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| Online exclusive content published by The NAM: National Airsoft Magazine Q3 2010. The NAM: National Airsoft Magazine Copyright © 2010 All Rights Reserved. |
Specs:
Product Brand: I Chih Shivan (ICS)
Built Material: Metal and Wood
Shooting Modes: semi and full-auto
Magazine Capacity: 450rnds, Hi-cap
Length: 980mm
Barrel Length: 483mm
Weight: 3,500g
Power Source: battery, stick-type
Hop-up: yes, adjustable
Blow-back: no
Power: 390fps w/0.20g BBs
Product Brand: I Chih Shivan (ICS)
Built Material: Metal and Wood
Shooting Modes: semi and full-auto
Magazine Capacity: 450rnds, Hi-cap
Length: 980mm
Barrel Length: 483mm
Weight: 3,500g
Power Source: battery, stick-type
Hop-up: yes, adjustable
Blow-back: no
Power: 390fps w/0.20g BBs
Package & MSRP:
Much like their products in general,
ICS really put a lot of effort into
the packaging, with a beautifully
graphic wrapped cardboard box
(complete with self sealing tabs and
plastic carry handle). Inside you’
ll find the rifle itself gently
cradled in custom shaped plastic
packaging (with velvet covering, no
less), along with two Hi-cap
magazines, space gas tube (for
longer batteries), cleaning rod, and
a small bottle of ICS 0.20g precious
BBs all for the price of $620USD
MSRP.
Much like their products in general,
ICS really put a lot of effort into
the packaging, with a beautifully
graphic wrapped cardboard box
(complete with self sealing tabs and
plastic carry handle). Inside you’
ll find the rifle itself gently
cradled in custom shaped plastic
packaging (with velvet covering, no
less), along with two Hi-cap
magazines, space gas tube (for
longer batteries), cleaning rod, and
a small bottle of ICS 0.20g precious
BBs all for the price of $620USD
MSRP.
Pros:
One of the first things you will notice about the ICAR when you pick it up is the all metal frame construction.
Everything from side folding skeletal stock to the receiver frame, the gas tube and one piece barrel is made of
strong metal, delivering an unimaginable amount of strength as well as heft, making the gun not only feel solid
but very durable. Next you will notice the authentic features of the weapon, such as the working adjustable
front and rear sights, bolt charging lever, real wooden grips, side folding carrying handle as well as genuine
Hebrew writing on the left side pistol grip fire select and main body. ICS really put a lot of attention to
detail in recreating the look and feel of the weapon and it shows! Collectors and hardcore MilSimmers will love
these features. Another pro is the side folding skeletal stock of the weapon, giving the the ability to have
the stock fully extended to for a solid stable shooting posture or folded to the side to maneuver in CQB
environments, allowing the shooter to adapt to the shooting environment and confined spaces quickly and
effortlessly.
One of the first things you will notice about the ICAR when you pick it up is the all metal frame construction.
Everything from side folding skeletal stock to the receiver frame, the gas tube and one piece barrel is made of
strong metal, delivering an unimaginable amount of strength as well as heft, making the gun not only feel solid
but very durable. Next you will notice the authentic features of the weapon, such as the working adjustable
front and rear sights, bolt charging lever, real wooden grips, side folding carrying handle as well as genuine
Hebrew writing on the left side pistol grip fire select and main body. ICS really put a lot of attention to
detail in recreating the look and feel of the weapon and it shows! Collectors and hardcore MilSimmers will love
these features. Another pro is the side folding skeletal stock of the weapon, giving the the ability to have
the stock fully extended to for a solid stable shooting posture or folded to the side to maneuver in CQB
environments, allowing the shooter to adapt to the shooting environment and confined spaces quickly and
effortlessly.
Cons:
Sadly, one of the major pros of this weapon is also a serious con. Unless you want to roll with AK magazines,
the authentic magazines used with the ICAR are unique, meaning there are no other options available other than
buying more directly from ICS or your local ICS retailer. Being that there are only Hi-caps available in
single package, this might be a limited and expensive option for those who want to have a fully “realistic”
load out. This next con was a bit of a surprise for us. When we got the package and pulled out the rifle, the
fore-grip section was loose. The pin holding the fore-grip front plate in place has slipped out during
shipping. Once we found it, we put the foregrips back in place and reinserted the holding and everything was
fine (wrapping a twisty tie around it secures it in place so this won’t happen again). However, it should be
noted that if this happens to you, make sure you locate the pin and secure it, because once it’s lost, your
screwed, as there isn’t a ready replacement for it and most hardware store bolts don’t fit right in the hole.
Other than that, only the mandatory “stick” battery was all we could really find as far as gripes go.
Sadly, one of the major pros of this weapon is also a serious con. Unless you want to roll with AK magazines,
the authentic magazines used with the ICAR are unique, meaning there are no other options available other than
buying more directly from ICS or your local ICS retailer. Being that there are only Hi-caps available in
single package, this might be a limited and expensive option for those who want to have a fully “realistic”
load out. This next con was a bit of a surprise for us. When we got the package and pulled out the rifle, the
fore-grip section was loose. The pin holding the fore-grip front plate in place has slipped out during
shipping. Once we found it, we put the foregrips back in place and reinserted the holding and everything was
fine (wrapping a twisty tie around it secures it in place so this won’t happen again). However, it should be
noted that if this happens to you, make sure you locate the pin and secure it, because once it’s lost, your
screwed, as there isn’t a ready replacement for it and most hardware store bolts don’t fit right in the hole.
Other than that, only the mandatory “stick” battery was all we could really find as far as gripes go.
Efficiency:
Getting the weapon prepped for combat is as easy as any AK AND M16 you’ve ever handled. Removing the dust
cover reveals the battery storage space, allowing you to insert either a short LiPo stick or a much longer Ni-
Cd/Ni-MH (there is even a changeable gas tube that allows for longer batteries up to 12v AA types!) Just
replace the cover and the weapon has power. Loading the magazine is as simple as inserting an AK mag, with you
putting the front lip of the magazine into the mag well, pushing the rear up until it clicks into place and
viola, your ready to fire! Releasing the magazine is identical to any AK, as an extended vertical tab at the
rear of the mag well lets you dump your mag instantly to insert a fresh one. The fire select options follow
the same hybrid theme of the whole gun as it has the usual AK fire select lever on the right side of the body
(top, middle and bottom for Safe/Full Auto/Semi respectively) but also there is a lever just above the pistol
mag on the left side that allows you to move to switch settings with your thumb alone. This is very convenient
when you need to change rates of fire while the skeletal stock is folded to the side, as it covers the normal
fire select lever. A simple push of the thumb gives you whichever setting you desire. I must note however
that the thumb select lever on this particular sample was rather “sticky” at first, but with a little working
in, it was fine.
Getting the weapon prepped for combat is as easy as any AK AND M16 you’ve ever handled. Removing the dust
cover reveals the battery storage space, allowing you to insert either a short LiPo stick or a much longer Ni-
Cd/Ni-MH (there is even a changeable gas tube that allows for longer batteries up to 12v AA types!) Just
replace the cover and the weapon has power. Loading the magazine is as simple as inserting an AK mag, with you
putting the front lip of the magazine into the mag well, pushing the rear up until it clicks into place and
viola, your ready to fire! Releasing the magazine is identical to any AK, as an extended vertical tab at the
rear of the mag well lets you dump your mag instantly to insert a fresh one. The fire select options follow
the same hybrid theme of the whole gun as it has the usual AK fire select lever on the right side of the body
(top, middle and bottom for Safe/Full Auto/Semi respectively) but also there is a lever just above the pistol
mag on the left side that allows you to move to switch settings with your thumb alone. This is very convenient
when you need to change rates of fire while the skeletal stock is folded to the side, as it covers the normal
fire select lever. A simple push of the thumb gives you whichever setting you desire. I must note however
that the thumb select lever on this particular sample was rather “sticky” at first, but with a little working
in, it was fine.
Durability:
The construct of this gun is phenomenal!
Virtually the entire weapon, save the pistol
grip and wooden fore-grip is made completely out
of strong metal. Breaking this thing will be
extremely difficult at best, as even the
side-folding stock is rock solid in either the
folded or extended position. This baby is more
than capable of taking even the worse
intentional punishment only walk away chuckling
amused.
The construct of this gun is phenomenal!
Virtually the entire weapon, save the pistol
grip and wooden fore-grip is made completely out
of strong metal. Breaking this thing will be
extremely difficult at best, as even the
side-folding stock is rock solid in either the
folded or extended position. This baby is more
than capable of taking even the worse
intentional punishment only walk away chuckling
amused.
Upgradability:
Not a whole lot. Because of the proprietary
nature of the weapon, converting to a tight bore
barrel will be tricky but there are options
available. A RIS-style rail for the fore-grip
would be nice but none are really available
(unless you modify a real steel one).
Internally, it's compatible with the industry
standard, but why mess with it?
Not a whole lot. Because of the proprietary
nature of the weapon, converting to a tight bore
barrel will be tricky but there are options
available. A RIS-style rail for the fore-grip
would be nice but none are really available
(unless you modify a real steel one).
