ICS IDF Defender ARM AEG

If you love a unique platform rarely seen on a skirmish site, you'll definitely love the ICS IDF Defender ARM AEG. Based on an iconic real steel Israeli firearm we all recognise, the ARM is most famous for its role as the primary service rifle of the Israeli Defence Force but also featured in the movie Heat (1995), chosen by Michael "Slick" Cheritto as his primary during the famous Heist Scene.

The ICS ARM replica is a near-perfect match for the real thing, down to its real wood handguard, integral folding bipod and carry handle and realistically hefty full metal build bristling with steel parts. Whether you're a stickler for the details or simply want something that feels like the real deal, the ICS IDF Defender ARM AEG will put a smile on your face!

Starting at the front, we come to the ARM-style birdcage flash hider, constructed from steel with some slight differences from the M4/M16 birdcage. This muzzle device is a perfect match for the real thing, showing ICS does not compromise when it comes to completing the realistic look. If you have other ideas about what to mount to your barrel, you'll be happy to learn that the flash hider mounts to 14mm CCW male threads, meaning tracer units, suppressors and alternative flash hiders are a go!

Moving rearwards, we come to the gas block/front sight assembly which includes a mock bayonet lug, the mount for the integral bipod and the front sight assembly. The front sight is fully adjustable with the included sight adjustment tool but is supplied separately in the box so you only need to install it if necessary. The alternative sight setup is a flip-up high-vis white dot iron sight which pairs with the flip-up rear white dot open-sight, replicating the flip-up night sights of the real steel rifle. This is a great touch for realism but also means you have a quick aiming option for CQB built right into the rifle, along with the usual aperture iron sights for long-range engagements.

Mounted at the base of the gas block, we can find the folding bipod, constructed from steel and neatly stowed inside the real wood handguard. This bipod is fast to deploy and not as heavy as you might think, giving you an onboard stabilisation aid for taking those long shots or supporting the front end when shooting from the prone position. To deploy the bipod, simply squeeze the legs together and rotate them forward where they will lock into place. Stowing the bipod is equally simple; squeeze the legs together, swing it back into the handguard and you are ready to move!

The handguard itself is made from real wood and a perfect match for the real rifle. Each side features linear gripping groves to avoid the usual frictionless feel of real wood and the assembly itself is comprised of two handguard halves riveted to a steel heat shield, just like the real thing. Aftermarket railed handguards are not available for this rifle currently as far as we know, but that's not a bad thing as real wood beats rails for coolness factor!

Above the handguard, we can find the gas tube which is constructed from alloy with the appropriate vent ports at the top front. If you find the battery compartment of the ARM restrictive, you'll be pleased to note that an extra gas tube is included in the box which is hollowed out to provide room for AK NiMh stick batteries. The battery compartment is underneath the top cover, in the same place as with "top wired" AK AEGs, and can be accessed by pressing the button at the rear of the top cover and lifting it free. We recommend either a 9.6v 1600mAh NiMh in AK stick configuration or a 7.4V 1300mAh LiPo in AK Slim stick configuration depending on your preferences.

The top cover is constructed from stamped steel and provides the mounting point for the rear iron sight. This sight is adjustable for windage via the screw on the left side and provides two apertures for aiming, a wide one for low light and a fine one for accurate semi-auto shooting in bright conditions. The sights are one of the aspects of the ARM design which gives it the edge over the AK, offering a much longer sight radius for greater accuracy and aperture sights as opposed to open tangent sights, often credited with being easier to use at long ranges.

On the right side, we can find the charging handle, located in classic AK style but with an ambi-friendly upwards turn to allow it to be accessed from each side. The altered charging handle is a big part of the ARM look, being one of the most recognisable Israeli enhancements to the AK platform. In Airsoft AEG form, the charging handle doesn't need to be pulled to load the first round, instead, it provides access to the slider adjustable HOP-up unit. The HOP-up unit allows you to tune the ARM for your chosen ammo weight, looking for the flattest possible trajectory.

