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Its been
a busy week here, so what better to sit down and write up the latest delivery?
Those kind folks at CombatClub
(CC) sent
me a small surprise, yup one of those darn ParcelForce couriers! ^_^
Now you’ll
have to forgive me here, because I’m going to go off on several tangents
in the course of this review, but hopefully you’ll find it entertaining,
and I’ve given you fair warning so you can at least skip the ‘tangenty’
bits.
Now there
are several ways I can write this review.
– I
can either write it assuming that you have all used a TM MP5, and just
list the differences.
– I can take the MP5 for what it is, and review it in great length.
– I can compare and contrast it to other variants that are available.
Well I thought
I’d combine the last two options. If I just talked about what TM had done
new on this model, it’d be a bit boring, I mean if we wanted to write
the Reader’s Digest version, we could just write a basic AEG review, and
then tell you that all AEGs are basically the same except for the range,
rate of fire, and their shape and size.. but that’d be boring.
It’s
also worth noting, that I’m going to review this as an Airsoft replica,
not as a replica of a real armament. I haven’t ever owned a real MP5,
so it’d be silly comparing it to something I have no experience with.
This is a replica intended for skirmishing (and collecting to some extent)
so we’ll merit it on that basis.
Tangent
#1 Packaging: CC
wrapped the parcel up well, sadly UK customs opened it all up again to
inspect it when it got here (and charged me £37 for the privilege),
but that’s just life.
They
did a couple of clever things, the TM box lid was turned inside out and
refolded so that all the markings were on the inside, and then they re
boxed the box in some more cardboard. This meant that after a good few
hours abuse at Heathrow the original TM box was still in good nick. I
know it’s not that important to all of you, but I prefer to get my goods
in good nick, and a box that looks like it hasn’t been run over by a truck
(there’s more chance that the AEG survives the transit this way you see).
In
the box: Opening the box, the first thing I thought was
that TM had fiddled us and put the half length MP5 mags in with the RAS,
but thankfully the rifle merely sports one of TM’s cardboard cutout ‘you
can have this here as an accessory’ models.
So what’s
in the box? – well more than I expected actually. You get the MP5 RAS
(doh!), a cleaning rod, full length TM MP5 standard mag, standard mag
loading rod, and your complimentary TM approved BBs (I have about 30 bags
of these little things.. they’ll be worth some money someday), a PDW QD
flash hider, two TM red safety caps, one for the QD attachment, and one
for the PDQ flash hider, oh and one of those rather cute ‘hop-up’ labels.
Strangely TM saw
fit to ship the RAS with it’s stock folded out, meaning it comes in a
full length box, but I suppose that it’s packaged up better like that.
First
looks: Well it looks gorgeous for an MP5 – and lets face
it your either an HK lover or you just hate them. To be honest I’m rather
indifferent about them, but they grow on you, and this one has. Just watch
a few reruns of Raw Deal, and you’ll see what I mean. ^_^ (edit:
we sat and watched Raw Deal last night, curious point of note the
MP5 Arnold uses changes through the film from an original grip, to the
more modern one several times. Yup never sit Airsofters in front of a
movie with guns in it..)
The TM
MP5 RAS comes fitted with TM’s latest ProScope II reddot (an Aimpoint
replica), a new style folding stock (that looks remarkably like
the TM MP5 PDW version), a new scope mount, RAS grip (with two armour
covers and a vertical grip), and a QD muzzle with PDW flashhider.
Internally,
the new MP5 boasts erm.. well it’s just a normal MP5 really. The only
major difference is that TM have strengthened the cocking tube.
Stock
specifications:
The specs listed for the rifle are:
Gear
Box – Version 2
Motor – EG700
Magazine – 50 Rounds (low cap)
Length – 502mm folded / 732mm unfolded
Height – 229.5mm
Weight – 2300g
Muzzle Velocity – 83.6m/s
Battery type- Mini ( Not Included in the box)
Package includes ( AEG, Manual, Magazine, Loader, Cleaning Rod, 200 pcs
0.25 BBs, two safety caps, PDW flashhider)
The
MP5 itself:
The receiver is that found on the TMMP5A4 is made of very good quality
‘black’ plastic, and internally features the normal MP5 gearbox and EG700
motor. The receiver is not to be confused with that on the MP5-PDW or
the MP5k, which have cut down gearboxes to allow a stick battery to go
in it.
