WELL MB4420 SV-98 Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle

The MB4420 is the latest in Well's line-up of uniquely styled bolt action sniper rifles, based on the proven Tokyo Marui L96/M40 system but in an exciting new external style. This rifle is heavily based on the Russian SV-98 sniper rifle but uses the more ergonomic and frankly superior L96 style receiver with its enlarged, swept-back bolt handle allowing for clearance even when using large optical sights and its easy to use safety catch with helpfully coloured condition indicators. The SV-98 style stock can also be broken down into two pieces for more convenient transport and storage, without the added weight of using a folding mechanism like similar L96 variants. The MB4420 hybridizes the two rifles perfectly and the result is the best of both East and West!

Starting at the tip of the outer barrel we can note the stylish spiral fluting running all the way along the surface of the barrel and back to the receiver. This fluting looks fantastic, is flawlessly machined and gives off "custom precision rifle" vibes immediately. The barrel of the MB4420 is a straight "Bull" style barrel, styled after real rifle barrels which have been optimised for heat resistance and greater accuracy with their heavier profile. The fluting also adds some plausibility to the setup, as bull barrels are legendarily heavy, and can benefit from the weight reduction of fluting as well as the improved heat transfer qualities due to its increased surface area.

Moving to the chassis, we can find an L96 style bipod spigot at the very front, followed by a harris bipod lug, granting you multiple options when it comes to adding a bipod to the MB4420 for deploying in a static position. At either side of the chassis, just above the bipod mounting hardware, we can find a sling point on either side, which can be combined with the sling bar on the stock to mount a two-point rifle sling to allow you to throw the MB4420 onto your back when the enemy team is advancing and its sidearm time. Running along the sides of the chassis we can find finger grooves, which help provide a consistent and comfortable position for your support hand.

Between the finger grooves on the right side of the chassis, we can take note of the two protruding knurled bolts which allow us to add the included carrying handle of the MB4420. This part is styled after that present on the real SV-98, which is also a big part of what makes the rifle recognisable. The handle is constructed from steel for extra strength with a polymer over mould to stop the handle from being uncomfortable to use in cold weather. The handle can be attached by aligning the threaded ends with the nuts on the stock and turning the nuts counter clockwise until it is hand tight. The handle can be removed by turning the nuts clockwise if you want to cut down on the overall weight of the rifle.

The adjustable HOP-up unit of the MB4420 can be found on the bottom of the outer barrel, and is accessible through a port in the chassis, between the front screw hole and the magazine well once the rifle is assembled. The adjuster takes the form of a grub screw and requires an Allen key (included) to adjust. This method of HOP-up adjustment does require you to keep the Allen key on you if you want to adjust your HOP-up in-game but comes with the added benefit that with an internal adjuster there is absolutely no chance that you can knock your HOP-up adjuster and have to readjust mid firefight. The fact that this grub screw directly adjusts the HOP-up, with no transfer bars or angular pressure applied means it is more likely to provide a straighter flight path without additional tuning than a VSR type slider adjuster, many of which are replaced with similar TDC units in upgraded setups for this reason.

Just ahead of the trigger guard is where we can find the magazine well of the MB4420, which is realistically positioned thanks to this rifle's use of the TM L96/M4 style of loading mechanism. The magazine is realistically designed with mock reinforcing grooves in its shell and holds 15 BBs which can be loaded through the fill/feed port on the front using a standard Airsoft speed loader or by hand. The magazine catch is integrated into the magazine itself and takes the form of a button on either side, which when pushed together will allow the magazine to be removed.

As we arrive at the receiver of the MB4420 we can see this is a more advanced L96 style receiver, with an enlarged bolt handle and textured safety lever. The real L96 and SV-98 both have a similar style of receiver, with angular surfaces and a 20mm Picatinny top rail for mounting optical sights, so unless the Russian fans at your local site are really, really observant, they may not be able to tell! The safety catch is located on the right side of the rear section of the bolt, just behind the bolt handle, and can be easily reached from a firing grip with minimal movement which may draw the eye of an enemy sniper. The surface of this control includes deep linear texture, guaranteeing that you can make use of this important function in any weather condition. The safety is also much larger than that of a VSR-10 platform, making it more easily used with gloves. The safety positions are indicated using colour coding, with a white dot to indicate the "safe" mode, and a red dot to indicate that the rifle is ready to fire.

