UMP - ArniesAirsoft - Review Archive

Author

Herr_Heckler

Registered: August 2005
Posts: 46

Review Date: 10/10/05

Would you recommend the product? No | Price you paid?: �141.00 | Rating: 6

Positive aspects of the product (pros):	Compact size, large mag capacity, v3 gearbox, TM G36 hop, hardcase
Cons:	Heavy, seams, inaccurate, seams, weak motor, seams, no functioning parts, seams, faux markings, SEAMS

Dear Tokyo Marui,

Can you please make a replica of Heckler & Koch's Universal Machine Pistol (UMP) before Christmas 2005. I have the utmost confidence that you can. Why? Because STAR's UMP is nothing more than a copy of your version 3 gearbox and your G36c hopup assembly wrapped inside their UMP conversion kit being sold fully assembled. Knowing this, expecting you guys to make a top-notch UMP is a no-brainer. Consider the following:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/clone69/UMP/UMP_side_label.jpg

You have very good ties with H&K and can easily get a license for the replica. This means I will no longer have to read "Heokler and Kach Gmbh" stamped on the side of the UMP. STAR must've expected me to read it through fogged up goggles and not notice. They would've been better off leaving it blank (like another manufacturer). This will also mean I will not have to bear some cheapo sticker-looking serial number like it was a kid's toy. I mean how difficult could it be to add the serial number to the mold and leave it black. But a silver sticker-looking serial...that is sick and wrong.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/clone69/UMP/UMP_trades_01c.jpg

(Read 'em and weep. Or better yet, weep and then read 'em.)

Speaking of moldings, watch out! If there was a contest for an AEG with the most obvious seams, STAR would win hands down. TM's molding technology is light years ahead. I don't think even your first generation AEG's or BOY's series has injection mold marks. STAR has, and they're big! But at least they're symmetrical. There's another UMP out there and their finish is something you should REALLY be wary of.

Please remember to include the trigger assembly pins when you make the moldings and the sling mount just behind the serial number. It seems STAR didn't notice these details from photos of the real-steel UMP. They also did not see how the buttstock sling mount hole was shaped, you see it's supposed to be rounded and not POINTED.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/clone69/UMP/UMP_stkr_01b.jpg

(Serial no. sticker and large injection mold mark)

All you're past models have exhibited lots of functioning parts so I'm sure you can easily design a working cocking lever even if it means sacrificing battery capacity. But wait, since you use better quality plastic you won't need to fill up the entire top area of the reciever. I'm sure you can design it better coz someone did and they also figured a higher capacity battery configuration. And while you're at it maybe you can make the bolt release lever function as a dust cover lock also. More than once I pinched myself on STAR's dustcover design. Just don't call it a "unique Marui feature", someone already did it.

By removing all of that plastic from the battery compartment, you should come up with an AEG lighter than your own G36c. Hello STAR, hellooooo, the real UMP is supposed to be lighter than the real G36 (by about 2 lbs) since it is smaller and cheaper. Helloooo, this is a CQB weapon, it should not weigh like a SAW....helloooo. You can then transplant the G36's METAL sights and METAL front sling mount instead of using plastic, wobbly bits.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/clone69/UMP/UMP_rust_01b.jpg

(Rusting screw and mold seam on top)

However, TM, you should learn that it is possible to make a tight fitting, rattle-free mag just like how STAR designed the UMP mag. They also designed the lo-cap to hold 110 rounds and the hicap 470 rounds. But, please, please don't make me have to dig out the hicap winding wheel with my Dremel tool. What good is 470 rounds if I can't wind it up coz the wheel is sunk so deep into the bottom of the mag. If you can bump up the capacity to 500+ rounds and put in some dummy rounds that did not look like they where polished before insertion, I'd really appreciate it to.

As mentioned, STAR copied the G36 hop and it seems to work. Now if you'll just take about an inch off your G36 inner barrel it should work fine partnered with a type 3 or 2 cylinder. You see STAR used a type 0 cylinder with an inner barrel shorter than the G36 and (it seems) a larger inner diameter. The result, at 10 meters I couldn't hit a soda can in semi and the can wasn't even moving...uh...anyway, full auto exhibited a dispersion pattern that would make a shotgun proud. Accuracy was so BAD at first I thought it was the sights...til I replaced the barrel with, you guessed it, a stock G36 inner barrel I had lying around. No soda can was safe from that point on. The good news is, the entire barrel and hop assembly falls out with the touch of a bolt, and trust me, this is among the first things on a STAR UMP "to replace" list.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/clone69/UMP/UMP_disassmbly_01c.jpg

(One screw then open wide.)

Okay, so maybe asking that you install a spring equivalent to an M100 is to much but at least I know your EG1000s motor can crank it using stock ratio gears. STAR must've used the equivalent of an EG100s (one zero less) cause it just couldn't pull back the spring I installed. And maybe it was partly due to the lack of gear grease I found when I opened it or the unported piston head, but hey, like I said the EG1000s can easily hack this same setup.

With all these "enhancements" I am happy that STAR's UMP is so easy to disassemble with just 1 screw for the lower reciever/handle to swing out. Then removing the gearbox is just a screw and a bolt away. However, whatever time was saved in removing the gearbox will be lost ten fold just trying to remove the spine. I've read that some have actually elected not to replace it upon reassembly. So TM, ease of disassembly is good and keeping your own version 3 spine ease of removal is even better. It would also help if the screws you use do not rust within a week of ownership.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/clone69/UMP/UMP_case.jpg

If there is one part of the TM G36 I enjoy, it's the tactile feel of the fire selector switch. It is just so smooth and positive everytime with no wobbling or metal on plastic sliding sensation. It just clicks and clicks. So please, carry that over also to your version of the UMP. That way I know when I've switched to semi without having to look at the switch position or pulling the trigger and getting a "click".

In typical TM fashion, STAR only included the top and bottom rails...just like what you did with your G36. So I guess in that respect I won't expect any changes from TM as well. Still, the rails that were included are nicely built, finished to match the UMP and did not have problems with my G&G vertical grip and flashlight mounts.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/clone69/UMP/SAA_UMP_8_M.jpg

(Case and UMP - Photo from STAR Airsoft site)

In the end, you guys at TM have no excuse not to come out with a UMP that looks good enough to be displayed with trades and all, shoots straight well beyond 10 meters, accepts basic CQB level upgrades and can be a realistic alternative to the MP5 series. To expect any less is to say that STAR built an excellent UMP. There is simply no way STAR can best TM...well, okay there is one item...the STAR UMP comes in a lovely black plastic hardcase that looks just like a real steel hardcase. It has 4 big (as in HUGE) locking clamps and it even has a hole for a padlock...neat. Inside it's fully padded to ensure that the AEG doesn't rattle around in transit. Since we're not talking of cutout foam, you can actually use this to carry other units like the G36c or the ubiquitous MP5. I doubt you guys at TM will do this but hey, we'd really appreciate it if you did. Nevermind that STAR's idea of a manual is 2 pieces of paper stapled together and forgot the cleaning rod altogether. It is still a really, really cool case.

If my math is correct, the case is valued at about US$128 (according to the STAR Airsoft site)or GBP73..WHOA...then that makes the UMP just GBP68!!! Admittedly, I can't expect you to price it like that as well.

So please TM, get off your oriental posterior and start making this AEG...I already sold my UMP (after just 2 weeks) BUT I did keep the case. For now my second G36c is keeping it company but it sure is begging for a TM UMP to call it home. Pretty please...

Respecfully Yours.

H_H Smile

PS: This is based on my personal experience and I would not be the least bit surprised if I got a lemon. Still, I cannot ignore all the things I went thru during my 2 week relationship with the UMP. I wasn't kidding when I said I sold it after 2 weeks and got myself a TM G36.

Can someone in the audience please translate this to Japanese so I can email it. Smile

Link to STAR Airsoft

Links to Heckler & Koch USA and HKPro.com

Raptor3388

Registered: August 2005
Location: Dunkerque - France
Posts: 218

Review Date: 18/11/05

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 8

Positive aspects of the product (pros):	Really nice looking, no moving parts
Cons:	Batteries, molding seams

I couldn't wait so that's why I bought it as soon as it came out at BoomArms.

I have a very good opinion of my UMP, even if i havent really played with it because of the batteries. It's quite heavy but I prefer this way, I compared my Star UMP with a G&G UMG, and I prefer mine by far. The UMG has more molding seams.