| My very first shot at airsoft sniping was the use of a UTG M324 as a primary weapon. First impression was it had potential as a starter platform being a clone of the venerable Maruzen APS2. Upgrade parts were none existent then except for the tight barrel that can be custom made by master EdGI. I called EdGI to ask if he can make me one. Being one of the first to own the M324, EdGI asked me to bring the aluminum stock barrel; he needed the stock barrel as a template. When the custom barrel arrived, I was delighted to see EdGI did more than just provided a custom barrel. He also added an o-ring on the hopup end to give it a very good seal. This then became the standard on all EdGI barrels. Shots with the custom barrel were more than what I anticipated. I loved how the custom barrel performed compared to the stock aluminum barrel. It was simply amazing.
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But I wanted more. I Wanted to see how far I can go in airsoft sniping. The M324 with its limited upgrade options just won’t cut it. I needed more. I decided to try out another replica and this time, from the Maruzen line – the highly revered APS Type96. The looks alone were to die for, upgrades options were endless. PDI, Laylax/First Factory, KM, OK Japan, JP, K2, Carrot, Guarder, Deep Fire, King Arms and Maruzen all providing good quality upgrades. I just have to have this rifle, badly.
Ordering one was quite a challenge, even online they were always out of stock. Good thing a good friend from Bacolod, Wolfy had a spare. After 8 days of patiently waiting, it finally arrived. My son, Shahin was the first to open it, try it as I was out of the country at the time. Shahin, only 9 years old was able to assemble it without any problems. Maruzen seemed to have made this replica with kids in mind. And I didn’t mean the kid in us. Arriving back home, the first thing I did was to read the manual. Unfortunately, it was written in Japanese. Having studied nihongo a few years back, I tried to read the manual, but was meted with frustration, speaking nihongo is one thing, and writing or reading it is another. I had a hard trying to decipher what I thought to be katakana. Finally giving up on the translation, I decided to trash the manual and try out the rifle. Shahin was kind enough to have it mounted on the wall together with the rest of the airsoft replicas I have collected over the years so that when I get back home, he knew it would be the first thing I would be looking for. for more details, click here | 
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This will be my very first gas gun review so be gentle 
and will go for the goodies 
