[TenshouYoku]

Not a long time ago somebody posted info about this new VSR based rifle on the forums, and I be "looks cool but this seems to be APS so it probably would suck".

With a local shop somehow actually buying stock of this rifle and selling them at a pretty killer 1,380HKD (~180USD), I didn't really think all that much and actually bought this thing, thinking it will be a trashy VSR clone with a good looking stock.

And oh boy am I wrong - this thing might actually even beat the SSG10 or any rifle for that matter as probably the best airsoft rifle for the buck.

So let's start rolling in the photos, and I'll describe this gun in details bits by bits.


Packaging & Externals

A pretty standard, gun logo free rectangular box with EMG and Barrett markings, which is pretty low-profile as far as airsoft guns go (compared to, say, the SRS A2 where linearts of the gun can be seen very clearly on it).

The box contains high density foam surrounding exactly nothing outside of the gun and a card with EMG's logo and a QR code on it.

The model I bought is a silver receiver/barrel version with the stock in Blackout colours (or that's what it was labelled in Evike). The stock is a one piece black plastic with a smooth but "blinky" surface, but slightly more rigid than say Marui and doesn't flex even under stress, not sure what the material is but most likely ABS.

The receiver and outer barrel is most likely pot metal sprayed in silver. The finish is not really reflective unlike say the Cybergun Desert Eagle (silver), and definitely nowhere close to the chrome finish on a Tokyo Marui VSR-10 real shock which is definitely a shame, but hey at least the finish is even without obvious scratches or unpainted surfaces.

Not much markings can be found on the rifle, containing only the Fieldcraft markings, Barrett's logo and the rifle caliber. These markings are finely and clearly etched on this rifle.

 

[BlackDogAirsoft]

It's...beautiful.

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[TenshouYoku]

Internals - Cylinder group

The receiver detached from the stock - like a VSR, the gun is held together by three independent screws that can be detached using 2 hex keys. Note that the trigger guard design is different from the VSR and is held onto the stock using an additional screw - this screw does not need to be undone in order to take down the rifle.

The cylinder can be taken out in ways similar to a regular VSR. While the FPS hasn't been checked it should be somewhere close to 1 Joules, but that doesn't really matter as the spring is VSR compatible.

What is remarkable is that the kickass cool spiral cylinder, while probably somewhat scratchy (due to its fairly complex geometry compared to a regular cylinder), is actually made of steel and can be attracted by magnets. The material is quite strong so there probably are no worries about the cylinder itself breaking apart, and while the end shaft is pinned on instead of welded they also seem to be strong enough to handle decent amounts of punishment.

The piston is a 90 degree piston that has its sear reinforced by steel as well, while the spring guide is made with regular polymer like most budgeted rifles.
The icky part about this rifle is that while the steel cylinder is compatible with VSR spring guides, the piston is roughly VSR spec, but as the cylinder threads are not flush with the inner cylinder walls (they poke out a little) you probably need to use pistons with a cup shaped head or file down some of that piston POM rings to slide it in (or hammer the piston in, probably). Either way as the piston sears are steel reinforced they don't seem to be going to break any time too soon.

The cylinder head is an unremarkable O-ring sealed piece of brass with no dampeners.

 

[wyz2285]

I like it, it has features I'm looking for (trigger guard being part of receiver, cylinder being wider than the bolt handle).
Ferromagnetic cylinder though... So it's not stainless, wonder how's the coating with corrosion and wear over time.
Quite a disappointment on the spring guide and piston, but it is cheaper than SSG10 I guess it's fair.

 

[TenshouYoku]

Internals - Trigger

Remember how EMG said this gun is VSR compatible.....well they probably lied a bit. This gun's trigger design, while in effect pretty much a VSR trigger, does not have its hard points designed like a VSR and is pretty much unexchangeable with anything.

But what they did not lie about is that this trigger is actually really a zero trigger, and instead of only having a steel engagement sear this whole mechanism is all made up of a thick piece of steel (or at least something that can be attracted by magnets), with the whole thing built like a tough steel brick. Even with a much harder spring the trigger is softer than the Maple Leaf's 90 degree zero trigger under the same stress which is incredible (so you can rule out it having a similar design to a V-trigger since it's so much softer), especially considering the price point.

 

[TenshouYoku]

Internals - Barrel

The outer barrel detachment is practically the same as a VSR or an SSG24, both the screw directly underneath it and the 1st screw of the receiver helps holding the outer barrel onto the receiver. The barrel itself is snug and tight with an O-ring for sealing/fitting purposes. Whenever if it's fully VSR receiver/barrel cross compatible is not yet known (not tested at all so don't quote me on that, will test that later).

