Hey everyone and welcome back to the blog!
Today I have another review for you, and this is one you’ve been waiting for - my thoughts on the GBLS D.A.S GDR-15 CQB! DAS stands for Dynamic Action System, the prototype for the DAS was developed 10 years ago but was kept under wraps until the M4A1 beta version was released in 2016, then the GDR-15 production model hit the UK market in 2018, and this year we saw the release of the GDR15 CQB. When the GBLS DAS GDR-15 hit the market, we saw the release of the most realistic AEG yet and one of the most expensive airsoft platforms ever. But is it over hyped? Or is it absolutely worth the hype and more importantly, the £1600 price tag?
So what are the features of the DAS? The most notable feature is the functioning Bolt Carrier Group which allows 100% realistic action from loading and charging, to stoppage and reloading drills, making it a perfect training weapon. The cycling of the functioning Bolt Carrier Group generates the recoil and it genuinely is nothing like I’ve ever experienced with an AEG before. The Bolt locks back when the magazine runs out of BBs and will fire upon hitting bolt release when a fresh mag is inserted. Inside the D.A.S is a WA style hop-up chamber, a steel toothed bolt and at the very centre of the system is a proprietary gearbox. The system runs on a 11.1v LiPo, and is wired to a deans connector.
How did it perform: Admittedly, when I got the gun out of the box I was absolutely terrified to use it - I have never used a gun THIS expensive and you hear a lot about ‘not using soft BBs’but you know every BB that's ever hit you has been pretty hard! It took me a game or two to get used to the system itself (and to stop worrying that I’d break it by just looking at it) - filling the mags is fiddly and time consuming but the included tool makes life easier for sure, the battery is easy to install in the PTS EPS stock, slap a mag in, pull the charging handle back, and you’re good to go. The recoil is the closest thing to a real rifle I’ve experienced in an airsoft gun - it gives you a good solid kick in the shoulder which adds so much realism. I did have a couple of issues with batteries (namely getting my batteries mixed up and plugging in the batts that needed to be charged instead of the charged batts) - when there isn’t enough power stored in the batt, the DAS will make a couple of funny noises and not cycle fully - always make sure your batteries are fully charged to get the best performance possible. The real functions such as the way it stops firing when the mag is empty isn’t by any means new for an AEG but reloading is cool AF - slapping the catch back and hearing the bolt is awesome. The range and consistency out of the box is comparable to some of my upgraded weapons systems.
What I did like: aesthetically the DAS is a VERY good looking rifle - yes I know ANOTHER M4 but the rail, the markings look great and I love the Cerakote finish. It’s simple and slick. All of the realistic functions and recoil make me happy bunny - the upper and lower receiver disassembles like a real AR15, the stoppage and reloads, the sound it makes and the recoil are WHY you buy this gun. The fact its an AEG is awesome - it doesn’t have heavy mags, it isn’t affected by cold or too hot weather, and out of the box it has PTS furniture which is awesome (I actually think more companies should follow GBLS in this aspect because PTS furniture is some of the best after market furniture available).
What I didn’t like: filling the mags up is an absolute mission! As it is a proprietary system you need a mag adapter to fill them that hooks over the top of a mag and directs the BBs into the mag. It’s fiddly and can be time consuming - I learned just after writing this review that there is indeed a mag adapter for the Odin speedloader from their service partner thecageairsoft.co.uk, I would also LOVE to see a PTS EPM for the DAS. The trigger has quite a heavy pull, and this is one of the most common complaints of the GBLS DAS, but it simply takes time to get used to - as someone who’s specifically upgrades their guns to have a super light and responsive trigger, when I first started using the platform I wasn’t pulling the trigger hard enough and so the gun wouldn’t fire and it was frustrating. I quickly learned that I just needed to pull it a bit harder (that’s what she said - I’ll get in there before you lot do!). The hop-up is also changed by a little tool which can be a right faff - to change the hop-up you need to take the BCG out and turn the tool in the hop-up - not ideal for quick changes but once you’ve set the hop, it doesn’t need adjusting too often.
In the box, you get the rifle, 1 x propriety magazine, Speed Loader Adapater, a Hop-up Tool and the all important manual, but what is the cost? So the DAS is pricey, at £1600 for the gun itself and at £42 per extra magazine it isn’t an investment to be made lightly. If you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful AEG that you use every few months, the DAS isn’t for you but if you want a reliable and realistic training weapon that you can use every weekend without needing to upgrade it out of the box, this is definitely a system you need to check out and test. This AEG is unlike anything I’ve ever used before, and I’ve tried a lot of systems including ERGs! I’ve seen and heard a wealth of comments along the lines of ‘get a TM Recoil, it’s cheaper’ or ‘just get a GBBR, it’s cheaper’ but, the TM Recoil range doesn’t quite replicate the action of the DAS and in respect to GBBRs, I love the plug and play ease of an AEG. What I want is a precise, accurate training weapon with the plug and play ease of an AEG, and this is what the D.A.S delivers. After using one of the D.A.S systems I definitely think the system warrants its high price tag when you consider the time and money spent to develop the system! It is worth noting however, that they also offer a bare bones model (a kit without the handguard and stock) for players who want to put something different on.
Photography thanks to Henry Nicholson
Sponsored by GBLS UK
Photography thanks to Henry Nicholson
Sponsored by GBLS UK
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