Matrix AUG A3 M1 Airsoft AEG Rifle (Model: Picatinny Rail / No MOSFET)

"I recently just got back into airsoft after being on a 15 year hiatus. Always wanted an AUG and bought the Matrix AUG M3 A1 with the MOSFET and integrated scope. Starting with the Pro's:

1. Very solid construction body all around. Everything feels robust and built to last with one exception (It'll be in the con's).

2. Good finish on the metal parts.

3. Good performance out of the box. I'm running a 11.1v lipo 2000mAh with a Dean's connector. To clarify this AUG is using a Dean's to clear up any confusion with the item description.

4. Modularity with the Picatinny rails to customize to your heart's content.

5. Easy to access for upgrades since the barrel can be replaced with other JG/TM AUG barrels. Haven't replaced the bucking yet.

6. Trigger is not as bad as some people are claiming. I didn't get any spongy feelings from mine and I only tested semi auto so far and have yet to mess with the MOSFET settings.

7. Weight and balance feels good for long term field usage.

Now the Con's:

1. The intergraded scope that this AEG ships with is absolute garbage. It looks ugly with the cut off on the back, the screws for adjusting windage and elevation for zeroing are cheap metal that stripped when I tried using my hex bit, and it would have been nice to have built in backup iron sights on the top Picatinny rail. I would get rid of the intergraded scope with either going with the flat top model, or get the traditional AUG A1 scope since that has BUIS. At least the intergraded scope has the right reticle.

2. The charging handle is flimsy and the internal spring is weak. If laying the rifle down lay it on the right side down. Probably the weakest part of the gun you have to take extra precautions with.

3. The fold down foregrip is average at best. I'm planning on getting the traditional A1 style foregrip but the one included with the gun is hollow molded plastic. It feels sturdy at least but I'm not impressed.

4. I had some of the hop up assembly come out when I tested the barrel removal. Everything slid back into place but take extra precaution if you plan to do barrel swaps out in the field for different roles.

5. Battery compartment is small. I cannot see how a long stick type battery would fit in the back of the buttstock so I recommend a smaller type battery.

For it's entry level pricing it's very solid for what you get out of the box. I am going to replace the intergraded scope and the foregrip to make it more like the classic A1 AUG as a personal preference but I think new airsoft players and more experienced ones will be satisfied with what they get here.

"tl;dr: It's a JG AUG with an ETU.

Picatinny rail w/ Mosfet was what I purchased.

Externals: Comes in two pieces. No tools to assemble it, so have an allen key set prepared.
Typical AUG body, for the lower receiver not special but doesn't knock my socks off on build quality. Seems solid enough.
Sling mounts are flimsy but untested. Consider mounting a QD set to the body if you want to run a 2 point.
Upper receiver is what you're paying for; it's an A3 style flat top, comes with a stubby foregrip. The lower rail on the hand guard is half picatinny, half MLOK so keep that in mind for grip purchasing.
Charging handle is flimsy, don't slap it. No iron sights included. everything else is standard AUG fare. Fits the PMAG style AUG magazines I purchased with it and feeds well enough. Comes with a midcap.

Internals:
I haven't ripped it open besides replacing the barrel and hop bucking in order to preserve my warranty, but Evike claims it to have a 16:1 set with a FSR piston and a high speed motor. I wouldn't doubt all this; the trigger response is excellent despite the usual AUG squishy trigger. I ran it on an 11.1v.
The Kestrel Basic ETU is serviceable, but I would consider budgeting for a Perun in the future. Has precocking, brushless compatibility, and fire mode changing by default. I set mine for "half" on the precocking levels, and set my auto to 3 round burst. Trigger response on 11.1v is great with that set up.
Long term reliability, no comment yet.
Hop up unit is flimsy JG usual. It works, but I would consider a Begadi unit if you could snag one. Or just get the Nov unit from the SSR77 if it fits. No comment on standard range; I immediately placed a 4uantum bucking in there.
Wired to deans. Battery space is usual. No taller than 100mm on the battery and you're good to go.

Final words: probably the best "standard" AUG you can get in NA right now. Begadis might be better if you're in EU, but over here I would (and did) pick this over the SSR77. Save 150 dollars and upgrade it yourself. Or don't. It's pretty decent out of the box.

"So, I may be one of the very few who randomly came across this replica. I'm familiar with Matrix products and I figured the price wasn't awful so I'll give it a shot. Out of the box, like most AUG's it came in 2 pieces and to my shock, the frame/body of the gun was decently heavy and the polymer felt pretty sturdy! The manual is pretty bad as it utilizes the Chinese language more than English and is super confusing to look at, but if you get the mosfet version it comes with the manual for trigger modes which is great! This thing is decently easy to put together and once it's built it feels very solid and honestly super comfortable to hold. Now onto some not so good stuff from the unboxing... Why... Why why why is there no Alan key included? You quite literally need it for the m-lok version, luckily I have my own set of them but that is an essential tool that never came in my box, maybe it was a mistake but that's not acceptable at all lol. Secondly, while most of the gun is solid, charging handle feels pretty bad haha! Very cheap plastic used, has tons of play, and looks like it will break off easily if mishandled. What is also not good is the rear side of the "stock" the two split sections at the top are slightly separating due to no reinforcement by screws. Now the last thing is to be expected because it's an AUG after all, trigger feel is super mid.. but that's an Aug for you... Now for the good, this thing is so cool... It feels so good holding it, and test fired it and works great! Very respectable ROF and good rotory hop up which could use an upgrade though, Very easy to access everything on this gun! Would I recommend this? Yes! But for starting airsofters that want something unique!. Otherwise, I'd say you get what you pay for and I would say the price isn't awful for what you get.