EMG Daniel Defense® MK18 MOD.1 Sports Line AEG; ETU Version

Whether you're new to the sport seeking a primary with special forces styling, or a veteran looking for an "easy mode" alternative to a full metal MK18, the EMG Daniel Defense® MK18 MOD.1 Sports Line AEG; ETU Version is one to watch. The cheapest licensed MK18 MOD.1 AEG on the market by a country mile, the MK18 Sports Line is made from robust high-density polymer with an alloy outer barrel and a mix of alloy and steel trim parts, keeping the build agile and beginner-friendly. Licensed Daniel Defense trademarks are the icing on the cake!

Inside, the MK18 MOD.1 Sports Line is generously equipped, boasting a 6.02mm tightbore inner barrel paired with a rotary HOP-up for solid long-range performance, fully upgradeable with TM spec internal parts for those who want more. This, the latest version, is also equipped with an in-line MOSFET and low resistance wiring, preventing lockups in semi-automatic mode and providing a snappy trigger ideal for CQB scenarios. If you're after the MK18 look but don't want to work too hard in-game, the EMG Daniel Defense® MK18 MOD.1 Sports Line AEG; ETU Version suits you perfectly!

Starting at the tip of the alloy outer barrel, we are met with a birdcage flash hider which conceals 14mm CCW male threading beneath. The birdcage suits the MK18 build well, but if you are going full SF with this rifle, you will be happy to learn it can accept any tracer unit or suppressor which mounts to the common 14mm CCW male threading. A KAC or SF-style suppressor or tracer would be perfect on this rifle!

The Daniel Defense® handguard begins immediately following the flash hider, being 10 inches in overall length. This handguard is made from high-density polymer but is practically identical to the real steel MK18 handguard, with 20mm Picatinny rails at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock positions along the full length of the handguard. The lower section of the handguard can also be removed, leaving the bare barrel exposed to allow an M203 grenade launcher to be mounted in the most realistic way possible. Whatever you plan on mounting, this MK18 is ready for it!

The upper rail of the handguard meets the receiver rail seamlessly, providing a massive 16 inches of uninterrupted rail space along the top, perfect for optical sights of any length! As you will receive it, the EMG MK18 Sports Line has a set of polymer flip-up aperture iron sights pre-installed on this rail which are fully adjustable and can either serve as primary sights to tide you over until you get a red dot on this bad boy, or left flipped down to act as back up sights to your primary sight.

Next up, we reach the receiver, which is of a standard and instantly recognisable M4/AR-15 configuration with controls laid out in a considerate and ergonomic manner, allowing the MK18 to be manipulated quickly and instinctively by veterans or learned rapidly by new users. On the left side of the magazine well, we are treated to licensed Daniel Defense trademarks, with an additional "DDMK18" logo and "5.56" calibre markings on the upper receiver, closely replicating the latest markings on the real DDMK18 rifle.

The fire selector lever can be found just above the pistol grip, on the left side of the AEG, providing 3 modes of fire, SAFE, SEMI, and AUTO, with a 90-degree throw between each. The fire modes are helpfully marked in recessed text on the receiver, and the selector switch locks positively into each mode with the help of texture on its surface to guarantee you can stay in control of your fire modes.

The magazine release is on the right side of the magazine well and is accessible for a right-handed user with their trigger finger or by a lefty using their off-hand thumb; a push button design and a big reason the AR-15 platform is so easy to use. The forward assist is present on the right side of the upper receiver and is a separate moving part which can be pressed in but has no effect on the function of the AEG, included to complete the realistic look.

At the top rear of the receiver, we can find the charging handle. This doesn't need to be pulled back to shoot; instead, it serves to provide access to the adjustable HOP-up unit. Pulling the charging handle back will pop open the dust cover, retract the mock bolt carrier and lock it to the rear for convenient HOP-up adjustment.

The rotary HOP-up design is known for allowing finer increments of adjustment for more precise HOP-up application, and holding its setting for longer under the vibrations of full-auto fire than the legacy gear HOP-up unit. This HOP-up unit is paired with a 6.02mm tightbore inner barrel, giving the MK18 spot-on accuracy right out of the box, with little left to improve. Once you've completed your adjustment, you can hit the "ping pong paddle" style bolt release catch on the centre left of the receiver to close the mock bolt with a satisfying "clank".

