Mugen
TokyoMarui Car15 |
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Nauty's CAR15 Review | Inferno's CAR15 Review | Horgy's CAR15 review
Mugen Tokyo
Marui CAR-15 (GX-5857) This one is for Andy-R – thanks mate. The Story: I’d been after another Vietnam Loadout for a while now – but this time not a VC job; a US special forces thing so I could justify a big dose of Tigerstripe cammo and Green Beret type things. Being one of the founder members of the CAW M79 Club (hats off to honorary member Arnie, and Special representative Sam), I wanted to pick up a piece which would not seem out of place when packing the “ultimate heat” as it were (as long as Tom “Air-meister” Andrews doesn’t show up with a bloomin RPG-7 or the like ^_^). I’d been toying with the XM177, the KSC MAC11 (pretending it was a MAC10), the UZI Woodtock, the M37 Ithaca wood-grip, and even the Thompson M1A1. Then it hit me – literally! In that one fell from a shelf onto me – the CAR 15! |
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Young Fred was of the opinion that it is a battery issue above all else – as there are no “horsehoe” type batteries – which fit around the barrel – for the CAR as there are for the XM and the M4 (though I am sure one could be made to fit). Beyond that he was pretty much at a loss[3] as the thing looks lovely – a dinky little "Mini Me" of an M16, which is short, light and a very capable (looking) backup weapon, not least as she packs a hicap magazine (190 round VN type) as standard. I was still in two minds when Ash and I popped into Osaka in October – XM, or CAR – when I ran face to face with Mugen’s take on the CAR issue; the Navy SEAL 1971 version. |
 So
what's extra? As you can see, there is not a great deal
different about her, and indeed all are cosmetic touches[4], but I am sure you will agree they effectively buy the Gun her
“Little Black Dress” so to speak.
Finally the scope rail improves the overall look (though, for the real milsimmers out there I am advised that fixing a scope directly to the carry handle was the usual mount method for the special forces back in the day). All this topped off with the lovely two tone Grey/black look of the gun and well……I’m sold! OK so I was impressed with the looks. Now to find out about the price. Things were looking good at 16,800 yen for the gun alone, but when the extras all added less than 5,000 to the overall bill I was sold – especially as I was able to buy some of the marvelous Solid R 8.4 700mha batteries at a reduced price[5] to go with her. |
OK next was option parts.
I figured that I had saved a good wedge, it would be churlish not to take
advantage of Systema’s excellent upgrade catalogue – and bought a 1-joule
package for her[6] and while that added 18,000 yen[7]
to the bill it was well worth the extra.
However, for the purposes of this review I had a squeeze off with an un-rated CAR15 as well and it is this stock gun’s performance that forms the basis for the firing review.
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The short barrel on the gun certainly seems to have an effect in firing as on the 10 meter target she was grouping at 8” ish compared to the M16 we used as comparison dropping in at around 4”. However, rate of fire was as good as the M16 and velocity rated a consistent 7 joules (not the most powerful stock gun in the world, but good enough).
The only real problem I could detect here was that the extended stock was not quite the most stable platform to fire from – she seems very weak. But fundamentally it is pretty much an unnecessary touch considering the total lack of recoil anyway.
Basically,
if you are looking for a stylish and effective CQB item and either don’t
want another M4 clone or a P90, give this one a chance. Maybe she’s more
one for the Milsim types, but I’ve been very impressed with mine (as has
Andy-R).
The only real downside
that I can think of is that at 29,800 yen RRP (Mugen is unusually cheap),
well, basic gamers might be better off with an MP5 type gun – which would
deliver similar performance for a few thousand yen less (even packing a
bigger battery in the right models) – or a P90 – which has a better gearbox,
red dot, and so on for exactly the same money.
[1]
Anywhere else for that matter – I myself have only ever picked up one before
in 11 years – belonging to AndyR.
[2] In my time here I have
never seen a CAR 15 go out of the shop – and the one we have one the stockroom
shelf has been here since Feb 2001.
[3] I personally think there
might be an issue of cost in there too as the gun is 29,800 yen new and
even taking into count the 190 round hicap which comes as standard it is
still pricier than the XM at most shops round here.
[4] Of course the Trigicon
scope should be replaced by one appropriate to the period, but that will
have to wait till one pops up on the surplus market.
[5] In use they demonstrate
improved duration over Marui’s standard type mini. Nowhere near as good
as even a standard Large, but I’ve not had one go down mid game on me yet.
[6] More for gear life than
velocity reasons as she has been bought exclusively as a CQB backup..
[7] This was just for the
inner workings, as at 1 joule you don’t really need the gearbox.