THE ARMOURY
bipod, nice big box magazine and RIS rails all add up to a big package that should help subdue any enemy assault… permanently! Internally the rifle is top of its game with micro switch triggers, a mosfet, silverplated wire and a tightbore inner barrel as standard. This produces a fine white laser of plastic death that’ll destroy anyone unlucky enough to get into your sights. The box magazine is a replica of the genuine US version and is made of cardboard – this is a dreadful mistake. Airsoft takes place in all weathers and after a few games in the rain the box magazine definitely needs attention. We found that plastic card inserts and some electrical tape sorted 99 per cent of the issues once the card has started to lose strength. Fitting the battery seems more complicated than it needs to be too: the stock needs to be removed entirely. Once you have fitted it there is nothing to stop you having a ton of fun though. On the field this is a tough gun to use. It has no single shot (as per the real version) and the weight and length means it is almost entirely ruled out for indoor games. Set up in a static position is where it will prove its worth. The bipod allows lateral movement, unlike the M60 and M249, which is much more suited to airsoft games. The rate of fire is high, as is the velocity, around 370fps with a 0.20g Blaster churning out around 1,000rpm. One possible use I envisage for the M240B is mounted onto vehicles for big games and special events. But again, while this can look great it is still difficult to get the drop on someone when they are hiding in a hedge and you are on a road four feet off the ground!
A proper sling should be considered when you use one of these. Using it properly, as a squad weapon supported by a few standard rifles and perhaps a DMR or sniper, should really increase the flexibility of your team. This is what this rifle was designed for in real life and it does it well, and in airsoft it is precisely the same. Your lone-wolf mad machinegunner players are going to love this but it is nearly impossible to move and aim, never mind running and gunning! The grouping at extreme range was impressive and the only time I ever got into trouble was at close range where I either could not turn quick enough to hit opposing players or I was closer than I would like to use full-auto. For me, the M240B falls into the category of ‘having it for the sake of it’. While not totally useless it is difficult to use – I certainly would recommend that smaller players look at an M249 instead. It looks the part, is better than most large weapons available in airsoft and will always raise an eyebrow on the site (normally alongside comments of “What the hell are you going to do with that?”). Mean as they come and with the price tag to match, it is one of the less common
support platforms in the UK. If you want something that makes you work and gives results or if you just really love big guns then this is worth consideration. ■
SPECIFICATIONS Echo 1 M240B Weight: 8,165g Length: 1,250mm Inner barrel length: 550mm Build: Full-metal construction, tightbore barrel and mosfet trigger as standard Magazine: 4,000-round box mag Velocity: 370fps Firing mode: Full-auto only Price: £725
www.airsoftactionmagazine.com
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