Tokyo Marui Howa Type 89 ZET System GBBR

If you like realism cranked up to maximum in a rare, head-turner of a rifle, the Tokyo Marui Howa Type 89 ZET System GBBR should be in your collection! A flawless full metal replica of the Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces' Type 89 Assault Rifle, this ultra-realistic GBBR brings TM ZET system performance to a unique, lesser-seen rifle which will definitely draw curious eyes on the field!

The real Type 89 was developed to replace the Cold War-era Type 64 battle rifle, chambered in NATO-standard 5.56x45mm rounds and built to an impressive standard, thanks to developments in steel stamping, aluminium forging, and thermoplastic moulding from Howa's experience manufacturing AR-18 rifles. While the Type 89 shares a lot with the AR-18, the design was refined for JGSDF service, with only the short-stroke gas piston operating system and multi-lug rotating bolt being retained from the AR-18 design. 

Tokyo Marui's replica boasts incredible gas efficiency, even more so than the M4A1 MWS, thanks to its smaller bolt and shorter bolt travel length. Accuracy is also very impressive, thanks to Tokyo Marui's high-quality inner barrel finish, outperforming most tightbore barrels when used with high-quality BBs. Range is jaw-dropping for an out-of-the-box GBBR, and HOP-up adjustment is far easier than the MWS thanks to the adjuster being repositioned on the outer barrel base, meaning you no longer need to remove your magazine to apply adjustments. If you love a superbly made, super-realistic GBBR build with more than its fair share of performance perks, the Tokyo Marui Howa Type 89 ZET System GBBR should be in your sights!

Starting at the front, we can find an authentic Type 89 muzzle brake, a 3-port design intended to reduce recoil in the real deal. The muzzle brake is made from alloy and mounts to 14mm CCW male barrel threading, meaning tracer units and suppressors are a go for the Type 89 GBBR.

Just aft of the muzzle device, we can find a mock bayonet lug designed for Type 89 bayonets. The real Type 89 can reportedly accept US M9 bayonets, but we have not had a chance to test the rubber Airsoft equivalents. Included in the box, we're treated to a Type 89 bipod, a folding bipod design made from robust alloy with a superb finish, a perfect match for the Type 89 build as a whole. Added to the Type 89 for its defensive role, the bipod improves shooting stability in the prone position or when shooting rested on cover. To mount the bipod, simply turn the latch on the rear of the left bipod leg clockwise by about 45 degrees, after which you can apply pressure to either side of the mount to open the "jaws" clothes peg style, positioning them behind the bayonet lug and releasing when in place. 

To the rear of the bayonet lug, we come to the gas block, complete with an authentic dummy gas adjuster, which can be rotated. In real steel, the gas adjuster allows the shooter to vary the amount of gas sent into the action in adverse conditions. In Airsoft terms, this part doesn't function but is included to complete the realistic build. 

The front sight is an M4/AR-15-style adjustable front post housed between a pair of protective wings, designed to ensure the post isn't damaged by a mid-combat bump or scrape. The front sight can be adjusted using an AR front sight adjustment tool (TM kindly includes one inside the dummy ammo box in the package), but full tool-less adjustment is provided on the rear sight, located at the rear of the receiver. The rear sight is an aperture sight with elevation adjustments applied via the drum on the left side, and windage adjustments via the drum on the right side. While railed mounts are out there for mounting an optic to the Type 89, these sights really are fantastic and perfectly functional for skirmishing. 

Next up, we come to the handguards, realistically made from a stamped steel base with a polymer overmould. The stamped steel base functions as a heat shield, featuring ports at the top and bottom to help dissipate heat in the real steel. The polymer section of the handguard is where your support hand belongs, and it is very comfortable to hold thanks to linear gripping grooves and an ergonomic profile which fills the hand out well. 