The bolt handle of the MB4420 is an enlarged L96 style design, which is swept back to allow larger optical sights to be used on the rifle without them interfering with the travel of the bolt. This also makes the handle very easy to grab and operate quickly when needed. All of the parts of the receiver, outer barrel, and bolt handle are constructed from robust alloy, granting the MB4420 the title of "full metal" and making it a great choice for the type of player that values realism.

The stock of the MB4420 is a close match to the real SV-98 stock, and sports full adjustability; with a stock spacer that can be removed to shorten the length, an adjustable cheekpiece which can be raised, lowered and positioned on either side of the rifle with the included spacer set, and integrated mono-pod for optimal stability when combined with a bipod, and a rubberised butt plate which can be raised and lowered to get the perfect shooting position. This stock offers all the options and adjustments needed to set the rifle up for static defence, and its relatively low weight despite its size make it equally suitable for a more mobile player.

The butt plate can be adjusted by loosening the knurled nut on the right side which will allow the butt plate to be raised and lowered to suit your position, body type and loadout. The cheek rest is raised and lowered by removing its adjustment nuts, lifting the cheek rest out of the stock, and adding the appropriate number of spacers to give you the best eye alignment with your optical sight. With the spacer(s) added, simply pop the cheek rest back on and reinstall the knurled locking nuts to secure your cheek rest in position. Three cheek rest spacers are included in the set, which should be plenty for any application. Within the stock itself we can also find a sling bar, which is present just behind the adjustment screws of the cheekpiece. This can be combined with either of the front sling points to provide an ambidextrous two-point sling mounting solution.

The butt plate can also be removed, and a single spacer took out if you want to shorten the stock by around 1cm for when you are wearing a thicker tactical vest or body armour. The final adjustment we can make to this highly flexible stock is to remove the pistol grip/thumbhole/buttstock assembly entirely, to allow the MB4420 to fit into smaller gun cases and be stored more discretely. To remove the stock, simply pull backwards on the catch found on the right side, just behind and above the grip, and slide the stock off downwards. As it comes in the box, the stock and chassis are separate, and can simply be slid together via the dovetail on the stock and the groove in the chassis.

The final feature of the MB4420 we have to discuss is its integrated monopod, which can be found within the stock. The monopod is intended to be used in concert with a bipod to allow the rifle to be set up on uneven ground and allow for a little bit more clearance when necessary. The monopod can be deployed by loosening the knurled nut on the right side of the stock, just above the monopod itself, which will allow the monopod to be extended. Once the monopod is positioned, the locking nut can be retightened to lock the monopod in place.

So, for those looking for a sniper rifle that looks a bit different from the rest, and can avail itself of some seriously handy features rarely seen on an Airsoft sniper rifle at this price point, the MB4420 is sure to go down a treat.

Features

• Full metal construction
• Quick removable stock
• Integrated monopod
• Adjustable butt plate
• Enlarged L96 style bolt handle
• Textured safety catch with colour coded indicators
• Spiral fluted outer barrel - Custom aesthetic
• Grub key type HOP-up adjustment
• Length of pull can be reduced by removing a butt plate spacer
• Fully adjustable cheek piece - Complete with spacers
• Front Harris bipod lug and L96 style bipod spigot
• 20mm Picatinny Receiver rail - Ready for an optical sight

Package Includes

• Well MB4420 SV-98 Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle Replica
• 15rnd MB4420 magazine
• Removable carry handle
• Cheek rest spacers
• Speed loader
• User manual

Assembly

The MB4420 is supplied in multiple parts, and upon opening the box it may look a bit daunting. Contrary to its looks, the MB4420 is easy to assemble and comes with the correct sized Allen key for the job.

To mount the stock to the chassis, simply align the dovetail on the stock with the groove on the chassis, and slide the two together.

To mount the action to the stock, simply lower the action into the stock and tighten the rear Allen bolt which is already captive within the stock using the included Allen key.

The second Allen bolt is provided in the box, in the bag with your tools, and can be installed into the front of the stock, just behind the Harris bipod lug to secure the action into the stock.

When assembling the MB4420 SV-98 Sniper Rifle it is important that the rearmost screw in the stock is not over tightened. We suggest tightening the screw until it is hand tight but not cranking it down as this can often cause damage to the cylinder and render the rifle inoperable. 

If you find the action is difficult to fit into the stock, slightly loosening the Allen bolts on the sides of the chassis which join the chassis halves together can make this a bit easier, and you can tighten them back down again once the action is installed.