Ares X-Class Model 6 AR-090E M4/AR-15 AEG

If you're looking for a compact AR with significant heft, a booming muzzle report and a unique external design, the Ares X-Class Model 6 AR-090E M4/AR-15 AEG should be right up your street. This full metal M4/AR-15 AEG platform boasts the Ares EFCS gearbox on the inside and a uniquely modern build on the outside, styled after cutting-edge real steel ARs with some Ares unique twists. 

Inside, the version 2 gearbox is equipped with 18:1 steel gears, a quick change spring system and the Ares EFCS MOSFET, allowing the fire controls to be reprogrammed using the Ares EFCS Programming box (available separately). The AR-090E is also equipped with the Ares slim pistol grip and slim high-torque motor, enhancing realism with a GBBR-sized pistol grip and improving trigger response at the same time. If you like a unique build with modern attachment interfaces and a more weighty and realistic feel than the average AEG, the X-Class Model 6 AR-090E M4/AR-15 AEG from Ares belongs in your collection!

Starting at the front, we can find a hefty steel sound amplifier, furnishing the AR-090E with a menacing muzzle report. The outer barrel is constructed from alloy and has 14mm CW threading at the tip. If you're more of a sneaky skirmisher or you need a tracer for an instinct-aiming advantage, you'll need a 14mm CW to 14mm CCW adapter to mount the most common tracer units, suppressors and alternative flash hiders. 

Immediately behind the sound amplifier, we come to the M-LOK handguard, measuring 6.5 inches in overall length. The handguard boasts M-LOK negative space attachment slots at the 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions with a 20mm Picatinny rail up top, ready for a PEQ laser, tactical flashlight or anything else you need to mount to complete the mission at hand. 

The upper 20mm Picatinny rail runs back to meet the receiver rail seamlessly, allowing for optical sights of practically any length to be mounted despite the short overall length of the AR-090E. Also present on the handguard are a pair of QD sling sockets, though we aren't sure if these are functional or not. On the top rail, we are treated to a set of flip-up aperture iron sights which can be deployed by hand, and are fully adjustable for both windage and elevation. The rear sight is equipped with two apertures for aiming in different environments; one with a wide hole for low-light situations and full auto, and a second with a smaller aperture for semi-automatic fire in good lighting conditions. 

Next up, we reach the receiver which is a unique design from Ares, featuring waffle texture on the magazine well to provide extra grip.  The dust cover, found on the right side is constructed from high-density polymer to match modern weight-reduced dust covers found on the latest H&K HK416 rifles as well as Daniel Defense's DDMK18.

The charging handle is located at the top rear of the receiver and is a low-profile design to reduce snagging and improve agility. Pulling the charging handle back will pop open the dust cover and lock the mock bolt carrier to the rear, allowing access to the rotary HOP-up unit. The HOP-up allows you to tune the AR-090E for your chosen ammo weight. Once your adjustment is complete, slap the "ping pong paddle" bolt catch on the left side or the secondary bolt catch on the right side to send the mock bolt home with a satisfying "clank".

The fire selector switch is ambidextrous, located on the left and right side of the receiver, just above the pistol grip, ideal for left or right-handed shooters. The selector provides 3 modes of fire; safe, semi-automatic and fully automatic, with a 90-degree throw between each mode. Being equipped with the Ares EFCS, the fire controls of the AR-090E can also be reprogrammed for burst mode and semi-auto only using the Ares EFCS programming box (available separately). 

The magazine release button is also ambidextrous, positioned on the left and right side of the magazine well. The mag release works just like a standard M4/AR-15 push-button release. The buttons are surrounded by raised protrusions in the receiver, known as the "magazine release fence". This was designed to prevent the mag release from accidentally being pressed as the AR-090E rubs against your gear. Another great aspect of the AR-15 design, the magazine release is easily accessible from a firing grip, making for scorchingly fast reloads as long as you practice!

A unique aspect of the Ares AR-090E is its pistol grip, a uniquely slim ergonomic design intended to match the dimensions of real AR-15 pistol grips. This grip has a very different feel to the normal chunky AEG grip, very similar to a GBBR with its more realistic sizing. This also means the AR-090E uses a proprietary motor type known as the Ares Slim Motor, and the pre-installed type is a high-torque, providing a snappy trigger response and the ability to pull stronger springs. 

The stock is another unique Ares design, patterned after PDW stocks found on many short-barreled rifles but with extra adjustment positions and an ambidextrous sling point on the underside of the stock base. This sling point is ideally positioned for a single-point sling but can be paired with a front sling point to mount a two-pointer if you prefer. 

On the underside of the stock base, we can find the adjustment lever, accessible from either side and offering 6 positions of adjustment. To adjust the stock, simply hold the adjustment lever down and slide it into your chosen position. The stock also serves as the battery compartment of the AR-090E and is accessible with the buffer tube plug removed through the port in the butt plate. To remove the plug you will need a flat tool (we suggest something polymer to avoid scratching the plug) and to turn the plug counterclockwise. With the plug removed, you will find a Deans battery connector inside to which you connect your choice of battery. We recommend a 7.4V 1450mAh LiPo battery in stick configuration for an easy fit and great performance. 

Inside, the AR-090E is equipped with the Ares EFCS gearbox, including the EFCS programmable MOSFET, 18:1 ratio steel gears and a quick change spring system for easy power tuning. The gearbox itself is based on the venerable version 2, though we suggest consulting a tech before buying upgrade parts as some bits inside are proprietary. As mentioned, the pre-installed motor is an Ares slim high torque example, providing a snappy trigger response ideal for exchanging fire in CQB settings. The EFCS MOSFET allows the fire modes to be reprogrammed for burst modes and semi-auto only using the Ares EFCS programmer (available separately) and also features a low-voltage cutoff function, protecting your battery from being damaged if the voltage drops too low. 

If a compact PDW AR is on the cards for your next Airsoft buy, the Ares X-Class Model 6 AR-090E M4/AR-15 AEG is yet another superb option. Its hefty full metal build and realistic slim pistol grip put the AR-090E a tier above the average when it comes to realism and its solid internal feature set with the slick EFCS MOSFET make it a killer on the field too!

Features

• Full metal construction
• Steel sound amplifier pre-installed - Very loud muzzle report
• 14mm CW male threaded barrel - Compatible with 14mm CW accessories, add an adapter for CCW
• M-LOK Handguard - M-LOK slots at 3, 6 & 9 o'clock, 20mm Picatinny up top
• 20mm Picatinny railed receiver - Ready for a red dot sight or scope 
• Waffle textured lower receiver - Great for extra grip when using the "magwell hold"
• Ambidextrous fire selector switch - Ideal for left or right-handed shooters
• Ambidextrous magazine release - Release the mag from the left or right
• Ambidextrous bolt release catch - Drop the bolt from either side after HOP-up adjustment
• Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit - The latest design for M4/AR-15, holds setting well under vibration
• Slim pistol grip - Unique Ares design, realistically sized grip like GBBRs
• Slim high torque motor - Ares-specific motor for the slim pistol grip, snappy response thanks to extra torque
• 6-Position PDW stock - A compact design with a textured butt plate
• Ares EFCS version 2 gearbox:
  • 18:1 Ratio steel gears
  • EFCS MOSFET
  • Quick change spring system
• Rear wired: Deans battery connector - Recommended battery: 7.4V 1450mAh LiPo in stick config. 
• Compatible with M4/AR-15 AEG magazines - Plenty of spares available

Package Includes

• Ares X-Class Model 6 AR-090E M4/AR-15 AEG
• 100rnd Short mid-cap magazine
• Cleaning rod