Brief company introduction
First news regarding Celcius CTW has started to come out online in April 2008. Until then the king was only one - Systema PTW with its M4/M16 line, being considered the most realistic replica. Celcius CTW M4A1 was said to be cheap option of training weapon for law enforcement and military service which would be compatible with Systema PTW. Information has spread with gossip that Chinese make their own copy of Systema PTW. Sometimes gossip was just absurd - but it has begun to make CTW recognisable. M4? M16? or maybe G36 with 550fps? Even a few photos available online were not making things clear, quite the contrary - it generated more information noise. It surely didn't help that the information leaked out on April the 1st.
Airsoft world has start to divide into two groups: one were the big fans of this idea and the others were strong opponents of any copy, Made in China or even any news in this topic. Retail price was said to be around 500USD, which has made this replica even more tasty, because in the price a bit higher than a good AEG, you could have something, which was meant to be overall the best. Some people started to save money. Even though it was pretty nothing new about CTW for a long time, it was coming back each time every few months.
In the end o August of 2008 I exchanged a few mails with Celcius, to get some information regarding upcoming replica. First news were very promising - Celcius was proud to announce that they would sent me a replica for tests. Model which might have been tested and reviewed was said to be presented worldwide in the end of September 2008. In October it became clear that CTW is not yet ready to be presented. In the end of the 2008 there were some Youtube clips which presented CTW which was actually working. No information about the release date followed. Again, it was pretty silent about CTW for some time. But when in January 2009, Systema presented Super MAX model, CTW quickly replied that they are really close to the release date and that retail price would be much lower than PTW.
About the review
If you expect very detailed review you might be disappointed. My approach was, that I am the user - what do I get. So, is it fun (or not) to run with it and use it - without any concerns about malfunctions. I had a pleasure to receive a replica from Coyote ASG with Celcius and MAG mags. In the separate delivery they've sent high-end barrel - Deep Fire which is being sold in standard.
It is worth mentioning that personally I am satisfied Systema PTW user for quite a time - so I could have an opportunity to compare CTW with Systema product during shooting tests and training. Therefore I assumed that the reason to buy CTW is somehow the same as the reason to buy PTW - to have no worries while usage. No worries about tuning up or maintanance which is just limited to basic activities.
I have used PTW intensively for nearly one year and then I received its copy. It is very difficult to keep yourself impartial in that situation, so please mind that while reading this text.
WRAPPING
Styrofoam and cardboard in dark design with the black solid logo makes a good impression. Replica is safe in styrofoam as well as all other parts are concerned.
In the box:
- replica M4A1
- Celcius 120 magazine (in Poland as a standard you get MAG 170 magazines),
- cleaning rod,
- CD with manual and documentation (non-military),
- quick-loading tool (BB),
- Allen key (ball) for hop up adjustment.
OUTER LOOK
It is good. After taking it out of the box it makes a really solid impression. At the first glance almost everyone who I asked thought it is standard M4 by Systema. Only after closer look it came not without a surprise that it actually is the CTW. I was affraid that maybe it would be PTW copy, but somehow distant, "made in China" and that the price is tricky... It came out to be a really good PTW copy.
It goes with CELCIUS TRAINING WEAPON marks, serial number and Chinese dragon logo. Embroidery work is made with laser - very precisely. It doesn't seem it would tear down easily. Colours and quality of parts are almost the same with PTW - apart from small differences in details.
Celcius M4A1
Celcius Training Weapon, logo, serial number and fire mode selector marks (left side)
Right side of the body
Body colour balance is almost the same with PTW which is almost the same with Colt M4. Photos maybe not that definite, but it is just beatiful at this part.
MAGAZINE
Magazine by MAG company, which are standard in Poland in final version (instead of 30/120 by Systema or Celcius) have 170BB capacity. It is hard to say if packing more BBs and more stress to the spring lowers its time of usage. Both MAG and Celcius mags were all the time extensively used and if you might have some objections over Celcius performance, there are no objections over the MAG. It is a big advantage that guys from Coyote ASG support CTW in standard with MAG company magazines. There were just two or three accidents when BB block let off but only when fully loaded (if not fully loaded - like 120-130BB - there were no failures at all). Retail price is close to Systema so it would be pretty individual choice between 50BB more capacity or Systema brand.
I had a hope about "BB follower", but I was disappointed, when it drop out. Even though MAG magazines dropped it scarcely it still happened.
My personal subjective ladder on PTW/CTW mags:
1. Systema 30 / Systema 120
2. MAG 170
3. Celcius 120.
4. none producer matches this place
5. still none producer
6. SABER 120.
While MAG and Systema were fully replacable (in PTW and CTW) without any consequences, Celcius and Saber resulted in a failure in almost any situation.
Left to right: Systema / MAG / Celcius
MAG magazine in contradiction to Celcius and Systema has a solution which might cut the bad BB-follower drop out. While Celcius has just a steel bearing ball, MAG uses a wedge shaped bolt which is designed not to jump out when a mag is empty. Solution works well.
New improved BB-follower
BATTERY
Battery which is in standard is said to be 11,1V LiPo 1100mAh (though Coyote ASG is highly recommending GE1520mAh), but real measured capacity was around 950-970mAh. Battery fits on a side part of the stock. With all my respect to Chinese quality I decided to use PTW battery which - by the way - fits perfectly in CTW stock.
