Apex Airsoft MK13 MOD 4 AEG Review by Booligan
Ordering
Basic Gun Information
First impressions/Packaging
Included
Gun Specifications
Externals
Trademarks
Magazines
Performance
Internals
Modifications
Pros/Cons
Overall
Introduction:
Apex Airsoft is a relatively new airsoft company offering a variety of M4 based AEG replicas packed with features at a relatively affordable price. With a metal body, free float rail system, and well equipped internals, the Apex guns are a great option for players and collectors alike. I'll be going over this gun inside and out, so keep reading to find out more about this line of AEGs!
Ordering:
I initially heard about the Apex line of guns through WeaponBlender, who carries the MOD 5 variant HERE, priced at about $280. I got in contact with their distributor, 6mm Gunworks, who sent me the MOD 4 being reviewed today. They have it available HERE, priced at $299. There are several variants available in long and short lengths and with different rail and sight options, so you should be able to find one that fits your tastes.
Basic Gun Information:
The Apex line of guns really do come with a laundry list of features. They come equipped with a full metal body, modified V2 gearbox with a shuttle driven blowback system, rotary dial adjustable hop-up, functional bolt catch, and ambidextrous magazine release. They also include some high quality accessories including Tango Down style rail covers and vertical foregrip. The kit does not include a battery or charger, so you will need to provide your own before you can use the gun.
First impressions/Packaging:
Apex's packaging consists of a basic foam lower with a cardboard lid. It's a simple package, but it did the job well in getting the gun to me safely. The foam lower has cutouts for the gun and all of the accessories, so you don't need to worry about things flopping around the box during shipment.
Click on the individual thumbnails to see the full size photos
Box art
Sticker showing the model held inside
Included:
Along with the gun itself, Apex includes the aforementioned TD style accessories, a cleaning/unjamming rod, and a manual explaining the features and proper use of the gun. Just add your choice of battery and ammo and you'll be ready to go!
Accessories
Gun Specifications:
Weight: 6.75 lbs
Length: 31.5" - 35"
Width: 2.1"
Height: 10.75"
Sight Radius: 17.5"
Length of Pull: 11.5" - 15"
Externals:
The Apex MK13 is a full metal replica as the only polymer components are the stock, pistol grip, and included rail mounted accessories. Everything else is made of metal and has a great fit and feel. The whole gun has a matte black finish applied to add to the realistic look. The balance is quite good, albeit a smidge front heavy due to the full metal front end.
Overview, right side
Overview, left side
The MOD4 has a crane style stock which acts as your battery compartment. It's very easy to access the battery compartment by pushing the tabs at the bottom of the rubber butt pad and popping it off of the main stock assembly. The metal buffer tube is a 6 position unit with a real-steel type castle nut that may require tightening from time to time. A 3 hole style sling plate is installed between the buffer tube and receiver.
Stock
Battery compartment
Buffer tube
Sling mount
The receiver is a relatively standard M4 unit with standard controls, aside from an ambidextrous magazine release. The upper receiver is a "slide off" type unit making disassembly a piece of cake, especially since it is rear wired. The magazine release is a real-steel type unit so you must first remove the bolt catch before unscrewing it.
Receiver, left side
Receiver, right side
The pistol grip is a Tango Down type unit with a comfortable design and aggressive texturing to help you keep your grip. The base is a ventilated metal unit with a large flat head adjustment screw.
Pistol grip
Motor adjustment plate
This is an electric blowback unit, utilizing a piston driven shuttle system to move the bolt while firing. There is no recoil to speak of, but it is a nice little extra that can be easily disabled if desired. Simply open the gearbox and cut off the part of the shuttle that grabs onto the piston and you won't have blowback anymore. The gun also has a functional bolt catch, allowing you to lock the bolt back for easy hop-up adjustments. Push down on the bottom of the bolt release button while pulling the bolt back to lock it, and push the main button to release it.
Bolt locked back
The front of the gun features a free float KAC style rail system for mounting accessories. It's made entirely of metal and does add a fair bit of weight to the front of the gun, but the overall balance isn't bad. The rail has zero wobble or free play and can be adjusted if needed for proper alignment.
RIS
The outer barrel is made of metal and also has zero wobble or free play. It is terminated in a 14mm- threaded muzzle which is fitted with an orange painted flashhider. Apex also attached a small faux gas block on the barrel, inside the RIS, but there is no fake gas tube to make it as realistic as it could be.
Outer barrel
Low profile gas block barely visible
Flip up iron sights can be found front and rear, allowing you to easily aim this rifle. The sights lock in the upper position, requiring you to push the small button on the side to fold them. You also have plenty of rail space for mounting optics if desired.
