Ares SA80/L85A3 AEG; Deluxe Standard Issue Set

Whether you're a fan of iconic British service rifles or going all the way with your modern squaddie loadout, the Ares SA80/L85A3 AEG; Deluxe Standard Issue Set should put a massive grin on your face. Flawlessly made with full metal construction, a stamped steel receiver and CNC aluminium A3 KeyMod handguard and a monolithic 20mm Picatinny top rail, Ares really nailed it with this one!

The real steel L85A3 is the most recent iteration of the iconic British Army service rifle, equipped with a lightweight KeyMod handguard and monolithic 20mm Picatinny receiver rail; a considerable improvement both in ergonomics and accessory options. Like the real L85A3, the Ares replica is finished in matt desert tan, making it more concealable in any natural environment and the perfect SA80/L85A3 replica for a modern British squaddie loadout with MTP camouflage. 

This is the Deluxe Standard Issue Set, meaning it includes a detailed replica of the ELCAN Specter LDS 4x scope and Shield RMS piggyback red dot sight, along with a desert tan Grip Pod replica to complete the look. The quality of both the LDS and RMS are superb, making this package great value compared to purchasing the individual parts separately. To top it off, the set is supplied in a superb quality polymer hard case with 2 mid-cap magazines! 

Starting at the front, we can find the SA80 style birdcage flash hider, constructed from steel and mounted to the alloy outer barrel's 14mm CW male threading. Mounting a suppressor or tracer unit is also an option but will require a 14mm CW to 14mm CCW adapter in most cases. The outer barrel is constructed from alloy and is the appropriate 20" in overall length, though being a bullpup, the L85A3 handles far better in CQB than a conventional 20" barrelled rifle.

Moving rearwards, we come to the A3 handguard, the most obvious change from the A2 to the A3 variant other than the desert tan finish. This handguard is far slimmer in profile than the original and made as a single piece, reducing weight to further improve the L85A3's snap-shooting potential. KeyMod negative space attachment slots are present on each side, with 20mm Picatinny rails on the top and bottom, giving you plenty of accessory options built-in. The upper rail of the handguard meets the receiver rail seamlessly, providing an uninterrupted rail surface ideal for longer optical sights, laser aiming modules and more.

Below the ports, we can find the pistol grip, trigger guard and safety catch; all positioned up front in this "Bullpup" configuration rifle. The pistol grip includes a storage compartment inside designed for the standard SA80 tool but in this AEG replica, functions as the battery compartment. Popping the cover off the bottom of the pistol grip provides access, revealing a mini-Tamiya battery connector. We recommend a 7.4V 600mAh LiPo battery in PDW stick configuration for an easy fit, though you may be able to fit a bigger battery inside (maximum dimensions 9.5 x 1.5 x 2.5cm approx). The trigger guard is constructed from steel and the trigger is the A2 "snow-cutter" type, designed to cut through any obstruction which finds itself lodged behind the trigger and a perfect match for the A2 and A3 variants of Britain's iconic service rifle.

The safety catch is a push-through design on the right side, above and in front of the grip. The safety is ideally placed for a right-handed user to hit it with the trigger finger as the rifle is raised to fire. When on safe, the button will protrude from the right and when the platform is hot, it will protrude on the left. This safety controls the safe/fire function but the fire selector switch is further rearwards on the left side of the stock.

As we move rearwards we reach the action, where the action happens! The magazine well is on the bottom, made from stamped steel and welded onto the receiver itself. The mag release is on the left side and is protected with a welded-on magazine release fence, an addition to the "A2" variant of the real thing intended to prevent magazines from being dropped and lost in the field as the SA80 rubs against other kits.

Over on the right side, we can find the charging handle which is the enlarged "A2" type, allowing the L85A2 to be cocked either over or under the platform while held in a firing grip and also serving as a brass deflector in the real thing. The charging handle is attached directly to the bolt and reciprocates with each shot, giving you a more realistic and exciting experience than a standard AEG and drowning out the AEG gearbox report with a "clack-clack-clack" of the mock bolt cycling. While this electric blowback mech may not provide the powerful recoil of a GBBR, it is a great middle-ground for those who want more realism but not at the cost of in-game performance.

To the rear of the charging handle, a small olive green polymer plate serves as a dust cover. This cover will automatically open as the bolt carrier cycles but when in place, it helps to keep dirt and debris out of the action. The green lever just behind is the mock bolt lock catch which serves in the real thing to allow the bolt to be manually locked open for malfunction clearing and inspection. This is a dummy control on the Ares L85A3 AEG but is still included to complete the authentic L85A3 external build.

The adjustable HOP-up of the L85A3 is located inside the ejection port and is accessible with the charging handle pulled and held back. This HOP-up unit has the gear type adjuster which can be turned to tune the amount of backspin applied to your BBs, allowing you to set the L85A3 up for various ammo weights, seeking the flattest possible trajectory. While this HOP-up unit is a unique design, it is compatible with standard AEG HOP-up buckings and inner barrels, opening up plenty of opportunities for aftermarket upgrades.

