The M32, MGL-140 and MGL-105, fire all DODTI and NATO Standard 40x46mm (low velocity) grenades. With a M32, MGL-140 and MGL-105 an operator can effectively cover a minimum area of 20 x 60 meters with out reloading the weapon; it is deadly for pin-point targets at up to 150 meters with a maximum range of 400 meters. It is ideal to repel ambush attacks as all six (6) of its 40mm grenades can be fired in 3 seconds. The M32, MGL-140 and MGL-105 can be loaded with a variety of 40mm munitions for a specific mission. The operator can then select the desired round in the M32, MGL-140 and MGL-105 and fire without having to unload the weapon and thereby making it inoperable. Milkor USA Inc. providing a comprehensive, accurate and unsurpassed weapon.
Basic Information
The ICS GLM (ICS-190) is a replica of the Milkor USA MGL-140 Short. To alleviate confusion and to make the review easier to find, I will be referring to it as the MGL from here on out. It has a 8.5" barrel and a 5.5" cylinder. Unlike the real Milkor, the ICS is made almost entirely of industrial plastic, as found on their Sportline M4's. This gives the ICS an exceptionally low weight while retaining a good amount of durability. The ICS 40mm Shells (MA-77) are sold in packs of two and are one of the best designed shells on the market. Both items are available to purchase from Airsplat.com. The MGL is available for $199.99 and the shells are available for $89.99 (pack of two). You can't go wrong with the $200 price tag on the launcher and while $45 per shell may seem a bit pricey, they are well worth it as I will explain later in the review.
Product Description/First Impressions:
The box is a little bit different from ICS's normal fair in that it's more themed towards ICS's color scheme in their logo. The box is red, white, and black, in is really quite nice as far as boxes go. When you open up the box you are greeted by a matching manual and the launcher it's self which is held in place by Styrofoam.
As stated previously, the shells are sold in packs of two and come in a small box which fits the shells very snugly. The box is once again primarily red and black. When you open it up, you are greeted with two individually wrapped shells and a green instruction sheet. The instructions may well be the shortest instructions I've ever seen, but if you can't figure that part out without the instructions you probably shouldn't be using them.As stated previously, the shells are sold in packs of two and come in a small box which fits the shells very snugly. The box is once again primarily red and black. When you open it up, you are greeted with two individually wrapped shells and a green instruction sheet. The instructions may well be the shortest instructions I've ever seen, but if you can't figure that part out without the instructions you probably shouldn't be using them.
Externals
The first thing you notice about the launcher is the complete lack of weight. If you have ever handled one of the Craft Apple Works 6 shot launchers, you are expecting a bit heavy brick that is a pain to lug around. Since the MGL is primarily constructed of industrial plastic, the launcher weighs less than many AEG's, coming in at a light 4.8lbs (unloaded). The loaded weight is obviously going to be dependent on the weight of the shells you use. The length of the cylinder (5.5") should accommodate pretty much any shells of your choosing. The launcher comes with a 6 position LE stock as found on their M4's but can be replaced with a milspec stock of your choosing. As shown above, I decided to go with the CTR route. Unlike traditional rifles however, the stock also has 3 angle adjustments. This is of limited use on the airsoft one as we are not arcing shots, however I found the tube to be a bit more stable in the upper two adjustment positions.
Functionally, the biggest difference between the MGL and the existing 6 shot launchers is method of loading. The existing launchers are hinged at the back, so the entire trigger assembly and rear plate flip down for loading. While this is a very sturdy system, it makes field reloads a bit of a hassle. The MGL instead takes an approach closer to a traditional revolver. Pull the release lever on the front and the entire rear assembly rotates to the side. Since the launcher has a sling point on the front, this can be done while the weapon is still slung.
The cylinder itself is a nice snug fit so the shells don't rattle around at all while you are moving around. The launcher also has a safety lever on the trigger assembly which locks the trigger to prevent it from firing. The other major functional difference between the MGL and the existing launcher is the cylinder itself. After loading the shells and closing the cylinder back up, you have to wind the cylinder as with the existing launcher. However, unlike the existing launchers, the cylinder stops winding after 6 tubes so you cannot over wind the cylinder. This also stops the launcher from firing after 6 shots as well. The cylinder is stopped mid-rotation which effectively locks the trigger so there is no mistaking the launcher is effectively empty. The cylinder also has a manual release on the left side which unwinds the cylinder in case you did not fire all 6 shots.
Power/Magazines
Unlike guns, the performance of this weapon is almost entirely based on the ammo you are using, so we will be talking specifically about the shells here. While the launcher will accept any 40mm shell on the market, we are specifically looking at the ICS MA-77 shells here.
The shells are full metal with gunmetal gray upper half and a solid black base. The shells are machined very nicely with nice clean edges on the holes for the BB's. The internals however is where these shells stand apart from the other shells on the market. First off, the valves auto reset so you don't have to manually reset them with a punch/pen/whatever after each use. Even if, for some reason, the valve did not reset properly, all you have to do is loosen the base a little to reset it. Secondly, the entire trigger assembly is effectively sealed.
I am not aware of any other shell on the market that you can take apart and not worry about losing parts, namely bearings. On the ICS shells, you simply unscrew the base at which point you are greeted with 1 spring which is large enough that you would be hard to lose it and is not compressed at this point so it doesn't fly out. The piston assembly will either come out with the spring or may still be in the upper half of the shell, depending on how hard the shell was tightened.
The upper half of the shell contains individual aluminum barrels for each of the 9 chambers on the shell. Each barrel has an oring on it for seal. If you had access to the proper equipment, you could theoretically make tightbore barrels for the shell although I am not sure if there is really anything to gain.
Performance Characteristics
Unfortunately, there's not really any numbers that can be given here. The launcher properly cycles every shot and at a reasonable speed. I'm going to do some side by side testing, but I think it does cycle a bit faster than the CAW style launchers due to the reduced weight of the cylinder. But, that could just be my imagination.
Accessories/Modifications
While one may question the need for accessories on a grenade launcher, this is one of the primary advantages of the MGL over previous 6 shot launchers. The launcher features a small rail for mounting optics on the top as well as a full quad rail on the front. The launcher includes the pictured vertical grip which has removable panels for pressure switches. The rails themselves are bolted onto the body of the hand guard so you could remove the rails if you were so inclined.
Skirmish Results
The launcher has functioned flawlessly in testing with a variety of shells. I've run around with it sling on a 1pt sling using the rear mount with no ill effects as of yet. I've also done numerous reloads with the gun slung off said sling, once again with no issue. I highly recommend this launcher to anyone considering a revolver launcher.
Conclusion
I really don't feel you can go wrong with the launcher. While it is primarily plastic which brings up durability concerns, I don't think it's any more likely to break than a Sportline M4. Obviously, yes, if you hit it hard enough, it will break. However there's minimal flex in the gun, even when fully loaded. Only time will tell for sure on this one however. That said, given it's price point, I think it's well worth the possible risk.
The shells might be a bit harder sell than many due to their relatively high price point. However both myself and the local store feel they are the best designed shells we have seen. Between the effectively sealed system which makes taking them apart a breeze and the auto resetting valves they are simply fantastic shells. I've personally got 12 of the shells and a friend has another 12. A couple had to be cracked open to reset them (we are talking 10 seconds of work here) and then they were golden.
0 comments:
Post a Comment