ZERO TO NVGS | UK AIRSOFT SITE EXPECTATIONS, HOW MUCH AIRSOFT COSTS AND CHECKLIST!

Hey team! Welcome back to our next blog instalment of Zero to NVGs!

So you want to book your first airsoft game but you’re unsure of what to expect when you get on site? Let’s chat about what you can expect from a typical UK Airsoft site including roughly how much it costs, what rental kit you can get and what the facilities are like. It goes without saying that every airsoft is of course different and facilities/costs will vary between them, especially between CQB and woodland sites but I hope this is a helpful mini guide for you!

How much does an airsoft game day cost?

Firstly, let’s chat about roughly how much airsoft costs! The cost of an airsoft game in the UK varies from site to site; I’ve paid £25 to play at one site and £38 at another. Typically, the price for a walk on (bringing your own kit) tends to be between £25-£35. Equipment rental costs typically cost between £15-£25 for a full days hire and this is added to the walk on fee. This usually includes your hire gun, 1000 BBs and your eye/face protection. If you are starting out and hiring equipment, I would budget around £60 for your game day and rental.

Do airsoft sites serve food?

Again, this varies. Some sites have dedicated food prep areas and serve food like hot dogs and burgers (it’s rare that this is included in your game day fee though), others have food vans parked up in the safe zone where you can purchase food and others sell snacks and drinks at the registration desk. There are usually tea and coffee stations in the safe zone - I don’t think I’ve been to an airsoft site that hasn’t had one! As a general rule, I always bring a packed lunch and any drinking water I’ll need for the day. I’m a big fan of a Tesco meal deal or a potnoodle!

What is the car parking situation?

Car parking is typically on-site and free. Some sites use their car parks as the safe zone.

What is the safe zone situation?

The safe zone is the ‘getting ready’ area and the only area where you don’t need to wear your eye pro. No loaded guns are allowed in the safe zone hence its name. No safe zone will be the same as another. Some are inside, some are outside with cover and some are the car park. This is where you’ll sign in, get your rental kit, get ready for each game (loading BBs into mags etc), eat and hang out. Check the site you’re attending’s website to see if they have any information on their safe zone. Every site I have been to has at a minimum portaloos for toilet facilities.

One of the biggest barriers for new players believe it or not isn't the cost, the kit, or even the fear of getting shot - it's simply not knowing what to expect on the day. Turning up underprepared, wearing the wrong things, or missing the safety brief because you didn't know what time to arrive - these are the things that turn a brilliant first experience into a stressful one.

So I put together a free beginner game day checklist!

It's completely free to download from my Beacons store. Download it or print it, use it, and come back and tell me how your first game went!

Get yours for free, here!

GBBR | KWA LM4D PTR LE!

Hey team! Welcome back to the blog.

In this first impressions review, we’ll be taking a look at the KWA LM4D PTR LE from BZ Tactical.

The LM4D PTR from KWA is a GBBR (gas blow back rifle) that has been engineered with the community in mind. It addresses the quirks of previous generations to deliver a GBBR that feels as close to a real world AR-15 as possible.

Before we get into the internals of the LM4D, let’s first chat about the build! At the front of the rifle, we have a muzzle brake that’s followed by a full RIS/Picatinny handguard that has ample space for mounting optics, lights and other accessories. In the box, PTS EPBUIS (Enhanced Polymer Back-Up Iron Sights) are included, which are perfect for the top rail. On the body, you can find the ambidextrous fire selector and charging handle, an ergonomic pistol grip and bringing up the rear, a low-profile 6-point stock.

Internally, it features a next-gen bolt design - which consists of an improved hop-up system and a redesigned bolt carrier group providing a more consistent FPS and better gas efficiency. The improved hop-up design also means you can dial in your hop without using the proprietary wrench which is a big bonus. The LM4D has also been engineered with KWA’s Force Engine helping it to cycle smoothly even in temperate conditions.

It comes in a sleek, KWA branded box and on removing the replica you get a feel for just how sturdy it is. It is pretty lightweight for its size but the gas mag of course adds weight. It gases up via a port in the 30 round magazine that’s included in the box and the gas reservoir appears to be of a good size. It has realistic operation, as in you need to rack the charging handle after you load a magazine to enable it to shoot and press the bolt release when you hit empty (after removing the mag) which I think is the best aspect of the replica - it makes you feel like a baddie. If you are already familiar with the M4 AEG platform it is a pretty easy transition from AEG to GBBR and whilst I think aesthetically it is a little plain looking, it is a clean base that can be tarted up with accessories.

