View fullsize

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

View fullsize

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.

View fullsize

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

Thanks for tuning in! Make sure to head over and follow the Replica Airguns channels on Rumble and Vimeo. We are uploading as much content as possible, and your support means the world to us!

Today we’re looking at the A&K M1873R (the R version). There are a few different versions of this rifle in the lineup (some more compact, some more full-length), and the manual actually shows the variations so watch the video where I point that out.

This is a Table Top Review only, so we’re focusing on specs, details, and a walk-around. I was hoping to follow this up quickly with a Shooting / Field Test Video, but my sample has an issue: it’s leaking gas when I try to fill it (I tested with propane/green gas). I’ll need to sort that out first (repair or replacement), so the field test will have to wait until that’s resolved.

Here some links where you can buy the A&K M1873R in our Canada Replica Airguns and US Replica Airguns Stores

View fullsize

Specifications

• Manufactured By: A&K – Made in China

• Type: Gas-powered airsoft lever action rifle (non-blowback)

• Ammunition: 6mm plastic airsoft BBs

• Power Source: Green gas / propane (internal gas reservoir)

• Action: Lever action / manual cycle (one shot per lever cycle)

• Capacity: 25-round internal magazine (side loading gate)

• Velocity: Approx. 350–400 FPS with 0.20g BBs (temperature/BB weight dependent)

• Hop-Up: Adjustable hop-up system

• Build / Materials:

  • Real wood stock

  • Metal receiver and barrel assembly

  • M-LOK handguard (tactical “modern western” styling)

  • Top Picatinny rail (optics ready)

  • Brass butt plate

• Controls / Features:

  • Enlarged lever loop (glove-friendly)

  • Integrated lanyard ring / sling hoop

• Weight: 4.8 lbs (2.18 kg)

• Overall Length: 27.2 inches (69 cm)

• Barrel Length: 8 inches (20.3 cm)

In the Box

• A&K M1873R rifle

• Mock suppressor (cosmetic)

• Speed loader (you’ll want this for loading the internal magazine)

• Tools / Allen keys

• Small bag of airsoft BBs

• Simple 1-page manual

View fullsize

Manual Notes: Different Versions

The manual shows several versions of this lever action platform. Some are more compact and some are more traditional full-length lever rifles. There’s also a version that appears to run without the longer front barrel extension setup, which, honestly, is the version I’d personally lean toward since the included mock suppressor is mostly cosmetic.

Walk Around

This is a really sharp-looking rifle, it has that classic lever gun vibe thanks to the real wood stock and brass butt plate, but then it mixes in a modern tactical look with the M-LOK hand-guard and top Picatinny rail.

A few key points when handling it:

• No sights included: there are no iron sights on this rifle, so you’ll want to add your own optic (red dot, scope, or rail-mounted irons).

• M-LOK handguard + top rail: lots of freedom to build the look you want, keep it clean, or “tactical western” it up with accessories.

• Internal mag / side loading gate: loads like a real lever gun, through the side. The external profile stays clean (no big mag hanging out).

• Enlarged lever loop: easier to run with gloves or bigger hands, and it just looks right on this style of rifle.

• Sling / carry: it includes a metal lanyard ring / sling hoop, so carrying it is easy if you want it strapped while moving around.

View fullsize

Mock Suppressor and Gas Fill

The included “suppressor” is mainly for looks. It does have an orange front, and it doesn’t function as a suppressor (it’s not extending the inner barrel either).

Important practical detail: you’ll need to remove the mock suppressor to access the gas fill valve, which means you’ll want to keep the included tool (or something similar like a washer/coin that fits) with you.

Issue With My Sample: Leaking Gas

My review sample is leaking at the fill area. It looks like someone may have tried to seal it (there appears to be silicone or residue), and there are a few scratches that make me suspect this unit could have been a return. I tried tightening it, but it still leaks and it may be stripped.

This is not what you should expect out of a normal new unit, but I want to mention it because it’s the reason I’m holding off on the field test until it’s fixed.

View fullsize

Pros

• A lever action gas Airsoft rifle is just plain fun (and there aren’t tons of these around)

• Classic look with real wood + brass butt plate, but still has modern utility with M-LOK up front

• Feels solid in the hands (doesn’t feel cheap)

• Top Picatinny rail makes optics easy (and you’ll want optics since there are no sights)

• 25-round internal magazine keeps the outside profile clean

• Enlarged lever loop is great for gloves or cold-weather play

• Lanyard ring / sling hoop makes it easy to carry

• Speed loader makes loading fast once you get the hang of it

• You can run it more compact by skipping the mock suppressor (it’s optional)

Cons

• The internal 25-round magazine is awkward to load without the speed loader, don’t lose it

• Green gas performance is temperature sensitive, which can affect consistency in colder weather

• Not a fast follow-up shooter, you must work the lever for every shot (part of the charm, but it’s a limitation)

• You’ll need to add your own sights/optic (none included)

• The included mock suppressor must be removed to fill gas, which adds a little extra handling

View fullsize

Final Thoughts

The A&K M1873R is a really cool “modern western” mashup, classic lever action styling with real wood and brass, but with M-LOK and a top rail so you can build it out however you want. Lever guns force you to slow down and actually enjoy the shooting experience, and that’s a big part of why they’re so popular (even outside of Airsoft).

Once I get the leak issue sorted on my sample, I definitely want to do the field test, because this is exactly the kind of unique platform that deserves to be shot and evaluated properly. On the table, it looks great, feels solid, and offers a lot of customization potential, you just have to go in knowing it’s lever-action manual cycling, it uses green gas/propane (so temperature matters), and you’ll need to add your own optic since there are no sights included.

• 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