Ares AR-308L Deluxe Version AEG Rifle DMR Set w/Hard Rifle Case

The Ares AR-308L Deluxe Version is the full kit. Included in the box you get the Ares 1-6x24 Illuminated rifle scope and dual ring scope mount, the Ares QD suppressor and a pair of 130rnd mid-cap magazines, all presented in a stylish and hard-wearing rifle case. If you ever wanted to pick up an out-of-the-box ready DMR AEG, now is your chance! All you need to get rocking with the AR-308L is your choice of battery,  eye protection, and of course, some BBs.

Like the other rifles in the Ares AR-308 series, the AR-308L  is styled to match high-end designated marksman rifles offered to Militaries and Law Enforcement Organisations and also to very lucky US civilian shooters. The rifle is a highly modern design and is backed with the kind of ergonomic enhancements which separate it from the legacy SR-25 rifles. The AR-308L boasts fully ambidextrous controls, an M-LOK/Picatinny rail hybrid handguard, a modern, angular receiver profile and the uniquely designed Ares Pro Stock to mark this AR-10 platform out as a design which is equipped for battle in the 21st century.

Starting at the tip of the 16-inch outer barrel we can find a steel muzzle brake which is finished in an attractive satin gun metal grey and boasts compatibility with the Ares AR-308 series suppressor via its built-in QD attachment system. The suppressor is included in the kit, so no need to go shopping if you want the sneaky look! The suppressor can be attached simply by positioning it over the muzzle brake with the lettering on the suppressor facing the left side, pushing the suppressor rearwards and rotating it 90° clockwise (with the barrel facing away from you) after which it will spring forwards and lock into place. To remove the suppressor you will need to complete this operation in reverse. First, push the suppressor backwards then rotate the suppressor by 90° counter-clockwise and the suppressor can be removed. This QD functionality can be very useful in-game, as you can add the suppressor to muffle the muzzle noise when needed, and quickly remove it for situations where you need your rifle to be a bit shorter and more manoeuvrable.

The muzzle brake mounts to the barrel using its 14mm CW male threading, but can be replaced with any 14mm CW threaded accessory if you fancy a different look, or with a 14mm CW to 14mm CCW adapter you can mount the more common 14mm CCW threaded accessories such as tracer units. The outer barrel is a two-piece design, and the portion of the barrel ahead of the dummy gas block can also be unthreaded which is useful if you like the idea of the "integrally suppressed" look for your AR-308. The flash hider is held on by a grub screw, but the barrel extension can simply be threaded off to reveal 14mm CW male threading.

Connected to the barrel we can find a lovely touch of realism; a highly detailed dummy gas block and short-stroke piston system. This kind of thing is almost always left out of anything but the most cream-of-the-crop AEG replicas, and the fact that Ares included this shows they care about providing an immersive experience for Airsofters who like their kit to look real.

Surrounding the outer barrel we can find a 14.5-inch M-LOK handguard with a short 20mm Picatinny rail section at the front, ideally positioned to mount a tactical flashlight for close-quarters encounters, or a bipod if you are building the AR-308M up as a DMR rifle. The longer length of this handguard makes it perfect for larger optical sights and has ample space for a RunCam, PEQ laser unit or other bits and bobs you may need for your skirmishing requirements. M-LOK attachment slots can be found at the 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions, offering the ability to add M-LOK accessories or 20mm Picatinny rail adapters whilst keeping the base handguard light, slim and easy to point. On either side of the handguard just before the receiver, we can find a QD sling socket on either side. These sockets are their own size, and unfortunately, we don't have a QD swivel on hand that will fit. It is possible that the handguard sockets are just for show, or are for a different size of QD swivel but we are currently unable to test this.

Along the top of the handguard, we have a 20mm Picatinny rail which runs back to meet the receiver rail seamlessly, offering a long sight base for the included flip-up aperture iron sights. The sights mimic the real steel "Troy" iron sights, and both the front sight post and rear sight apertures are protected on either side with protective wings. The sights can be deployed quickly by simply grabbing them and pulling them up and into position, and stowing the sights again requires pressing the button found on the left side of the sight base, after which the sights can be folded back down where they will lock into position. The front sight blade can be adjusted using an M4/AR15 front sight adjustment tool, and the rear sight offers two different apertures for aiming, both of which can be adjusted left to right using the adjustment dial found on the right side of the rear sight, either by hand or with a flat head screwdriver.