So how does it shoot? It has a snappy trigger and was mostly consistent with great gas efficiency on semi and shooting in bursts. It was cold during our range day so it did struggle a little more with consistency on full auto but given the 30 round mag, this isn’t really built for spraying and praying, it’s built for players who want realism. It easily hopped heavier weight ammo including .28s and .3s. It sounds great and is really fun to shoot - the recoil on it is fantastic.

It chrono’d at 334 FPS (using Rebel Precision Green gas) and had a decent rate of fire (you can check out my range test here!). It is comfortable to shoulder and easy to manipulate.

Included in the box you get the KWA LM4D PTR replica, a set of PTS EBUIS, a 30 round gas magazine and the all important instruction manual. If you’re a MilSim player who’s looking for a realistic replica or someone who is looking for an affordable alternative to real steel, this is definitely something that is up your street! From BZ Tactical, it retails for £450, and you can use my code FF5 for 5% off!

Post sponsored by BZ Tactical

ZERO TO NVGS | YOUR FREE BEGINNER GAME DAY CHECKLIST!

Are you thinking about trying airsoft but not sure where to start? You aren't alone. One of the biggest barriers for new players believe it or not isn't the cost, the kit, or even the fear of getting shot - it's simply not knowing what to expect on the day. Turning up underprepared, wearing the wrong things, or missing the safety brief because you didn't know what time to arrive - these are the things that turn a brilliant first experience into a stressful one.

That's exactly why I put this checklist together.

It's built specifically for complete beginners hiring kit on the day. No gear knowledge needed, no confusing loadout lists - just everything you actually need to show up, feel prepared, and have a brilliant first game. Whether you've been curious about airsoft for years or your mate just convinced you to give it a go last week, this is your starting point!

From finding a site and working out your budget, to what to wear (genuinely the most important bit for first-timers - trust me on this one, I wore leggings for my first airsoft game and had REGRETS!), what to chuck in your bag, and the four rules you need to know before the first game starts - it's all in there, written in plain English with no gatekeeping.

I've been playing airsoft for over a decade so long enough to know what trips first-timers up: the wrong footwear, no cash for extra BBs, forgetting a change of clothes for the drive home. Small things that make a big difference to how your day goes - and all things this checklist has you covered on.

Print it off the night before, or as it's interactive save it to your phone, or send it to a mate who's been umming and ahhing about coming along.

It's completely free to download from my Beacons store. Download it, use it, and come back and tell me how your first game went!

Get yours for free, here!

ZERO TO NVG: AIRSOFT 101 - TYPES OF AIRSOFT, SAFETY, RULES & FIRST HITS.

Zero to NVG: Airsoft 101 

What is airsoft? 

Airsoft is a game of simulated gun combat that is played worldwide by people of all ages, genders, backgrounds, etc in which the objective is to eliminate their opponents using 6mm plastic BBs. It originated in Japan in the 1970’s as a safe and legal alternative to real firearms due to gun legislation. 

(Photo credit @airsoftproject)

Airsoft is very similar to paintball (as much as we, airsofters may like to protest!), in the way that people team up at dedicated, insured sites to shoot at and be shot by each other for fun and sport. Where airsoft differs, however, is that airsoft is intended to be more realistic than paintball, in the clothes that we wear and the replicas that we use. Whilst paintball markers typically don’t look like “real” guns (unless you are playing Magfed), airsoft RIFs (Realistic Imitation Firearms) are, 99% of the time, modelled after genuine firearms and are almost indistinguishable from the real thing. The players, depending on their style of airsoft are also more likely to wear realistic military gear, including plate carriers, chest rigs, helmets, etc to look more ‘realistic’. 

As there is no paint, or any identifiable way to know you’ve been hit, airsoft relies on an honour system. 

There are different styles of airsoft as not everyone wants to dress realistically or even wants to shoot at/be shot at by other players, so let’s chat about the different types of airsoft: 

Skirmish 

(Photo credit @samwise.tacticaluk)

Primarily there’s skirmishing. An airsoft skirmish (otherwise known as a game day/walk on/pick-up game) typically consists of two teams, shooting at each other whilst in a combat scenario - these scenarios can simply be a team deathmatch or have more complicated objectives such as capturing a flag. This is how most players get started in the sport. 