The pistol grip of the MK18 Sports Line is an M16A2/M4A1 style pistol grip, also known as the "A2" finger ridged grip. The A2 has diamond checkering on either side and linear texture on the back strap to provide excellent gripping qualities, whether you wear gloves or not. The finger ridge is designed to help you keep hold of the rifle and prevent the grip from slipping out of your hands when held in a single hand. As with most M4/AR-15 AEGs, this grip is compatible with aftermarket M4/AR-15 AEG grips, ideal for customisation addicts!

The battery compartment is inside the crane stock, accessible by squeezing the two tabs at the toe of the stock together, after which you can lift the butt plate off, remove the battery plug and make use of the stock's built-in battery compartment to house a nunchuck/crane-style battery. For the EMG MK18 Sports Line, we recommend a 7.4V 1450mAh LiPo crane/nunchuck battery with a Deans connector for an easy fit and great performance.

The Crane stock also includes a pair of QD sling sockets, one on each side, allowing for QD sling swivels to be added for a quick removable sling setup. Conventional sling slots (aka "footman loops") are also present for those who want a two-point sling but prefer the old-fashioned way. The butt plate is also made from grippy rubber, ensuring your MK18 Sports Line doesn't slip off your shoulder at a critical moment.

On the inside, this MK18 MOD.1 build is based on Tokyo Marui's proven M4 AEG design, with an alloy version 2 gearbox with steel 18:1 ratio gears running on 8mm bushings and full compatibility with aftermarket upgrades. A quick-change spring system makes power tuning a breeze, and inside this latest version, we're treated to low-resistance wiring and an in-line MOSFET, improving trigger response significantly and guaranteeing that you never get a lock-up when shooting semi-auto at pace.

A 6.02mm tightbore inner barrel paired with a modern, rotary HOP-up unit gives the MK18 Sports Line solid performance at long range and great accuracy potential with high-quality ammo. The use of a rotary HOP-up unit should provide ample range, but if you want more, the HOP-up and inner barrel are also compatible with upgrade parts. We cannot deny it, we get a kick out of imagining this full polymer AEG with an HPA engine or other internal wizardry inside, and if you share our fantasy, you can make it happen!

If you're in search of the iconic MK18 look in a lightweight, agile package, the EMG Daniel Defense® MK18 MOD.1 Sports Line AEG; ETU Version is a great option. About the cheapest licensed MK18 MOD.1 replica on the market with proven, upgradeable internals and solid performance straight out of the box, the MK18 Sports Line is the perfect beginner platform for new players with a military leaning!

Features

• Licensed by Daniel Defense® via EMG - Realistic, licensed trademarks
• High-density polymer build - Alloy outer barrel, alloy & steel trim parts
• 6.02mm Tightbore inner barrel - Great accuracy potential
• 14mm CCW Male threaded outer barrel - Tracer/suppressor ready
• Flip-up iron sights pre-installed - Stow and deploy by hand, fully adjustable
• MK18 Quad 20mm Picatinny railed handguard - 20mm Picatinny rail at 3, 6, 9 & 12 o'clock, accessory ready
• 20mm Picatinny railed receiver - Ready for a red dot sight or rifle scope
• Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit - Easy to adjust in fine increments, holds its setting well long term
• "A2" Finger ridged pistol grip - The standard M4A1/M16A2 grip, grippy and comfortable for most hand sizes
• Enlarged trigger guard - Built into the receiver, very strong and plenty of room for gloved use
• 3-Position fire selector switch - SAFE, SEMI AUTO & FULL AUTO, 90-degree throw between each mode
• Ambidextrous CQD-style sling plate - Ideal for single-point slings, great for lefties
• 6-Position M4/AR-15 buffer tube - Adjust the stock quickly and easily to suit your body type or loadout
• Crane Battery Stock pre-installed - Comfortable cheek rest, rubber butt plate, QD sling sockets & sling slots built-in
• Rear wired: Deans connector - Recommended battery: 7.4V 1450mAh LiPo battery in Crane/nunchuck config.
• Version 2 Gearbox:
  • Alloy shell
  • 8mm bushings
  • Quick change spring system
  • Steel 18:1 ratio gearset
  • In-line MOSFET
  • Low resistance wiring
• Compatible with M4/AR-15 AEG magazines - Spares are cheap and plentiful!
• OEM: S&T, China

Package Includes

• EMG Daniel Defense® MK18 MOD.1 Sports Line AEG; ETU Version
• 120rnd Medium-capacity magazine