The adjustable HOP-up dial is located at the base of the outer barrel, on the left side, requiring the handguards to be removed to access it. To remove the handguards, simply push the pin just to the rear of the front sight through from the left side, after which it will be retained in the right side handguard. With this done, slide the handguards forward slightly, after which they can be split in half and removed. The HOP-up allows you to adjust the trajectory of your BBs and tune the Type 89 for different ammo weights, seeking the flattest possible flight path. The perk of this system over the M4A1 MWS is easy adjustments without needing to remove the mag, meaning you can set your HOP-up far faster and be ready to rock on game day. 

The receiver is a sight to behold; constructed from alloy with a top-notch gunmetal grey finish, making it a dead-on match for the real Type 89. Layout-wise, the Type 89 takes some visual cues from other rifle designs like the AR-18 and FNC, but in many ways, it is its own beast! The fire selector is ambidextrous, a four-position design with a SAFE-AUTO-3RND BURST-SEMI layout, offering a textured surface for easy wet-weather use. This fire selector will be something to adapt to, as few other rifles share this unique fire selector format, though the 3-round burst is incredibly satisfying to use, giving you the gas efficiency benefits of controlled semi-auto fire with the improved hit probability of a full auto burst. 

The charging handle is located on the right side, similarly positioned to an AK or AR-18, a low-profile design with a textured surface for easy wet-weather use. The design of the handle makes it very easy to run using the support hand thumb over the top of the receiver, though if you're mounting an optic, it will be easier to run by reaching under the rifle. At the rear of the charging handle track, we can find the dust cover, a sliding design which seals the charging handle track when the rifle is not in use and automatically opens upon firing. 

The bolt release catch is positioned on the centre left of the receiver, in the same spot as an M4/AR-15 platform, though this bolt catch requires a downward press to release the bolt instead of the inward press of an AR bolt catch. Unlike an AR bolt catch, the Type 89 bolt catch does not include the extension at the bottom for locking the bolt back manually, though you can still lock it back by pushing the catch downwards with the charging handle held back. 

At the bottom of the receiver, we come to the pistol grip, which is a unique design derived from the AR-18. Many will get SA80/L85 vibes from this pistol grip, and they are onto something, as the AR-18 also formed the basis of the SA80. The grip features a comfortable ergonomic shape with an integral trigger guard and a discreet thumb rest on the left side, making it comfortable for right-handed shooters without compromising ambidextrous functionality. The magazine well is just in front, featuring an AR-style push-through magazine release and a weight-reducing cutout on either side. While the mag release is AR-style, there is no flare or extension to this magazine well, meaning you'll need a bit of extra finesse when reloading if you want to be Chris Costa-quick! 

Like most GBBRs, the Type 89 boasts realistic disassembly, allowing you to easily access the internals for maintenance and cleaning. To split the receiver, simply remove the magazine and press the catch at the top right of the receiver. With the catch pressed in, you can slide the catch assembly forward, after which the receiver will hinge open. This provides access to the trigger group components. 

To remove the bolt carrier, press the detent pin on the bottom of the buffer plate inside the rear of the upper receiver, after which it can be slid out, along with the recoil spring and, last but not least, the bolt carrier itself. A neat detail included by TM is the silver colouration of the nozzle, designed to mimic the real steel Type 89 bolt carrier's finish to crank realism up to maximum. 

Bringing up the rear, we have a fixed rifle stock made from high-density polymer with a smooth, matt finish which perfectly matches the polymer overmould of the handguards. This stock is a bit shorter than comparable M16A2 fixed stocks, making it easier to use with a plate carrier or body armour vest and far more comfortable for those with shorter arms. At the very rear, we are treated to a rubber butt plate with X texturing, ensuring you have optimal control over the Type 89 in all weather conditions. 

Inside, this beast is formed around TM's ZET system GBBR internals, widely known as the most well-designed GBBR system out there. With a lighter bolt carrier and shorter travel length than the M4A1 MWS, the Type 89 is practically unrivalled in gas efficiency for a true GBBR, which translates into fantastic accuracy, even under rapid fire. GBBR bolt catches are widely known to be a high-wear part which usually needs to be upgraded for long-term reliability, though you won't need to do that with the Type 89, as the stock bolt catch is already made from hard-wearing steel. 

