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Marui SR-16 - Review Originally Written for dEFCON4 - Revisited.
Now we move onto the Airsoft version. I can't seem to find any data on "the real
steel" SR16 - maybe it doesn't exist (correct me if I'm wrong) - but the Airsoft
version certainly does, and I'm sure its going to
- The Marui SR16 is available for purchase at fire-support.co.uk. Click the image to be taken to their pages. Please mention dEFCONAirsoft when ordering, thank you.
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All material within is copyright dEFCONAirsoft 2007. dEFCONAirsoft is kindly sponsored by Fire-Support. Some of the views expressed within these pages are not necessarily the views of dEFCONAirsoft or any of the sites affiliated with us. |
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The
M16 series is probably the most famous rifle/s in the world. The first model being adopted
by armed forces in 1964, its gone from strength to strength with its constant improvements
and modifications. When first used in combat during the Vietnam war, soldiers had little
faith in the weapon - early models were prone to mechanical problems, and required
stripping and cleaning every day, to ensure problem free operation. Also, the calibre was
deemed substandard, and didn't have the stopping power of its larger brother, the 7.62mm
round - however since then many different versions have been released and consequently
earned the respect of armed forces across the globe. 
The M4A1 was first seen in action during
the year of 1994 - and by this time the M16 has been thoughtfully refined, and the latest
materials and technology used during manufacture, to make the most robust and mechanically
sound weapon available. Firing the almost standard 5.56mm NATO Ball M855 round, with a
muzzle velocity of 2900fps (Airsofters.... dream on!) it was soon seen as the ultimate
weapon for Special Ops groups, who demand the best. (Worth mentioning that the M4A1 is a
carbine weapon, due to the slight reduction in barrel length, compared to the M16A2, the gun lost 300fps of velocity). 
be a popular gun. Take the stock from a
M16-A2, and the upper receiver from an M4-A1, now add a fully adjustable R.I.S
system, flip sight and stylish flash-hider - what have you got? The SR-16 from
Marui, £225 of
pure Airsofting genius. A quick look at some of the vitals straight away shows this gun is
going to be a success. Sporting the EG1000 motor as standard, you already know this gun is
going to have a high rate of fire, and is ready for any upgrades you throw at it. The
overall weight of this gun is amazing, a tribute to the large quantity of metal parts used
within its construction. There are far too many to mention - but it all adds up to make
one very robust piece of equipment. The R.I.S system, to buy would cost you well over
£100 - and this comes with the gun as standard. The M16-A2 stock gives you the capacity
for a large battery, meaning one charge will keep you skirmishing for well over a day.
This weapon certainly boasts features which would make your mouth water, but is it love at
first sight? 
The gun demands a closer inspection, which
it passed with flying colours. It seems that since the introduction of the Electric
Airsoft gun, Marui have gone miles ahead in terms of construction, and the overall quality
of their AEG's gets better with each one produced. This one is very solid and almost
appears indestructible. I would think, the only upgrades you would possibly want to carry
out, is to install an M90/100 spring and metal bushes, and possibly the M4A1 Classic army
body, to add yet more metal to the structure. The inclusion of the R.I.S system also
allows a host of after-market accessories to be added, such as laser targeting devices, or
the most popular add-on at the moment, the Marui M203 grenade launcher. The gun, as stock,
is certainly a match for the majority of standard Airsoft guns on the skirmish field, and
I would consider it to be money well spent. You would definitely have a hard time faulting
this one. 
What comes with the gun as standard is a
very useful handle which bolts onto the R.I.S system. I've asked a few people, and the
preference for using this handle is widespread - however I find it quite comfortable and
makes it easier to control your fire. If you wanted, you could also mount it on the left
or right side of the R.I.S panels. I found it made me feel very "Arnie style"...
which could be further aided by adding one of those large capacity "box"
magazines, making the SR-16 a very successful suppressive fire weapon. The usual 60 round
magazine, loading and cleaning tools are also supplied, as is a fairly comprehensive
manual with good diagrams and a large "take down" schematic, for those of you
technically minded. 
As always not everything in life is
perfect, neither is this gun. The only reported problem, is one which affects most if not
all of the M16 range... and is barrel wobble. 