Tanaka – M700 AICS Review
Intro/Real Steel: The Tanaka M700 AICS (Accuracy-International-Chassis-System) is based off of the real steel Accuracy International (AI) AE sniper rifle. The AE is a “economy” version of the AW and AWP (Arctic Warfare and Arctic Warfare Police) all made by AI The m700 AICS, is essentially a Remington m700 with the AICS stock installed. It will accept nearly any rifle built off a .308 m700 base. The AICS is a popular rifle with both Military and Law Enforcement, seeing use in the Austrian Military, and many police organizations.
Specifications (R.S.)
Caliber: 7.62mm NATO
Barrel length: 610mm.
Weight: 6kg empty w/o optics
Length: 1120mm.
Magazine size: 5 or 8 rd. mags
Specifications (Airsoft-Replica)
Caliber:…6mm…
Barrel Length (inner): 515mm.
Weight: 4.5kg
Length: 1105 mm.
Magazine Size: 24 rounds
Comparision: On a purely statistical stand-point, the airsoft replica fails many of the categories, as do nearly all airsoft replicas. The barrel length is nearly 100mm. shorter than that of the real-steel, but that may be expected when you take into account bb loading mechanisms, and hop-up chambers. The weight is lighter than that of it’s real-steel counterpart, but it still is a very heavy rifle. It’s overall length is 15mm shorter and it’s magazine cap is anything but realistic. However, the negatives being said, all of those can be good as well, the rifle lighter, shorter, and can carry more rounds, while still functioning (to scale) as it’s real-steel counterpart.
The only “short-comings” (pun-intended) in the Tanaka, is it’s length and weight, it mirrors the real AICS in nearly every way, a truly high quality replica.
First Impressions: I’m going to skip the “I waited by the door for 4 days for the package…” stuff, and get right to business.
The Look: It looks… beautiful and deadly at the same time, it’s in OD, with black accents, the bolt and magazine mesh very well aesthetically, even the many black metal bolts work with the rest of the rifle. The plastic body has almost no shine, instead an almost gritty look to it. The outer-barrel is quite beefy, and looks like a tank, the finish on it is matte black, no shine here either.
Trades on the gun include:
Model 700
Manufactured by Tanaka Works (don’t know if that qualifies as a trademark)
And a possibly unique serial number. (mine is ASGK H450603, if anyones is different, then we can assume it’s unique).
The Feel: As I said before this is a very heavy rifle, in comparison a TM m4 only weighs in at 3Kg, so it out weighs most AEG’s. This is not the sort of rifle you want to be a moving DM with, it’s far more suitable to lying in the brush and ambushing your opponent. This is not to be said that you cannot run around the battlefield with it, it’s heavy not, impossibly heavy. The thumb hole stock is surprisingly ergonomic, and it’s position in relation to the bolt, is somewhat close at first, though over time it seems to be the perfect distance. The cheek and shoulder pads are well thought out and also ergonomic, with the shoulder pad nearly cupping your shoulder (it’s that big), and the cheek pad raises your eye to the perfect level for some optics. The bolt cycle, is loud and metallic, definitely a high point of the rifle. The sling-mounts are incredibly well done, very sturdy and resilient, they will come in handy I foresee…
All in all: It’s a very large, big beautiful rifle, in patient hands a killer, but in impatient hands, a liability.
Performance: Ah performance, the meat to every review, for ease of use and quick finding, I’m going to break it up into four sections:
A) Loading, cocking, and Hop-up Adjustment
B) Firing, FPS
C) Accuracy and Range
D) Performance in harsh conditions
A) To load the rifle, fill the double-stack mag with 24bb’s, then fill with gas (either 134a, green, or red). Next you’ll need to lock back the bolt, simply push up and pull-back (note the sexy crek-crack noise). The magazine well is located right in front of the trigger assembly and as such shouldn’t be hard to find. Push the mag into the magwell until it locks in place, then push forward and lock down the bolt. Done! To adjust the hop-up there is a handy wheel just in front of the shell ejection port, turn it clockwise to “up” the hop-up and C.C. to lower it. It should be noted that the hop-up is very finicky, as much as a single click could set your bb spinning skyward, so take your time whilst adjusting.
Critical Notes from Section A:
Never try to load a fresh mag in with the bolt closed, two reasons. One is it causes unneeded stress on the components, and two is it doesn’t lock into place and will fall out, potentially damaging your $75 magazine. Take your time while adjusting the hop-up it’s a very fine line of perfection. When working the bolt grasp as much of it as possible, this distributes any load throughout the bolt thus reducing wear and tear.
B) Firing and FPS. This brings us to a cross-road, if you have a PCS valve equipped Tanaka or would like to learn about the PCS system, read on, if not skip this paragraph. Tanaka invented a very handy and effective system called the Power Control System (PCS), which allows you to dial in the FPS to meet field limits, or dial up to hit farther targets. You turn a little screw that turn either widens or narrows the gap from gas-chamber to barrel, thus either increasing or decreasing FPS. To fire simply cycle the bolt, verify the gun is off safety (safety is located behind the bolt), then pull the trigger, this action will be met with a significant but not overpowering *crack* as the bb is expelled from the barrel.
Critical Notes from Section B:
The PCS system allows you to modify the FPS for field limits, this does not mean you may ratchet it down for chrono and then back up for field use, I will personally flog you with a pointy stick, if you intentionally misuse the PCS valve.
Always grip as much of the bolt as possible to distribute the pulling forces.
C) Accuracy and Range, another popular category
FPS: 575 FPS +/- 10 FPS
GAS: TOP-GAS (propane)
Ammo: Maruzen SG’s (.36g)
Range: From the top of property down to the woodpile, shooting slightly downhill.
Weather: 75 F., winds low-mid cross breeze
All shots taken firing from stable position.
Optics: 3-12X 40mm. Scope, set in at 6X mag.
Accuracy at 50 ft. w/PCS open all the way
Target: 2 Liter Coke Bottle
Accuracy: 100%
Shots Fired:10
Shots Hit: 10
Shot Breakup:
8 center of target, 2 in. away from center
Accuracy at 100 ft. w/PCS open all the way
Target 2 Liter Coke Bottle
Accuracy: 100%
Shots Fired: 10
Shots Hit: 10
Shot Breakup:
9 Hit mid-area, 1 hit bottle neck
Accuracy at 150ft. w/PCS open all the way
Target 2 Liter Coke Bottle
Accuracy: 100%
Shots Fired: 10
Shots Hit: 10
Shot Breakup:
8 Hit mid-area, 1 bottom, and one 2 in. above main shot grouping.
Accuracy at 200 ft. w/PCS open all the way
Target 2 Liter Coke Bottle
Accuracy: 80%
Shots Fired: 10
Shots Hit: 6
Shot Breakup:
2 Hit Upper bottle
3 Hit Mid-area
1 Hit Base of bottle
2 Curved to the left and missed by about 4 inches
45-day Update (D)
Well here I am 45-days after first receiving this rifle, having put nearly 220 rounds through it to date, I’m surprised at how well it’s resisted damage/change, its just as accurate and powerful as the day I got it. The only issue that has developed, on occasion the bolt will for some reason become locked in the closed position and some gentle wiggling/brute force is the only thing that can unlock it, don’t know why doesn’t impede performance. For a conclusion, if your looking for a gas sniper Tanaka is the way to go, superior quality and craftsmanship make this stand out from others in it’s class.
