*Sigh* So near yet so far. One of my dream airsoft guns is the Stoner Light Machine Gun (LMG) made by the Knight's Armament Company. With all those airsoft support weapons already in the market, ranging from the M249 to the more complicated Minigun made by Craft Apple Works and Piper Precision Products, why is it taking too long for the LMG to be really mass produced for the airsoft market? This always leave me scratching my head as it is taking years for this to be widely available.

I've always dreamed of using this in the skirmish field, with a cigar in my mouth. I actually have a Cuban Cigar, the Cohiba Coronas Especiales Bn, which costs US$399 for a 25-cigar box. I am saving it for the day I get to hold the LMG for airsof skirmishes.

It's really such a frustrating wait as there have been attempts to have the Stoner LMG airsoft since the mid-2000s. Starting with the Airsoft Surgeon's version, which is a well-built airsoft gun, IMHO, made many airsofters excited. Though I never got to hold one and I'm just basing it on Clarence Lai's reputation as one of the best airsoft gunsmiths in the world. But for US$3,000.00, it's just way, way beyond my reach. Model gun collectors may have this just displayed at home (or wherever they display their collection), lovingly cared for and never brought to the airsoft field.

Then came the Tag Arts Stoner LMG version, the South Korean Companymade a conversion kit though , not a complete airsoft version. But this seemed to have never reached other countries, apart from South Korea and Japan. Its introductory price in Japan was JPY198,000.00, which during the currency exchange rate in 2008 was equivalent to US$1,935. Airsoft Extreme in the US had this kit and retailed it for US$1,200.00. Given that it was a conversion kit, expenses will go higher as you'll need to purchase a TM M4A1 and if you do not do conversions yourself, pay someone to do it for you still. It was a very expensive proposition too.

Photo source: Gungineer

By late 2009 we have heard the announcement of Ares Airsoft producing its own version for a reasonable retail price of US$430.00. Now, that's something to look forward to. This has a full metal housing, new feeding system, and newly designed metal gearbox so we expect it not to be compatible with version 2 gearboxes. With a weight of 3400g and out of the box velocity of 350-380fps it's just a great deal. The magazine is 500 rounds, which is too bad as the Tag Arts version of the magazine can hold 3000 BB rounds.

Airsoft retailers from around the world started taking pre-orders for the Ares version since January 2010, which usually means that an airsoft product will be available within 3-4 months. However, 6 months have passed and no release yet, not even a fixed date that we can all pin our hopes to. Optimus Prime actually called up Sai Man Chen of Ares Airsoft to inquire about the product as he was to arrange a unit for review. But he was informed that there are production issues and no definite date can be committed.

It's really a frustrating experience, it's almost 5 years of waiting for a reasonably priced Airsoft Stoner LMG. We hope to hear something from Ares Airsoft, as their product is the most anticpated AEG for this year. If it'll make it in time for Christmas, then it's gonna be one of the best Christmas gifts that I'll give to myself. From there I''ll look forward to its next iteration, the "Chainsaw".

For the meantime, my Cohiba Coronas Especiales Bn Cigar will have to remain unlit.

I just want my LMG and thanks for reading my rant. Enjoy the Dire Straits "Money for Nothing" MTV where I got my inspiration for the title of this rant below: