Category: Rifles (Gas, Spring, etc)

Manufacturer: Tanaka (Japan)
Type: Bolt Action Gas
Date Acquired: 11/2005

Tanaka M700 AICS

The Tanaka M700 AICS is a replica of Accuracy International's A.I.C.S. (Accuracy International Chassis System) on a Remington M700 This is not a replica of any of AI's, AW line.

Tanaka M700 AICS

This is a gas, bolt action rifle and comes out of the box with very high fps. But unlike my Gen 1 M700 Police, the AICS come with the Power Control System (PCS) bolt. You can dial the system down in fps if you so desire. I'll post more later about the PS system. Performance is on par with teh other Tanaka M700. Bolt cycling is smooth and easy. Hopup is a very easy adjustment as with all Tanaka M700. The larger capacity magazine is a plus too! (That was my biggest gripe about the M700P)

Tanaka M700 AICS

The appearance of this replica is awesome! I will be taking the AICS to a local large caliber gun store called ARM USA for side by side comarisons to a real AICS. The OD stock with black furniture gives the AICS a very mil/aggro look. There are no iron sights, so optics are needed.

Since I have another Accuracy Internationl replica, the Maruzen Type 96, modeled after the AI L96, I thought a comparison would be in order since more people have probably seen the Type 96:

Maruzen Type 96 (Black) – Tanaka M700 AICS (Green)

For those of us hoping that the AICS can use some of the Type 96's bolt on accessories. Below is what I can confirm.

Interchangeable
Bipod mount.

Not Interchangeable
Laylax PSS96 Quick Cheekpiece Screw for APS Type 96
Maruzen Vanishing Silencer for TYPE 96
Maruzen Mount Base for APS-2 / Type 96
Laylax Flash Hiders/Silencer Adapters for Type 96

Maruzen Type 96 (Black) – Tanaka M700 AICS (Green)

I haven't figured out the PCS system yet, so FPS outta the box is below.

Chrono results (FPS)
Temp: 75? F?
Green Gas
.20 BB's
Min: 589.65.32
Max: 602.54.36
Avg: 598.36

Update 02/2007

I still haven't messed with the PCS yet.? Because of the weight adn size of this specific weapon and the fact I'll probably never skirmish it, I haven't seen the need to mess with it yet.

{simplegrade:4}
Manufacturer: Maruzen (Japan)
Type: Bolt Action Spring
Date Acquired: 11/2003

APS Type 96 with Accessories

Update 03/2007

Even though I also own 2 Tanaka M700's (AICS and the PSS), which hands down out perform a spring sniper like this Type96, this specific spring sniper I still feel is worth holding onto. Even though it's over 3 years old, it still shoots extremely consistently. While most spring snipers make a "Boing" sound when shot, my Type 96 has a wicked sounding "Crack" when fired. This is still an excellent airsoft sniping platform, but still no match for the Tanaka M700's.

Original Review:

OK so I hate the AWPer's in CS and I don't like to be the AWPer, but I do love the Accuracy International design (Thumb Hole + Large Caliber = Sexah). The Maruzen packaging was clean and secure as the other APS2 versions. Features include:

• Cocking Indicator
• Cylinder Quick Release
• Adjustable Pad & Cheek Piece (Stock)
• Length – 1150mm / 45.2in
• Weight – 3340g / 7.4lbs
• Inner Barrel Length – 500mm / 19.7in
• Mag Capacity – 30 Rounds

APS Type 96 with Accessories

This is Maruzens latest version of the APS series and I'm quite impressed with the features. The new features for the price, compared to the ASP2EX are impressive and the design and build of this rifle is excellent (I hope Tanaka gets a hint from this).

I wanted to put on my Versapod Bipod temporarily until the Maruzen bipod ships but it wouldn't sit correctly due to interference from the built on bipod adapter. So I mounted my Harris style bipod for now.

APS Type 96 Cocking Indicator

The Cocking Indicator is a nice addition. Visually or by feel you can check to see if your ready to fire.

APS Type 96 Empty Magazine Indicator

Now this is a nice addition. I may have to paint the sides red though. You really have to look at it to see it. Also of note, New Magazines that have a metal lower section. Not the all plastic ASP2 ones.

APS Type 96 Cylinder Release Latch

Another great feature. Just push down on this latch and it enables the entire cylinder to be removed. When upgraded cylinder and bolts are available this will enable a person to carry more then 1 cylinder for either different fps, or as a backup. So instead of upgrading the existing cylinder I think I'm going to wait for full cylinder upgraded to become available and carry a few.

APS Type 96 Hop Up Adjustment

Hop Up Adjustment!!! Being an owner of an APS2SV, the ability to adjust hopup was something I always wanted in an APS. Although you need and allen wrench to adjust unlike the Tanaka M700, at least the option for adjusting hopup exists now.

I was amazed to see the consistency of results. The numbers didn't deviate as much as my APS2SV.

APS Type 96 with stuff

Accessories added so far:

• OK 500fps Cylinder Set
• Laylax Damper Cylinder Head Pro
• Guarder Piston Head
• Laylax PSS96 Quick Cheekpiece Screw
• BEC Lighted Scope
• APS Type 96 Bipod
• Laylax L96 Real Hider Type 1
• KM Lightweight Silencer
• Guarder 51" Rifle Bag
• Tac Force Sling

Over all it's a very impressive sniper rifle if just for the design alone. Will be adding more info later as the balance of accessories and upgrades come in.