MilSim 

Photo credit @theairsoftcorrespondent)

‘MilSim’ is similar to a skirmish but it is more focused on the Military Simulation aspect. During a MilSim, players will be organised into teams, that have command structures and they will be given taskings/objectives to complete. MilSims are usually longer, running anywhere from 24 hours to 72 hours of continuous play. You eat, sleep and shit in game so make sure you wear your eye pro when you sleep and lock those portaloo doors. 

BattleSim 

Battlesims are essentially shorter Milsims, think all-day events that are usually played for 8 to 12 continuous hours, although they can be longer. 

AIPSC 

AIPSC is a target shooting sport. AIPSC shooters use airsoft guns to shoot at paper and metal targets whilst being timed/scored according to particular rules. There are shooting clubs around the world that compete in AIPSC competitions. 

Speedsoft 

Photo credit @theairsoftcorrespondent)

Speedsoft is the airsoft equivalent of paintball’s speedball. A fast-paced tournament-like game that disregards the military aspect and instead focuses on fast shooting, fast movement in “arenas”. Whilst this style of airsoft is relatively young, it has exploded in popularity over the last few years. I don't have any speedsoft pictures, so here's a pic of me in a paintball mask. 

General Rules & Safety 

Safety is the number one priority when playing airsoft. All players over 18 must wear at a MINIMUM a pair of high-impact rated eye protection. If a player is under the age of 18, a site’s insurance will usually dictate that they need to wear full face protection such as a paintball mask. It is recommended that everyone wears lower face protection - BBs can and have shattered teeth! 

(Photo credit @samwise.tacticaluk)

It’s recommended at most sites that you wear good footwear with ankle protection such as hiking boots, especially if you’re playing outdoors - uneven ground and holes like rabbit warrens can be pesky for those ankles! 

All airsoft guns need to be tested with a chronograph before each game by site staff to ensure they are under the legal limits, as we have restrictions on their power in the UK. Most sites in the UK operate a site limit of 350 FPS (feet per second) for pistols and AEGs, up to 500 FPS for bolt action sniper rifles, although these can differ depending on what site you’re at so always check their website! 

Although different sites/game modes have different rules, some rules are universal such as ‘dead players don’t talk’ meaning that if you’ve been eliminated, you can’t give away another player’s position to a live player, and no blind firing meaning you must be able to see where your BB is traveling to. 

First Hits 

What does getting hit feel like? It entirely depends on where you’re hit and if you’re wearing any protection on that part of the body. If you’re hit in the chest whilst wearing a plate carrier - you may feel a thud and hear an impact, if you got shot on your thighs whilst wearing a pair of trousers you may feel a small sting and if you get shot on your bare knuckles you would probably feel a fair bit of pain. 

Airsoft is a game of honour so when you’ve been hit by another player, there won’t be a visible mark, it’s down to you as the player to call yourself out by raising your hand and shouting ‘HIT’ loud enough for the person shooting at you to hear. Top tip: move out of the way quickly to avoid being overshot by active players! 

Not calling a hit is classed as cheating. Although hits can be missed if you haven’t felt or heard them, that isn’t an excuse to not take a hit. If in doubt, take the hit as respawn is only ever a short walk away!

Join me for our next Zero to NVG instalment: Site Expectations, Costs and Beginner Day Checklist!

GEAR | DEADLY CUSTOMS MFCR LOADOUT!

Hey team! 

Welcome back! Thanks for all the love regarding FF blog posts returning - it’s really appreciated. We’re back this week with another post and in this one we’re going to be looking at my Deadly Customs MFCR (or Modular Fortis Chest Rig) loadout - my newest addition to the arsenal, so let’s get into it. 

The Deadly Customs MFCR (Modular Fortis Chest Rig) is a modern styled chest rig that is designed to provide modularity, durability, comfort, and covert practicality. The chest rig is designed around a dual-layer laser-cut Squadron Laminate chassis with a rugged 1500D Squadron Cordura exterior. Achieving a balance between structural strength and a slim profile. 

Right out of the box, it feels solid. The dual-layer laminate core resists sagging under load and provides a flat, stable platform for gear. The laser-cut construction gives us precise fitment for single-column modular pouches and accessories - which is important if you plan to customise your setup heavily. Heavy-duty bar-tacked stitching and corrosion-resistant hardware round off the build quality, making the rig suitable for frequent use during airsoft games and, in more demanding conditions. 

