Airsoft Carbine Kit Conversion Options for Real Glocks

I finally made the jump, and bought an Airsoft EMA Roni Carbine Conversion Kit for my Glock 23. Before I make the review with pics, I would just like to discuss all the airsoft options for the Carbine conversion of Glock pistols as I learned. Take note that all of this was gathered thru informal conversations with the sellers on my way to getting my Airsoft Roni.

I will not be naming the stores or place where I learned these things, first because I am not sure if they will agree to it as I did not ask their permission to reveal these information. Second is I am not sure of the legality of some of these conversions, I think it is sort of a gray area.

I will be discussing options for the Glock, but will spare a paragraph for the 1911 conversion that I saw.

'Main Options for Glocks'
There are about four airsoft options available for converting Glocks into carbines, and these are the Hera-Arms PDW Kit, the Fab Defense KPOS Kit, the EMA Roni Kit, and the Folding Machine Gun Kit.

According to the seller, the Hera Arms Kit was the first kit that was "explored" for use with real guns, and it worked well. The only problem with the Hera Arms Kit, is that it is not as easy to fit your Glock into it, it seems you need to make some permanent changes that will take a bit more time to do. In short, it is not a quick, drop-in conversion like the Roni. I forgot to ask the price for this unit.


Second is the Fab Defense KPOS Kit. This one the seller says there are no first hand feedback on how well it worked. Apparently somebody said he will use it for a real Glock, but no feedback as to how well or bad it went. But it will supposedly still work. The kit only applies to Glock 17 and 18, so I didn't consider it since I had a Glock 23. I also forgot to ask the price for this unit.

Third is the EMA Roni Kit which I got. I will discuss more about this unit in a separate review, but I can say it worked quite well. I read it was only about P6k a couple of months back, but as of December 2011, price has gone up to P8.5k for just the basic unit without any sights. The P8.5k is the model with markings, while the one without markings cost a thousand less, at P7.5k.

'Folding Machine Gun Kit'
The most intriguing (and coolest) of these conversion kits, is the Folding Machine Gun Kit. It uses only the SLIDE ASSEMBLY of the Glock, and as I understood it, this kit is a PERMANENT conversion, it's not like you can put it into the kit and return it later to your Glock. It is not a drop in conversion, you will need the handfitting and help of a knowledgeable gunsmith to make it work.

The price of the FMG Kit is P10k, but the seller said that they knew a gunsmith who could make the complete conversion for you for ... P100k, if you provide the parts (slide assembly). They also have a ready-made unit (i.e., working or firing unit) for P150k.

I don't know how the licensing for this will go, I guess it means you will have to apply for a new license since it is a new gun already (for the ready made unit). For the kit where you provide the slide assembly, I don't know if the current licensing will still apply as it is a complete conversion. At any rate, I did not ask, since I definitely could not afford to pay for a gun at that price.

The reason for such a high price, was reportedly due to all the fitting that needed to be done (i.e., removal and addition of material), and (supposedly) lots of rounds were needed to be used to zero and test the gun in.

Another seller was selling the same kit for P17k, but her quoted price for fitting and handling was only P28k. So if you add up the Slide Assembly (say, P25k), then the total cost would be around P70k. Cheaper, but still way above my affordability index for a firearm.

An FMG would just be way so cool. It is highly compact, allowing you to carry it almost anywhere, and yet would provide good firepower as a carbine. But it is just so expensive for me as of now. IF the price drops down to, say, P10k for the unit and another P10k for the fitting and testing, then I would rush to the seller to get one immediately.

So if there is anybody out there who can afford this FMG at its current price, good luck to you, I hope you can give us a good review while we salivate reading it.

'1911 Kit'
I only saw one Airsoft Carbine Conversion Kit for M1911 models at another seller. The thing was that they were actually advertising it as one that would work on real guns. The price was very good, only P5.5k. I forgot what model it was, I would guess the old Hera-Arms Kit. This one attaches to the unit thru the grip panels, meaning you have to replace the grip panels of your 1911 to fit it in, so its not exactly a drop in conversion.