G&G Armament FAR9 Folding AR-9 AEG

If you dream of fitting all your Airsoft kit into a single bag, the G&G Armament FAR9 Folding AR-9 AEG should be your next primary! This AR-9 platform is based around the G&G ARP9 3.0 internals in a unique folding body, allowing it to be folded down to measure a mere 25 x 15 x 21cm.

Inside, we are treated to the G&G MIG V2 gearbox, equipped with 8mm ball bearing bushings, a 25k high torque motor and the G&G G3 MOSFET, improving trigger response and rate of fire considerably and allowing 11.1V LiPo batteries to be used with no reliability worries. The MOSFET also offers programmable fire controls, allowing you to switch the full auto setting for 3-round burst using only the trigger and fire selector of the platform itself. If you have a minimalist mindset and like to travel light, the FAR9 will be your best friend!

Starting at the front, we have a polymer thread protector concealing 14mm CCW male barrel threading beneath. This means you can mount a suppressor, tracer or your choice of flash hider easily and with no need for extra adapters. The outer barrel itself is constructed from alloy, measuring 8.5 inches in overall length, offering a compact front end that is well suited to CQB with enough inner barrel length to handle long-range threats.

The handguard follows just behind the thread protector, offering a 20mm Picatinny rail on the top and M-LOK slots at the 3, 6 & 9 o'clock positions, ready for M-LOK accessories or 20mm Picatinny rail adapters for M-LOK. 3.5 M-LOK slots are available at the 3 and 6 o'clock positions, and the 9 o'clock position includes 1.5 M-LOK slots just ahead of the front-end folding arm.

The party trick of the FAR9 is its ability to fold both the front end and the stock, resulting in a compact and easy-to-store package measuring a mere 25cm in overall length. The process of folding the front end does require some care, however, so we don't suggest doing it under pressure and not treating it too roughly!

To fold the front end, remove the magazine, then pull the toggle connected to the folding arm until you hear a loud metallic "click". With this done, keep the folding arm in this position and the front end should fold to the right side and lock on the receiver lug. Folding the front end back into the ready-to-fire position simply requires the front end to be folded back into place and the locking arm indexed on the hook on the opposite side to the hinge. With the front end back in place, press the feed chute of the HOP-up unit through the magazine well and you will hear a click; this means you're ready to load up and get shooting!

If you find when folding the front end that the HOP-up does not retract into the outer barrel, you're doing it wrong! It is very important that you do not force anything when carrying out the folding process; if it doesn't feel right it probably isn't! If you are having trouble with this, read the "Special Instructions" section below and watch the attached video for clarification.

The FAR9 shares the same receiver style as the ARP9, with its modern "billet" style and looks signalling that this is an SMG of the 21st century. The FAR9 receiver has a few slight aesthetic changes to mark it out from the older variants, including an enlarged bolt release catch recess, adding to the ultra modern looks. The front of the magazine well includes gripping grooves for shooting in cramped and unconventional positions, and the magazine well has a wide flared design to help funnel your magazine in, meaning you can reload quickly without the risk of missing the magwell.

The controls of the FAR9 will be familiar to most, as they have a lot in common with the prolific M4/AR-15 platform. The fire selector is positioned just above the pistol grip on the left side, sitting directly beneath the shooter's thumb for fast access from a firing grip. The charging handle, which provides access to the Rotary HOP-up unit, is located at the top rear of the receiver, just like an M4/AR-15, and is ambidextrous to allow easy HOP-up access for both left and right-handed shooters.

The magazine release is slightly different than the older ARP9, matching the ARP9 3.0. A paddle-style magazine release, the new mag release can be operated from either side and includes an additional extension to allow the mag release to be actuated with the trigger finger. The extension is a new addition to the ARP9 3.0 and FAR9, and though it may be a small change it makes a big difference when it comes to carrying out an emergency reload under pressure. Both the paddle mag release and extension have a textured surface to ensure this vital control remains effective regardless of the weather conditions.

Over on the right side of the upper receiver is where we can find the mock ejection port which is covered by a modernised dust cover, keeping the cutting-edge look consistent across the platform. The rotary HOP-up unit of the FAR9 is located inside the ejection port and can be accessed with the charging handle held back. The rotary unit style is the best current design for the M4/AR-15 platform and has the benefit of holding its setting more effectively under the vibration of rapid fire, and can also be adjusted in finer increments for easier tuning with a variety of ammo weights.

The FAR9 grip matches that of the latest ARP9 3.0, featuring a more vertical angle to provide a more comfortable position for the wrist when paired with the short CHFS stock system, allowing for better ergonomics in the FAR9's natural habitat; cramped CQB skirmish sites. The grip has linear serrations on the front and rear, and grip texture on either side along with a G&G logo, meaning you have all you need to keep the FAR9 firmly within your grasp as you sprint around clearing rooms like a man possessed!

Next up we come to the stock, which is one of the most innovative aspects of the FAR9. The stock is known as the CHFS system, which denotes Conductive Hinge Folding Stock. As you might assume, this means the stock has no external wires to get caught, and the wiring runs hidden inside the hinge itself meaning no matter how rough you are when folding and unfolding the stock you will never chop your wires by mistake. This means you can effectively have your cake and eat it too; enjoying the benefits of an ultra-slim snag-free stock while avoiding having to use a battery box or external battery which would complicate the setup and take up rail space.

