TSD/Matrix M14/M100 Sniper Rifle – Econo Airsoft Review

Matrix M14 Spring Sniper Rifle
(M160-B2)

Modeled After: US 7.62mm M14
Hop-Up: Adjustable, .2g Recommended
280 FPS / 85 Feet
Airsplat.com @ $40 + $15 S/H

Fast & Accurate
Range
Imposing Aesthetics
Sweet Magazine
Big
Heavy
Mostly Plastic
Difficult Operation

This impressive spring rifle is manufactured by UkArms and imported under a number of brand names, including TSD and Matrix. The shortened version of each are known as the M116 and SDM1 respectively. These rifles are also available in many different “packages” which include cheap but functional accessories ranging from bipods and rail systems to sights and flashlights.

You can’t normally find guns like this at such a low price. That’s why I was so impressed when it arrived to find that the thing wasn’t total crap – in fact, far from it. The rifle arrives in the box in two pieces, which you must assemble. Once completed, you’ll realize it truly is a full size replica – and has quite a bit of weight to top it off. The M14 is very solid, balanced, heavy, and features a satisfying amount of metal. While the main body is mostly plastic, features like the rear-adjustable sight and forward barrel assembly are metallic. The charging handle, however, isn’t metal and begins to show the wear of plastic sliding on plastic after some use. It’s also fairly heavy due to it’s sheer size and moderately difficult to cock. (hehe).

The detail on the rifle is sufficient to keep it lookin’ good on the battlefield. There are no markings save for a “made in china” but there are plenty of checkered grips, and the front barrel assembly is very good looking, featuring a flash suppressor and bipod mount. The sights are also adjustable, aligned properly, and the gun features an open ejection port.

Depending on the package you picked up, you may have some added accessories. The rail mount system this model came with can be slid over the top and fixed with one small screw. From there you can mount any number of er rail accessories. I think the system makes this gun look wicked, but some people may find it detracts from the classic look. The sight which was included in this package is cheap and not adjustable, but just accurate enough to be usable. The flashlight I can’t comment on since it didn’t come with enough batteries… But dude, it still looks cool. It’s also worth mentioning that the reviewed model included a cleaning rod, a pair of decent-looking shooting glasses, and a sling that I wouldn’t trust given the weight of this rifle.

The large, 37 round box magazine is one of my favorite features of this gun. It does have to be speed loaded, but with this high capacity it won’t be much of an issue. The magazine locks and loads in the well very nicely and makes a satisfying click. This M14 gets high marks for loading pizazz.

You may think a gun at this price could hardly be worthy of bearing the title of “sniper rifle”, but this model M14 puts out an impressive performance that can back it up. The iron sights are adjustable for pinpoint accuracy, and that’s what the gun will deliver out to a significant range. Adjustable hop up means you can perfect the spin as well, although the spring still isn’t powerful enough to handle heavy-weight BBs. .2g do just fine. This is safely one of the most accurate, fastest, and powerful long-range rifles you can find under 50 bucks. It would serve as a sniper rifle very nicely for econo-skirmish, and probably scare away anybody who gets to close in the first place…