The receiver is constructed from alloy and looks a bit like an AK if you squint. The standard AK fire selector switch remains, offering 3 modes of fire indicated with authentic engraved Hebrew markings. Like the AK, the first mode is full auto with the lowermost position offering semi-auto, but unlike the AK, the left side of the grip includes an ambidextrous thumb selector which links to the AK selector via an internal mechanical linkage. The left-side selector is a little harder to use than the standard AK selector but is a great alternative option for those who aren't yet accustomed to the AK's weird manual of arms.

The magazine release is positioned at the bottom of the receiver, mimicking the AK platform but is enhanced with an extension on the right side so a right-handed shooter can drop a spent magazine with the trigger finger for speedier reloads. There is also a prominent extension on the magazine release assembly, designed to protect the extended magazine release from snags and accidental actuation. Just like the AK, this mag release is accessible from either side of the ARM, meaning left-handed shooters won't need any new techniques to master it!

A significant improvement over the AK pistol grip, the ARM pistol grip is an ergonomic design which forms the basis for many enhanced aftermarket grips offered for the AK platform. With a built-in palm rest at the base and a comfortable front strap with rounded edges to reduce hot spots, this grip won't cause the usual long-term use fatigue standard AK grips can and should be easier to hold onto in wet weather.

At the rear, we come to the side folding stock which allows the ARM to fit into smaller gun bags while remaining a full-length rifle and benefitting from a full barrel length. The stock design is taken straight from the FAL Para rifle, a fantastic design with a simple folding procedure and ample strength. To fold the stock, simply push down on the stock body, bracing on the bottom of the folding mech. To deploy the stock, push down on the stock body once again and you can swing it back into position. The lack of buttons, catches or any other fiddly bits is what makes this stock design so impressive, though it is also rock solid either when folded or deployed and provides plenty of grip thanks to its textured butt plate.

Inside, you will find a basic but functional internal set-up patterned after the Tokyo Marui AK-47 AEG, meaning a slider adjustable HOP-up unit and version 3 gearbox with an alloy shell. The gears are of an 18:1 ratio and constructed from steel, running on 7mm bushings for reduced friction and stress. ICS is known for its reliable internals, and though they may be basic, the internals of the ARM are fully upgradable with TM spec parts so the performance seekers aren't left out.

If you're a fan of Israeli firearms and want a replica with the heft, quality and attention to detail a proper replica deserves, the ICS IDF Defender ARM will put a smile on your face. A rock-solid combination of real wood, steel and alloy, the IDF Defender ARM will give you the realistic experience you seek with full compatibility with aftermarket internal upgrades!

Features

• Full metal construction
• Large proportion of steel parts - Appropriately hefty and realistic
• Real wood handguard - Looks and feels amazing
• Authentic Hebrew markings - Just like the real thing!
• Integral folding bipod - Steel construction
• Integral folding carry handle - Steel construction, we don't advise using it just in case!
• Aperture iron sights - Fully adjustable, long sight radius, two rear apertures for aiming
• Flip-up white dot open iron sights - Replicates the night sights of the real thing, great for quick aiming
• Ambi-friendly charging handle - Accessible from either side with a bit of practice
• Slider adjustable HOP-up unit - Behind the mock bolt, accessible when it is held back
• Ambidextrous fire selector - AK style selector on the right, thumb selector on the left of the grip
• Ambidextrous magazine release - AK style but more protected
• Ergonomic pistol grip - The basis for many modern ergonomic grip designs
• Side folding skeleton stock - Steel folding mech and stock tang, ideal for storage and transportation
• Version 3 gearbox - Alloy shell, steel 18:1 gears, 7mm bushings
• Top wired: Mini-Tamiya connector - Recommended battery: 7.4V 1300mAh LiPo or 9.6v 1600mAh NiMh
• Compatible with ICS TOD/IDF Defender magazines - NOT compatible with AK mags!

Package Includes

• ICS IDF Defender ARM AEG
• 2 x 300rnd High-capacity magazines
• Front sight post
• Sight adjustment tool
• Alternative gas tube
• User manual