AGM type 96

This is the AGM Type 96 rifle I received from Evike.com for our first contest! At first, I was skeptical, because it list’s on their store for only about $80. That’s stock, without a scope and bipod. I went and bought a BSA 3-9x30mm scope to mount on top, and a Rock Mount bipod, which is a Harris imitation.

What also came in the package were:

• instructions (mostly pictures, but has English!)
• a un-jamming/cleaning rod (not just a stick, but has an eyelet at one end)
• a magazine (about 25 rounds)
• a speedloader
• a “sling” (throw it away or modify it)
• allen wrenches (only the two you need to put it together and adjust the cheekpiece)
• BB’s of unknown origin
• packet of silica to manage moisture, be sure not to eat it…

Bipod and Scope

When attaching the bipod, I noticed that the stud protrudes a bit far from the stock. You’ll need to add in some spacers to make it “rock” solid. When I bought the BSA scope, the rings were too small to mount to the rail, so I bought some cheap $10 ones. They didn’t clamp down enough to grip the mount without wiggle room and I haven’t yet discovered if it’s the rifles fault or the crappy rings I splurged on.

Another fabulous issue with my rings was they were low mount. I happen to like low mount rings. However, to get a full sight picture in the scope, I had to remove the cheekpiece. I couldn’t get low enough. The included rings on the package deal appear to be see through, or hi-rise, mounts. It sure looks stupid, but it’ll be better than the crap I had to put up with.

If you buy the rifle, get the full kit to avoid the same problems. All told, it cost me about $110 to make the rifle functional enough to test…well, $60 for the scope and rings…the bipod was something I needed anyway. The whole kit from Evike only runs about $130.

Accuracy and Hop-up

I sighted in at exactly one hundred feet (thirty yards) from the muzzle to the target. Shown in the picture is the rifle setup, Eagle Industries HSRC, a Bushnell Laser Rangefinder, test BB’s, and a notebook for gathering data. Down at the end of “lane” you see a large flat screen TV box donated by my roommate, John Kettelhut.

After testing the free BB’s included in the box, I scientifically determined that they completely suck. They must have been .12 grams (or lighter) because even with the hop-up on it’s lowest setting, the BB’s still were hitting the wall above the skate ramps. They were going fast though, I never once saw one in flight, naked eye or with the scope.

The hop-up adjustment is between the barrel and stock on the left of the rifle as you are sighting in. While this considerably easier to adjust on the fly than my Well Warrior I, I think this location makes it prone to getting easily bumped. That’s nothing a piece of tape over it wouldn’t fix.

I promptly loaded up the Perfect .3 grams that I have from my own personal stock. With the hop-up off, the BB’s struck the floor, with the hop-up all the way up, they rocketed to the ceiling. Right in the center, the BB’s flew straight and true, I didn’t even have to zero the scope at all. Once I determined the rifle was hitting point of aim, point of impact, I shot this five shot group.

That shiny white card is my drivers license provided for size reference. The five shot group could be called “fair” at ten inches at 100 feet. That’s enough for a head shot on an unmoving target. However, keep in mind that many official fields and games seem to put sniper engagement distances at MINIMUM one hundred feet. I wouldn’t trust this rifle much farther.

Replica Compatibility

The good news is that Evike says it’s fully upgradeable with Tokyo Marui G-spec parts. It seems true enough. My best estimate is that this rifle is a Tokyo Marui G-spec receiver and barrel, with a L96 style stock.

If you’re curious what this gun replicates, it would be most similar to a Remington 700 mounted into an Accuracy International Chassis System. That’s a little bit of a stretch, but it’s as close as it’s going to get, that is, until someone creates a real steel bolt handle like the G-spec. I wouldn’t count on it though, because it sucks. I grade it an A+ for style, but an F for sniper ergonomics.

Aside from the issues I have with the bolt handle, it’s a flippin’ sweet rifle for the price. I’m sure the high end rifles blow it out of the water (they had better!) but I’ve never used one. The quality of the materials and build smoke my Well Warrior I and I believe the accuracy is better, although I haven’t had the chance to group mine in the same manner.

Magazine and Function

I did experience one minor snafu. After having fired for a bit, I loaded in a full magazine and fired off a couple rounds without hitch. Somewhere in the early part of the magazine, I attempted to fire, but the trigger wouldn’t travel. I checked the safety, it was off. I thought maybe I hadn’t thrown the bolt completely, but it offered no resistance. At this point I thought, “Crap! I cycled two BB’s into the chamber…dang.” I tried to fire again, but nothing happened, again. After repeating the above, I was in disbelief and thought I had somehow sheared the cog or cylinder or whatever. By no means am I an airsoft-smith.

I observed this in the chamber after removing the magazine. Apparently, the magazine decided to squirt it’s entire payload into the loading area when I cycled the cylinder. It’s hard to tell from the photo, but it actually jammed up the whole gun. To remedy the situation, I held the bolt to the rear and shook all the BB’s out (about 15). When I next attempted to fire, probably three BB’s shot out…I never had a problem after that.

I’m sure many of you are familiar with how a Tokyo Marui magazine works. I’m not sure if the G-spec magazines are compatible, but from internet pictures, they seem to be different heights. There is a sliding piece that holds the BB’s in the magazine. When you insert it into the rifle, that slides aside automatically and the BB’s are properly loosed into the chamber. I most likely didn’t fully seat the magazine which allowed room for the BB’s to sneak around in there. That makes the malfunction no fault of the manufacturer, but rather, is shooter error.

I like this feature on the magazine because it makes it easy to unload it and relieve the pressure on the spring. Unfortunately, this also means that when you drop a loaded magazine from the rifle, expect two or three BB’s to drop free as well.

Pain (In)Tolerance

Finally, the moment, everyone worthlessly cares about, the rifles real feet per second. To save you time, I have no idea. I don’t own a chronometer and I’m not going to test it on Coke cans. However, I do recognize the one real test no one ever does and actually matters.

“How much does it hurt?”

And it’s closely followed cousin…

“Will someone feel it if I shoot them with it?”

The real answer is, “It’s only an airsoft BB, so no, it’s not going to end the world when you get hit with it.”

And

“I’d aim for bare skin and tight areas of clothing, such as the upper arms/legs, and back.”

I realize that’s pretty unsportsman-like for airsoft purposes, but you have to remember the world I am coming from. It hurts a lot less than a 7.62mm through your grape. If you’re utilizing airsoft for training purposes, it SHOULD hurt. That will train your mind to fight through the pain. Remember, just because you’re shot, doesn’t mean your dead.

When I take the youth group out airsofting we have a simple rule for FPS limits. You hand someone your gun, take ten paces away with your shirt pulled tight to your back, and they shoot you with it. If you want to shoot someone else with it, you’ll get shot with it. Sure, it’ll hurt, but you’ll be ok. I have yet to see airsoft penetrate the skin.

I’ll close with the video of my friend Amy (the Mother Teresa of the Encounter here in Duluth) taking the 100 foot test shot on my lower back. She aimed for the center, and struck three inches to the right.

~ by Travis on 15Apr2008.