ICS MARS SBR review

Today we are going to be taking a look at the 2017 flagship AEG line from ICS. the CXP MARS,
or Modern Assault Rifle System.

The MARS rifles are the evolution of the ever popular CXP series and feature completely ambidextrous
controls and all the familiar internal parts that make the ICS CXP line so popular with players around the
world.

The MARS rifles come in a variety of different configurations and colourways, All of them feature a unique
CNC machined handguard with a cutout inspired by the mouth of the Komodo Dragon.

The models available are the “SBR” or “Short Barreled Rifle” which, is the shortest of the MARS rifles
and features an MTR stock.

The “Carbine” which is the “full size rifle” of the family.

 The Komodo, which features the MTR S1 stock and a longer handguard that extends over the flash hider giving the Komodo that “hidden barrel” aesthetic that is “totally in right now”

  And finally we have the “DMR” or Designated Marksman Rifle, the longest of the MARS rifles, which comes with the UKSR adjustable “marksman” stock.

All four of these rifles are available entirely black, entirely tan or a mixed two tone with Tan highlights
over a black base. Alongside the two different colourways there are two versions of the trigger unit.
The first, named “FET” has a standard trigger unit and an inline mosfet. The second “S3” features the
new S3 Electronic trigger.

FET trigger unit

S3 trigger unit

While the silhouette of the MARS is easily identifiable at first glance as “another M4 rifle” upon closer
inspection, it isn’t “just another M4.”

There are many subtle differences, both aesthetically and ergonomically. The most obvious of these
is the aggressive design of the receiver. It takes the classic AR15 styling but flattens out all of those
round edges and completely does away with the forward assist lever.

In this review we will be looking solely at the SBR version of the MARS rifles.

With this being a “fictional” firearm and not really a replica of anything that is out in the “real world”
there are no real trademarks or logos. The markings the MARS does feature starting on the left
hand side of the magazine well are the MARS logo and “Modern Assault Rifle System” with the
relevant calibre markings and serial number below . Just above this on the upper receiver are the
letters “CXP” the top of the contoured pistol grip features the ICS branding.
The opposite side of the rifle has the following text,

“Airsoft Electric Gun

Manufactured by

I.C.S. Taiwan. R.O.C”

Then it has the ASG logo followed by the F Pentagon and the calibre markings.

The ICS branding is also featured on both sides of the MTR stock and the “chess piece”
ICS logo is on the butt plate.

The front and rear flip up sights also feature the “ICS” and “CXP” markings.

The SBR is the shortest of the MARS family and features a 9” outer barrel with a
CNC machined aluminium hand guard featuring a combination of both keymod slots and
20mm Picatinny rails.

This allows for a very lightweight and slim line handguard with the option to add more rails and
accessories as the user wishes. Included in the box are three optional rail sections,
two short and one medium in length which can be attached to the key mod sections of the rail.

At the rear end of the SBR you will find the MTR stock. Which is a modernised version of the
classic LE style retractable stock.

It has a mounting point for a QD sling swivel and a large easy to access button to adjust the
stock through it’s six positions.

The top section of the butt plate can be pulled away to allow access to the battery.

Inside the stock tube is enough space for a lipo battery.

A little note on battery useage, while the ICS rifles are rated to run on an 11v lipo, because
of the downgraded spring for the UK market it is recommended that a 7v battery is used instead.
If an 11v is used, there is a chance that the gun will fire in a “two round burst” mode on semi.

All of the wiring is cleverly hidden in the adjustment rails of the buffer tube to free up as much battery
space as possible. Another nifty feature is the “butt stop” on the bottom of the rail, this rubber “plug”
can be placed at any point along the stock tube and restricts how short the stock can be adjusted to.

This is to prevent any larger batteries being squashed by the stock being retracted too far.

The BUIS are two stage and can be used in either the raised or lowered position.
Unlike the previous generation of CXP BUIS which were spring tension released,
these simply flip up and down by hand.

At the point where the buffer tube meets the receiver is an ambidextrous sling loop.
Which features the ICS branding.

The pistol grip is just what you would expect from the CXP range, solid, stippled and contoured.
It has that classic ICS pseudo magpul aesthetic to it.

