Novritsch SSG96 L96 Mk2 Bolt Action Sniper Rifle

The SSG96 Mk2 is the latest in Novritsch's line of L96 replicas, boasting all the awesome enhancements of the original with further improvements to extend its lead over rival platforms. The real steel L96 is one of the most iconic sniper rifles out there, famous for both its service in the British Army and its proliferation in video games, including CS: GO as the "AWP" and GTA V as the "Sniper Rifle". The Novritsch version brings the precision the real platform is known for to the Airsoft world with the iconic aesthetic to match.

Inside the SSG96 Mk2 we are treated to a new and improved TDC HOP-up unit with a toolless rotary adjuster concealed beneath a protective cover. This means you no longer need to carry an Allen key to apply mid game HOP-up adjustments, simply slide back the cover and adjust as needed. The HOP-up arm is the "flat" type, extending range by providing more even pressure to the HOP-up rubber and allowing for BB weights all the way up to 0.46g to be used. The HOP-up rubber is made by HOP-up gods, Maple Leaf, meaning even when upgraded, compatible sniper rifles will have to work very hard to out shoot the SSG96.

Novritsch has also applied his scrutiny to the externals of the L96, making use of a stronger polymer than others in its chassis for a near bomb-proof build. The receiver is CNC machined from aluminium and the bolt handle can be swapped to either side of the rifle, making this the ideal rifle for the left-handed sniper. The barrel of the Mk2 sports more realistic straight fluting, but the Novritsch signature spiral fluting is still present on the CNC machined steel cylinder. One of the best features added by Novritsch is the empty magazine indicator, allowing you to stay abreast of the condition of your rifle so you never miss that all-important shot.

Starting at the front, we can take note of the straight-fluted aluminium outer barrel, replacing the spiral fluted barrel of the original for a look more in line with the latest versions of the real L96. The outer barrel is threaded for Novritsch's proprietary SSG96 suppressor adapter and Sniper Rifle Muzzle Brake, so if you want the sneaky look for your SSG96 or you want a beastly Barrett-style brake, this is not out of the question.

Following the barrel back brings us to the chassis, which is a perfect match for the real Accuracy International L96 chassis, complete with finger grooves at the front for improved handling and a thumbhole stock with an adjustable cheekpiece and butt plate at the rear. The chassis is constructed from super strong high density polymer and attaches to the action via 3 screws, promising a tight fit and perfect accuracy, with no chance of barrel wobble.

At the front of the chassis, we have an L96 bipod spigot/socket which allows Atlas-style bipods to be directly mounted, or tri-rail mounts to be fitted for more accessory options. On the bottom front, we have yet another bipod mounting option in the form of a Harris bipod/sling stud. This allows you to fit a Harris-style bipod directly or a sling loop if you prefer the centrally mounted "infantry" style sling position as opposed to the side-mounted "cavalry" position. Speaking of sling loops, we are treated to one on either side of the chassis front, allowing you to add a two-point sling using the rear points on either side.

To the rear of the Harris lug, we come to the magazine well. The magazine catch is located at the front of the mag well and is recessed inside, ensuring any snags don't dump your precious magazine onto the woodland floor. The Novritsch SSG96 magazine has an extra trick up its sleeve when used with the SSG96; its empty magazine indicator.

When your mag runs dry, or when you insert an empty magazine you will see a small red protrusion rise from the left side of the chassis. This is a lifesaver; any Airsoft sniper will tell you, there is nothing worse than taking the perfect shot only to realise you were out of ammo. The advantage of a physical indicator raising from the chassis is that you can also check the loaded condition of your rifle in low light by feeling for the indicator. If it isn't there, you have a green light to take the shot!

The new toolless TDC HOP-up adjuster of the SSG96 is located on the top of the aft section of the outer barrel and can be accessed by sliding the polymer cover rearwards. The HOP-up allows you to tune the SSG96 for your chosen BB weight and allows the use of all weights up to 0.46g which is incredible for an out-of-the-box sniper rifle.

The advantage of a TDC adjuster is that once it is set, it will stay exactly where it is, and pressure is applied directly to the top of the flat HOP-up arm which massively reduces side-to-side shot deviation. The new style of TDC present in the SSG96 Mk2 has the added benefit of not requiring an Allen key to adjust, meaning mid-game adjustments are far less fiddly than with the Mk1. The pre-installed HOP-up bucking is provided by Maple Leaf and is a 70°  rubber, meaning it is well up to the task of shooting heavy BBs at high velocities thanks to its hard rubber construction.

Next up, we reach the receiver, which follows the L96 shape in a roundabout way but has been revamped by Novritsch with thoughtful enhancements and build-quality improvements. The receiver is now constructed from CNC machined aluminium with an integrally machined 20mm Picatinny rail up top, weight reduction on the sides and the ability to switch the enhanced bolt handle from the right side to the left. Over on the left side of the receiver, we can find laser engraved markings reading "Novritsch SSG06 MKII" in the Novritsch signature font, ensuring onlookers know you have the best out-of-the-box sniper rifle around.

The CNC construction of the receiver means a flawlessly crisp shape, reduced weight and improved strength when compared to other L96 replicas with cast alloy receivers. Having an integrally machined 20mm Picatinny rail means it will not loosen over time like compatible sniper rifles with screwed-in rails. You can be as rough as you like with the SSG96 and its strong, integral rail will keep your optic zeroed to perfection!

As mentioned, the bolt handle can be swapped to either side of the SSG96 by removing a single screw at the rear, making the platform ideal for either left or right-handed snipers. This is a rare feature for a sniper rifle, especially considering you don't need to buy any conversion kits or other parts!

