Popularity is an interesting term to investigate, especially within the bounds of functional equipment like tools, tactical gear, or airsoft guns. Sometimes, popularity is not tied to quality, practicality, ergonomics, or functionality in general. Sometimes the most inane things that can be imagined are wildly popular. Such is human nature.

However, sometimes popularity itself offers some insight into the very quality and practicality of a tool. In the world of airsoft, MilSim, and competitive play, popularity, when it has legs, is the result of usefulness and not of hype. That is the case with the  G&G Combat Machine Raider, specifically the G&G CM16 Raider that you can find here at MiR Tactical. (For an excellent price, by the way.)

So what is it that makes the G&G Combat Machine Raider, like so many other highlights from G&G, so incredibly popular? Is it the affordability? Is it the adjustability? The capacity? The weight? The ability to accept attachments? All of these? Something else? The answer in this case, as in so many others, is a little bit of all of the above.

With no further ado, let’s break down what makes the G&G Combat Machine 16 Raider such a ridiculously popular AEG for modern competitive airsoft.

A Rock-Solid Platform

When you’re in the field, whether you’re practicing bushcraft and survival skills, or you’re in the middle of a MilSim match or even just a more friendly airsoft competition between friends, the quality of the gear you lean on can make all of the difference in the success of your team. This goes for everything; not just for your AEG. When you need to lean on a shovel or a knife or even a lantern, quality matters.

This is a high-quality AEG made with seriously high quality, durable, rugged components. The CM16 Raider AEG rifle is made from a combination of metal components and internals all united by a high-density, extremely durable polymer receiver and frame.

This is the kind of airsoft rifle that feels like an AEG that is worth three or even four times the price that it commands. It’s hefty and durable without being cumbersomely heavy or overly bulky, and capable of hanging with the demands of the field. We’re not by any means suggesting you should abuse your CM16, but if you bump into it or knock it over, it’ll be fine.

Additionally, while you should take good care of your equipment, rain, dust, and snow are no match for a CM16. Take care of your gear and it will take care of you, but high quality is always valuable, and high quality is present in the CM16.

A Great Trigger and Selector Switch

Another thing besides the objective durability of the CM16 is the fact that it gives the user a lot of flexibility in use and how to approach a scenario. Obviously, the platform comes with a safe fire feature, but it also comes not only with a semi-automatic firing mode but with a fully automatic mode as well.

Most of the time, semi-automatic fire is the most practical way to approach an engagement, either in the open or when you are staring down a CQB scenario. However, there are occasions in competitive play that fully automatic fire can be very useful. It burns through a lot of ammo and creates some heat, but it also allows you to deliver suppressive fire or to cover an advancing guard of your team. This is the type of rifle that can give you great flexibility in that regard.

However, for those occasions when precision and control are your most important concerns, you’ll be pleased to enjoy the experience that the factory trigger can offer. It breaks cleanly and crisply and is not mushy; it also does not overtravel. When you are sitting over a scope and need to connect with your target with a single shot or a few follow-ups, this trigger will not disappoint you.

Adjustability

Adjustability with an AEG can mean a lot of different things, but in this particular scenario, we’re talking about the adjustability of the stock. The G&G Combat Machine Raider comes with a six-position adjustable crane stock so that you can get the perfect match to your gear the first time around.

Length of pull and overall fit are important concerns when you’re trying to become proficient with an AEG. The only problem is that even when you get a perfect fit with your Raider airsoft rifle, you might still need the benefit of adjustability a little bit further down the line.

The gear you are carrying may change suddenly, as may the clothing and equipment you are wearing. Any or all of these things can tangle with the near-perfect fit you have managed to achieve between yourself and your AEG.

Remember; you might get the perfect fit while you're practicing knocking down cans in the backyard. Even if you never miss at 30 yards, even over iron sights, you might not be wearing the same clothing in a match, and that makes a difference.

Compatibility with Attachments and Tons of Room

To that above point about never missing a can even at 30 yards over open sights - while that is a difficulty to be surmounted, and proudly so, it is not the only reasonable use for an AEG like this. That is to say that iron sights are great but there is a lot of potential you can wring from a platform like this with the help of some well-chosen attachments.

Among its many mounting points and wide compatibility with many accessories and attachments, the G&G Combat Machine 16 Raider comes with an integrated rail system that has a lot of space. To make it more accurate to the conditions at hand, it would be fair to say that the CM16 doesn’t just have a lot of space but that it has tons of space.

If you’re looking for a quick way to improve your speed by acquiring a target and then connecting with it, throw a scope or a reflex sight on the rail above the barrel and have at it. There’s no telling how many ways you can improve your competitiveness with even a simple addition like this.