The flash hider is much more aggressive looking than the standard Birdcage style and unscrews
to reveal a 14mm counter clockwise thread for the addition of your favourite flavour of muzzle device.

The fire selector is ambidextrous and cycles from safe, through semi and automatic,
the markings are very “HK” in their design, rather than having the words “SAFE, SEMI and AUTO”
it features easy to understand diagrams.

The magazine release, as with the fire selector is useable by both left and right handed shooters.

The trigger is a flat “speed style” trigger, which makes for a smooth short trigger pull especially
in the S3 version.

Internally the big difference between the S3 and FET lies in the lower gearbox. Where the FET version
has the standard trigger switch the S3 has an electronic trigger which allows for a number of interesting
features. Including a “Self diagnostic Shooting System” (which is where the term S3 comes from)
automatic can be tuned from continuous fire to burst mode.

When running an 11v lipo burst mode will give you a three round burst, whereas with a 7v I have found it
will only give you a two round burst.

The trigger pull on the S3 version is very short and smooth, as it’s an electronic trigger there is
no physical reset, as a result it only needs moving forwards a few mm to allow it to be pulled again
for a follow up shot. For more information on the S3 trigger take a look at the instructional video over
on the ICS Youtube channel. Check out the cards for a direct link to that.

As with all of the CXP line the MARS is powered by the V2 split gearbox. The version in the
MARS rifles is electric blow back and has a quick change spring guide. The only tool you need to
remove the spring guide is a 4mm allen key.

Rotating it 45 degrees allows the spring to push the spring guide out from the rear of the gearbox.
This means spring changes to keep your gun site legal are super quick and easy.

The hop unit is the standard ICS rotary design and constructed from metal. It is accessible through
the ejection port by pulling back the charging handle.

The spring tension release is activated by setting the rifle to SAFE

To find out the muzzle velocity of both of these rifles I fired several 0.20g rounds over the
fidragon chrono.

S3 version

FET version

The S3 chronoed on average at 334fps and the FET came in a little lower around 320

For the accuracy test I fired both rifles at an A4 target around 30 meters away with .25g bb’s.

I locked the guns into a stable position, in a controlled environment with no wind or weather
to affect the shots.

With both of those tests in the bag, we can see that the MARS is a very effective platform.
Despite it’s relatively short barrel length the SBR can put round after round on target and keep
a respectable grouping.

As always with my reviews I like to get out and play with the guns before I give my opinions on them.
I took the FET over to Labyrinth in Bury and the S3 over to SWAT in Liverpool and Foundry in Leeds
to give them a good run for their money. Both performed really well in the tight confines of CQB,
the S3 in particular was incredible for laying down a solid base of fire despite being restricted to
semi automatic.

You can take a look at some of the gameplay over at www.youtube.com/magaz

My final thoughts.

The MARS SBR is a solid, well built AEG that encompasses all of the key features that make
the ICS CXP series much sought after. Would I recommend this gun? Without a doubt.
Given the fact that I am sponsored by ICS, that might seem to be a biased opinion.
However, I have been running ICS guns for over a decade now, simply because they work well, last a long time and are incredibly reliable.

 Anzio Camp 2015

 Saighton Camp 2007

 Fortress 2015

 Camp Sparta 2017

Fortress 2016

And this gun is an improvement on pretty much every ICS CXP that has gone before it.
If you are a new player and you want an AEG that will possibly outlast your “career” as an airsofter,
or you are a veteran player with many years under your belt, you can’t go wrong with the MARS SBR.

If you have any questions about the MARS series of rifles, drop them below and I will do my
best to answer them! If you prefer a video review you can check out the full review below

Before I sign off, I’d like to thank Paul at ASG and Yvette at ICS for helping me get hold of these
rifles to review. You guys are both awesome and without your help this review might not have been
possible! If you haven’t already, head over to the ICS and ASG facebook pages and drop them a like.
And be sure to keep your eyes on both pages and the UKICSCaptain page for events at sites and
retail stores where you can get your hands on the MARS rifles to see for yourself, why they are one
of the best out of the box AEG’s on the market right now!

Thanks for reading, I’m UK ICS Captain, Magaz, and remember kids… TAMBS BOBAH!