armoury
ICS CXP-ARK
setup is always ready for an update! I also have my
GreenZone gear, which is thoroughly modern and
if I’m honest, I’ve been waiting to find an AEG that
really works with that.
Finally, I believe I have - in the form of the latest
“AK” model to come from ICS Airsoft, the CXP-ARK.
I first saw the ARK “in the flesh” at SHOT in
January and after giving it a good prodding at the
show (and nodding approvingly at Nige), I quite
honestly couldn’t wait to get my hands on one!
Although there is a plain black version which looks
very nice indeed, it was the black with green furniture
that really grabbed me; I was taken with this initially
as it reminded me of the black/green of the old
Bundeswehr G3A1 which is a nice nod to the Cold
War era but then I imagined how the new AEG would
work with my gear and I was pretty much sold there
and then, tactical tart that I am!
Luckily Airsoft Action has an incredibly good and
close relationship with ICS, so in my conversations
with them I was constantly asking about when the
CXP-ARK would be available and I think that after
all my enthusiasm (read pestering!) they finally took
pity on me and agreed to send a sample over for
evaluation. I know that we’ve been incredibly lucky
here, as the new models are not reaching Fire Support
until late 2020 but it does mean I can give you a bit of
a “heads up” on an AEG model that is, in my opinion,
going to find many, many fans out there - and not just
existing AK users!
NEW INSIDE AND OUT!
Historically, ICS have offered a few very serviceable
“AK” variants in their AEG line and as technology
went at the time they were right up there in terms of
quality and performance. I once own a lovely IKS74N
(AKS74) and it served me very well until I rather rashly
sold it on, not knowing what a little gem I was getting
rid of. To the best of my knowledge it’s still rocking
along to this day!
With the CXP-ARK though, ICS have not only
updated their previous models but have in fact
created something completely and utterly new, and
it is a beauty! Whilst the ARK retains the distinctive
AK profile, even a quick glance will tell you that it’s a
whole new beast! Externally, as with all ICS AEGs, the
finish is absolutely impeccable, with all the metal parts
finished in a deep satin black which counterpoints
the new green (I would say almost “Ranger Green”)
perfectly.
The main body is out an out “AK” but that’s about
the limit of “old skool”, as everything else is most
thoroughly updated. Let me start with the metal parts,
where everything that should be metal is, however,
there are a few areas worthy of extra note. Using CNC
milling and a now-universal 14mm CCW thread, the
new–design steel flash hider gives the ARK a more
modern profile straight from the get-go and this is
continued through the front-sight block and even to
the gas-tube mounting bracket where it meets the
upper handguard. Moving back along the AEG, the
new lift-up top cover comes with an AL6061 M1913
rail and a locking point design, which is stable and
easier when it comes to mounting accessories and
optics. This rail also incorporates a newly designed,
easy-to-acquire rear sight. Finally there’s the
“tacticool” fire-selector, which is unmistakeably AK
again but designed and finished brilliantly with two
finger-rest points to engage different modes of fire.
This links internally to a new Fire Selector Plate, which
not only has the standard fire control adjustment, it
also comes with a spring tension release design for
extending the service life of your spring!
In terms of that lovely green furniture, the CXP-ARK
is fitted as standard with newly designed 8.5-inch
industrial-grade nylon fibre M-LOK tactical handguard,
which not only has solid and ergonomic profile that
improves the overall feel, but also keeps the weight
down too, with the ARK coming in at 3,365g. At
the lower front of the handguard is a short 8-slot
rail section that is incorporated into the handguard
itself, which is perfectly placed to mount a taclite,
especially one on an offset mount. The ARK Ergo-
Tech Tactical (Pistol) Grip is also designed with unique
ergonomics too and an anti-slip texture, which not
only fits to your hand but is also comfortable and
“WHILST THE ARK RETAINS THE DISTINCTIVE AK PROFILE, EVEN A QUICK
GLANCE WILL TELL YOU THAT IT’S A WHOLE NEW BEAST! EXTERNALLY, AS WITH
ALL ICS AEGS, THE FINISH IS ABSOLUTELY IMPECCABLE, WITH ALL THE METAL
PARTS FINISHED IN A DEEP SATIN BLACK WHICH COUNTERPOINTS THE NEW
GREEN (I WOULD SAY ALMOST “RANGER GREEN”) PERFECTLY.”
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