ARCTURUS AT-ST01 LWT AR-15 CQB Sport

The ARCTURUS AT-ST01 LWT AR-15 CQB Sport is a variant of one of the most popular current real-world M4/AR-15 platforms in the US, used in countless skirmishes worldwide. It packs some highly desirable external parts with an emphasis on speed and agility in a cut down form factor, while still retaining a traditional AR build that can be used in both CQB and outdoor skirmishes.

A key feature of this rifle is the ultra-lightweight polymer build, making this an absolute beast in those tight CQB environments, allowing you to zip around the skirmish field as fast as possible, while still wielding a gun with an AR form factor. Of course, another advantage of this weight is that your arms and shoulders won't be completely drained at the end of the day!

Starting at the front of the rifle, we have the birdcage-style flash hider, which is held in place with a grub screw. The flash hider is attached to the outer barrel via the 14mm CCW thread, which can be removed if you ever feel like changing things up and equipping your own favourite style of the flash hider, suppressor or tracer unit. But you may not even need that option, as the included flash hider is a classic design, with a modern, sleek aesthetic that pairs perfectly with the M-LOK rail system.

On the subject of the M-LOK rail system, we can see that the handguard sports exactly that, which not only gives you ample room for attachments and customisation but also gives you a clear view of the barrel and mock gas tube and gas block within. The M-LOK system allows you to attach a whole host of tactical devices anywhere at 45 and 90-degree angles along the handguard, allowing for a superior level of customisation for devices such as torches, lasers and foregrips. This handguard is unique in that the very front sports a quad 2.5-inch Picatinny rail, meaning that you have the best of both worlds - M-LOK and Picatinny, so no attachments are off the table. Another key feature of this particular M4 model is that the handguard features a slim-line low-profile design, meaning that the lower half is shorter than other M4 counterparts. This allows the handguard to be lighter and more manoeuvrable, to keep you more agile in combat, as well as reduce the overall weight of the rifle, making it even quicker to operate.

The pistol grip is somewhat oversized, in comparison to the rest of the slimline build, however, this aids in grip and features a number of preferable ergonomic touches. The front and back straps, much like the magwell grip sport a ridged texture for a superior grip. Likewise, the sides of the grip feature a stippled texture, so this rifle is an absolute dream to grip, with or without gloves. The motor is housed within the grip and is accessed by turning the steel screw on the underside of the grip.

Behind the receiver, we are treated to an ambidextrous sling plate which offers two sling points on the left side and one on the right. The sling plate is ideal for single-point slings, but can also be paired with a front sling mount if you prefer a two-point sling setup. Being constructed from steel allows the sling plate to take the weight of the rifle easily, and provides confidence that the plate will never fail and dump your prized rifle into the dirt.

In keeping with the slimline nature of the stock follows suit in that it is narrower, allowing it to be lighter and handle more easily in close skirmish situations such as around corners. Being a rear-wired gun, the battery compartment is located at the very rear of the stock, within the rubberised butt plate. To access this compartment, simply rotate the dial counter-clockwise and pull out the butt plate. This particular stock's plate is attached at the bottom, so there are no worries about accessing the battery compartment even in the heat of battle as the butt plate will stay securely fastened. This gun has a crane stock and as such fits a crane stock nunchuck battery with each cell slotting in either side of the stock. The rifle is fitted with a DEANS connector and as such we would recommend batteries up to 13cm long such as the NUPROL 7.4v 2200mAh LiPo Crane Stock Battery or similar.

Arcturus are known for their quality and robust internals and the AT-ST01 is no exception! The internals of the rifle is equipped with a rock-solid feature set with some well-chosen upgrade parts with nothing which is overly complex to keep things simple, making it easy to master. The gearbox is a version 2 reinforced type with a quick change spring guide mounted on ball bearings for reduced rotational stress, and the piston head is also fitted with ball bearings, resulting in a long-lasting and low-stress gearbox setup.

The nozzle is Teflon sealed for superb air seal qualities, and the steel gearset runs on 8mm steel bushings for a smooth gearbox sound and unlaboured functionality. The wiring is heavy gauge low resistance wiring, making for a setup which is far more efficient in both air seal and power use than most of its rivals. This superb feature set is enhanced by the microswitch trigger, which provides a snappy trigger response in semi-auto, and genuinely feels like it must have a MOSFET inside. While this rifle doesn't have a MOSFET, ARCTURUS has clearly proved you don't need a MOSFET for a rapid response if your gearbox is well built!

So if you are looking for a sure-fire way to dominate in CQB, the AT-ST01 fits the bill, without having to completely cut down to SMG or ARP-9 and still retains its glorious AR-15 form factor. The rifle is as light as can be thanks to its full polymer design and the low profile slimline stock and handguard reduces the weight even further so you can stay light on your feet and manoeuvrable in the heat of battle.

The ultra slimline stock and low profile handguard keep you agile and manoeuvrable on the field for those of you that like quick, intense gameplay. With a beautiful anodised handguard and modern aesthetics, this rifle is a fantastic choice at this price point, and being an M4 platform, with both a full-length top rail and M-LOK handguard, is easily customised to boot!

Features

• 6.03mm Steel tightbore inner barrel
• Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit
• 10-inch M-LOK handguard - Plenty of space for modern shooting styles!
• 14mm CCW male threaded outer barrel - Ready for a tracer or suppressor
• 20mm Picatinny railed receiver - Seamless integration with the handguard rail
• M-LOK rail system with quad picatinny front end
• Ambidextrous charging handle - Modern looks, ambi HOP-up access
• Extended bolt release - True to the real-world rifle
• Ergonomic pistol grip with ridged backstrap - Comfortable for most hand sizes
• Ambidextrous steel sling plate - Ready for single-point slings
• QD sling points on rear of stock
• 6 Position M4/AR-15 buffer tube - Compatible with aftermarket M4/AR-15 AEG stocks
• Mil-spec curved trigger - Perfect for military-style loadouts
• Bearing spring guide and piston head - Reduced rotational force, less friction
• Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit - Fine increments of adjustment, holds setting well
• Teflon sealed air nozzle - Great compression/air seal qualities
• Low resistance wiring - Great electrical efficiency
• 8mm Steel bushings - Smooth running gearbox
• Compatible with M4/AR-15 AEG magazines
• Deans connector with included Mini-Tamiya adaptor

Package Includes

• ARCTURUS AT-ST01 LWT AR-15 CQB Sport
• 130rnd mid-capacity magazine
• Flip-up ironsights
• Deans to Mini-Tamiya adaptor
• Instruction manual
• ARCTURUS stickers