For a long time Tokyo Marui has held the throne on the only reliable, competition capable, P90 AEG. However recently there are new players in this ballgame, Classic Army and Echo 1; and Airsoft GI is going to give you the first head-to-head-to-head comparison on the ultimate CQB AEG. For our control factors we’ll be using the same model from the different manufacturers, the TR version, and a Guarder Chronograph for all FPS readings. First take a look at the following chart for a quick overview:

The first thing that stands out about the exterior of the P90s is the upper receiver. The Echo 1’s receiver is full metal, which gives it a clear structural advantage of the plastic Marui and Classic Army. As far as function is concerned all three are on the same level, both Tokyo Marui and Classic Army have metal rails on the plastic receivers; however upgrading to metal parts is a very big part of modifying and airsoft gun and since the Echo 1 already has a metal receiver the owners attention can be focused elsewhere. Also, there’s the color; Tokyo Marui’s P90 is two-tone, the body is a dark gray or gunmetal and the upper receiver is a matte black. However the other two, Classic Army and Echo 1, are both black, the Echo 1 being the darker of the two. The next items to discuss are the markings. The Tokyo Marui, like all Japanese guns, is properly labeled; the ink for the selector switch is clearly visible, bright red for ‘semi’ and ‘auto’ and white for ‘safety’. Echo 1 followed in Marui’s footsteps and clearly painted their fire selector, they have also cleverly changed P90 to E90. However Classic Army has taken the road not traveled, they’ve completely changed the model designation from P90 to just 90, an awesome display of critical thinking skills and imagination, and the fire selector looks old and faded as if it were painted on decades ago. The overall feel of the three is a night and day comparison; the metal receiver on the Echo 1 gives it a very solid and secure feel, as well as a realistic weight; the Tokyo Marui is full plastic, like the Classic Army, but they are still made of good quality materials and put together properly.

A quick look at the Echo 1 P90 reveals the excellent quality parts that Echo 1 used to assemble this gun, it being the only one with metal bushings from the factory. Echo 1 is on the path to improvement, the evidence can be found within the E90’s gearbox. Tokyo Marui guns, for the most part, haven’t changed in years; the internals on their P90 aren’t as robust as Echo 1’s but it doesn’t need to be because it doesn’t shoot nearly as hard. Classic Army built their P90 under their Sportline Series, so it shares the same plastic piston and bushings as the other Sportline AEGs. Each of the gearboxes serves their purpose. There is very little difference in the air seal components; they all have plastic air seal nozzles, plastic cylinder heads with 1 o-ring and a metal stem, and plastic piston heads. However, only the Echo 1 and the Classic Army have ported piston heads, which would make them slightly more efficient than the solid Marui one. The propulsion is also similar; all three have plastic spring guides without bearings and linear pitch springs. The gearing is where we see the most differences; we already know that Echo 1 is the only one with metal bushings, but they also have the best quality gears (heavy steel). Tokyo Marui gears are not reinforced and are made of very poor quality metal, nevertheless it works for Marui’s low velocity. The Classic Army gears are not reinforced like the Echo 1’s but they did use better quality metal than Tokyo Marui. All of the gearboxes are compatible with, and could benefit from, aftermarket upgrades.

Each of the guns has their own thing going for them. The Tokyo Marui is the only one that comes with a barrel extension. The Classic Army is the only one that offers a 300 round high capacity magazine, and it doesn’t seem to have the same symptoms of Marui’s P90 high caps. Additionally, Echo 1 is the only company that is offering 2 magazines with their gun. Echo 1 and Classic Army both offer battery and charger where Tokyo Marui does not. One thing that should be noted for the red dot versions (currently only offered by Classic Army and Tokyo Marui) they do not included batteries, they require an extra trip to the store if you want to use the optic. In summary, all things considered (Internal/External Quality, What’s included, and Price), the Echo 1 is the best P90 on the market. The metal receiver in combination with the sound gearbox that shoots 350+ FPS and the extremely affordable price tag puts the Echo 1 P90 in a league of its own. Each gun has its own niche in the airsoft world. The Tokyo Marui is going to appeal to older players, the ones that already have upgraded batteries and smart chargers from previous guns. Both the Echo 1 and Classic Army are probably going to do well with younger players due to the lower price tags and basic playing essentials that are included with it. So far so good for the newcomers to the P90 world, it will be interesting to see where each manufacturer goes from here.