APS NOVESKE 9 RIFLE
In 2019, with EMG licences, APS brought out the Noveske Space Invader 9mm, a replica of the model by North American firearms manufacturer Noveske Rifleworks and one of the most beautiful AR9-style replicas that had been seen on the market. It was not the first Noveske replica brought to us by APS because thanks to its collaboration with EMG, we have also been able to enjoy other models.
But the thing is, at the same time, in 2019 Noveske brought out its 10.5” Noveske9, with its Gen4 receiver and 6 position stock tube, while undoubtedly keeping the 9 mm magazine. And of course, EMG and APS got down to business to bring us Airsofters this new version today.
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At a glance
Length: 662/740 mm
Weight: 2.46 kg
10.5 Handguard in CNC aluminium with M-LOK
Ambidextrous fire selecto
Ambidextrous bolt release
Space Invader-style receiver
Noveske Super Badass Airbone-style charging handle
9 mm-style straight magazine (220 BBs)
Noveske logos licensed by EMG
Magazine release in the magwell in addition to the AR15-style button
RS-3 stock
Available in three colours: black, tan and Noveske Bazooka Green
Charging handle
We find that in many APS M4s, when the charging handle is pulled, the plate that covers the ejection port recoils but it is not blocked, therefore many players tend to think that it doesn’t have a functional boltcatch. However, if we pull on the charging handle and press the bottom of the bolt release, we will see that it remains blocked until we press the release button itself. This is very useful for accessing the hop-up and easily regulating it. What’s more, in this specific model, when we pull on the handle we will see that it is engraved with the Noveske logo and we can read “Noveske Super B…”. It is impossible to read without disassembling it, but it says “Noveske Super Badass Airbone Charging Handle” like in the original.
What is there behind the X?
Noveske Rifleworks is a “luxury” brand among American firearms manufacturers. You might be up-to-date with the many things they’ve done with AR-15 (with M4, of course), or you might not, but you’ll definitely know what KeyMod is, since it’s developed by them.
The company was founded by John Noveske in 2001 and some years later in 2012, they brought out the revolutionary KeyMod system (before you look it up, the Magpul MLok was officially released onto the market in 2014 - remember the date because it’s important). Mr. Noveske, the founder, owner and head of the company unfortunately died in a car accident in 2013. And of course, by connecting the dots, it’s not surprising that many conspiracy theories have come to light about this sad incident.
To give you an idea of the way they roll, their slogan is “the All-American Badass Rifle Company”. What’s more, the renowned 82nd Airborne Division was also nicknamed “All American” because during WWII it had soldiers from all the U.S. states, hence the “AA” on its patch. Was Noveske inspired by this famous unit? Decide for yourselves.
But they’re real jokers: in 2019 they released their “Water Hog 5000 sqURT”, a water pistol on similar lines to its famous AR-15s. Because doing a good job isn’t incompatible with enjoying yourself at work.
Handguard
The 10.5” handguard gives its name to this replica. In the original Noveske model, the GEN 4 NSR handguard measures 9.75” and it is the free-floating barrel that is 10.5”. In practice, this difference means that in the original model, the handguard has four “and a half” MLOK grooves along the handguard instead of five, as chosen by APS, which is more useful for Airsofters although a small detail of realism is sacrificed.
Fire selector
The physical design of the fire selector might catch our eye at first sight because the Noveske original, which is similar, is a bit different from what we are used to. But what’s really interesting is if we look below the receiver, as in the part of the gearbox which we can see through the space where the magazine is inserted, there is a small black button which we can use to quickly program the positions of the fire selector in a straightforward way and without needing any more devices. All we have to do is hold it down until the little red LED flashes twice, then release the button to select the mode that we want from the options below:
Mode 1 (By default)
Safety // Semi // Auto
Mode 2
Safety // Semi // Three-round burst
Mode 3
Safety // Two-round burst // Auto
Mode 4
Safety // Three-round burst // Auto
Mode 5
Safety // Three-round burst // Nine-round burst
Inner Parts
01.Gearbox
eSilver Edge version V2 Gearbox with SDU2.0
02.Quick change spring
M100 type spring and steel and polymer spring guide, with bearings.
03.Piston
Polycarbonate piston with full metal teeth.
04.Piston head
Polymer piston head with bearings to make it easier for the spring to twist.
05.Cylinder
Chrome steel body with opening and polymer cylinder head.
06.Nozzle
Chrome steel nozzle.
07.Inner barrel
6.05 mm barrel which is 285 mm long, made of chromoly steel.
08.Hop up
In-house design hop-up chamber, made of metal.
09.Trigger
SDU2.0 electronic trigger with ECU chip.
10.Gears
Steel gears, without markings, which revolve around 8mm bearings.
11. Tappet plate
Tappet plate made of polymer.
Conclusions
The commitment of APS to bring us new models includes new operating systems such as that of G.Box in X1s and X2s, new models that emerge from their creativity as manufacturers, and replicas of existing models, like this new model from the Noveske catalogue brought to Airsoft thanks to EMG licences. But they’re more than just reliable external manufacturers, as they take the opportunity to continue developing their AEG line with the latest innovations such as those seen in the SDU2.0 in its great eSilverEdge gearbox. In short, if as a player you carry “just another M4” this is because you want to and regardless of the fact that people like APS work hard in order for you to be more unique and special.