Internally, it's compatible with the industry
standard, but why mess with it?
Final Thoughts:
Having watched and admired the Israeli Armed Force from a distance, I myself once desired this weapon. Having
played with it during review, I can see what all the hype was about. The rifle is very strong and durable,
ensuring that it will last thru your worst mishandlings and still function. Getting it set up for play is very
quick and efficient for anyone who has played with mainstream weapons in the past, be it M16, AK or other. The
performance is right on par with what most U.S. players want, which makes it easier when deciding between
upgrading the weapon or not. The amenities and flexibility of the overall design will satisfy even the most
die-hard operator, allowing them to utilize all its features in any environment. All in all, this AEG is top
notch and definitely worth the inclusion into anyone’s arsenal, be they IDF re-enactors, collectors or players
just looking for something a little different or original.
Having watched and admired the Israeli Armed Force from a distance, I myself once desired this weapon. Having
played with it during review, I can see what all the hype was about. The rifle is very strong and durable,
ensuring that it will last thru your worst mishandlings and still function. Getting it set up for play is very
quick and efficient for anyone who has played with mainstream weapons in the past, be it M16, AK or other. The
performance is right on par with what most U.S. players want, which makes it easier when deciding between
upgrading the weapon or not. The amenities and flexibility of the overall design will satisfy even the most
die-hard operator, allowing them to utilize all its features in any environment. All in all, this AEG is top
notch and definitely worth the inclusion into anyone’s arsenal, be they IDF re-enactors, collectors or players
just looking for something a little different or original.
Many assault rifles have tried to achieve a good balance of firepower, durability and reliability. Just as many
have failed, but an exceptional few have met their desired intent. One of those lucky few is the IMI Galil
ARM. Born of the desire to have a weapon as reliable and robust as the Russian AK-47 but utilize the increased
range and accuracy of the NATO 5.56x45mm round, the Galil amalgamated the best of both weapons into a single
platform that performed far beyond expectations. With such a strong following and desire for a replica of such
quality (as well as the primary weapon of the Terrorist team in Half-life: Counter Strike, irony anyone?) it was
only a matter of time before airsoft manufacturers started putting out their rendition of this legendary
weapon. While most have been found wanting, one stood out above the rest. Thanks to ICS, we get a chance to
experience the fruits of their labor and play with their copy of the IMI’s Galil.
have failed, but an exceptional few have met their desired intent. One of those lucky few is the IMI Galil
ARM. Born of the desire to have a weapon as reliable and robust as the Russian AK-47 but utilize the increased
range and accuracy of the NATO 5.56x45mm round, the Galil amalgamated the best of both weapons into a single
platform that performed far beyond expectations. With such a strong following and desire for a replica of such
quality (as well as the primary weapon of the Terrorist team in Half-life: Counter Strike, irony anyone?) it was
only a matter of time before airsoft manufacturers started putting out their rendition of this legendary
weapon. While most have been found wanting, one stood out above the rest. Thanks to ICS, we get a chance to
experience the fruits of their labor and play with their copy of the IMI’s Galil.
Pros Cont'd:
A nice extra provided with this model is the adjustable/removable bi-pod. Being that the Galil was the
conceptual predecessor to the famous M249 Minimi, the bi-pod is rigid and can be folded up and under the fore-
grip when not in use. It can also be removed quickly and effortlessly with the removal of a single pin (sealed
within the bi-pod base to prevent loss), making the weapon significantly lighter. The biggest strength of the
weapon is the hybrid mag well. Unlike most other manufacturers’ competing variants of the Galil, who recommend
you use AK magazines, ICS went the extra mile and manufactured the actual Galil. This allows you to
proprietary mags, but also gives you the option to utilized AK mags should you run out of ammo and come across
a “downed” adversary with an AK willing to lend out his magazines. Talk about double dipping!
A nice extra provided with this model is the adjustable/removable bi-pod. Being that the Galil was the
conceptual predecessor to the famous M249 Minimi, the bi-pod is rigid and can be folded up and under the fore-
grip when not in use. It can also be removed quickly and effortlessly with the removal of a single pin (sealed
within the bi-pod base to prevent loss), making the weapon significantly lighter. The biggest strength of the
weapon is the hybrid mag well. Unlike most other manufacturers’ competing variants of the Galil, who recommend
you use AK magazines, ICS went the extra mile and manufactured the actual Galil. This allows you to
proprietary mags, but also gives you the option to utilized AK mags should you run out of ammo and come across
a “downed” adversary with an AK willing to lend out his magazines. Talk about double dipping!
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