To install the battery in the CHFS all you need to do is press the small tab at the top rear of the butt plate and you can slide the butt plate down to reveal a mini-Tamiya connector to which you mount your battery of choice. For the FAR9, we recommend an 11.1V 900mAh LiPo stick battery with a 15C discharge rate for the best combination of an easy fit and performance.

The stock itself is a side folding slimline stock, similar in style to the latest MPX and MCX slimline stocks but with a bigger butt plate to facilitate the built-in battery compartment. The stock also features 3 QD sling sockets; one on the base of the stock, and one on either side at the rear. The FAR9 comes with a QD sling swivel included, meaning you are ready to go if you like a single-point sling, or you can add a front sling point and run a two-point sling if you are using the FAR9 as a backup to a bigger weapon in outdoors skirmishes.

On the inside, the new FAR9 keeps all the good things from the original, including its 8mm ball bearing bushings and 25,000 RPM high-speed motor and throws them into the new MIG, aka MOSFET integrated gearbox. The new G&G MOSFET retains the enviable functionality of the original, including the option to program the fire selector for 3 round bursts and its electronic trigger contacts which give a near-instantaneous trigger response in semi-auto. The MOSFET also protects the trigger contacts from power surges and allows the pre-tuned internals to function reliably with an 11.1V LiPo battery, resulting in a positively terrifying rate of fire more akin to a minigun than an SMG!

If you ever wanted to travel light when skirmishing and fit all your kit into a backpack, the G&G Armament FAR9 Folding AR-9 AEG can make this dream a reality. With all the performance of the latest ARP9 3.0 but the ability to fold down into a package measuring a mere 25 x 15 x 21cm, this AEG breaks the mould and opens up new possibilities for those who travel to skirmishes using public transport, a motorbike or other method which requires a minimalist mindset!

Features

• High-density polymer construction
• Alloy outer barrel, front end locking arm, stock bar & trim parts
• Unique folding design - Read the "Special Instructions" section below before attempting to fold it!
• G&G MIG V2 Gearbox - Programmable MOSFET pre-installed
• 14mm CCW Male threaded outer barrel - Tracer/suppressor ready, thread protector pre-installed
• M-LOK Handguard - M-LOK slots at 3, 6, & 9 o 'clock positions, ready for M-LOK accessories
• 20mm Picatinny railed receiver - Ready for a red dot sight or scope, seamless integration with the handguard rail
• Flip-up iron sights pre-installed - Aperture sights when flipped up, open light enhancing when flipped down
• Ambidextrous charging handle - Easy HOP-up access for left or right-handed shooters
• Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit - The latest design for AR platforms, holds its setting well under vibration
• Enlarged trigger guard - Easy access to the trigger when wearing gloves
• Flat "speed" trigger - Super snappy response and looks great, finger ledge to prevent slipping off
• Ambidextrous magazine release - Ideal for left or right-handed shooters, use with your reaction hand or trigger finger
• Ergonomic pistol grip - Reduced grip angle and filled backstrap for maximum comfort
• Modern "billet" style receiver design - Cutting edge looks, matches the ARP9 3.0 and other modern ARs
• Side folding CHFS stock system - No wires to get trapped, great for CQB
• QD sling swivel included - Can be used with any of the 3 QD sockets
• 11.1V LiPo ready - BRRRRRRRRRRRT
• 3x QD sling sockets on the stock - One at the base, one on each side
• New magazine design - Known as the "Dual Channel Converging" magazine, extra capacity in a short design
• G&G MIG V2 Gearbox:
  • G3 Programmable MOSFET
  • 8mm Ball bearing bushings
  • 25K High-torque motor
• Rear wired: Mini-Tamiya battery connector - Recommended battery: 11.1V 900mAh Stick Battery
• Compatible with previous generation ARP9 magazines
  • 1500rnd Drum Magazine | 60rnd with Mock rounds | 60rnd Standard | 300rnd High-Cap
• Also compatible with PTS EPM-AR9 140rnd Mid-cap Magazine

Package Includes

• G&G Armament FAR9 Folding AR-9 AEG
• 68rnd Dual Channel Converging ARP9 Magazine
• QD Sling swivel

Special Instructions

Given the unique folding design of the FAR9, it is very important that you are careful when folding the front end. The HOP-up unit is proprietary and cannot be replaced with a standard M4/AR-15 unit, and if not done properly, the folding process can result in the HOP-up unit breaking.

Any damage done to the HOP-up unit through incorrectly attempting to fold the front end is considered a "user error" and is NOT covered by your 12-month warranty.

To fold the front end, remove the magazine, then pull the toggle connected to the folding arm until you hear a loud metallic "click". With this done, keep the folding arm in this position and the front end should fold to the right side and lock on the receiver lug.

If the front end does not freely fold following this process, the HOP-up unit has not retracted into the outer barrel. In this case, reset the folding arm and start again from scratch. Forcing the front end to fold without the HOP-up being retracted will break the HOP-up unit.

Folding the front end back into the ready-to-fire position requires the front end to be folded back into place and the locking arm indexed on the hook on the opposite side to the hinge. With the front end back in place, press the feed chute of the HOP-up unit through the magazine well and you will hear a click; this means you're ready to load up and get shooting!