The fire selector switch is on the rear left of the stock, providing two fire modes; semi-automatic and fully automatic. The semi-auto position is denoted with an "R" which stands for "Repetition" and the full auto mode with an "A" for "Automatic", in classic British style and matching the real L85A3 perfectly. Being equipped with the Ares EFCS MOSFET, the fire modes can also be programmed using the Ares EFCS Programming Box (available separately).

Above the fire selector switch, we have an olive green polymer cheek rest designed to allow for a comfortable cheek weld when using either the included flip-up iron sights or in this Deluxe Standard Issue Set, the ELCAN Specter LDS optic. The iron sights can be raised and lowered simply by lifting them up and are fully adjustable for windage and elevation, mimicking the issue HK style iron sights perfectly.

As part of the A3 upgrade program, a monolithic 20mm Picatinny rail was welded to the receiver which is appropriately replicated on the Ares L85A3 replica. This replaces the old STANAG 19mm Dovetail rail, allowing modern optical sights to be directly mounted. The rail includes numerically marked slots so you can keep track of your accessory locations and seamlessly integrates with the handguard rail, providing plenty of space for the included ELCAN Specter LDS with piggyback Shield RMS optic setup, or any other 20mm compatible optic you choose to mount. The rail itself is CNC machined from aluminium, providing a high-quality finish and perfectly in-spec rails.

At the very rear of the L85A3, we are treated to a grippy rubber butt plate complete with serrations for maximum traction. A sling point is also present on each side, ideally used with an SA80 sling but compatible with other hook slings with the addition of a loop of paracord. The butt plate is a comfortable design and is curved to match the profile of the shooter's shoulder.

Inside, the Ares SA80/L85A3 is equipped with a unique gearbox design with 18:1 ratio steel gears and a quick-change spring system for easy power tuning. The Ares EFCS MOSFET is also pre-installed, eliminating trigger lockups for a speedy response rate in semi-automatic and providing programmable fire controls with the Ares EFCS Programming Box (available separately). A high-torque motor further improves the trigger response and allows for stronger springs to be used while keeping the electric blowback snappy and exciting to use!

If you're going for the in-theatre British squaddie look, the Ares SA80/L85A3 AEG; Deluxe Standard Issue Set is the ideal primary for you. Packaged in a solid polymer hard case with everything you need to complete the L85A3 build as it is issued to the British Army, this may be the ultimate SA80/L85A3 replica!

Features

• Full metal construction - Stamped steel receiver
• Complete British Army Standard Issue set - Ideal for modern British Army loadouts
• Electric Blowback System - The mock bolt cycles with each shot, lefties be careful!
• 14mm CW Threaded outer barrel - Tracer/suppressor ready with CW to CCW adapter
• Push through safety catch - Protruding from the right is safe, from the left is fire
• KeyMod/20mm Picatinny hybrid handguard - KeyMod slots on each side, 20mm top and bottom
• Realistic dummy gas piston - Visible through the handguard ports for maximum realism
• Monolithic 20mm Picatinny top rail - Ready for red dot sights and scopes (ideally the included issue optic)
• Flip-up aperture iron sights pre-installed - Adjustable for windage and elevation, HK-style sights
• "Snow-cutter" trigger - Part of the A2 L85 upgrade, prevents obstructions from locking the trigger
• Battery compartment inside the pistol grip - Recommended Battery: 7.4V 600mAh LiPo PDW Stick
• Enlarged A2 Charging handle - Accurate to the real steel L85A2 and L85A3 rifles
• "A2" Welded on magazine release fence  - Prevents the mag release from being pressed accidentally
• Olive green polymer pistol grip & cheek rest - Just like the real L85/SA80 series
• Two position fire selector switch - R for Repetition (semi-auto), A for Automatic
• Sling points on either side of the stock - Ideal for SA80/L85 slings
• Rubber butt plate - Provides ample traction for wet weather use
• Unique Ares L85 Gearbox:
  • EFCS MOSFET 
  • 18:1 Steel Gear set
  • Microswitch trigger
  • High torque motor
• Ares EFCS MOSFET pre-installed - Programmable via the Ares EFCS Programmer (available separately)
• Ares EFCS Programmable MOSFET modes:
  • SAFE-SEMI-AUTO
  • SAFE-SEMI-3RND BURST
  • SAFE-3RND BURST-AUTO
  • SAFE-SEMI-SEMI
• Compatible with M4/AR-15 AEG magazines - Spares are plentiful, metal STANAG type recommended

Package Includes

• ARES SA80/L85A3 AEG; Deluxe Standard Issue Set:
  • 2 x 130rnd Mid-cap Magazines
  • ELCAN Specter LDS Replica
  • Shield RMS Micro Red Dot Sight Replica
  • Shield RMS Mounting Apparatus
  • Grip Pod Replica
  • Hard Storage Case