Review
Steyr AUG (Armee Universal Gewehr) has been in use for some time - Austrian Army has introduced it to its service as early as 1977. In 2005 Steyr-Mannlicher introduced A3 version. To meet the present demand, new version goes with 4 RIS bars.
AU-3G brought to you by Chinese Jing Gong is imitating AUG A3. In comparison with A1 and A2, there is no characteristic front grip. In exchange you may use any RIS grip available on market, flashlight-combo grip, laser-sight, flashlight-combo with laser sight, bipod, bipod with grip, reflexing sight, telescopic sight, night-vision and kitchen sink.
When the carbine would be finally decorated as a Christmas tree, we may join a game: as you know, at the game area, swank, show-off and respect is crucial for your performance.
What's in the box?
Along with carbine, we get 300 hi-cap mag, Shuangbo 8.4V 1100mAh battery with slow-charge charger, RIS sights (my box went with double muzzle sight, I wonder who got double rearsights). There is also cleaning rod, 200 BBs and manual.
Outer look
How well AU-3G is resembling real AUG A3? See the pictures below:
This one is real with telescopic sight and flashlight-combo front grip
This is JG replica with front grip (not included)
Firstly breech chamber is exactly the same as A2 - it is just a conversion kit assembled in the front. Real AUG A3 has lower RIS upper rail and it fits to breech chamber and body.
RIS set is different, side rails should be mounted on screws.
Reload handle should be more rounded.
What is more, you may easily see the spot where original A1/A2 front grip was mounted. Nothing out of ordinary, if AU-3G breech and body is the same as in A1/A2. It is just RIS conversion kit mounted in front. It is similar to real AUG A3, as Dragunov conversion kits for TM AK series are similar to real sniper rifle.
Hi-cap mag seems to be durable, but it is a bit loosy in the socket.
Unfortunately quality is much lower than Tokyo Marui. Plastic, and fitting is just far from perfect.
There are protruding dots in plastic, and visible connections. Replica has no immitation of real symbols. Maybe it is even better, it would be much worse if there would be big Made in China emblem.
Reload handle reveals hop-up adjustment. It is build and used much alike one known from Marui.
Flash suppresor may be replaced with any left-handed silencer. As you may see, suppresor is made in a slipshod manner.
Trigger in replica works as in a real gun - so it has so called: double action, which is low pressure on a trigger results in single shot, more pressure is automatic. It is very convenient, though there are games where only single shots are allowed - quick pressure may result in automatic mode. R
Performance
During tests I have shot 12 000 BBs. There were no single malfunction. Once adjusted hop-up has not change spin by itself. Mag was serving BBs without a problem (one winding lasts for about 150 BBs). As far as I am concerned, Shuangbo battery should not be charged with small slow charger, because it charges with only 8.4V voltage. As always I would recommend good micro-processor charger which can prevent from overcharge and battery pack breakdown. When charged with such a charger, standard battery lasts for 8 hi-caps. To compare, Golded Eagle 9.6V 1100mAh - in M4 GFC lasts for 10 hi-caps.
Measured out of the box velocity, reached 446 fps at 0.2 BBs. Standard battery gives relatively low rate of fire with 11 shots per second, which is 660 per minute. 9.6V 1100mAh battery results in 13 shots per second and 780 per minute. In my opinion it would be smart to use less powerful spring to get some rate of fire in exchange for muzzle velocity.
Out of the box replica would be quite accurate on distance of 55 meters (no problem to aim at standing person). Somewhere between 58-60 meters BB would fall down. There is no stable repeatibility. After changing hop-up rubber to product by Systema, accurate range increased to 60 meters and maximum to 65. Barrel is said to be precise - it is for sure more precise than first generations of Chinese replicas, though Tokyo Marui AUG with Systema barrel is more accurate.
What's inside?
Replica goes with Gearbox, based on 7mm ball-bearings. Even though, sound is pretty loud - you hear the engine and racks.
RIS is mounted in the way, which makes it impossible to quickly dismantle barrel, as it was in AUG A1/A2. Firstly you have to unscrew two screws in the top, and one from below. Next we unscrew silencer and we slide down RIS set.
Possibility to remove outer, inner barrel together with hop-up chamber is characteristic of AUG series.
Hop-up chamber is exactly the same as in Tokyo Marui/CA AUG series. I would recommend replacing rubber and distancer for better. Barrel is 495mm long so shorter than AUG A1 or M16 (509mm).
Gearbox is nothing out of ordinary - 7mm bearings, racks looks durable, spring is short and hard. Engine has to be strong, 450fps muzzle velocity with 8.4V battery shows its good possibilities.
Summary
High muzzle velocity, good range puts AUG in a role of para-sniper support carbine. Though limited battery space reduces upgrades possibilities. Maximum battery would be 12V build on small NiMh packets. It would be worth considering to use LiPo battery 11.1V, which would give higher RoF with shorter trigger action time.
If to compare AU-3G with JG AU-1G, it has RIS set, higher muzzle velocity (reinforced gearbox) and MOSFET set. It costs almost twice as much, though still less than AUG by TM or Classic Army.
Replica looks futuristic and is relatively rare, I would recommend it to those players who would like to stand out during airsoft games.
Replica for tests thanks to:
(Translation by Bukhart)
