ICS L85 Carbine

Dogwatch

http://www.icsbb.com/EDM/ICS-87/ICS-87_L85_Carbine_E.html

Just saw this on Arnies and I am very interested.

Is ICS are good manufacturer/brand and would anyone buy an ICS airsoft rifle?

Whcih retailer in Ireland brings in ICS branded goods?

Beez

Yes they are supposed to be very good inovative Airsoft manufacturer from what iv heard.

There split gearbox design is a great idea and i have been tempted to buy one so i can go overseas and up my fps if a site allows.

I think Hobby Airsoft get in some of there stuff. They have a thread in the retailers section, they re very helpful and friendly to deal with.

BWairsoft

Heard ICS are supposed to be decent.. Id reccomend the Star one though.. I got one with a SUSAT a few months back cant fault it great gun!!

Dogwatch

Looking for the shorter barrell as I prefer smaller rifles.
Star only seem to do the A1 version which I dont care for.
I will keep an eye on this one though

NakedDex

Star used to do the full range, until Ares broke off on their own. You should still be able to get an Ares L85A2 Carbine. I've been lusting after their AFW variant for some time now, as they're the only company making one (although it's been a while since I checked that, they were at the time).

That said, and with the caveat of knowledge that I've not handled the ICS version, I'd still wager the ICS to be better. I've handled the Star/Ares, Army and G&G versions, but all in A1 or A2 full size versions. G&G was the best, with the Star/Ares not far behind (though the plastic gearbox housing was off putting). The Army was a paperweight.

BWairsoft

Ya I think that was why I got my Star L85 for $300 off ehobby because it was the last of the Star stock. The only thing different on Star/Ares L85 is the name.. completely same gun. As far as I know its pretty hard to get a G&G A2 everywhere seems to stock a1s.

I agree Army one is absolute piece a s**t. Whatever company you get.. I would reccomend gettin a SUSAT.. it really makes the gun and its very accurate... be careful though because as far as I know Ares/Star are the only company to make them and they dont fit on G&G ICS or Army!

Captain Chaos

Dogwatch wrote: »

Looking for the shorter barrell as I prefer smaller rifles.
Star only seem to do the A1 version which I dont care for.

The standard L85A1/2 is slightly shorter than a standard M4 with the 14.5'' barrel as it is. The Carbine variant of the L85 is about the length of an M4 with a 10'' barrel, really really short.

Personally I'd go for the standard A2 variant, full 20'' barrel in something shorter than an M4 and it every so slightly shorter than an AUG with the same barrel length.

I got a Star L85A2 a year ago and its a great piece. The Ares L85 have better internals than the Stars now, metal gearbox compared to the plastic in the Star but you can swap it out if you end up getting a Star and replace it with Ares internal which are getting easier to source now.

The SUSAT are ok, not great eye relief, like the real things as it happens but very clear image when you look through it. You can always get a 20mm rail converter and fit an ACOG or Specter DR sight which some real life UK units are or will be using.

Dogwatch

Captain Chaos wrote: »

The standard L85A1/2 is slightly shorter than a standard M4 with the 14.5'' barrel as it is. The Carbine variant of the L85 is about the length of an M4 with a 10'' barrel, really really short.

Personally I'd go for the standard A2 variant, full 20'' barrel in something shorter than an M4 and it every so slightly shorter than an AUG with the same barrel length.

I got a Star L85A2 a year ago and its a great piece. The Ares L85 have better internals than the Stars now, metal gearbox compared to the plastic in the Star but you can swap it out if you end up getting a Star and replace it with Ares internal which are getting easier to source now.

The SUSAT are ok, not great eye relief, like the real things as it happens but very clear image when you look through it. You can always get a 20mm rail converter and fit an ACOG or Specter DR sight which some real life UK units are or will be using.

The shorter barrell preference is because I use a GR15 Raider Shorty and love the flexibility it gives. It light enough to carry around all day yet accurate enough to allow short bursts to acheve hits.

This ICS carbine seems to match on both counts but I was not familiar with the ICS brand. Had it been G&G it would not need to have asked as I know they are a good brand.

Not convinced a SUSAT is needed but it does finish the rifle beautifully but if you want be really up to date, an ACOG is the way to go.

Captain Chaos

Dogwatch wrote: »

The shorter barrell preference is because I use a GR15 Raider Shorty and love the flexibility it gives. It light enough to carry around all day yet accurate enough to allow short bursts to acheve hits.

This ICS carbine seems to match on both counts but I was not familiar with the ICS brand.

The L85 is not considered light at all. It's one of the heaviest assault AEGs out there. With a SUSAT or ACOG installed it's the guts of 5kg, twice the weight of a GR15 Raider shorty.

That goes for all L85 brands. I don't find it heavy myself but alot of people do when compared to the majority of AEGs out there.

But ICS are a very good company, they make great SG551/2s ,L85/L86s and MP5s in particular.