By the way - the rail space isn’t just over the type of the receiver and barrel. There is a ton of rail space about the sides of the handguard. That’s right - this thing comes with a fairly respectable section of quad rail so you’re not limited to mounting at the top. Want a tac-light in addition to your red dot sight? Need some sort of side-saddle attachment? Wondering if a Center Mass style laser sight would be useful for you?

Don’t waste too much time wondering - just make it happen. You’ll have a hard time running out of room.

A Hi-Cap Magazine - But it works with other AEG mags for M4/M16 replicas

Something else you’ll want to account for is making sure you carry enough airsoft ammo with you into the field. Obviously, a part of that means you would be wise to carry spare loaded mags, a speedloader, and plenty of extra airsoft BBs. However, that’s not the only thing that will help to bring success into your fold.

Consider, for example, that you could bring as many - loaded - 23 round mags into a match as you desired. There isn’t much use a 23 round mag is going to bring you, especially paired with an AEG and used with fully automatic fire. You may need more than one mag, but you should pick your model wisely, to begin with.

For example, the magazine that comes with the CM16 is a 450 round capacity magazine that should last for some time even over heavy fire. Still, if you’re looking for something slightly different, you’ll be happy to know that the G&G Raider also accepts many other magazines that are designed for M4/M16 AEGs.

High Quality, Full Metal Internals, and Upgradeability

As you might know, prolonged periods of heavy fire will place a lot of stress on the internals of an airsoft gun, and particularly on the internals of an AEG. The gearbox will get hot and the gears themselves will be under a lot of pressure.

Plastic gears are subject to the same and can break, melt, or deform under the influence of heat and pressure, such as what would be sustained under a period of intense use. Luckily, the G&G Raider comes with a version 2, full metal, fully upgradeable gearbox with brass bearings. It’s designed for that heavy use mentioned above, and if you ever want to replace or upgrade it, you can.

When you’re looking to upgrade parts for your favorite AEG, it’s always best to know the equipment has your back, and the CM16 certainly does.

An Adjustable Hop-Up

Something else that makes an AEG a lot more effective, especially in the long game, is a hop-up system. Do you know what’s more valuable than a hop-up system, in general? An adjustable hop-up system.

Your hop-up system, more than any other single component of your AEG, helps you to reach out and remain accurate over longer distances. Where your trajectory would otherwise start to droop or flag, the hop-up system keeps it flatter and more accurate over the distance.

It’s not too much use, however, if it isn’t adjustable. You just don’t know how much spin you need to impart to your BBs until you can key in on the distance or situation. Luckily, an adjustable hop-up makes that much more practical.

Lightweight and Highly Modular

Something else to keep in mind with the G&G Combat Machine Raider is that while it is very durable and generally tough, it doesn’t tack on the pounds and ounces unnecessarily. It is a fairly lightweight platform that can easily be carried throughout a match, even over the course of a couple of days, without too much fatigue. You could also add a sling to it to help with this.

Because it also accepts attachments, has an adjustable stock and hop-up system, accepts so many different magazines, and more, it is also a highly modular platform. One size doesn’t fit all, especially in airsoft, and this is a model that shows this more than most.

Plain, Practical Color Options

One more nice little bonus about the G&G Combat Machine Raider that is the focus of this article is that you can get it in a few practical color schemes to match the terrain or requirements of the matches in which you play. For example, you can get this AEG not only in black (which is useful all around) but also in FDE, which is great in more arid environments.

A Great Price

If there’s one thing that really makes this AEG look like a steal, it’s the fact that it comes at such a crazy low price point. There are some AEGs out there that offer less than this airsoft rifle, especially when you compare the prices.

Here at MiR Tactical, you can pick up one of these for less than 200 dollars, which is an absolute steal when you consider the kind of practicality we have investigated so far. At that price, your sidearm might even cost more and offer less.

Other Great Options from the G&G Line

Another thing that’s great about this particular G&G Raider is that it doesn’t stand alone in its product line. There are many other great G&G platforms out there, like the G&G ARP9, G&G CM16 LMG, and the G&G Raider 2.0, among many others.

These all come in addition to our other accessories, which include many of the attachments mentioned herein in addition to airsoft batteries and chargers, airsoft ammo, airsoft magazines, and many others.

Don’t forget while you’re shopping - here at MiR Tactical you’re covered by a price match guarantee, you get flat rate shipping, and some orders even qualify for free shipping.

Check out some of our top choices here, and if you have any questions before purchasing, just give us a shout at 800-581-6620!