Hey everybody, Michael here from Replica Airguns with another field test shooting video! Today, we finally got our hands on another A&K M1873R M-Lock Lever Action Airsoft Gas Rifle. The first one we received had an issue with a leaking valve that someone tried to fix with some goop, so I got a return item to demo instead. For this session, we are strictly focused on performance: seeing how this model handles when we actually put some rounds downrange. I am using .25 gram Airsoft BBs and filling it up with propane gas. We are going to put this gun through its paces, but right out of the gate, we're dealing with some quality control quirks. Also make sure to checkout my Table Top video for the A&K M1873R for details specifications and close up video.
Chronograph and Velocity Testing
Starting things off with the chrony test, I filled the gun up with propane. It's worth noting right away that preparing this gun is frustrating; you cannot fill the gun with gas while the front mock suppressor is attached. You have to take a coin, unscrew it for 30 to 60 seconds, fill the gas, and put it back on. After finally getting it loaded up, let's see how the M1373 R version performed:
Shot 1: 340 FPS
Shot 2: 320 FPS
Shot 3: 335 FPS
Shot 4: 328 FPS
Shot 5: 337 FPS
Shot 6: 335 FPS
As you can see, the numbers were fairly consistent, keeping us comfortably in the 320 to 340 FPS range with a 7 shot average of 331 FPS. It shoots right around where you want it to be for an Airsoft Rifle of this type, though you can hear the gas starting to run a bit low if you push too many rounds through it without topping it off.
Accuracy Downrange at 30 Feet
Next up, I stepped back to my standard 30-foot mark to see what kind of grouping the A&K M1873R M-Lock Lever Action Airsoft Gas Rifle could pull off on a fresh paper target. I put about 10 or 11 rounds through it for this string. Because of the way it was hitting, I intentionally aimed towards the bottom of the target ring to compensate for it shooting high the way the red dot was sighted in.
Shooting this gun requires some effort. The trigger is honestly quite heavy for what is essentially a single-action pull, so you really have to crank it. Despite the heavy trigger, the end result was a fairly decent 2.5 to 3-inch grouping. As long as you know where to aim or have your sights dialed in, it's actually not a bad shooter downrange.
Shooting Feel and Quality Control Issues
The physical shooting experience is where this A&K replica really struggles, largely due to lacking quality control. Out of the box, a small retention spring meant to keep the loading port door closed, fell out of the breech area. Because of this, it misfeeds, and the BB stays in the bottom part of the breech unless you give the lever an intentional, forceful push to load it correctly.
The other major headache is the previously mentioned mock suppressor design. Having to take a tool or coin to remove it just to fill it up with gas makes no sense for field use. They really should have included an open-front mock suppressor or an extender piece so you can reach the valve easily without a teardown process every 20+ shots or so.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the A&K M1873R M-Lock Lever Action Airsoft Gas Rifle is a very cool-looking modern lever action rifle, but I really wish it didn't have these out-of-the-box issues. Between the two models I looked at, both had problems, from leaking valves to a finicky loading door. The unnecessary 60-second hassle just to fill the gas tank holds it back from being a great plinker unless you simply do not install the mock suppressor. It definitely shoots well enough and hits good FPS numbers, but you'll have to deal with some frustrating design choices and quality control along the way.
Where to Buy
Buy the A&K M1873R M-Lock Lever Action Airsoft Gas Rifle in Canada
Buy the A&K M1873R M-Lock Lever Action Airsoft Gas Rifle in the US
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