On the rear of the bolt you will notice a small red protrusion in the centre, if the rifle is cocked, that is! This is the cocked/uncocked indicator, another thoughtful aspect of the SSG96 design which allows you to see and feel whether or not the rifle is ready to take that all-important shot. The safety catch can be found on the right side of the bolt, as it is on a standard L96, taking the form of a textured lever which can be slid back and forth to select between safe and fire. Beneath the safety, there is a red enamel dot which indicates the rifle is on "fire".

As we arrive at the rear of the rifle we can find one of the most recognisable aspects of the L96 external design, its multi-adjustable side folding thumbhole stock. Replacing the original fixed stock of the SSG96 Mk1, the new stock is based on the real steel "AWF" stock for the L96 and can now be folded to the left side for transportation and storage. Another new feature of the Mk2 stock is its monopod port, which is plugged with a polymer cover as the rifle arrives but we suspect a Novritsch monopod will soon be released for the platform.

The thumbhole stock design is remarkably comfortable, and a massive step up from conventional rifle stocks when shooting in the prone position. The grip is an ergonomic shape and supports the hand well, with no odd protrusions on either side making it usable for both left and right-handed shooters.

The cheekpiece can be raised and lowered to provide the perfect view through your optical sight or removed entirely if you use a full face mask. The screws on either side, just below the cheekpiece provide the adjustments, and unlike the Mk1, you will not need an Allen key to alter it. Cheekpiece adjustments can now be applied via a pair of thumb screws on the right side; simply loosen them up, lift the cheekpiece to where you need it and then tighten the thumb screws to lock the cheekpiece in place.

The butt plate can also be shortened to suit those who wear body armour by removing the spacer between it and the chassis. This stock has been widely praised both in Airsoft and the real world, and with Novritsch's enhanced rubber butt plate installed, the handling qualities have got even better!

Amongst the major strengths of the SSG96 Mk2 platform is its reinforced internals. The cylinder is constructed from polished stainless steel for maximum strength along with ultra-low friction and the piston is constructed from CNC machined aluminium with a rubber front cap, combining perfect air seal with low weight and high strength. The spring guide is also made from stainless steel and the trigger sears are also steel, meaning the SSG96 Mk2 is capable of performing with the strongest springs around, including the punishing M220.

To enhance accuracy and range, the SSG96 is fitted with a Maple Leaf 70° HOP-up rubber, a flat HOP-up arm and inner barrel spacers. The flat HOP-up arm helps to eliminate side-to-side shot deviation paired with the tooless TDC adjuster, and its flat contact surface allows the 70° Maple Leaf rubber to lift up to 0.46g BBs. Inner barrel spacers used to be something expert snipers would make themselves to keep long inner barrels stable within the outer barrel, but thanks to Novritsch, you already have this advantage with the SSG96 Mk2 straight out of the box.

For those looking for a pre-upgraded sniper rifle with the iconic L96/AWP aesthetic, you came looking at the right time! The SSG96 Mk2 is even better than the original, with a full complement of high-strength steel parts, a super convenient toolless TDC HOP-up, stylish straight barrel fluting and a convenient side folding stock. This is probably the best Airsoft L96 replica on the market right now, until the Mk3, that is!

Features

• Full metal construction
• Mk2 version - Loads of improvements!
• Staight fluted outer barrel - More realistic looks, matches the real L96
• CNC Machined aluminium receiver - Weight reduced, flawless shape
• High density polymer stock/chassis - Far stronger than other L96 replicas
• L96 Bipod spigot/socket - At the front of the chassis, allows bipods and rail mounts to be fitted
• Harris bipod/sling stud - At the front of the chassis, add a sling loop or Harris-style bipod
• Toolless TDC adjustable HOP-up unit - On the outer barrel, concealed beneath a sliding cover, no tools required!
• 20mm Picatinny railed receiver - Ready for your choice of rifle scope
• Ambidextrous sling points front and rear - Add a two-point sling on either side
• Ambidextrous magazine release - Bottom front of the chassis, accessible from either side
• Left/Right swappable bolt handle - Perfect for left or right-handed snipers, no extra parts needed
• Silent piston head - Reduces muzzle report and wear on the piston head
• Perfectly matching inner barrel and cylinder volume -  Perfect efficiency, reduced shot noise
• Flat skeletonised trigger - Looks fantastic, ties in well with other Novritsch platforms
• Rubber butt plate - Unique Novristch design, adds plenty of grip for wet weather use
• Empty magazine indicator - A red indicator pops up on the left side of the chassis when your mag is empty
• Enhanced bolt handle - Serrated for extra grip, unique looks
• Side folding stock - More convenient to store and transport
• Monopod socket - Built into the stock, get ready for a future Novritsch monopod
• Cocked indicator on the rear of the bolt - Helps avoid double loading, protrudes so you can feel it in low light
• Maple Leaf 70° HOP-up rubber - Capable of lifting up to 0.5g BBs
• Flat HOP-up arm - Even pressure applied to the HOP-up rubber, reduced side-to-side shot deviation
• Stainless steel cylinder - Low friction, high strength, perfect air seal
• Stainless steel spring guide - Extra strong, compatible with Novritsch 13mm diameter upgrade springs
• Aluminium piston - Lightweight, high strength with rubber cap for reduced wear and improved air seal
• Steel trigger sears - Capable of handling high strength springs (up to M220)
• Inner barrel spacers pre-installed - Keeps the lengthy 500mm inner barrel straight for extra accuracy
• Camouflage cover available - Make your SSG96 Mk2 disappear!

Package Includes

• Novritsch SSG96 Mk2 L96 Bolt Action Sniper Rifle
• 21rnd Low-cap magazine
• User manual