Unlike most VSR chamber blocks the chamber block of the Fieldcraft is a two piece, with the center thread holder being separate from the block. Whenever if there is a practical purpose to that is unknown, but it doesn't seem to be functionally different nor is incompatible with other chamber blocks (not yet tested again).

Hop up chamber and barrel (top) detached from the outer barrel, in comparison with the Action Army T10 hop up chamber (bottom).

Perhaps what is amazing and unaccounted for is the inner barrel, outside of the fact that it actually has two O-ring stabilized spacers (compared to one only, in the SSG10 and 24, and those used in the T10/T11 which is not O-ring stabilized) while obviously being longer than a standard VSR barrel (estimated to be ~470mm, I don't have a ruler to measure it), is actually also made up of steel rather than standard pot metal, or brass, despite it has such a low price point. Especially considering the fact that the Archwick MK13 and SSG24 both have hardened aluminum for barrels despite their much higher price point, this gun having a steel version despite its proprietary length is a welcomed surprise.

The hop up chamber is VSR compatible, and while the hop up arm is a standard plastic like a regular BAR10 (compatible with other upgrades), the arm is snugly fit without any play, and amazingly enough the hop up chamber's adjustment is both very tight and produces clear positive clicking noises just like an SSG24.

Dimensionally the AACT10 chamber is identical to that of the Fieldcraft and could be slotted into it no problem (picture is for reference only).

 

[FMP Airsoft]

Oh goodness. Looks like I know what my next rifle is. It will be interesting to see how this holds up over time, but that is all an insane value for $180.

 

[BlackDogAirsoft]

I think that it's a good alternative to the t11 in places where you can't get them, but the fact that it is not fully vsr10 compatible makes the t11 better for me.


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[TenshouYoku]

I think that it's a good alternative to the t11 in places where you can't get them, but the fact that it is not fully vsr10 compatible makes the t11 better for me.


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I'd argue as long as the trigger mechanism holds up well enough (of course I myself doubted a little as it's still APS), this thing would kick T11's ass anytime as soon as you can fix the cylinder's issue as far as budgeted builds go. This thing's value is insane for its buck.

 

[BlackDogAirsoft]

I'd argue as long as the trigger mechanism holds up well enough (of course I myself doubted a little as it's still APS), this thing would kick T11's ass anytime as soon as you can fix the cylinder's issue as far as budgeted builds go. This thing's value is insane for its buck.

The steel inner barrel is something I wish the t11 had.

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[TenshouYoku]

I like it, it has features I'm looking for (trigger guard being part of receiver, cylinder being wider than the bolt handle).
Ferromagnetic cylinder though... So it's not stainless, wonder how's the coating with corrosion and wear over time.
Quite a disappointment on the spring guide and piston, but it is cheaper than SSG10 I guess it's fair.

BTW one thing I forgot to mention is that the receiver can fit in regular VSR cylinders despite it's a teeny weeny bit wider from the outside, so if the cylinder ended up being not really VSR compatible piston-wise it should also entirely be possible to just swap out the cylinder with a regular VSR one.

 

[BlackDogAirsoft]

What about the cylinder head? Could you swap it for say...a maple leaf or pps one?

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[TenshouYoku]

What about the piston head? Could you swap it for say...a maple leaf or pps one?

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nvm i'm dumb (you actually meant cylinder head right?), that hasn't been tested but i slightly doubt it since the threads stick out notably

 

[BlackDogAirsoft]

Yes. I meant cylinder head.
Edited.
Sorry.

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[TenshouYoku]

Slight update:

The gun is weighted at 2.17kg after putting it on a electronic weight, probably slightly heavier than a VSR but by no means heavy

 

[RonSwanson]

Looks cools and your initial tear down is mostly positive could become a good budget option for the part time sniper or backup/loaner. Just need to tell what time and tough springs will do to the trigger unit.

 

[BlackDogAirsoft]

I just realised that APS basically just improved their m40a3.
They swapped it for a vsr10esque system and also improved the trigger.
Here's a disassembly video of the original m40a3 for those interested:
(3) Airsoft GI Uncut - Take a Look Inside at the New APS M40 - YouTube

 

[SiliconeSword]

Man, that looks pretty awesome.
Little tempted to turn my VSR back into a springer and sell it to buy this, but I'd probably be better off just getting a new receiver and outer barrel lol

 

[FMP Airsoft]

It seems that some of them have a chrome-esque finish, but the listings I've seen online seem to have s black barrel and receiver.

 

[covertConx]

Is the finish really that nice as it looks in the photos? Im liking it so far.