Evolution Reaper XS EMR AR-9 SMG AEG; ETS II ETU

If you're after an ultra-compact CQB platform with advanced internals, check out the Evolution Reaper XS EMR AR-9 SMG AEG; ETS II ETU! A pre-upgraded version of the Reaper XS Beginner Pack, this beast doesn't include the usual starter goodies but is pre-fitted with the Evolution ETS II programmable MOSFET/ETU, giving it the Evolution moniker "Smart Airsoft Gun".

The ETS II allows you to program the fire controls to allow for 3 or 5-round burst, binary trigger, two-stage trigger (aka AUG mode), sniper delay and ramping full auto, along with providing battery protection and active braking to keep the internal parts healthy in the long run. Also inside the Reaper XS is a 6.01mm tightbore inner barrel paired with a rotary HOP-up unit, giving this tiny platform remarkable long-range performance when used with high-quality ammo. Whether you need a dedicated CQB primary or a compact and lightweight platform which won't slow you down in any environment, the Evolution Reaper XS EMR AR-9 SMG AEG; ETS II ETU is a fine choice!

Starting at the tip of the 4.5-inch outer barrel, we can find an M4/AR-15 birdcage flash hider mounted to 14mm CCW male threading. The outer barrel is constructed from alloy to provide a strong backbone and keep the tightbore inner barrel nice and straight for perfect accuracy. If you want to mount a tracer unit, suppressor or alternative muzzle device, all you need to do is unscrew the flash hider and mount your preferred device, thanks to the common 14mm CCW threading at the tip of the barrel. As you'll receive it, the Ghost XS has an orange polymer flash hider fitted, but a nice black one made from alloy is included in the box to keep things looking realistic.

The alloy handguard is equipped with M-LOK negative space attachment slots at the 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions, ready for any M-LOK accessories to be directly mounted. M-LOK is one of the latest accessory interfaces to hit the market, both for real steel and Airsoft, allowing you to fit M-LOK vertical or angled grips directly, or mount 20mm Picatinny rail adapters for M-LOK to make use of 20mm Picatinny grips, flashlights and laser units.

With a 20mm Picatinny rail at the 12 o'clock position, the handguard also provides a mounting point for the included flip-up aperture iron sights, which can either be left flipped down or removed entirely if you prefer to use a red dot sight or scope. The irons can be raised and lowered by hand, with no need to press buttons or fiddle with catches, and are fully adjustable for both windage and elevation.

The handguard's upper Picatinny rail meets the 20mm rail on the receiver seamlessly, allowing large optical sights or red dot sight and magnifier combos the extra space they need to be mounted easily. The receiver itself is constructed from fibre-reinforced high-density polymer with a beautiful matte finish and a high-quality textured feel, keeping the weight low and the strength high, with added scratch resistance so the odd mid-skirmish bump or scrape doesn't mean your pride and joy looks scruffy.

Regarding the controls, this SMG is patterned after the M4/AR-15 platform, offering comfortable and well-placed controls that are easy to master for almost any user. The fire selector switch can be found on the left side of the receiver, just above the pistol grip, offering 3 modes of fire: SAFE, SEMI-AUTOMATIC and FULL AUTO, with a 90-degree throw between each mode.

The magazine release is located centrally, just behind the magazine well, making it easy to operate for both left and right-handed shooters. This magazine release is definitely not one you will struggle to find in the heat of the moment; its prominent design and serrated contact surface mean fast reloads are a breeze, even with the adrenaline pumping!

The pistol grip of the Reaper XS EMR boasts a refined grip angle for greater comfort when shooting with the stock fully collapsed and in more modern shooting stances. Each flank of the pistol grip includes fine crackle texturing, with additional linear texture on the front and back straps for perfect wet weather handling. The trigger is a "flat" trigger with a short finger ledge and textured front, making it ideal for pumping out rapid semi-automatic shots. The trigger guard is built into the receiver, improving strength and allowing gloved fingers easier access to the trigger than the standard AR flat trigger guard.

The charging handle can be found at the top rear of the receiver and features an extended latch which protrudes on the left side for fast access and one-handed operation. When the charging handle is pulled, the mock bolt carrier will retract and reveal the rotary HOP-up unit within the mock ejection port. The rotary HOP-up unit is the latest design for the M4/AR-15 platform and improves on the older "gear" unit with finer increments of adjustment and improved ability to hold its setting under the vibrations of full-auto fire.

