun was pretty decent. It shoot 350fps and a got a pretty darn good range. However, the hopup is a bit weird. It was double feeding a while and I spray some silicon in it and it helped. I hope the Echo1 version is even better. However, I just plugged the battery in and pull the trigger... It's got a long winding motor sound. Maybe I need a better battery. Or a better motor... I don't know. But it doesn't sound right...

hey allen if you take it apart check to see if the motor says "chaoli/superpower" on it, most decent ChiMan guns use that motor, pretty good IMO, definitely better than the CA "hi-torque" motor!

My friend has this gun, although he's thinking about selling it and getting the Marui. I like the bolt handle very much, the ROF isn't bad but it's not too accurate for something that could be a DMR or even a sniper rifle. I thought the body was pretty plasticy.

Jesus I just read my first post in this thread again... the top piece that covers the barrel is the heat shield not the head shield lol...

guess the day at work was longer than I thought

You sure it's the same gun?! If it's plastic, it wouldn't have the rubberized feel at all. Now if you got the wood version then yeah.. it's abs plastic but it's not shiny like the AGM version. In fact, I don't know why people like the AGM better. The external is much worst.

Hmm... So it's either this or get a G&G M14 at $255... Hmm..

Alright... I look some pictures with the Echo1 Socom withe the AGM Soc16 side by side... I think after this comparison, you'll agree the Echo1 have much much much better finish.



Echo1 on the left, AGM on the right. As you can see the Echo1 have much thicker wiring. AGM also reverse the wire.
Echo1 - 1
AGM - 0


This is the major different between Echo1 and AGM. The heat shield on AGM is textured and it feel very good quality. The Echo1 heat sheild is just plain ABS plastic with dull finish. it's not bad as shiny plastic. But the AGM win this round. Plus the AGM version have rail mount on top of heat shield for your optics. Much better eye relieve.
Echo1 - 0
AGM - 1



Echo1 seem to have a less gap near the front of the gas tube block compare to the AGM
Echo1 - 1
AGM - 0


Can you see the seam line on the AGM body?! There are actually excessive glue on the line. Echo1 on the other hand you can barely see the line.
Echo1 - 1
AGM - 0


Total verdict
Echo1 - 3
AGM - 1

Initial chrono on the Echo1 is 324fps average on .20g A little less FPS then I expected. As for the motor windy noise I was complaining. I got it fixed by adjusting the motor height. It sound much better now.

I will have range test and skirmish report this weekend.