Now lets chat about the modularity! The complete set (which is the most cost effective way of purchasing the MFCR) consists of the MFCR Main H-Harness and hardware, backstop and hardware, the MFP (Modular Fortis Placard) and a rear padded cover for the MFP. What I would pinpoint as the standout feature of the MFCR is the Modular Fortis Placard system. It’s a quick-swap placard that allows users to reconfigure their gear quickly which is great for players who attend both skirmishes and milsims - being able to have one rig that does it all really is a bonus. The rig’s front uses a laser-cut MOLLE ladder and tie-down points that accept single-column attachments, admin pouches, and medical kits, giving you more flexibility and customisability. 

There are cable and hydration routes integrated thoughtfully throughout, with horizontal pass-through channels and hollow shoulder straps. These make it straightforward to manage comms cables or a hydration tube without external snags. 

My own MFCR loadout consists of the MFCR, the MFP, a kydex 40mm and a Fortis 40mm, the velcro adapters and flap set, the insert caddy and two small GP’s on the back wing expander. This is the configuration I would use for battlesims/milsims, for skirmishes and short games I would remove the two small GP and both 40mm pouches to save on weight and bulk, considering I normally wear a belt set-up for skirmishes. 

So what are my final thoughts? In a crowded chest rig market, the MFCR holds its own because of its combination of modularity, durable construction, and comfort-focused design. The complete set isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for sure - you’ll need additional modules for a completely personalised setup that works for you, but as a core rig it delivers flexibility to build on and quality. 

The Deadly Customs MCFR Complete Set retails for £109.99. The set-up in my images retails for around £335.

Chest rig gifted by www.deadlycustoms.co.uk

OUTDOORS | ONETIGRIS CAMPING ROCK FORTRESS HOT TENT!

Hey team, welcome back to the blog!

I know it’s been a while - life has been heavy over the last 18 months, but we’re back. In this blog post, I’m going to be talking about the tent that got us through our charity canoeing/wild camping trip along the Great Glen Canoe Trail in Scotland.

For my charity trip, OneTigris Camping very kindly provided us with some camping gear to keep us warm and comfortable along the way and this included the OneTigris Rock Fortress Hot Tent.

The OneTigris Rock Fortress Hot Tent is a spacious, four-season tipi-style shelter with a stove jack designed for comfort even during winter, but at an affordable price point.

First, let’s chat about the design and build! The Rock Fortress’s decagonal (10-sided) tipi shape gives it a classic hot tent look. It has a 3.8m diameter and a peak of 2.4cm, so there’s plenty of headroom for someone like myself who is 164cm (or 5”4 in imperial). My partner who stands at 182cm (or 5”11) found the headroom wasn’t quite enough for him to stand up in the tent comfortably.

Picture credit: OneTigris Camping

Picture credit: OneTigris Camping

It’s made from 70D silicone-coated nylon that has a 3000 mm waterproof rating, so it’s made to hold up in heavy rain and works as a four-season shelter. The included stove jacket opening meant we could also run our wood stove which made the nights cosy.

Next up, let’s chat setup and practical use. One thing I’ve seen other reviewers consistently mention is how straightforward it is to set up and I would mostly agree with this! It has a single-pole design that simplifies pitching and takedown. The only caveat I would add to this, is that it is straightforward to set up as long as the ground is completely flat, and I know what you’re thinking “who is setting up a tent on uneven ground?!” right but during our trip, on our first night we had to spend a night on a rocky beach on the side of Loch Lochy and the set-up was hindered by the fact we couldn’t make a level base. However, when we set it up on a flat grassy area on the shore of Loch Oich it was an easy set-up.

Once pitched, the tent feels spacious and that makes it pretty versatile. It’s advertised as a 4-6 person tent, though after spending a few nights in it, I would definitely say it’s more comfortable for two (potentially three adults) with gear, especially if you’re running the stove inside. This tent was also slightly too big for a few of the campsites along the Great Glen Canoe Trail as some of the shorelines are quite narrow but we just took this into account when choosing our campsites.

There’s no inner tent included, so you’ll need to consider a groundsheet for extra protection against ground moisture if you’re not using a stove regularly. We were kindly gifted the inner mesh tent (the mesh inner tent 04) and whilst this did take up a fair bit of space inside, it did keep bugs out and gave us a good base where we slept.

