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ICS CXP APE Airsoft Gun Review

Posted by Fox Airsoft on 14th Sep 2015

Click Here to Purchase the ICS CXP APE!

We will review the  ICS CXP APE in this Airsoft Spotlight. We will not go into detail regarding the history of ICS and the Operation Lion Claws Military Simulation Series (OLCMSS) 2015 Tactical Challenge. In the previous blog article we did on the ICS CXP HOG we went over the history of ICS and the details about the Lion Claws Tactical Team Challenge, you can read about that by CLICKING HERE. Basically ICS knows a thing or two about "manufacturing" airsoft guns since the late 80's. I quoted "manufacturing" because most of the brands on the market do not actual "manufacture" items and are more of a brand and use an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). Below I attached a video of our visit to the ICS factory just to illustrate the scale and legitimacy of their operation.

For the OLCMSS Tactical Team Challenge 2015, we will also be using the  ICS CXP APE, however we are setting it up a little different than you might think. This will be another one of 8 guns we will be using thanks to the ICS sponsorship of the event. We chose to use this as a mid range Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR). 

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You might think why the heck would you need to do that? Well the since we will be playing in an Airplane Boneyard, and a relatively common and large sized Boeing 747 is APPROXIMATELY 70 meters in length and width (on average), it would be wise to have a squad level DMR who could accurately engage targets out to 230ft. While we might not be able to shoot the entire length of an airplane, it could be beneficial for shooting from plane to plane. or from outside into a plane.

Let's start out by taking a look at the optics package we chose to use at the event. We opted to use a  Lancer Tactical 1.5 to 4x variable zoom short range optic. This is one of the most practical optics available for airsoft. It offers the benefits of say a Trijicon ACOG with a fixed 4x magnification for target identification, but the speed and field of view of non magnified optics when using 1.5x zoom. We also chose to attach the Lancer Tactical Mini Red Dot Sight on a NcStar 45 degree offset mount.

Here is a view through the optic on 4x zoom at a telephone pole about 60 meters away. I am always impressed with the quality and clarity of the image the optic produces.

Here is another view through the optic on its lowest setting, 1.5x zoom.  Lets see if we can shoot out  Jarrod's tire which is approximately 10 meters away. 

And for the really close shots we opted to use the  Lancer Tactical Mini Reflex Sight.

Here is a picture of illustrating the use of the 45 Degree Red Dot sight an also note the Fox Custom Barrel Extension we will be using to cover the extended length Fox Custom 6.02mm Stainless Steel Tightbore Barrel!

Enough about optics, lets look at some of the awesome features on this gun.  Lets look at the selector switch, at first glance you may not realize it is ambidextrous and has selector levers on both sides of the receiver. Also the magazine catch is also ambidextrous and I will illustrate that in another picture. The bolt catch/release is in the lower front portion of the trigger guard.  Pressing this down, releases the bolt with a satisfying clank. I'd also like to point out this is one of the only truly ambidextrous airsoft guns on the market.

This is the other side of the receiver, and I wanted to show you the ambidextrous magazine release like I said I would in the previous picture.  So when you press the magazine release button from either side you will release the magazine, however, there is a third option to release the magazine.  Loook at the black vertical lever that is attached with the button head cap screw. By pressing that lever up with your thumb while grasping the magazine you can then pull the magazine out while pushing the lever up.  This is great for those familiar with Heckler & Koch style weapons such as the MP5, G3 and G36 as well as AK variants. This will be a natural transition to those familiar with those weapons or even those familiar with the Tavor and AUG family of bullpups.

The stock is very unique, it is adjustable for length of pull and has an adjustable cheek piece. The battery is also housed in the stock and is extremely easy to change with ample room for a variety of batteries.

The stock is also side folding and really makes the gun nice and compact and storage.  The gun is capable of being fired with the stock folded, which is actually handy when negotiating confined spaces but still may need the option to engage targets.

The internals of the gun are essentially standard UK1 style Transform4 gearbox. The upper gearbox has an additional bracket attached to it to fit inside the upper receiver, but this part is removable and the upper gearbox can be used used in the  UK1 Transform4 and PAR MK3.

The interlas still use the upgraded  ICS POM Piston and MIM Heated Treated Steel Bevel and Pinion gear. The ICS POM piston is still one of our favorite pistons of all time. It was available for years as an upgraded part from ICS and it was a real pleasure to see them start including it as standard. We also added our Fox Custom Single Piece CNC Cylinder assembly and Fox Custom 6.02mm Stainless Steel Tightbore Barrel. The gun has been tuned for 366fps w/ .25G BB's per OLCMSS Rule Set.

The gun also features Back Up Iron Sights (BUIS) front and rear. The gun also features an extremely nice Keymod handguard.  For more information and history on Keymod check out my  previous article on Keymod by CLICKING HERE. What is that little thing attached to the rail you ask?  Check out the next picture for more info.

It is a  Speed Airsoft Hand Stop! However we are using it as a Barricade Support, as pictured above.  Bipods are traditionally used on precision rifles, you must also get info a fixed firing position and setup the bipod.  Since this event is going to be a much faster paced game and AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT! We fill it maybe slightly more practical to just brace up against a doorway or window while shooting out and also keep the majority of your body behind cover.

Overall we have been extremely impressed with the CXP-APE from our testing in setting up the gun.  I think it is a definitely the best non M4 airsoft gun on the market currently.  the build quality is extremely robust and solid.  Let us know what you think about our choice of gun for a DMR.

Click Here to Purchase the ICS CXP APE!

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