APS2-EX (Extra Version) - ArniesAirsoft

Author

corny

Registered: February 2006
Location: Kent
Posts: 77

Review Date: 5/7/06

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: �600.00 | Rating: 9

Positive aspects of the product (pros):	Build Quality, Accuracy, Design, Upgradability
Cons:	Price Tag

The Maruzen APS2-EX is a sniper rifle that has been around for sometime now. With cheaper competitors, its popularity has declined somewhat. However, the sheer quality and durability the APS models offers are unparalleled.

Between the APS2-EX and other APS models there are a few major differences, and a good few �'s as well. For the money, following the SV, the EX offers adjustable Hop, a fluted (longer) outer barrel, weaver mount base, aluminium cocking handle and a zinc trigger guard. The EX has no silencer however, and longer inner and outer barrels. Having owned an SV, I personally chose the EX for the variable hop, reinforced handle (more durable when upgraded) and longer barrel for accuracy.

When the APS2 arrived, the packaging did not inspire me � TM airsoft guns always have good pictures to show off the product, the APS series however do not. Box aside however; the APS2 in its entirety is a gun of beauty.

Considering the stock version, firing at around 280 fps (0.2g) and weighing around 2.6 Kg the rifle is a capable model with a great deal of potential. Stock power is decent and due to the long barrel accuracy is far greater than standard AEGs. As a result of the longer barrel, the range is also about 10-15% further than most standard AEGs as well.

Moving on to upgrades, there is a wide range of upgrade parts available: PSS2/First Factory/Classic Army/PDI offer upgrade parts, these include reinforced shears and teflon cylinders to power springs and barrels.

Upgrading the rifle beyond stock speeds requires these parts to ensure long-life of the model.

In upgraded form, with the following items (totalling around �350)�

PSS2 Teflon Cylinder
PSS2 Piston Shear
PSS2 Trigger Shear
PSS2 Power Accuracy Cup
PSS2 Damper Cylinder Head
PSS2 High Pressure Piston
PSS2 Bearing Mounted Spring Guide
PSS2 Guide Stopper
2 extra APS2 Mags
Scope Mounts
3-9x40 Scope
Harris Bipod

�the gun becomes a formidable sniper rifle, able to take more powerful springs (dependent on country legislation) to give greater range and power output. The installation of the PSS2 parts is very straightforward (see the SV guide here on Arnies), however the bipod takes small modifications to the stock. I drilled a hole in the centre of the stock to bolt the Harris Bipod to the stock. The plastic from which the stock is made is excellent quality and so there is no danger of damage. Coupled with a decent scope, the gun is ready for the field!

Once upgraded, the variable hop-up (adjusted when the stock is removed) requires heavier ammunition to work with, since otherwise standard ammo heads vertically as soon as it leaves the barrel! I use 0.43 teflon-coated ammunition, since this offers excellent accuracy and fairly good range � with the hop just a hair from maximum setting. The teflon also makes a very rewarding whistle when flying as well! Other options include using 0.36 ammo since it offers slightly greater range with slightly lower accuracy. There are a few reports of the hop setting being �lost� after a few shots � I have found this to some extent that after around 25-30 shots the setting has fallen a little, but range suffers only after about 40. To be honest, I rarely fire more than 40 shots in a game and so do not find this a substantial problem.

Conclusion: It its stock form, the APS2-EX is too expensive to really consider a sniper rifle; since there are cheaper alternatives that offer similar functionality although not as well built (by quite a margin). The stock rifle offers comparatively little additional range to AEGs and so the single shot functionality means that one is disadvantaged. With enough funding however, the rifle can be transformed into a beautiful sniper rifle far outranging standard guns and substantially more accurate with it � 1 shot 1 kill can become a reality and not a dream!