ICS have been in our airsoft world for many, many years and they’re still very much among the top-tier as far as we’re concerned as they continue to do things their way, and to innovate each and every year!
We’ve been testing their take on one of our favourite carbines, the DANIEL DEFENSE MK18, for some considerable time now, and you’ll find it featured in our FAVOURITE AEGS as used by the AA Crew in the current issue… but seen at MOA was the next evolution in this family of detailed replica AEGS, the EMG X DANIEL DEFENSE LICENSED DD4 MK18 RIII!
Now for those who aren’t “MK18 gun bunnies” like us, what does this bring to the table? In the words of DANIEL DEFENSE themselves;
“The DD4™ MK18 RIII™ AR15-style short-barreled rifle is unmatched in size, weight, and performance. It combines our tried-and-true MK18 with our Daniel Defense RIS III Rail Interface System. This revolutionary system takes the proven design of our two-piece RIS II rails—used by U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) since 2006—and reduces weight while adding versatility by utilizing popular M-LOK attachment. So, you get the same proven free-float barrel design, durable aircraft-grade aluminum construction, and an uninterrupted upper rail platform with Mil-Spec 1913 rail of the RIS II—plus seven M-LOK attachment points along the handguard and integral QD swivel attachment points on both sides!”
And ICS have nailed it in terms of the all-important LOOK, and we think that their take looks fabulous! But we also want the performance, right?
The features of the ICS RIS III look righteous!
- EMG Licensed Daniel Defense DD4 MK18 RIII 9.55″ Handguard
- EMG Licensed Daniel Defense DD4 MK18 RIII Body Lettering
- EMG ZETA Grip & Stock
- III E-trigger system
- Smart Trigger & Pre-cocking Function
- MASTER MODS Reinforced Full Metal Teeth Piston
- MASTER MODS AL6061 Cylinder Head & Piston Head & Air Nozzle
- MASTER MODS Hop Tensioner Nub
- T-Dean Plug
- EBB System
- Simulated Gas Pipe
- Short Stroke Trigger
- ICS Split Gearbox
- QD Spring Guide Design
- One-piece Metal HOP-UP Chamber
- Spring Release Function
All of this adds up to one great looking replica, and one that should perform too… we’ll get Boycie, Dan, and Li’l Stu to check out the real thing when they’re at SHOT SHOW 2025 in January, and we’re looking forward to getting one of the ICS AEGs (along with ICS’ own PDW MK18 which looks stunning!) on the range over the Christmas period, and we’ll be reporting back as always… in the New Year!