The HOP-up allows the user to adjust the amount of backspin applied to the BB and tune it to provide optimum range and a stable flight path with various weights of BBs. For this SMG, we recommend 0.25g for the best combination of projectile speed, wind resistance, and range. When you have adjusted your HOP-up, you can release the charging handle to close the ejection port and flip up the dust cover to keep your internals protected from the elements.

At the rear of the receiver, we come to the M4/AR-15 buffer tube which is constructed from alloy and offers 6 positions of adjustment so you can adjust the stock to suit your body type and loadout perfectly. The buffer tube can be used to hold the included battery; simply remove the stock and plug it in!

You can also access the battery compartment through the stock and make use of the large battery space in this crane-style stock. Simply squeeze the two tabs at the toe of the stock together, after which you can lift the butt plate off to find a Deans connector to which you mount your choice of battery. We recommend a 7.4V 1450mAh LiPo battery in crane/nunchuck configuration for an easy fit and great performance.

On the inside, we are treated to some decent pre-upgraded parts, considering the price. The gearbox shell is reinforced to cope with stronger springs and the spring guide is a quick-change example, making power tuning a breeze. Inside the version 2 gearbox, we have a reinforced piston with a full rack of steel teeth and a reinforced tappet plate to guarantee reliable feeding. The gearset is constructed from steel with an 18:1 ratio, and the gears themselves run on 8mm bushings for a smoother, unlaboured gearbox report.

To provide the accuracy needed to deal with long-range foes, the Reaper XS EMR is equipped with a 6.01mm tightbore inner barrel paired with a rotary HOP-up unit, offering higher FPS with the same spring and finer HOP-up adjustment increments so you can get your HOP-up set perfectly for your chosen ammo weight. The rotary unit also holds its setting far better than the legacy gear-style HOP-up unit, meaning once your HOP-up is set, you won't need to touch it again for quite some time.

The ETS II programmable MOSFET is the cherry on top, offering a wide range of programmable fire modes accessible through the trigger and fire selector switch of the Reaper XS itself. Available fire modes include 3 or 5 round burst, binary trigger, two-stage trigger, sniper delay, semi-auto lock and ramping full auto. The ETS II also allows you to set what is known as "active braking", ensuring the motor stops at the perfect spot between cycles to minimise wear on internal parts and prevent trigger lockups. Impressive stuff to see in such a budget-friendly option!

If you're after a light and fast AR-9 platform made from superb quality aluminium and Carbontech engineering polymer, you're after the Evolution Reaper XS EMR AR-9 SMG AEG; ETS II ETU! Ideal for CQB or speedy, aggressive skirmishers, the Reaper XS is a lean, mean close-quarters machine!

Features

• Aluminium & CarbonTech engineering polymer build - Light & strong
• 6.01mm Tightbore inner barrel - Great accuracy potential
• 14mm CCW Male threaded outer barrel - Tracer/suppressor ready, barrel extension required
• Flip-up iron sights pre-installed - Mounted to the top rail, press textured buttons to flip up
• M-LOK Handguard - Modern attachment interface, more comfortable to grip
• 20mm Picatinny top rail - Compatible with 20mm Picatinny accessories
• Extended charging handle latch - Easy access to the HOP-up unit for adjustment
• 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
• 6-Position M4/AR-15 buffer tube - Adjust the stock to suit your body type perfectly
• Crane style stock - Plenty of space for nunchuck batteries, QD sling sockets on each side
• Ergonomic pistol grip with reduced grip angle - Great for modern shooting stances, very comfy
• Reinforced version 2 gearbox:
  • Reinforced Piston with steel full tooth rack
  • Reinforced Tappet plate
  • Quick change spring guide
  • Steel 18:1 gearset
  • 8mm Bushings
  • High Torque Motor
• Rear wired: Deans connector - Recommended battery: 7.4V 1450mAh LiPo in crane/nunchuck config
• Compatible with Evolution Reaper AEG magazines - Not compatible with other AR-9 mags

Package Includes

• Evolution Reaper XS EMR Carbontech AR-9 SMG AEG; Starter Set
  • 130rnd Mid-cap magazine
  • Stubby vertical foregrip for M-LOK
  • Black alloy birdcage flash hider