The pros:

Weather resistance: Whilst on Loch Oich we had a LOT of rain and the tent held up beautifully.

Warmth with stove: The stove jack is a standout feature for cold-weather camping, keeping the interior warm and comfortable.

Easy setup: The simple tipi design makes pitching straightforward.

Worth the price: Much more affordable than other options.

Cons:

Size reality: Although marketed for up to six people, with the stove and inner tent AND kit, this would realistically fit 2-3 people.

Needs a good pitch: Pitching is straightforward on ideal ground but uneven ground makes it way more difficult

Initial smell: There is a noticeable “chemical” smell out of the bag but it did fade during use.

Camped on the uneven shore of Loch Lochy

So what are my final thoughts? If you’re after a feature-packed hot tent without breaking the bank, the OneTigris Rock Fortress is hard to overlook. It’s spacious, capable in four seasons, and genuinely enjoyable with a stove inside. Although it may not match premium brands in every detail, and its advertised capacity is a bit optimistic - it’s a compelling choice and excellent value overall for casual campers, hunting trips, or winter adventures on a budget. The OneTigris Rock Fortress Hot Tent retails for $289.99 and the Mesh Inner Tent 04 retails for $123.50.

Thank you so much to
for supplying us with this kit for our charity canoe trip!

GBB | ARMOURER WORKS CUSTOM 'BLACK ACE' HI - CAPA!

Hey friends!

Welcome back to the blog. Today I have another Gas Blow Back Pistol first impressions for you, and in this one, we’ll be looking at the Armorer Works Custom 'Black Ace' Hi-Capa AW-HX2003 from my friends over at HC2 Airsoft.

Armorer Works products come straight from the factory upgraded. They are modified with enhanced features to increase their usability and the HX2003 is no different.

Let’s chat about its features: it has a full metal slide and upper frame, an enlarged competition-style grip with a honeycomb grip pattern, an enlarged flared magwell aids with the shooters reloading ability, left-side safety, functioning beaver tail safety to prevent accidental discharges, an exaggerated front and rear slide serrations make the weapon easy to manipulate under stress, a skeletonized, squared off, anodised red, competition style trigger, an under barrel rail for mounting weapon lights or other accessories and it also features front and rear fibre optics sights that allow for quick target acquisition in low light. It also has an adjustable hop-up unit.

The Armorer Works Custom 'Black Ace' Hi-Capa AW-HX2003 comes presented in a branded box with its 30+1 round green gas magazine. On getting the pistol out of the box, it has a good weight and the materials used give it a feel of durability. The flared magwell makes for easy reloads and it’s also compatible with KJW, WE, TM, and other similar Airsoft HICAPA series magazines so you don’t need to replace all your mags when getting this.

It shoots consistently and has a nice kick to it. It is comfortable to wield and easy to operate/manipulate, especially with the slide serrations. It shoots at around 325 FPS (with green gas at around 11 degrees). Check out my range test on TikTok here.

In the box, you get the Armorer Works Custom 'Black Ace' Hi-Capa AW-HX2003, a 30+1 round gas magazine and the manual. From HC2 Airsoft, it retails for £174.99.

Post sponsored by HC2 Airsoft

Photos by Charlie Chatwood

GBB | REDWOLF AIRSOFT NIGHTHAWK CUSTOMS GBBP

Hey friends!

Welcome back to the blog. Sorry, it’s been a hot minute - life has been a bit crazy with my trip to Texas and other life stuff, more on those in another post! Today I’ve got another first impression for you and in this one we’re going to be looking at the RedWolf Airsoft Nighthawk Custom War Hawk GBBP from my friends over at HC2 Airsoft.

The RedWolf Airsoft Nighthawk Custom War Hawk GBBP is Nighthawk Custom's interpretation of a cutting-edge 1911, officially licensed by RedWolf Airsoft and made into a gas blowback pistol. This pistol is equipped with modern features, including a 20mm pistol rail for torches/lasers, light-enhancing sights for low-light work, and a highly comfortable grip with thumb indentation. Crafted from sleek brushed aluminium, it combines functionality with style.

First, let’s chat about the Warhawks features! It has diamond texture side panels to aid the shooter with grip in cold and wet environments, a serrated and engraved slide, a straight back trigger, skeletonised hammer, Beavertail safety to prevent accidental discharges and slide/trigger lock safety. It also has an adjustable hop-up unit.

