ICS Airsoft has prepared a rather special project for this year's IWA trade show. During the event, they presented a new licensed replica, the Taran Tactical TR-9, an AR-9 PCC carbine chambered in 9 mm. While many Taran Tactical Innovations products are associated with the John Wick movie series (starring Keanu Reeves), the TTI TR-9 model has not yet appeared in the franchise. The platform itself (both the replica and the original) is derived from the AR family and features elements such as an ambidextrous safery/selector switch, a charging handle located behind the top rail, a trigger and magazine well, and a handguard (in this case in the M-LOK system).
Interestingly, ICS Airsoft decided to release a hybrid replica that can operate as both an AEG and a GBB within a single receiver.
What does this mean? Using the same set of external components, it is possible to configure the replica with the proprietary split AEG gearbox and standard AEG replica parts OR convert it to a gas-powered configuration by swapping the gearbox for one that houses gas-powered replica components. These, in turn, were designed based on the Tokyo Marui standard and allow the use of gas-powered Glock magazines as well as certain trigger mechanism parts from replicas in the MWS standard. The magazines for the new TTI TR-9 PCC replica are based on CO2 cartridges and feature a new internal pressure adjustment system, allowing even more precise tuning of power and performance.
In the internal configuration of the electric variant, we are dealing with the well-known split gearbox system, classic components, the SSS.e ETU control unit, and an electric blowback system (EBB).
The electric TTI TR-9 PCC replicas from ICS Airsoft will appear at the beginning of the second quarter of this year, while the gas-powered variant will reach the market at the end of 2026.
This solution somewhat resembles the G-Box design from another Asian manufacturer, but is based on more standard parts and magazines. Could this mark the beginning of a shared future for AEG and GBB replicas?
Photos: WMASG, Shooting Media