As we reach the receiver we can find a familiar layout; the AR-308L is like an M4 but much bigger! The controls of this rifle will be easy as pie to adjust to if you have any experience with the M4/AR15 platform but also offer their own benefits. The fire selector, bolt release catch and magazine release are all ambidextrous, addressing issues with the original M4/AR15 design and making this rifle perfect for both left and right-handed users. The magazine release is located on the magazine well, with the right side release being a large and prominent easy access button, and the left side release being a paddle style extension in Knights Armament style. The bolt release catch is found at the centre of the left side of the receiver, and also on the right side, between the magazine release and fire selector. The fire selector can be found just above the pistol grip on either side of the lower receiver, and the right side switch has a relief cut on its upper surface to prevent it from digging into your hand when in the semi-auto position. There is a 90-degree throw between each fire mode, offering fast access without the risk of the selector being bumped or knocked into the wrong mode of fire.

The charging handle can be found at the top rear of the receiver and is a low profile design with a steel latch, minimising the potential for snags and offering additional strength where needed. Pulling the charging handle back will open the steel dust cover on the right side of the receiver and retract the exceptionally detailed mock bolt carrier, revealing the rotary HOP-up adjuster beneath. The trigger of the AR-308 is a flat "speed" type trigger with a low-profile ledge at the base to prevent your finger from slipping off. This trigger is constructed from steel, giving it the strength necessary for a lifetime of heavy use. This trigger type is a great choice for a DMR, as it allows rapid follow-up shots to correct for wind or other environmental factors at the Airsoft equivalent of long range.

The mock bolt on the AR-308 series is really something special if you like a realistic look, and the best way to describe it is that it is far more 3 dimensional than other mock bolts in AR-style AEGs. The details are deeply machined and match perfectly with a real AR-style bolt carrier, and gives nothing away from the outside that this is an Airsoft rifle, not a real AR-10! Nerdgasms aside, with the bolt carrier locked back the rotary HOP-up adjuster will be accessible, allowing you to tune the AR-308 for your ammunition weight of choice looking for the flattest trajectory possible. Once the adjustment is complete, you can hit either of the bolt release catches and send the mock bolt home with an ear-pleasing "clank".

On either side of the magazine well the AR-308L sports precisely engraved markings, indicating the manufacturer, real steel calibre and the stylish new Ares X Amoeba logo on the left side. These markings are laid out to mimic those on real steel Knights Armament rifles and fit in well with the overall look of the AR-308M and its high-end DMR styling. The markings on the left read "AxA - ARES X AMOEBA 308 - CAL-MULTI - S/N 20L1023" and those on the right side read "RIFLE 7.62MM - AA 308 - ARES PRECISION LTD - FG HK". The precise engravings continue when it comes to the fire selector markings, and just above the left side selector we can see another "ARES PRECISION LTD" engraved in. Ares is very proud of the AR-308 series, and rightly so! There is nothing like crisply engraved manufacturer markings to separate out the normal AEGs from true high-end pieces such as this!

When it comes to the stock and pistol grip the Ares AR-308L is well equipped with unique Ares designed parts which take inspiration from real steel components whilst offering some impressive, Airsoft-specific functionality. The pistol grip is an ergonomic design with a filled back strap which encourages a more consistent grip in a similar style to the Magpul MOE grip, known the world over for its exceptional comfort for practically any hand size. This grip has a smooth external finish with a mildly grippy texture thanks to its fibre-reinforced polymer construction. At the base of the grip, we can find a nice, large motor height adjustment screw, which is always nice to see. The motor height will be perfectly set from the factory, but if you are the type that likes to upgrade this feature will come in handy, and is leaps and bounds ahead of some baseplate designs which provide very little in the way of adjustment. Not to forget the trigger guard, the AR-308M sports a polymer enlarged trigger guard with a helpful finger ledge with gives you somewhere to rest your trigger finger when it is tired from landing hits on the enemy team.

At the rear of the AR-308L we can find the Ares Pro Stock in its DMR stock form, offering 5 positions of adjustment in length to suit any body type or loadout. The adjustment lever is a very discrete design which is optimised for strength rather than fast adjustment, and suits this DMR set up perfectly. To adjust the length of pull of the stock you will need to pull the circular steel tabs on either side and with them held down you can extend the stock to your choice of length.

The Ares Pro DMR stock also includes an adjustable cheek riser which allows you to align your eye with the scope perfectly and have a comfortable and effective cheek weld. The riser can be adjusted using the QD throw lever located on the right side of the stock. This lever operates similarly to QD throw levers found on optical sight mounts and has a central tab which needs to be pressed in before the throw lever can be unlocked. With the tap pressed in you can lift the throw lever away from the body of the stock, and pull the cheek piece up to your desired position. With your adjustment complete you can fold the throw lever back down and lock the cheek piece in place. The tension of the throw lever can be adjusted using the screw on the left side of the stock if you want to increase the rigidity of the cheek piece when in position, at the cost that the lever will be harder to use quickly.

