Bolster Tuned Noveske N4 10.5" Gen.3 Shorty .300 BLK AEG Rifle

The Original EMG CYMA Platinum Noveske N4 10.5" Gen.3 Shorty

Starting at the front, we can find a three-prong SF-style flash hider, giving the N4 Shorty a dynamic and modern look. Give the flash hider a tap and listen to that ring...that's how we know it's made from steel! While the three-prong looks fantastic on the N4, the barrel features 14mm CCW male threading so you can add an alternative muzzle device of your choice, including tracer units and suppressors.

The barrel is finished in matt silver, matching the real N4 series of rifles and giving the AEG a bit of tasteful flare while not being too garish or ruining your concealment efforts in a woodland skirmish. The silver of the barrel is visible through the handguard's ports, along with the dummy gas block and gas tube which is the correct length for the real steel N4 Shorty platform. This shows CYMA and EMG pay attention to the details, and we love that!

The handguard itself is a replica of the real steel Noveske NSR 9, equipped with M-LOK negative space attachment slots at the 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions with a 20mm Picatinny rail along the top. The M-LOK slots are punctuated by the recognisable NSR style ports, reducing overall weight and adding to the gripping qualities of the handguard when run slick without rail covers. Being an EMG-licenced replica, the handguard sports Noveske trademarks at the base, reading "NSR-9" with "NOVESKE.COM" and has additional laser engraved markings on the underside reading "FOR AIRSOFT USE ONLY" and "EMG TRAINING SYSTEM".

As we reach the receiver we can take note of the familiar and well-placed M4/AR-15 controls, though the receiver itself is a little different to the standard AR. The upper receiver is patterned after the Noveske Gen.3 upper receiver, matching the real thing perfectly with all the correct angles and shapes, a prominent "NOVESKE" engraving on the left side, a Noveske logo on the forward assist and a reprofiled mock forward assist and brass deflector bulge, intended to reduce snagging potential. The lower receiver is a standard M4/AR-15 receiver but with Noveske markings on the magazine well, body pins, and just aft of the mock bolt catch. Just below the Noveske trademarks on the magwell, you will find your unique serial number laser engraved.

The fire selector switch is right where we would expect it; on the left side of the receiver, just above the pistol grip. Offering 3 modes of fire with a 90-degree throw between each, the selector is one of the highlights of the AR platform; secure enough to avoid inadvertent mode changes but fast enough to play "sights off, safety off". The available firemodes are SAFE, SEMI and AUTO, marked with engravings in classic M4/AR-15 style.

The magazine release catch can be found on the right side of the magazine well, lying well within reach of the trigger finger for super slick and easy fast reloads. The mag release is a push-button design and can be replaced with an aftermarket ambidextrous magazine release if required. On the left side of the receiver, we can find the mock bolt catch, taking the form of the classic M4/AR-15 "ping pong paddle". This catch allows you to release the mock bolt carrier following HOP-up adjustment with a satisfying "clank".

At the top rear of the receiver, we can find the ambidextrous charging handle, allowing left or right-handed shooters easy and fast access to the HOP-up unit for quick mid-game adjustments. With the charging handle pulled the mock bolt carrier will retract and the dust cover will spring open, revealing the alloy rotary HOP-up unit inside the ejection port. The HOP-up allows you to tune the N4 Shorty for different ammo weights and extend your range, looking for the flattest possible trajectory. Being constructed from alloy means this unit will never break, and being the latest rotary design guarantees a wide range of adjustments and greater ability to hold its setting under the vibrations of full auto fire.

The charging handle also proudly displays a Noveske logo and marking which is visible when the charging handle is pulled back, adding to the realism of the N4 and matching the real thing to a tee. On the mock bolt carrier we have yet another Noveske logo, and there are many more to come! The mock dust cover also has very clear .300 BLK markings on both the inside and out, a feature derived from the real thing and intended to avoid the potential of accidentally loading a 5.56mm cartridge into the rifle. The consequences of this would be disastrous, but lucky for us our AEGs only shoot 6mm!