The War Hawk comes presented in a branded box with its 23-rnd green gas magazine. On getting the pistol out of the box, it has a nice weight to it and that weight feels evenly distributed. The diamond textured grip aids with grip without making it uncomfortable or biting into the palm. The controls are all within comfortable thumb-reaching distance which gives it a great level of usability and ergonomics.

So it’s ergonomic and looks great but how does it shoot? It shoots consistently and is really snappy, the straight-back trigger is sense. It is comfortable to wield and easy to operate/manipulate. It shoots at around 334 FPS (with green gas at around 12 degrees). Check out my range test on TikTok here.

In the box, you get the RedWolf Airsoft Nighthawk Custom Fully Licensed War Hawk GBBP and a 23-rnd gas magazine. From HC2 Airsoft, it retails for £154.99.

Post sponsored by HC2 Airsoft

Photos by Charlie Chatwood

AEG | ARCTURUS AK12 AEG PERFORMANCE ENHANCED!

Hi friends!

Welcome back to the blog. In this one, I have another review for you and in this one, we’re going to be looking at the ARCTURUS AK12 AEG Performance Enhanced Edition!

The AK12 AEG PE is a modern looking AK from ARCTURUS that has been engineered to give the user elevated performance and exceptional durability making it a great choice for players who demand more from their replicas.

First, let’s talk about the external features. At the front of the rifle, we have a metal muzzle brake followed by the one-piece CNC aluminium outer barrel. The handguard has a 20mm RIS rail that also runs the length of the receiver - perfect for adding red dot sights. The receiver has an alloy construction with a polymer moulded pistol grip. At the back of the rifle, we have a 6-point adjustable stock that has a padded butt pad for extra comfort.

Internally, it has the ARCTURUS RS CNC Steel Machines 13:1 gear set, a high torque neodymium motor 21T w/ MIM steel pinion gear, ETU by PERUN x ARCTURUS, ARCTURUS V3 tuneable trigger stopper, reinforced polymer precision rotary hop-up unit and a precision 6.01mm tightbore inner barrel.

Other features include an electronic fuse to protect your rifle's internal electronics, a progressive trigger for a smooth and responsive trigger pull that includes a binary setting so you can deal double taps, adjustable trigger sensitivity with 5 levels of adjustment, a ROF reduction setting helping you control your rate of fire, a Li-Po alarm to help safeguard your Li-Po batteries and a diagnostic system that allows you to monitor the AK12 PE’s performance. I think it would possibly be easier to name the features it doesn’t have!

The ARCTURUS AK12 AEG PE comes presented in an ARCTURUS branded box, and on getting it out, it feels great in hand - no rattles or wobbles and it weighs in at 3.5kg making feel sturdy and durable. The battery is housed under the dust cover and whilst space is tight, it does fit a Nuprol stick Li-Po nicely. I think you would potentially struggle to fit a lithium-ion battery but again, it would depend on the shape. As I’m new to the AK platform, it did take me a little while to install the battery but I’m sure I’ll get quicker at this over time.

So how did this replica perform on its range test? It was consistent on both semi and full-auto. The 2 burst mode was also a nice surprise. I used a 7.4v Lipo as recommended. It sounded great and was overall a great gun to shoot. When I chrono’d this replica it came out at 339 FPS, which is perfect for any UK site. Check out my TikTok range test here!

Included in the box are two high-cap magazines, now whilst I’m no fan of high caps and wished these were mid-caps - it does mean that you have enough mags/ammo to play an entire game day without needing to buy extra magazines. You also get a sticker sheet, a connection converter and a patch (alongside the replica of course!) From Land Warrior Airsoft, this replica retails for £519.99.

Post sponsored by Land Warrior Airsoft

AEG | KWA RONIN RECON ML!

Hi friends!

Welcome back to the blog. In this review, we’re going to be taking a look at the KWA Ronin RM4 ML from HC2 Airsoft.

The new AEG 3 RM4 Ronin Recon ML, is a part of the Ronin M-Series - a new line of modular AEG rifles.

