I'm pretty sure I've seen an airsoft M1 and K98 that had (more) accurate loading mechanisms, don't know who made it and apparently they had problems of their own since they are not widespread, but the loading mechanisms were realistic.
Most Garands with this feature were special ones made by a fellow on the ww2aa proboards iirc. They worked alright but required about $500 worth of work. Custom molds, etc. Basically not much in the way of upgradability unless you modified the gearbox and hop unit before sending your M14 off to be converted.
Pardon my ignorance but from how it sounds dropping loading mechanics essentially makes the guns into barrels without any character. Is there any merit to attempt historical reenactments or combat roleplay without the bolt-action etc. mechanisms? Do they balance it out by smaller clip size etc.?
I have watched a couple of airsoft videos so far but my opinion that guns are too silent\similar in sound has driven me away quite a bit. What really is to look for in an airsoft event?
To be honest, to friends and I, we get the opportunity to go camp in some exotic location (former prison is our usual), drink, eat good food, and then run around having fun shooting people without the legal consequences. At the moment many guns do sound the same, but you can change that very much with rifles powered by HPA engines or gas systems. Different flash hiders produce different sounds.
More "realistic" sounds rifles would be great, however I don't see that being particularly manageable in some areas, due to idiotic youth trying to act hard, etc. Hell California just passed legislation for 2016 mandating that your rifles look like nerf guns. Fortunately pre-existing rifles only need three pieces of coloured tape on three various parts of the rifle.