Externally
the fire selector gives you (from the top) fullauto fire, single shot,
and safe. As is typical, with ‘safe’ selected the trigger cannot be physically
moved backwards.
You’ll
find a a full length low-cap (standard mag) in the box – to be honest
I’d prefer if it came with a 200 round hi-cap, but lo-caps do have their
place in skirmishing so it’s not a complete waste. I just don’t use them
that much, that’s all – the same may not be true for you.
On the
left side of the receiver/magwell you’ll find a metal clip. I have yet
to find out exactly what it fits to, but I gather that on the real steel
it is for the military slings.
Trademarks
on the replica are up their normal TM standard, with only the TM *****
and ASGK **** logos additional to what you’d find on the original HK.
The The Now The I |
The To The TM As FreedomArt
The Thankfully There’s |
RAS The The |
Some
questions I’ve been asked: I’ve
been asked a few questions about this rifle by a few folks, so I thought
it best to bung them in here.
Does
it shoot any different from a standard A5? Well it’s a TM replica,
so limited in power (under ASGK legislation). As such the power is almost
identical. Muzzle velocity is 83.6m/s (275FPS) and it uses an EG700 motor.
The stock
MP5A5 is quoted as shooting 80.46m/s (264.66 FPS) and the MP5 A4 is quoted
as 82.56m/s (271.59FPS) So it will shoot the same as any other full barrelled
(un silenced) TM MP5 replica.
How
comfortable is the forward grip compared to the MP5K’s? I’d say
that it’s pretty much on par with the K in terms of ‘comfyness’. I had
no complaints about it
How
well could pressure switches (eg taclight, lasers) be attached to the
front grip? If you like gaffer tape, PVC electrical tape or elastic
bands, then it’s not a problem. But seriously I found it easy enough to
quickly fit my CA laser unit to the RAS and elastic band the pressure
switch to the grip.
When
the front grip is removed, does it look as if the RIS rails would make
it difficult / painful to hold? AS the rails are plastic, they
are quick comfy to hold. Don’t forget that you get two RAS armour panels
with this replica. So if you plan to use it without a vertical grip you
might want to place one of them on the lower rail if you have delicate
pinkies. ^_^
Does
the front sight post obscure the scope picture if a magnified scope (eg
4×40) is used (rather than the propoint)? As you can see from
this image scanned in from the TM manual, you can fit larger scopes. The
ones shown are the (rather overpriced) TM scopes. BUT, there’s not much
room, you will need to remove the backsight, which looks bad, and the
scope picture will have the foresight right in the middle of it.
Future
MP5 RAS owners looking to fit a large scope might want to look into getting
a replacement foresight part (MP-51) the figure ‘8’ foresight, and cutting
the top loop off it. With a small amount of cutting and filing it’s look
quite good.
Is
the scope any good? It’s rather a subjective opinion that really.
As far as I know this is the only replica available of the propoint, so
that’s its real advantage. It’s certainly good enough for skirmish, as
the sight picture is good, and the ‘reddot’ brightness is very impressive.
My personal choice would be to go for a metal and glass Walther reddot,
but that’s just me.
How
susceptible will the scope be to being buggered by a BB smashing the front
lens ( ala P90s)? These scopes will almost certainly break or
smash if fired directly at with AEGs. I’m not going to try it with this
one, but I’d put money on it the lense is plastic after all. My advice
would be to get some lense caps to protect it, or to mount a piece of
clear plastic vertically onto a RIS attachment in front of the scope.
MP5
RAS + CAW mini Moscart launcher == Ultimate CQB weapon? Hmm I’d
say so. We really need to figure a way to fit at least 1200mAh of battery
somewhere in there though.
Is
it better than a P90? Well on paper the P90 carries more rounds,
and has a longer inner barrel. Off the paper the P90 can be modified to
take a much larger battery, but then again, so can the MP5 RAS if you
sling a Guarder
LTH on it. It’s a close call, but I’d prefer the MP5 RAS over
the original P90, as it’s more conventional, but that’s just my personal
opinion.
Is
it worth the RRP (roughly £280 in the UK)? The TM MP5 RAS
is certainly a very complete rifle, separately the scope sells for 90USD,
and the rail mount goes for about 30USD. If you want a rifle that’s suited
to urban use, the MP5 is quite hard to beat.
Conclusion The The If My I
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Last modified:
Wednesday, May 9, 2001 9:37 AM copyright 2001 ArniesAirsoft