In this ICS Airsoft Spotlight Gun Review, we will revisit the ICS UK1 Transform4. This is an oldie but a goodie, and with the tons of new guns coming out constantly, we have come to under-appreciate the ICS workhorse, the Transform4. In previous articles, we talked in depth about The History of ICS, and if you would like to learn a little bit more about ICS, please click here to see the review we did on the ICS CXP Hog. Now, let's talk about Matt's personal ICS Transform4, which he will be using at the OLCMSS Tactical Challenge 2015.
In previous articles, we talked in depth about the ICS Split Gearbox design, so in this episode, we will talk more about Matt's configuration, which he chose for his personal Transform4. Matt installed a Fox Custom CNC Stainless Steel Single Piece Cylinder and a Fox Custom Speed Motor. The single-piece cylinder provides the ultimate compression for the system and allows Matt to make 397 FPS w/ .20G BB with a Fox Custom M100 Spring. By using a lower-powered spring, he can maintain battery life and trigger response. The lower receiver is running stock ICS gears; we feel these are more than adequate, especially since ICS uses a MIM Heat Treated Steel Bevel gear. You may also notice the ICS Metal Hop-Up Unit, which is awesome and can replace older plastic ICS hop-up units as a fantastic upgrade.
In this picture you can see the aftermarket piston and the ICS Ambidextrous charging handle. Note the simplicity of the ICS UK1 Upper gearbox shell; in Matt's case, there are only 6 major components inside; spring, spring guide, piston and head assembly, single piece cylinder and nozzle. Snazzy...
Click Here to Purchase the ICS TransforM4!
The transform4 includes front and rear ICS Back-up Sights, which Matt chose to mount BEHIND his laser. There is a reduction in overall sight radius, but the distances at which an airsoft gun is usable, the impact on accuracy is negligible, and the pros of mounting the laser forward outweigh the shorter sight radius. Mounting the laser forward of the sight accomplished two things. The first is changing the battery out of the front of the PEQ-15A, which would require removing the laser or front sight to change out batteries and possibly causing zero loss. Secondly, having the laser as far forward as possible reduces the possibility of laser spilling from the illuminator or aiming laser onto the weapon and virtually eliminates splash-off the gun when using Night Optical Devices (NODs).
The ICS Back-up Rear Sight is fully adjustable for windage and features two apertures, the large one pictured as well as a smaller, more precise aperture.
While we are on the subject of aiming devices, let's look at Matt's primary optic, a Lancer Tactical Mini Red Dot Sight. It is Red & Green and fully adjustable for windage and elevation. Its low profile and small size reduce weight and pose a very small target for pesky BBs that tend to be attracted to glass, the kind of glass usually found on sights and gets shot out. By choosing such a small target for BBs, Matt opted to not use a BB Optic Shield.
Since there will be dark areas at the OLCMSS Team Tactical Challenge and Operation Irene, Matt will always keep a weapon light mounted to his rifle. He used the NcStar ATFLB, a 160-lumen 2-cell LED weapon light. Since Matt uses a Magpul RVG, he chose to use a push-button tailcap rather than a pressure switch.
The stock has been changed from the ICS MTR Stock to the newer ICS S1 Stock, which is up there with the best airsoft battery stocks of all time. Currently, the best stocks are the Elite Force M4 CQB Next Gen Stock, Classic Army VLTOR Style E-Mod Stock, and now the ICS S1 Stock. These 3 stocks have the best battery compartment and provide large capacity and quick access. The integrated ambidextrous push-button QD socket is a very nice touch.
The stock has huge potential for battery storage. Matt will keep two Tenergy 7.4V 1200mAh batteries in the stock with the gun plugged into one at a time. When it's time to change batteries, there is a button you can press to remove the butt plate and quickly plug the gun into a fresh battery. I will switch to the newer ICS S1 Stock as it has space for a MOSFET and a battery.
The butt pad release button is located at the top of the rubber butt pad and has lines for texture and positive actuation. It has a very nice snag-free design.
Overall, this is still one of our favorite Airsoft Guns in all of airsoft history. We have sent many Transform4s into the field and have had excellent results and reports. This particular gun we reviewed is one of the earliest Transform4s and has been holding up great.
Click Here to Purchase the ICS TransforM4!
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