Chrono results (FPS)
.20 BB's
Min: 475.93
Max: 485.66
Avg: 482.32

{simplegrade:4}
Manufacturer: Tanaka (Japan)
Type: Bolt Action Gas
Date Acquired: 09/2003

Tanaka M700 with Accessories

Since I read and saw the outstanding results of the Tanaka Gas Powered Mauser, I have been waiting for them to come out with a modern form of the rifle, and they just released the Tanaka Model 700 Police Rifle so I had to get one. I also own a Maruzen APS2/SV which had a gas cylinder upgrade (Which recently broke… Classic Army…. Grrr). And although I would don't want to make direct comparisons I think it's fair to say most airsofters have seen/fired/own and APS2 series. So I will make brief comparisons based on that. Also please keep in mind I have had the rifle for only 1 day so far

Tanaka M700 (Front) APS2/SV w/K2 Silencer (Rear)

So let's get some comparisons outta the way here. The Tanaka M700 and APS2/SV weigh about the same. But I noticed the stock on the M700 is much wider near the trigger. Maybe I'm just used to the APS2 type of stock in that I feel it's much easier to carry and handle. The M700's bolt is like that of a real steel bolt rifle in that the bolt slides back very easily. My APS2 with or with out Gas Cylinder has spring resistance on drawing the bolt back and depending on how hard you have to pull it back may pull you off target. The M700's hop up is very easy to adjust with a large dial to the front of the bolt opening on the scope/sight mount. The butt stock is not adjustable on the M700, but the manual has a diagram of an adjustable butt stock. The APS2 has spacers on the butt stock. The build quality of the M700 seems looser then the APS2. You feel the magazine move when you cycle the bolt forward.

The M700 come with removable and adjustable iron sights. The rear sight uses the built on weaver mount, so you have a choice of either iron sights or scope.

Tanaka M700 Close up of Bolt and Forward Hop Up dial

Accessories added so far:

• BEC 4×30 Sniper Scope with Lighted Reticle. Scope Covers and High Mount Scope Rings
• Commander Bipod (Verspod Clone)
• Guarder Sniper Cheek Rest
• Blackhawk 1.25" Sling
• Hogue 1.25" Sling Swivels
• Props Canada 7.62mm Dummy Bullets

So how does it perform? Chrono Results below, but I must say it's great to have a sniper type rifle that will sit on target because of the ease of drawing the bolt. The gas system is great and I was able to fire about 40 rounds per 1 fill. The easily adjustable hopup is great too.

Chrono results (FPS)

134a Gas
.20 BB's
Min: 410.34
Max: 421.10
Avg: 412.21

Green Gas
.20 BB's
Min: 608.12
Max: 620.34
Avg: 615.56

In closing I feel this is a great Sniper Bolt rifle for the price. It gives great performance out of the box. I hope to see some 3rd party accessories, but judging by the Tanaka Mauser, I'm not going to hold my breath.

Another great review of the M700 by Hammermods is here.

{simplegrade:3}
Manufacturer: Maruzen (Japan)
Type: Bolt Action Spring
Date Acquired: 06/2003

Maruzen APS2 SV with all the upgrades installed (See Below)

My Maruzen APS2 SV (New Commander Bipod, Verspod Clone)

UPDATE! The CA Gas Cylinder Broke!!! Replaced it with and 300%Upgraded Spring Cylinder from my pals at Airsoft Extreme. So any references to the Gas Cylinder will soon be edited out

Well it had to happen sooner or later. I wanted to check out a Bolt action action rifle…

My Maruzen APS2 SV. Bipod deployed (b4 upgrades)

Originally this rifle came with a spring driven cylinder, and I was amazed at the power and range or the stock unit.

My Maruzen APS2 SV. (b4 upgrades)

(Chronograph will be here in about a week so I can get some hard numbers)

But… as usual with me, I had to start upgrading the gun. I've already added the following:

• BEC 4×30 Sniper Scope with Lighted Reticle
  
• First Factory APS2 PPS Bolt Handle
• First Factory APS2 PPS Scope Mount
• CA Complete APS2 Level 2 Cylinder with 300% spring, spring guide & ver3 vacuum piston
• Commander Bipod (Verspod Clone)
• KM APS2 SV Silencer
• Gaurder Sniper Cheek Rest
• Props Canada 7.62mm Dummy Bullets


Close Up of the First Factory Upgrades


Close Up of the First Factory Upgrades. Bolt open showing Gas Valve


Close Up of the Commander Bipod and KM Silencer (Yes the silencer really silences)

I was impressed on how the gun shot stock, but after adding the Gas Cylinder it shoots insanely hard. I had to order heavier bb's to see if I can get the bb's flight path under control.

Chrono results (FPS)
300% Spring Cylinder

.20 BB's
Min: 607.10
Max: 609.92
Avg: 607.45

.43 BB's
Min: 385.54
Max: 402.86
Avg: 392.97