Rear sight
Front sight
Rail space
Trademarks:
You'll find several trademarks molded and machined onto the lower receiver, including a unique serial number. Strangely, they have markings on both side of the lower receiver showing that the gun was made in Hong Kong. Seems a little overboard, but hey ,we'll never forget that this came from Hong Kong.
Right side magwell marking
One of two Made in Hong Kong markings
This really is begging for a Triforce to be added
Unique serial number, mine is number 41
Magazines:
The included magazine is a full metal hi-cap which holds about 300 rounds. It feeds quite well but does have some side to side freeplay when inserted into the magwell. Thankfully, this thing will fit damn near any magazine you can throw at it, and other magazines fit much better. I was very pleased with my magazine compatibility testing, as I tested magazines from JG, Echo 1, DBoys, APS, G&G, G&P, MAG, ICS, KWA, VFC and Star and didn't have any fitment or feeding issues. This thing really does fit pretty much anything.
Magazine
Feeding end
Winding wheel. Nothing too exciting here.
Performance:
Performance after a 500 round break-in, using ASGI G4 .20g ammo is as follows:
High FPS: 428.5 FPS
Low FPS: 421.0 FPS
Average FPS: 425.2 FPS
Rate of fire using a Tenergy 11.1v 1000 mAh 20C LiPo pack came in at 18 RPS, which isn't terrific, but is certainly quite skirmishable. For higher ROF, you can disable the blowback and add a higher speed motor and you'll be good to go.
Range and accuracy, tested using some heavier weight Echo 1 .25 and .28g ammo was pretty damn good. At 175', I was putting my rounds on my torso sized target with 90% consistency. At ranges further than that, the shots tended to start breaking from side to side. I imagine that with a different nub design, you would see this range extend out to 190'+.
Internals:
Inside the MOD 4, you'll find a modified V2 gearbox with accouterments for a QD spring guide and the aforementioned shuttle driven blowback system. Disassembly isn't too difficult, however, you do need to remove the bolt catch assembly by tapping out the pin on the side of the receiver before you unscrew the magazine catch. After that, the disassembly procedure is standard M4.
Gearbox, right side
Gearbox, left side
The gearbox is fitted with a metal selector plate and 9mm ball bearings. The faux bolt is attached to the shuttle which rides inside the gearbox on a rail. The cylinder window has radiused corners for durability and to prevent gearbox cracking.
9mm ball bearings
Shuttle track
Radiused cylinder window
Inside the gearbox, you'll find steel gears, a polished cylinder with a single port, an aluminum cylinder head with rubber cushion, a piston with aluminum piston head, and a plastic air nozzle with inner O-ring. Everything is pretty well shimmed, however, they did apply a bit too much lube on the gears in my opinion. The airseal is great, with almost zero movement possible with the cylinder head plugged.
All opened up
Steel gears
Piston
Piston teeth, only 1 steel tooth
Cylinder and cylinder head
Rubber cushion
Air nozzle with inner o-ring
The spring guide is a QD unit allowing you to easily change the spring without fully opening the gearbox. You still do need to remove the gearbox from the gun before removing it though.
Spring guide
The hop-up is a metal one piece unit with a large rotary adjustment dial. The inner barrel is a 6.03mm tightbore unit which appears to be made of stainless steel. The nub and bucking are standard units that work quite well at the stock power levels.
Inner barrel and hop-up
Hop-up unit
Standard nub design
The motor is a long type, standard torque/speed unit with standard strength magnets. Nothing really revolutionary, but it gets the job done. The rest of the electrical system is quite nice with very high quality wiring and plugs.
Modifications:
While the Apex does come well equipped, we airsofters do love to tweak our guns to fit our specific roles or tastes, and that is very easy to do with this model. In my case, I'll probably end up changing a few parts around to make it into a bit of a long range rifle, but externally, I'm quite pleased with this thing out of the box.
Pros:
Full metal construction
Comes with high quality furniture and accessories
Field ready performance out of the box
Runs very well on an 11.1v LiPo
Plenty of rail space for mounting accessories
Well equipped gearbox
9mm ball bearings
Quick change spring system
Crane stock is a bit larger than others and fits batteries better
Cons:
Mechanical blowback isn't the best system, but is easily defeated if wanted
No battery or charger included
Ambidextrous magazine release can be a little notchy sometimes
Some magwell wobble
Overall:
Having never tested or even handled the Apex guns, I had no idea what to expect upon opening that box. It does seem that they did a great job putting this thing together, as it has zero creaks, wobbles, or other detrimental issues to speak of. Cosmetically, it looks fantastic and internally, I can't really find anything major to complain about. The blowback doesn't really add too much to the overall feel or function of the gun, but it is quite easy to disable if so desired. Overall, I'm quite pleased with the product that Apex put out with the MK13 series, and am excited to see what else they end up putting out!
Many thanks again to 6mm Gunworks, WeaponBlender and of course, Airsoft Retreat!
