Novritsch SSQ22 GBBR

The SSQ22 comes straight from Novritsch dressed to impress, with a modern external overhaul allowing it to contend with the M4/AR-15 platform in the "barbie for men" category of accessorising and giving it a slick look which is unlike anything else out there. This is a Gas Blowback rifle, meaning with each shot the bolt travels rearward to provide some satisfying recoil, load the next shot and offer a more realistic firing experience for those who are a bit bored of AEGs.

Unlike other GBBRs, the SSQ22 uses a lightweight bolt carrier with a short travel length, characteristics owed to its real steel relative, the Ruger 10/22. As it translates to Airsoft, this means a massive improvement in performance compared with assault rifle style GBBRs, lower overall weight and far better gas efficiency, giving the platform some serious potential as an actually viable GBBR DMR platform.

While the SSQ22 doesn't quite pack the heat in the recoil department quite like a PTS Matten or TM ZET System GBBR, its rapid-fire performance makes it far more skirmishable out of the box, turning GBBRs from something you shoot for fun into a skirmish viable platform without the need for any upgrades. If you like the idea of a GBBR DMR but the technical feats needed to achieve such things are beyond you, the SSQ22 should be far easier than other GBBRs to turn into a light and tight recoil-ridden DMR!

Starting at the tip of the outer barrel we can find a thread protector which conceals 14mm CCW male threading beneath. This means you can get a suppressor or tracer mounted on the SSQ22 right away, with no need for adapters or any other messing about. Unlike other sniper rifles and DMRs, the SSQ22's short overall length means you can add a suppressor without needing to worry about whacking it on trees as you stalk the enemy in the woods!

The outer barrel itself is constructed from alloy and is a fluted design, with spiral grooves running back from the tip all the way to the receiver. The spiral fluting not only looks fantastic but is commonly seen on customised real steel 10/22 rifles, offering reduced weight, improved heat dispersion and improved barrel strength in the real world. In Airsoft terms, this is purely an aesthetic choice but its unique look ensures that everyone on site knows you are running a Novritsch SSQ22!

Following the barrel rearwards we come to the handguard which is of a squared profile with bevelled corners for comfort. The handguard is equipped with M-LOK negative space attachment slots at the 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions, giving you the option to directly mount M-LOK accessories or make use of 20mm Picatinny accessories by using M-LOK to 20mm Picatinny rail adapters. The handguard also has 2 QD sling sockets on each side, opening up the potential to make use of a QD sling swivel so you can detach and reattach your sling in mere seconds.

The receiver rail on the SSQ22 is lengthened to allow for longer optical sights to be mounted, offering enough space to potentially even squeeze a Run Cam on the rail, depending on your choice of scope. This is a nice improvement over a standard 10/22, and allows the SSQ22 to keep pace with rival platforms and facilitate its DMR style role. The rail is CNC machined from aluminium for perfect engagement with your accessories and to ensure a reliable and repeatable zero with your optic once it is set up.

The SSQ22 is equipped with a TDC (Top Dead Centre) HOP-up unit with an externally adjustable dial located in the centre of the top rail; both absolutely ideal attributes for a platform with an emphasis on accuracy. The dial has helpful indicator markings showing the direction of turn for a reduction or increase in HOP-up effect and has deep grooves around its circumference, making for easy mid-game adjustments even when wearing gloves. The TDC style unit originated as a home-brewed modification for VSR-10 sniper rifles and rapidly became known as the best way to apply HOP-up, minimising side-to-side deviation by applying force directly to the top of the HOP-up nub.

The receiver of the SSQ22 is absolutely tiny but is constructed from alloy to provide the strength necessary for a long lasting blowback action. Like an AK rifle, the charging handle is directly mounted to the bolt carrier and presents itself on the right side, meaning a reach under the rifle to cock it from a firing grip in true tactical style, though the handle is quite close to the pistol grip and you would be forgiven for using your strong hand to rack the rifle.

As a GBBR, the SSQ22 requires that the charging handle is pulled before the first shot, just like the real thing. At the end of the mag, the bolt will lock back and show you an empty chamber, and following a reload you will need to "power-stroke"(pull back) the charging handle to return the bolt carrier to battery.