If you like realism and recoil cranked up to maximum, but want to avoid joining the masses of M4 users, the Tokyo Marui Howa Type 89 ZET System GBBR is one to watch. A superbly finished piece which is equally at home on display as it is in the field, the Type 89 makes a fantastic primary for realism seekers who want to walk on the wild side!

Features

• Full metal construction
• Tokyo Marui ZET system - The best GBBR system around, accepts MWS mags
• 6.05mm Tightbore inner barrel - Flawlessly polished, top-tier long range performance
• 14mm CCW Male threaded outer barrel - Tracer/suppressor ready
• Type 89 muzzle brake pre-installed - The perfect muzzle device for an authentic replica
• Mock bayonet lug - Potentially compatible with M9 Rubber Bayonet 
• Bipod included - Mounts just behind the bayonet lug, great for prone shooting
• Aperture iron sights - Windage & elevation adjustable via dials on the rear sight
• Sling points front and rear - Front point on the gas block, rear on the stock
• Alloy heat shield with polymer handguard - Just like the real Type 89
• Gear adjustable HOP-up unit - On the left side of the outer barrel, remove the handguard to access
• Alloy receiver - Finished in authentic gunmetal grey with authentic Howa trademarks
• Steel bolt release catch - Similar to an AR, but requires a downwards push, steel build for strength
• Four-position ambidextrous fire selector - SAFE - FULL AUTO - 3RND BURST - SEMI configuration
• Textured low-profile charging handle - On the right side, very easy to work over the top of the rifle
• Sliding dust cover - On the right side, push forward to seal the bolt track, opens automatically when fired
• Ergonomic pistol grip - A comfortable design similar to the SA80 and AR-18
• Push through the magazine release - On the right side of the magazine well
• Realistic disassembly - Press the catch on the rear right and slide forward to split the receiver
• Fixed stock - Rubber butt plate, cavalry-style sling loop on the left side
• Compatible with TM ZET system aftermarket upgrades
• Compatible with TM M4A1 MWS GBBR Magazines
• Is this your first GBBR? If so, see our GBBR Guide

Package Includes

• Tokyo Marui Howa Type 89 ZET System GBBR
  • 35rnd Green gas magazine
  • Bipod
  • User manual (Under a flap inside the box)

Special Instructions

This is a Gas Blowback Rifle. GBBRs require maintenance and careful handling, and we do not recommend them for new skirmishers. Things to watch out for if this is your first GBBR:

• The rifle cannot be put into "Safe" mode without first being cocked. Generally, the best way to store a GBBR is with the magazine removed, the rifle uncocked, and the fire selector set to "semi". Do not force the selector into "Safe" when the rifle isn't cocked; this will damage the trigger group parts.
• The HOP-up adjuster for this TM ZET system Type 89 GBBR is on the left side of the outer barrel and is accessible with the handguards removed. 
• GBBRs need to be cocked before the first shot, just like a GBB pistol. It is important that you do not double-load a GBBR, as this can break the nozzle. We recommend clearing the chamber of BBs with a cleaning rod in the event that you finish firing mid-magazine and the bolt does not lock back and shows an empty chamber.
• GBBRs generally use higher-pressure gas than GBB pistols due to the extra weight of the bolt. We recommend Green Gas (NUPROL 2.0, VORSK V6, ASG Ultrair) for general use and Red Gas (NUPROL 3.0, VORSK V8) for cold weather use.
• The faster you shoot a GBBR, the less accurate it will be. This is due to pressure variance as the gas reservoir cools down. Full auto is basically for fun, and these rifles run far better when used in semi-auto mode.
• Like a GBB pistol, GBBR magazines require maintenance. We recommend leaving a small amount of gas inside the magazine when stored, and not storing the magazines in a cold or damp environment. Magazine seals and valves will need lubrication and to be kept clear of dust and debris.