The trigger guard is enlarged to allow for full-fingered glove use and boasts a Noveske logo on the bottom, bringing it into line with the rest of the N4 Shorty. To match the real thing, an ergonomic Noveske grip is fitted with a refined grip angle intended to reduce wrist fatigue when shooting with the stock fully collapsed. The grip has a filled-out back strap and linear texture on the front and rear, giving ample grip for wet weather operations and a super comfy grip you will never need to change. There is even a Noveske logo on the baseplate, in case you forgot who is behind this gorgeous design!

Bringing up the rear we have the good old M4/AR-15 buffer tube, featuring a steel castle nut and a steel QD sling plate. The QD sling plate allows single-point slings to be mounted using a QD sling swivel and is centrally placed for ambidextrous functionality. The buffer tube itself allows for 6 positions of adjustment, allowing you to set the stock in the perfect place to suit your body type and loadout.

The pre-installed stock is a modern snag-reducing design with a low-profile adjustment lever, guaranteeing it will never get caught on your sling or gear and inhibit your movement. The adjustment lever requires a simple press on the section closest to the receiver to adjust the stock. The cheekpiece is sloped similarly to the crane stock, giving you a nice large battery compartment and a comfortable cheek weld when aiming. Also present on the stock is a pair of QD sling sockets, one on either side, giving you the option to add an aftermarket front sling point and a QD sling swivel to run a two-point sling. The butt plate is constructed from rubber and has deep serrations on its surface for optimal grip, whether you run a light and fast loadout or a bulky and hefty plate carrier.

Accessing the battery compartment is really, really easy thanks to the hinged butt plate of the stock. All you need to do is push the button on the butt plate down, after which the butt plate will hinge open, revealing the battery compartment and the Deans/T-plug battery connector within. We recommend an 11.1V 1450mAh LiPo battery in nunchuck/crane configuration for the N4 Shorty but you can also use buffer tube style stick batteries if you prefer.

Tuning and Internal Upgrades by Bolster Armouries

As with previous Bolster Tuned builds (formerly known as Patrol Base X Gate ASTER edition), this isn't your usual upgraded AEG. The Bolster Armouries tech team fully disassemble each of these AEGs down to every screw, bolt and bushing to perfectly tune the internals, polish the piston tracks and bearing holes, shim the gears to absolute perfection and replace parts to address the weak points in the original platform. The Bolster techs treat these AEGs like they are building them for themselves, and if it doesn't pass their rigorous checks, which include a 60m accuracy test, it goes back to the bench for more work.

The Gate ASTER MOSFET is the star of the show, replacing the basic CYMA MOSFET in the original with an alternative with enough computing power that it could put men on the moon. The ASTER boasts programmable fire controls through the Gate Control Station app, Gate Blu-Link or Gate USB Link, adjustable pre-cocking for a ferocious trigger response in semi-auto, cycle timing control, adaptive active braking, adjustable trigger sensitivity, and voltage control, all of which combine to give this gorgeously built licenced replica a wealth of functionality that is hard to beat.

Installing the ASTER requires modification of the gearbox shell and selector plate for compatibility with the ASTER's optical sensors. Copper is no longer used on the selector plate, and is instead replaced with an ASTER sticker to allow the optical sensors to detect its position, and adjust the fire mode accordingly. This has the benefit of being more reliable than a traditional selector plate, as the use of optical sensors takes corrosion which usually develops on electrical contacts out of the equation completely.

In the latest line of Bolster Tuned custom AEGs, the ASTER is paired with its perfect partner; the Gate Quantum Flat Blade Trigger. The Quantum is constructed from CNC machined aluminium and is finished with a subtle black anodised coating, blending in well with the discrete and professional looks of the N4 Shorty.

The combination of the Quantum and ASTER gives you access to an impressive 250 different trigger sensitivity options, from a hair trigger all the way up to a more realistic full trigger pull. Designed to eliminate the need for mechanical trigger linkage, instead relying on the ASTER's optical sensors, the Quantum is probably the best trigger on the market for an AEG and is a vast improvement over the standard N4 trigger.

Known for innovation and pushing the limits of Airsoft performance, Warhead Industries provides the motor for the Bolster Tuned N4 Shorty; utilizing the most up-to-date technology to provide a previously unheard of torque to weight ratio, and impressive heat dispersion.