As always, let’s first chat about the build. At the front of the rifle, we have a custom mock suppressor to cover the 14.5” outer barrel followed by an MLOK rail that has a 20mm RIS rail along its length. It features a branded metal receiver that has an enlarged trigger guard, ambidextrous fire controls and a PTS Enhanced Polymer Grip. At the rear of the rifle, we have a sling point and a PTS Enhanced Polymer Stock (EPS) which houses the battery.

Internally, this AEG features the new AEG3 gearbox, KWA Kinetic Feedback System, an improved high-torque motor, upgraded high-speed gear set, adjustable rotary hop-up and a switch life extender to prevent contact burnout.

The AEG 3 RM4 Ronin Recon ML comes presented in a KWA Ronin box (which as always looks great), I’m not a fan of the inner packaging - I firmly believe that polystyrene packaging should be reserved for Skegness market specials, but this is just a personal gripe and ultimately, it isn’t that deep. On getting the replica out of the box, she’s a long gal and has a nice weight to her - weighing in at around 3.4kg. As with all of KWA’s replicas, she’s well-built and sturdy - there are no wobbles or rattles. As I’m familiar with the M4 platform and the PTS EPS, it took me no time to battery up. For those who aren’t, you simply press in the two tabs on the stock and the padded butt pad will pop off. The EPS has great storage space to use the bigger Lithium Ion batteries such as Titan or Rebel.

It was consistent on both semi and full-auto - and as with the RM4 Q10, it was fun to shoot. Whilst I’m always impressed with KWA replicas, the kinetic feedback system adds a touch of realism which makes these really fun replicas to shoot. I tested it using a 7.4v Lipo as recommended (which I was sceptical about at first). It sounded great and was overall a great gun to shoot. When I chrono’d this replica it came out at 308 FPS, which is a little lower than expected but perfectly UK site legal. Check out my TikTok range test here.

One aspect I really like about this replica is the cut-off when empty feature, it definitely adds another element of realism to the game and is perfectly paired with the Kinetic Feedback System.

In the box, you get the AEG 3 RM4 Ronin Recon ML replica, a set of MLOK rail adapters and a KWA MS120 magazine. From HC2 Airsoft, this AEG retails for £440.

Post sponsored by HC2 Airsoft

AEG | KWA RONIN RM4 Q10 AEG!

Hi friends!

 In this review, we’re going to be looking at the KWA Ronin RM4 Q10 AEG from my friends over at HC2 Airsoft!

The Ronin RM4 Q10 AEG from KWA Airsoft is the facelift version of their flagship RM4 model, featuring the new AEG3 gearbox and an electric recoil system (that mimics GBBR).

Let’s first chat about the build. At the front of the rifle, we have a polymer muzzle brake mounted on a CCW 14mm thread followed by a familiar quad Picatinny rail which allows for the player to customise their rifle with torches, PEQ boxes, grips etc. It has a 20mm RIS rail that runs along the handguard and the receiver. It has a KWA-branded full-metal receiver, an enlarged trigger guard ambidextrous fire controls and a PTS pistol grip. At the rear of the rifle is a 6-point adjustable stock that houses the battery. Included in the box is also a set of the PTS Enhanced Back Up Iron Sights which are a nice touch.

Internally, we have KWA’s new AEG3 gearbox (which has the cut-off when empty function), a quick change spring system, a Kinetic feedback system for simulated recoil, One piece rotary hop-up and a Switch lift extender that prevents the burnout of trigger contacts.

This AEG comes presented in a branded KWA Ronin box and on getting the replica out of the box, it has a good weight to it and it feels sturdy. There are no wobbles, or rattles - which is always a good sign. As I’m familiar with the platform, it didn’t take long to battery up - simply press the two tabs on the butt pad of the stock and the butt plate will come away. The battery space is spacious enough thanks to the 6-point adjustable stock, but I used a small Nuprol stick battery, which fit well. 

It was consistent on both semi and full-auto - and was fun to shoot. Whilst I’m always impressed with KWA replicas, the kinetic feedback systems add a touch of realism which is really fun. I tested it using a 7.4v Lipo as recommended. It sounded great and was overall a great gun to shoot. When I chrono’d this replica it came out at 343 FPS, which of course is perfect for pretty much every UK airsoft site/event. Check out my TikTok range test here! 

In the box, you get the KWA Ronin RM4 Q10 AEG replica, an unjamming rod, a VPS tool and a KWA MS120 Midcap magazine. From HC2 Airsoft, this replica retails for £419.99.

Post sponsored by HC2 Airsoft