The first APS Noveske GBBR

From the partnership between APS (Airsoft manufacturer) and EMG (which has the Noveske licences for Airsoft) comes replicas of the most tacticool firearms on the professional “pew-pew” market. But now they’ve taken this partnership to a new level to bring us outer parts with licences of Noveske, the popular U.S. brand, with inner parts of the new G.Box (or GBB Box, the new CO2 system with recoil) to offer players an experience like no other.

HANDGUARD

This handguard is a reproduction of the Noveske 9.75 inch Gen.4 N4 NSR M-LOK handguard. We’ve not got the information mixed up - you can see it on the marking next to the X which serves as a logo of the original brand and an inscription with its proud U.S. production, since the 10.5 inches with which APS names its product (as is done with firearms) correspond to the length of the barrel. And yes, although it was Noveske that released KeyMod to the world, it seems that MLOK has prevailed as a system for connecting accessories.

COMPATIBILITIES

Outer parts

One of the major problems faced by M4 GBBR users is buying outer parts for their replicas. APS has solved this really well, making its G.Box system compatible with the M4 AEG bodies in its catalogue, therefore making the outer components compatible with other AEG brands too. This gives rise to more possibilities and, above all, really lowers the purchasing cost for players because it will always be cheaper to buy outer parts from AEG than from GBB. Good for APS! 

Inner parts

When we look inside the replica, we find that the hop rubber is from a TM VRS10 cut-type pistol (although we haven’t tried it out at 0’20), so the Modify brown rubber which is normally used in TM M4 GBBRs must give really good results. However, both the barrel and the hop chamber, as well as other inner parts, are incompatible and this means we have to depend on the APS catalogue.

GBBR AS A FORM OF PLAY

If up to now you’ve played with AEGs, you must know what you’re up against when playing with a GBBR because it operates differently.  

After inserting the new magazine, you will have to pull on the charging handle because if not, nothing will happen when you press the trigger.

When the BBs have finished in the magazine, the bolt will be blocked in the recoil position, leaving the ejection port open. When inserting the new magazine, you must press the bolt release to be able to fire again.

If we change the magazine before the BBs have finished, the bolt won’t stay blocked behind, so we won’t have to press the release and we can keep firing as normal.

The time between shots and the burst time directly influence the economy of the gas, just like in a pistol, affecting the number of BBs that we will be able to fire.

The fire selector works in the same way, except you’ll only be able to put it in “safety” when the replica is bolted.

HOP-UP

The hop-up is obviously found at the start of the barrel (this doesn’t change) but in order to be able to adjust it and ensure that BBs have a straighter flight, we must use the red plastic tool that APS includes in the box, inserting it from the ejection port and then connecting it to the hop-up in order to turn it slightly afterwards. This means that, like in all GBBRs, it is advisable to adjust the hop-up before games as the process is slower than in an AEG and, in this case, additional tools might be required.

MAGAZINES

M4 magazines in a GBBR weigh more than what we are used to in an AEG, and are more similar to a magazine with ammunition in a firearm. To give you an example, the magazine of this APS weighs 600 g compared to an M4 generic polymer magazine of an AEG which weighs around 150 g. But weight is not the only thing that’s different: GBBR magazines, regardless of whether they are TM, KJW, VFC or APS, are one of the most expensive points when purchasing the replica, at least when we compare it with those of an AEG.

DOUBLE-LOCK SYSTEM OF THE MAGAZINES

By removing the bottom cover of the magazine, we find space for a 12 gram CO2 cylinder with which, with a balanced firing rate, we can fire a little more than two full BB loads (the magazine has a capacity of 30 BBs). In most replicas that use CO2, the movement that seals the compartment is the same as that which injects the cylinder, inevitably causing some gas to be lost regardless of how quickly we do it. However, with the double-lock system which is characteristic of APS, this doesn’t happen as the compartment is sealed when the first lock is turned and the cylinder is injected when the second lock is turned in the opposite direction. It might not be very intuitive the first time if nobody explains to you how it works, but now you don’t have any excuses.

MAINTENANCE  OF A GAS MAGAZINE

As this is a replica that runs on gas, it is recommendable to use silicone oil after each game to properly maintain the magazines. This is because CO2 does not contain silicone, unlike the gases used by TM-type GBBR replicas. This is a recommendation that also applies to any gas replica, whether it is by APS or another manufacturer. 

Areas of the magazine to lubricate:

Valve
CO2 output O-ring
Transparent washer in the gold thread lock of the magazine

RECOIL SYSTEM

The bolt recoils in each shot, leaving the ejection port open, although unlike a firearm, it doesn’t recoil completely. This movement pushes the spring guide backwards, which extends to the stock tube to move a counterweight. A feeling of recoil is therefore generated near our shoulder which amplifies that of the GBB system, making the experience much more realistic. This is a system that reminds us of the one successfully put together by Lonex some time ago, but it is used in a gas replica (because CO2 is, of course, a gas). Even still, this is Airsoft, so nobody should expect the recoil of a real weapon because here, we fire little 6 mm BBs.

CONCLUSION

This Noveske replica has details that we have liked such as the body with magwell in the receiver of the magazine, which makes it easier to reload quickly. But there are other details that we haven’t liked so much, for example, although it is GBB, it is only compatible with AEG pistols. This new line of gas products ensures that APS carries on holding its position as one of the leading brands on the market due to its continuous development of new systems and products. After the e-Silver gearbox which provides an exceptional performance, in such an extensive catalogue of replicas, APS again makes its offer for players grow exponentially with a CO2 GBBR system. This is an option that tends to adapt better to lower temperatures and it is not affected by the cold and cooling down as much as other gases. What’s more, it is easy to customize outside with parts from the APS catalogue, making them an interesting choice as middle price replicas in the world of M4 GBBRs.