This is the new Mk13 series from ASG and Archwick. It comes in two lengths: the short version is the Mk13 Mod 5, and the long version is the Mk13 Mod 7. The Mod 5 has two color combos. The real rifle is based on a Remington 700 long action and an Accuracy International Chassis. The airsoft version is manufactured by Archwick and brought to us in the US by Action Sport Games with full Accuracy International licensing. This spring-powered sniper rifle is designed to be a high-end sniper rifle option. The mk13 mod 7 is in general use with the USMC replacing the M40 rifles, and the shorter Mod 5 is in use with MARSOC if you want to do a modern impression kit around a sniper rifle.
First, when you pick this up, you will feel it is quite hefty. It is heavy but solid throughout, feeling like a real rifle. Most sniper rifles, even high-end versions that cost in the 500-dollar range, feel toy-like on the outside. This is even more true of the entry-level guns. The chassis is solid, and there are no creeks or wobbles.
Starting from the muzzle end, you have a 14mm CCW thread with a metal flash hider. The orange tip is affixed by default, so professional removal is required to use this flash hider. The flash hider is a 4-prong type like what is on the military rifle.
The barrel is all metal with a matte stainless style finish and is solid throughout. It gets fatter as you go back to resemble a bull barrel.
The handguard is made of metal and is a keymod system. The 12 o'clock rail is picatinny, and these keymod rail sections have picatinny with steel QD sockets.
The receiver is metal and features trademarks and even a QR sticker that resembles what is on a military rifle. It has a hollow, detachable fake magazine. This faux magazine uses a paddle release. Speaking of the magazine, the real magazine, like all spring sniper rifles, sits forward due to where the inner barrel starts. It is cleverly hidden in a compartment in the handguard here and is held on by a detent. To access this, press the circular button and slide the handguard off. Pull the magazine out and lock in a new one.
This rifle has a wide pistol grip, which makes it very comfortable. The trigger guard is wide for gloved use, and the trigger pull is very pleasant out of the box. You do not have to fight it to fire the gun, which can be the tendency of gritty triggers.
The bolt is a right-handed metal bolt with spiral flutes on its bold body. The safety is located up top and has a positive feel when you engage or disengage it.
All significant components are steel, so it should be one of the most durable rifles.
The stock is a folding stock that locks solidly into place. The cheek riser is adjustable. The buttpad is rubber, and it can be shortened. There is also a steel QD socket on either side.
ASG and Archwick believe this is compatible with the Marui VSR-10 system, opening up many options if you need to upgrade. But here’s the thing: you don’t. The parts inside are of the highest quality and available out of the box. The critical components are steel. The only thing you might want to change is a spring rate of your preference. The piston assembly is slightly different from a VSR10 and is a different length, allowing a little more air volume than possible with a standard VSR10. This means higher FPS potential overall if you choose to explore it.
If you want, you can even go to a normal VSR10 spec piston head with no problem. But again, why would you?
The trigger box has high-quality parts and features a 90-degree sear, a must for all high-powered spring sniper rifles.
The inner barrel and bucking are VSR compatible. To adjust Hop-Up, you can access two locations: from 12 o'clock with a small flathead or through the true magazine well with an Allen key. The gun has all the tools you need to tighten everything except for one size, Allen.
This gun shoots about 2 joules out of the box, which is conservative but capable of more. It is accurate, though I wouldn’t mind a tight bore barrel to improve things. The bolt pull is easy and smooth, with no grittiness or roughness like a cheaper gun. The trigger pull is clean and smooth, like a VSR-10 with an expensive zero trigger.
If you need to take this apart, it’s somewhat of a pain, and there are a bunch of tiny screws. You should not take this apart unless you are an experienced DIY airsoft tech. If you do this, you void any warranties or support, so if you modify your gun, do so at your own risk.
This is it if you are looking for one of the toughest and most realistic sniper rifles out of the box. The MK13 Mod 5 will put certain other “high-end” sniper rifles to shame or give it a run for its money. Not to put down a specific gun, but the comparisons will be made. I am sure some of the people with broken $500 sniper rifles can tell you that they do indeed go down, and support for bespoke products such as that is not ideal for most people.
You also won’t come building it yourself for this price, but I’ve seen it done for closer to the thousand-dollar range. I’ve built a few for customers before, and the combination of starting with a basic gun and throwing everything out is what adds up. For those who don’t build for themselves, this is the way to go, as you can get it in good supply and with support from a legitimate retailer such as Fox. If you are the type that says I CAN DO IT CHEAPER OR I KNOW A GUY, do it. Hope it works well, and tell us how it goes.
As for whether or not I recommend it, I ended up picking up the Mod 7, and Josh ended up picking up the Mod 5. I don’t even play a sniper traditionally, and this rifle has me all sorts of excited. That does it for us. See you out there!
