CAR 15 - ArniesAirsoft - Review Archive

Author

The Bushman

6mm HUNTER

Registered: June 2005
Location: in your shadow
Posts: 2,169

Review Date: 11/9/05

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: �160.00 | Rating: 9

Positive aspects of the product (pros):	Short, great ergonomics, performs well, high cap
Cons:	mini battery, carry handle is not too strong

On first inspection, the CAR-15 is just a shortened M16A1. But once you take a closer look, you realise there is alot going for this compact AEG. Picking it up, I noticed the gun is pretty much full weight (2500g) and no lighter than the M16A1 Vietnam Version.

The gun is constructed similarly to the XM177E2, espescially where the outer barrel shroud connects to the main upper reciever. The barrel length is identical to an FNP90 and has the same performance. Mine chronograped at around 277fps with the HOP set for 0.20g. Front grips are smaller than the XM's and pretty much identical length to the M4's in length. The front sight assembly, is all metal (unlike the XM's) with no bayonet frog. A typical Armalite sling swivel is present underneath, while there is no extended barrel and the Flash Suppressor screws snug upto the frontsight. The lower reciever is nothing special (a bog standard design) and bears the stamp M16A1 rather than anything specific to the CAR version. Indeed this is part of the M16A1 family and does not field strip like the M4A1 or SR-16.

The CAR-15 comes with a 190 clockwork magazine as standard, which is perfect for this miniature Armalite. This low profile magazine, allows easy prone shooting, ideal for sniping. Controls are the same, as for any other M16 design. ie. mag release is on the right hand side, fireselect, on the left, within reach of your thumb (if you right handed). Trigger is the square M16 type, rather than the contoured M4 version.The pistol grip is not as slim as the M4 series. The Carry handle is none detachable (as on M4's) and houses the classic M16 rear sight. The carry handle is none too strong and can flex fairly easily.
Moving rearward, the stock is rather unique to the CAR-15 and has some nice features. Looking more like a full stock, it is actually only the same length as an XM extendable version. The butt plate is all metal and incorporates a sprung lever. Upon turning it, the stock springs out to it's full length (equivalent to M16A1 length.) The stock has no half way setting, so is either in or out. underneath the stock, a second sling swivel is apparant.

MODIFICATIONS:

In order to make the gun suit how I play, I ordered various accessories to modify the CAR 15. Firstly, I had already found a custom scope rail in my bits box.

Fitting the mount, requires only 1 screw (underneath the carry handle). However, I was not happy with the stress placed on the CARRY HANDLE so downsized the scope to a lightweight 40mm equivelent (non illuminated).

Eventually I bought a SIMMONS GAMEKEEPER 1.5-5X20 SUPER WIDE ANGLE scope for this gun and it is just far better than the other longer scopes I had fitted before. Much less stress on the plastic parts and perfect for the low ranges of Airsoft engagements. A carbine scope for a carbine gun.

Although TM have made fitting a mini battery to the CAR-15 pretty easy, I hate them. I opted to rewire it and mounted an external 7.2v 1700mah. This battery can clear a full bag and has a nice slow ROF on automatic(I prefere it). However, just to get a better turn over on SEMI, I upgraded the motor to an EG1000 and this has improved the turn over on single shot.

Low voltage 7.2v batteries are great for keeping your internals wear free and going for years to come (take note in the UK). I have AEG's still running on original parts from 1991 to prove it.

The existing flash suppressor was incredibly heavy (a counter weight), so now to compensate for the large battery, I fitted an M4 suppressor.

MODIFICATIONS continued....

In order to make to make the firing position natural, I needed to make the firer's eye level higher. Luckily, CARROT just released a cheek comb, designed for the M4 or XM. Yet with a bit of filing, (thanks Papabear) it could be made to fit the CAR-15 or A1.
The Cheek comb itself, is pretty expensive for just a pice of rubber, but it is certainly a good accessory for this type of AEG. Simply place your cheek on the comb and your eye is at the correct hieght to scope out the target. My own CAR 15 is set up to allow good eye relief with the stock in it's shortest position. Yet, most commercially available mounts would require you to set it up for "full length shooting."

To make the gun good for NIGHT GAMES, I mounted a BEAMSHOT 1000S laser ontop of the scope. A 30" extension pressure switch was added to the pistol grip. This is set up to be spot on at around 20m, further away, the dot is lower than the crosshairs, so taking into account the "lob shot" factor. Allowing HITS out to around 30m without aiming high.

Also spotting that a cheap rubberised grip was available, I ordered one after being impressed with the VEDA MP5 version. Mounting it required taking the motor out (OK as I was fitting a 1000 anyway). The grip was removed and ARALDITE added before the overgrip was added. Leaving it to set 12 hours, I then replaced the parts.

The grip vastly improves the comfort of the gun and is moulded to fit your hand. Indeed holding the gun with 1 hand is possible (despite the weight).

I looked at the range of magazines available for the M16 and decided to avoid the 300 series (even though the copies are cheap enough) opting to buy 3 extra 190 high capacity mags instead. Now a short M16 mid cap is available, I would prefere these instead. They hold 80 pellets.

After getting some time playing with the CAR15, I have altered my rig as follows:

After being impressed with the P90TR socom silencer, I decided to purchase the similar TM screw on SILENCER. Painting it the same British Racing Green as the body work.

The front end is still solid with this extra accessory, but certainly requires more care. Due to increased leverage and length, although it is still shorter than a full stock AK. Yet the silencer is ultra light weight and doesn't unbalance the gun. When playing SPEEDBALL games, I do not fit the silencer, using the advantage of a shorter gun.

The silencer is very effective only leaving the motor noise when firing. Obviously, this is only of real use, when using single shots.

With the mags just singular, I can fit them all, into a British Army Bandolieer, along with my T6222 MOTOROLA Radio. Which is great, if out on an extended patrol.

This gun is just dandy and It performs now just as it did when i first bought it years ago. Nothing has really worn out, as I have kept it all bog standard and avoided opening the mech box. I don't abuse it on Automatic and that is why the action is still crisp and performance accurate and 275fps even after years of use (chronographed it recently).

I have owned 10 AEGS and this one is still favourite as it is perfect in everyway for my style of Airsoft. Unfortunatly, this AEG has not been available for about 3 years (I think) and appears to have been replaced by the M733. So hard to see on the playing field these days, but if you get a chance to own one, then don't pass it up. I get tags out to long range no problem with this handy AEG and have full confidence that it will hit the target using 0.20g ammo.

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