Standard PTW battery fits well
STOCK
CTW stock is noticeably lighter - it is either made of thinner ABS either just other plastic. Nevertheless it still gives a heavy feeling. It looks exactly the same as PTW one - it is hard to find any differences.
On th left CTW, on the right PTW
CONSTRUCTION AND PERFORMANCE
This is the part where so called Chinese quality and low care for details is sometimes visible. While CTW maintanance you might have to use some force - parts are not that well fit together. Number of spots which are not visible "outside" seem to be not finished with the same care as outer look. I was pretty fed up how much force I had to use, especially when I was replacing the barrel collar.
Inner construction solutions are almost same with Systema. Cylinders are fully replacable (there is no problem to use black, gold or even red) - of course it is not recommended likewise it results in loosing your guarantee rights.
Cylinder view after removing lower body (from below)
CTW is fully compatible with Systema cylinders
Same as PTW, Celcius replica neither can be reloaded as a real gun. Cocking handle has some use - during cylinder removal. There is a way to imitate dummy reload with a reload handle (without placing BB in the chamber) - if you are interested, there are manuals online available in this topic.
Lower body has no noticeable differences with PTW. You may notice lack of LED and as a good improvement in comparison to PTW, Celcius uses small rubber wrapper on the lever which is responsible for blocking the replica after the last shot was taken (simply: it does not allow to take an empty shot). This small rubber in CTW helps to improve this block repeatibility. Apart from that you may notice some minor differences in quality.
Silver cylinder CS350, produces 370-385 fps with 0.20g BB - which is not bad. Mind that silver colour might be misleading since systema silver one is SuperMAX, so the most powerful one.
CTW in Poland is being sold as a standard with Deep Fire 6.02 barrel with tightened chamber collar. I have received CTW with its standard Celcius barrel, so I also had a chance to check it out as well. As I have mentioned I have received Deep Fire in separate delivery.
Unfortunately Chinese barrel was just not precise. Recurrence was low and even for a fun game it might be unsatisfactory - not mentioning LEP training.
I started with a barrel replacement. It was not that painless - parts are not that well fit. In PTW to get to HU chamber you just need a correct Allen key. In CTW to remove the chamber collar it didn't go without a small hammer, vise and some force. There is a number of quality problems inside the replica. Such an example is obviously the result of cost cutting on getting the right pressure in the chamber. There is more brute force then precise finishing. For those who would work on CTW maintanance it would result in a lot of additional working hours. Those who would be just an end user, should be satisfied.
Typhoon 10/495 engine is just a copy of Systema one. Its wire brush would tend to rub off - PTW users know exactly what I am talking about. CTW users would learn soon. Nevertheless replacement is not troublesome at all. Coyote ASG, as authorised service centre would assist you with that.
CTW engine
PTW engine
Celcius informed that replica is produced in CNC technology, but I would rather say that it is being finished with CNC technology (elements which require real precision).
THE TEST
Accuracy and velocity were tested indoor in a room temperature in distances of 20 and 30 meters. During the whole test I have shot around 10 000 BBs of different brands and weight.
Conditions:
- room temperature;
- no wind;
- distance: 20 meters;
- HU adjusted properly;
- firing mode: 10 shots - single;
- target: A4 piece of paper (210 × 297 mm);
Key:
Blue - Deep Fire barrel
Red - Celcius barrel
BB: KSC Perfect 0.20
Cylinder: CELCIUS CS350
FPS: 375-382
Barrel: Deep Fire
BB: KSC Perfect 0.25
Cylinder: CELCIUS CS350
FPS: 340-345
Barrel: Deep Fire
BB: Bioval BB Max 0.27
Cylinder SYSTEMA GOLD
FPS: 350-360
On the distance of 30 meters with DF barrel there were no problems with accurately hitting a kneeling stillhouette target.
COMPATIBILITY WITH A REAL FIREARM
In general there is no problem to use scopes, mounting and so on. There is no need to grind or cut upper RIS to mount anything. PMAG magazines are also a good match.
Eotech 552 and VLTOR Emod stock
Of course to attach other stock it would require applying changes in the stock itself to make it capable of battery placement.
MY OPINION
Price for CTW (in Coyote ASG) even though not that low for an avarage airsoft player, seems to be a good bargain especially in comparison to Systema model. Spending this money would make it possible to join the elite club of players having an almost perfect replica. It is worth to remember though, that we can't say much about reccurence in quality of CTW. Coyote Custom CTW are promised to be cross-checked and reinforced to meet the demands of our market. Each piece is said to be overhauled before it meets the end user.
CTW sold in Poland as CCCTW with Deep Fire barrel and MAG magazines is comparable with PTW. Coyote ASG replacements take out some possible failures and make a CTW competitive with its original rival.
I am just a bit worried that along with number of replicas of this high level it would not directly improve attitude and awareness of players. Nevertheless it is not the place to discuss that topic.
PROS:
- price,
- bonuses from Coyote ASG (Deep Fire 6.02 barrel and MAG magazine) so everything which is inside authorised Coyote Custom CTW M4A1 sold in Poland.
- good recurrence.
CONS:
- Chinese quality finishing,
- shortcomings in comparison with Systema PTW.
Would CTW be PTW for budget airsoft market, or maybe equal competitor?
Replica was tested thanks to courtesy of Coyote ASG - exclusive distributor of Celcius Technology in Poland:
Translation by Bukhart
