"The L85A2 has always been a dream rifle of mine stemming from playing Battlefield 2 (The PC-only one) as it was the first unlock for the medic class. Needless to say, when there was a sale on this rifle, I immediately jumped on it. By the time I got the ICS L85A2, nearly all major video games I had has the L85A2 as my top weapon.
Putting gaming aside, the L85A2 is a seriously mean rifle. Should I go to a CQB field, the FPS can be adjusted to an acceptable FPS. Should I go to any other field, I put her (I like calling my L85A2 a "she" (her name is Vera)) on the highest spring. When I got this on stock, I actually didn't have to adjust the hop-up or adjust the sights. I could be lucky on that, but it was very easy to adjust the hop-up and adjusting the carry handle sights is through knobs near the aiming aperture.
The rifle is pretty easy to take apart, just like the actual one (according to sources I've read). Upon opening (I can't stress this enough, but open the two halves with the bottom part of the rifle on top), you'll be met with the gearbox with the motor case attached to the gearbox with wires protruding from a small insert along the the top portion of the upper receiver. If you've opened up the rifle on its proper side, the gearbox might fall off and the wires may break off a motor tab. The gearbox is unique for the ICS L85A2. The motor is of good quality for a stock. The Hop-Up unit is unique, but shouldn't be too hard to figure out. The trigger contacts was ingeniously thought of and you are likely not to experience the rifle misfiring from a slight pull on the trigger (may be good for some, bad for others). You kind of hear a click every time the rifle fires. The battery is wired to the handguard, which is very easy to remove. The wiring also implements an easy way to change out the fuse (the fuse fried for me about three times, but it was a very easy fix).
The rifle is indeed fugly. It's a bullpup. Now that may seem to scare people because of the awkwardness upon switching to a bullpup, but it has its perks. The barrel length can fit a 509mm (the one included is not that length). The magazine well is in the further back part of the rifle. With the ICS L85A2, you have the compactness and versatility of an M4 with the range of an M14. (This paragraph is a stated message that bullpups are pretty darn good rifles, even if they're not pretty (after all, it doesn't matter if the weapon is pretty or not, as long as it performs well)).
Upgrading the rifle is easy and I've managed to do a quick, on-the-spot repair on Vera in the middle of a firefight (and the field is in the brushy woods). There may not be much room at first to expand. The rail holding the carry handle is the L85 proprietary weaver rail (like in real life), which is 19mm. There seems to be only the SUSAT scope, which, as well as in real life, is made specifically (note, if you're looking at SUSAT scopes for this weapon, there are two types of SUSAT Scopes on Evike - one has a 20mm adapter for other guns and one does not. The one with the 20mm adapter can be used on both, as the 20mm adapter can be removed to place on the weapon. The one without the adapter can only be placed on this type of rifle. However, the one with the 20mm adapter has a crosshair type scope and the one without the adapter is the straight pin type scope. The straight pin type scope is the type used on real SUSAT scopes). If you do not wish to have the 19mm weaver rail, there are replacement rails that you can buy here at Evike that are 20mm. When using a scope, it is optional and easy to remove the front sight. As I mentioned before, the stock barrel isn't reaching its true length. The lack of rails may be a bother to some airsoft-smithing enthusiast, but the handguard can be replaced with a Daniel Defense Rail Handguard (an adapter must also be installed for fitting the handguard to the ICS version, as the handgaurd is intended for the G&G version (both the handguard and adapter is sold on Evike (also separate from each other))). Thus, the Daniel Defense Rail Handguard will open up many possibilities for you.
Vera has never failed me and she is quite easy to fix and maintain. I recommend using heavier BBs as the FPS can be hard-hitting (and with upgrades, it is also very much recommended). Vera fell along the wall about 5 inches into the hard ground and still has not faltered or mess up. If you can maintain an airsoft rifle well (because this gun is practically more than $300.00, you really do have to take care of it), this is an interesting weapon for you to add to your arsenal. If this is your first bullpup, you will not be disappointed.
5/5
(626) 286-0360