The motor installed is the Warhead Base 27K Brushless Motor, offering a super speedy motor which uses high strength, SH-rated Neodymium magnets. Being a brushless motor, the Warhead Base simply doesn't heat up as the only friction generated inside is with the air, keeping this cool and allowing you to let off some seriously long bursts guilt-free. The Warhead moves the N4 Shorty up to the next level of Airsoft performance and puts it hot on the heels of the full-fat Bolster Armouries ONYX, ARKOSE, ATLAS and OBIRE builds.

With an astonishing rate of fire as the goal, both the tappet plate and nozzle needed replacing to give the Bolster Tuned N4 Shorty incredible performance which will last a lifetime. The FPS Softair's Carbon Fibre Reinforced tappet plate paired with its O-ring equipped air nozzle ensures feeding is consistent and nozzle alignment is flawless, allowing you to dump mag after mag with the assurance you aren't pushing the AEG beyond its design parameters.

As with previous Bolster Tuned builds, the CYMA 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel has been thoroughly cleaned and polished to perfection. Not being the types to trust Chinese quality control, the Bolster techs inspect every barrel for imperfections and once each platform is built, it is put through a 60m meter accuracy test, and if it can't meet the mark it goes back to the bench for more work. Even tight-bore barrels can have internal flaws which affect accuracy when mass-produced, and the internal overhaul given to the Bolster Tuned N4 guarantees that you will get a good, smooth barrel with a flawless inner surface.

To aid in getting the N4 to hit that 60m benchmark, the Bolster team has added their favourite HOP-up rubber into the mix; the Laylax/Prometheus Purple HOP-up bucking, also known as the "Prommy Purple". Naturally, these guys cannot touch an AEG without installing the phenomenal Prometheus Purple HOP-up bucking and nub inside! The Prometheus bucking is based on the original Tokyo Marui design but comprised of more hard-wearing and temperature-resistant materials and is a big part of what allows the Tuned N4 to absolutely destroy the original when it comes to range and accuracy.

The Bolster Armouries M115 spring is fitted; manufactured to the exact specifications of the Bolster team to provide the perfect velocity for either indoor or outdoor skirmishes, giving us a healthy 347 FPS with perfect consistency. Also present in the build are Bolster Armouries Sector Gear Screws, joining the two pieces of the sector gear together, replacing tiny parts many manufacturers skimp out on.

Finally, the Lonex 16:1 Gearset replaces the original CYMA gears, providing smoother meshing with the Warhead 27K Brushless motor and incredible durability, along with an insane rate of fire. The Lonex gear set runs on Bolster Armouries EZO Bearings, manufactured by Sapparo Precision Inc. in Japan, specialists in miniature ball bearings. EZO Bearings perfectly combine low friction with high strength and are a great alternative to standard ball bearing bushings which can often break when subjected to minigun-like rates of fire.

The tuning process results in an AEG that hits out far further and faster than the original CYMA; with a 60m+ effective range with the HOP-up set using G&G Competition Grade 0.28G BBs and a phenomenal 25 rounds per second with an 11.1V LiPo battery. What makes this even better is that the installation of the many upgrade parts in a Bolster Tuned build does not result in you losing your 12-month warranty.

Other techs rarely offer a warranty on their jobs and this often means that your upgraded gun shoots amazingly for its first few months but after that, you are on your own. Bolster Tuned builds are great for those who don't want to worry about whether they chose the right parts or the right tech; the parts have been chosen for you and the Bolster Armouries techs who build these are confident enough in their work that they can offer you a full warranty on the completed build.

If you, like many Airsofters, are chasing the best performance you can get for the most rewarding Airsoft experience the Bolster Tuned Noveske N4 10.5" Gen.3 Shorty will be your best friend. With performance hot on the heels of the full-fat Bolster Armouries builds and plenty of high-end upgrade parts professionally fitted by seriously talented techs, you can rest assured that your Bolster Tuned build will give you the performance you dream of!

Package Includes

• Bolster Tuned Noveske N4 10.5" Gen.3 Shorty .300 BLK AEG Rifle
• 120rnd Mid-cap Magazine
• User manual