At the toe of the stock, we can find a sling loop and a sling slot, either of which can be used in combination with a front sling point (available separately) to allow the AR-308L to be set up with a two-point rifle sling to allow you to stow the rifle when it's sidearm time or to carry out other scenario-based operations which require both hands to be free.

The battery compartment of the AR-308L is located inside the Pro stock, and can be accessed by removing the adjustable portion of the stock and unthreading the battery cap. The adjustable section can be removed by pulling the adjustment tabs all the way down, after which it can be slid off the receiver extension to the rear. With the stock removed you will see a threaded plug which can be turned counter clockwise to remove. With the plug removed you will find a Deans battery connector within, to which you mount your chosen battery. For the AR-308L we recommend a 7.4V 1450 mAh LiPo battery for easy installation though larger stick batteries may fit. This compartment is a fair bit bigger than most buffer tubes, and is a big advantage, especially in the high FPS DMR-ready AR-308L!

Internally the AR-308L sports Ares' EFCS gearbox, offering programmable fire modes with the Ares programmer (available separately), battery protection and active braking. The battery protection feature will disable the AEG if the battery's voltage drops too low, avoiding damage which would usually occur to LiPo cells which drop below a certain voltage. The active braking function ensures your piston completes a full cycle with every trigger pull, ensuring long-lasting performance and health inside the gearbox. As it comes from the factory, the Ares AR-308L Deluxe version is electronically locked to semi-automatic only via the Ares EFCS and shoots at an average of 365 FPS on 0.2g BBs. This rifle is already cleared hot for DMR duty but can be further tuned thanks to the inclusion of a quick change spring system. To keep your trigger response crisp a high torque motor has been installed, which leaves options open for even stronger springs with the correct reinforced parts!

The AR-308L Deluxe Version is supplied in a hard rifle storage case which is constructed from olive green high-density polymer with a crackle finish on the outside. The case closes via 4 strong metal lift clasps, and the internal design is moulded to hug the AR-308L and all of its included accessories snugly and prevent it from moving around during transport. The case has sections custom fit for the included two magazines, the Ares QD suppressor and the Ares 1-6x24 illuminated rifle scope with mount, presenting everything beautifully as well as keeping it well protected during storage and transportation.

So, if you were looking for an out of the box DMR capable rifle with almost everything you will need to get out on the field and make hits at long range, the Ares AR-308L Deluxe Version DMR set would be a superb choice. This rifle doesn't just get the job done on the range, it is truly breathtaking on the outside too, so whether you are skirmish focussed or you just like to hoard gorgeous Airsoft rifles, this one belongs in your armoury!

Features

• Full metal construction
• Exceptional build quality - Museum tier!
• Finely engraved trademarks and other details
• Steel muzzle brake with Ares QD suppressor compatibility
• 14mm CW male threading - Tracer ready with adapter
• Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit
• Electronically locked to semi-auto
• 365 FPS +/- 10% out of the box - DMR ready!
• M-LOK 20mm Picatinny hybrid handguard
• Flip-up Troy style aperture iron sights included
• Ergonomic pistol grip with filled back strap
• Ambidextrous fire selector switch
• Ambidextrous magazine release
• Ares Pro DMR Stock with adjustable cheek riser
• Enlarged trigger guard with finger ledge
• QD Sling socket with swivel on the stock
• Ambidextrous bolt release - Great for southpaws!
• Supplied in a custom hard rifle case with space for a suppressor and scope
• Real-looking mock bolt carrier - The best AR AEG bolt carrier we have ever seen!
• Highly detailed mock gas block and short-stroke piston system - Very realistic
• Ares EFCS gearbox inside - Programmable with Ares programmer (available separately)
• Flat "speed" style trigger - Pairs perfectly with the ETU and high torque motor
• Includes Ares 1-6x24 Illuminated Rifle Scope, Ares Dual Ring Scope Mount, Ares QD Suppressor and 2x Mid-caps!

Package Includes

• Ares AR-308L Deluxe Version AEG Rifle DMR Set w/Hard Rifle Case
• 2x 130rnd Medium-capacity magazine
• Ares 1-6x24 Illuminated Rifle Scope
• Ares Dual Ring Scope Mount
• Ares QD Suppressor
• Hard Rifle Case