The safety catch is located on the front of the trigger guard and is present on both sides, allowing lefties and righties easy access to this, the most important of controls! The safety requires a 90-degree rotation to unlock the trigger and has a textured surface to ensure you don't slip off the safety at a critical moment. The magazine release is located between the trigger guard and the magazine well and requires an upwards push to release the magazine. The advantage of this design is that it is very low profile and well out of the way of potential snags on slings, webbing and other equipment.

The chassis into which the receiver seats is constructed from high density polymer, as it is with many real world 10/22 enhanced chassis systems, keeping the SSQ22 lightweight and mobile. At the rear of the chassis, we are presented with a pair of QD sling sockets, one on either side, completing the platform's full complement of QD sling options. The rear QD socket is ideal if you want to run the SSQ22 with a single-point sling but can be paired up with any of the handguard's QD sockets for a two-point sling setup. Just make sure you get some QD sling swivels as none are provided in the box!

The pistol grip is patterned after the M4/AR-15 design but is set at a more vertical angle and is shorter than the standard M4 grip; similar in length to the real steel Magpul MOE-K. This grip feels fantastic on the SSQ22 and has front and rear linear texture to enhance grip while remaining comfortable to use with or without gloves. We have not yet had the opportunity to test compatibility with other grips but from how it appears there is potential that GBBR or real steel grips will fit, though they may need modification.

At the rear of the chassis, we can take note of one of the SSQ22's best features; the 1913/20mm Picatinny stock attachment interface. This is a short length of 20mm rail positioned vertically and allows the pre-installed fixed skeleton stock to be removed for storage or transportation, or changed out for any other 1913/20mm Picatinny stock. Options out there include the Visor Stock, designed for use with full face protection, visors and gas masks, the folding skeleton stock, which is perfect for those who need a more compact and agile setup and the good old M4/AR-15 buffer tube for those who want access to the plethora of sliding stock options the buffer tube provides.

The pre-installed fixed stock is designed to keep the SSQ22 lightweight and agile, with the base of the stock being constructed from alloy for strength where needed and the stock itself being constructed from high density polymer with a rubber butt plate for maximum grip in all weather conditions. The stock is also equipped with ports at the toe which can be used to add a paracord loop and mount a more sneaky sling solution, avoiding the rattly nature of QD sling swivels for the truly dedicated snipers out there.

If you have a mobile playstyle and you want a DMR that can keep up, the SSQ22 would be the perfect platform! This GBBR is lightweight but of superb quality, with plenty of accessory options and excellent gas efficiency thanks to its 10/22 derived design and compact bolt carrier. The inherent advantages of the 10/22 style action are made all the sweeter thanks to the pre-installed Maple Leaf flat HOP-up bucking and Novritsch's thorough and well-thought-out external makeover!

Features

• Full metal construction
• 14mm CCW Male threaded outer barrel - Tracer/suppressor ready
• Fluted outer barrel design - Custom looks, reduced weight
• CNC Aluminium M-LOK handguard - M-LOK attachment slots at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock
• QD Sling sockets everywhere - Two on the handguard, one on the chassis, all on both sides!
• Externally adjustable TDC HOP-up unit - Easy to access, located on the upper 20mm rail
• Ergonomic pistol grip - Shortened M4/AR-15 style design, aftermarket compatibility to be confirmed
• 20mm Picatinny railed receiver - Ready for scopes, red dots and anything else you want to mount
• Ambidextrous magazine release - Between the trigger guard and mag, low profile for snag reduction
• Ambidextrous safety catch - 90-degree throw between safe and semi-auto, easy to reach for lefties and righties
• 1913/20mm Picatinny stock attachment interface - Add any 1913/20mm Picatinny stock for extra functionality
• Lightweight skeleton fixed stock pre-installed - Rubber butt pad, loops for conventional slings present
• Maple leaf flat HOP-up bucking pre-installed - Superb accuracy and range potential
• Novritsch advises to clean the barrel before the first use for maximum accuracy
• NOT compatible with ASG/KJW KC02 magazines
• Spare magazines available here

Package Includes

• Novritsch SSQ22 Gas Blowback Rifle
• 36rnd SSQ22 Green Gas Magazine
• User manual
• Cleaning rod

Special Instructions

The magazines of the SSQ22 need to be firmly pushed into the magazine well in order to lock in place properly. There is a possibility that the mag can be inserted but not locked properly, meaning it falls out following the first shot. We recommend inserting the mag and giving it a firm push into the magazine well with every reload, and paying particular attention to this when skirmishing to avoid dropping the mag and damaging it.